Office of Off-Campus Study
Study abroad is integral to the academic mission of the International Politics and Economics major. Indeed, IPE is one of the few majors that requires study abroad.
Being abroad, however, requires careful planning on students' part in order to meet major requirements.
When planning coursework abroad, students should prepare a balanced program that spreads their course work among the social sciences and humanities. Because IPE majors must also take three elective PS 
courses (either in comparative politics or international relations), at least one of which must be in their region of focus, students planning to study abroad may find it useful to select a political science course abroad that might fulfill this regional focus. Finally, past experience suggests that transferring a political science course taken abroad back to Middlebury for IPE major credit is often easier than transferring an economics course. Students should understand this and plan their course selections accordingly.
Credit transfer for courses taken abroad works as follows: if a student is approved to study abroad, s/he automatically receives a normal semester or year's worth of college credit. To receive disciplinary credit for the classes they take abroad, the department chair in the appropriate discipline must approve these courses. In some cases, students might receive credit approval for disciplinary courses prior to their departure (based on a department Chair's familiarity with the student's intended institution abroad, and the reputation of the courses s/he intends to take). In others, such approval will not be given until students return from abroad, and in these cases students should bring back all relevant course material to show to department chairs who will make the final decision on major credit.
Finally, students should use their time abroad to prepare for senior work. In particular, students who are planning to write a thesis should explore thesis topics while abroad and should keep in touch with their advisors back in Vermont, who can provide direction on thesis work. In the past, students have been able—while still "in the field" as it were—to gather materials (documents, books, etc.) and conduct interviews with relevant academics or policy makers that they have been able to use in writing their theses. It is never too early to begin thesis research.
Study Abroad FAQs for IPE Majors
Q. Is it difficult to complete the IPE major if I study abroad for a year?
A. It can be. IPE is a well-structured major with specific required courses in Economics. Many courses abroad that are labeled "Economics" are actually based on sociology, history, etc., and will not transfer for major credit at Middlebury. Moreover, certain IPE requirements (like PSCI 0304) can only be taken at Middlebury. Finally, students who do not plan to write a senior IPE thesis must take two senior seminars to complete the IPE senior program—one in political science, the other in economics—those writing a senior thesis can omit one of these seminars. Some students who spend a year abroad (but not all) may find it difficult to fulfill the major's requirements in four years. Typically, students who declare their majors early, and thus, make steady progress toward meeting the requirements, are better positioned to spend a year abroad than others are.
Q. What programs should I consider for study abroad?
A. For many students, the C.V. Starr schools abroad will be appropriate. Within each country where Middlebury has programs, however, there are frequently several choices. Where there are such choices, students should consult faculty in their disciplinary specialization—or the web pages of these departments—to find out which particular locations each discipline recommends. Where Middlebury does not have its own program—or where a student's particular interests make a non-Middlebury program more appropriate—students should consult the economics and political science web sites, and the Office of Off-Campus Study for advice on appropriate programs.
Q. What courses should I take before going abroad?
A. As many required courses as possible. Some economics and political science courses are specifically required, while others are electives; focus on the former. Students should take at least one regional course prior to departure, to get a grounding in the region.
Q. When should I start thinking about a thesis?
A. If you think an IPE thesis is in your future, you should start thinking about it, and discussing it with your advisor, while you are abroad (and the sooner you start this process, the better). You should also think about what resources you can use for your thesis—faculty, libraries, archives, bookstores, etc.—that you will only have access to while you are abroad.