To: Students Considering Off-Campus Study
From: The Office of Off-Campus Study and the Educational Affairs Committee
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, and almost uniformly students find it to be a life-changing experience. Middlebury College, however, does not grant academic credit solely for life experience or cultural immersion. While these benefits of studying abroad are of enormous value, the fundamental purpose is always academic.
The individual student has the responsibility to present to his or her Middlebury College academic adviser a compelling academic case for off-campus study. To this end, during the advising process, the student will need to provide his or her academic adviser with: 1) the completed application form; 2) as much information as possible on the courses to be taken while abroad; and 3) an essay that presents a compelling academic rationale for off-campus study. The student will be expected to take some courses on the culture and/or natural history particular to the site for off-campus study.
In order to present a compelling academic rationale for the time away from Middlebury, students should keep in mind, as noted above, that the College does not grant academic credit solely for life experience or cultural immersion. The essay then must present a compelling academic case for off-campus study that uses the following criteria:
A. The essay should spell out how the student's course of off-campus study will be integrated with his or her course of study at Middlebury, serving a major, a minor, or some other established curricular interest.
B. In the essay, the student should demonstrate that he or she has adequate preparation for studying abroad, in the form of preparatory coursework or research.
C. The essay should demonstrate that the student is aware that he or she must take courses abroad that meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) the courses are not offered at Middlebury but are rigorous and appropriate to a liberal arts education; 2) the courses are not offered at Middlebury but are rigorous and appropriate to the student's major(s); 3) the courses are the equivalent of Middlebury courses but are unique in perspective; 4) the courses may or may not be offered at Middlebury but are unique in perspective because they involve study of the natural history, economics, history, politics, or culture of the region where the school is situated.
D. In the essay the student should describe how the off-campus study will not interfere with his or her ability to complete the major in a timely and reasonable fashion, through coursework while abroad and/or upon returning to Middlebury. [Note : The student should understand that going abroad may jeopardize his or her ability to complete a major program, particularly if the student is pursuing a joint or double major. Departments and programs cannot predict with accuracy eighteen months in advance whether or not, and when, particular courses will be offered that the student may need in order to complete the requirements for his or her major program.]
Students seeking to apply courses taken overseas toward their major, minor, distribution or culture/civilization requirements will need such courses individually approved by the appropriate department chair upon return. Students must bring back all syllabi, bibliographies, assignments, and written work to support such claims. The student should consult with their major adviser(s) prior to study abroad in order to ascertain whether the courses to be taken might be applied toward the major, minor, distribution, or culture/civilization requirements.
Please note: This booklet applies specifically to Australia and New Zealand and should be read in conjunction with the "Study Abroad Guidelines" booklet.
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
STUDY ABROAD IN
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
2006-2007
INTRODUCTION
Australia's and New Zealand's educational systems are highly regarded throughout the world and offer valuable opportunities for American students looking for an academic and personal challenge in an English-speaking school system. In the past decade, opportunities for American students to study in their junior year in Australia or New Zealand have expanded tremendously—and American students have taken full advantage of the situation. Each year approximately 15-20 percent of Middlebury students studying on non-Middlebury programs study in Australia or New Zealand.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITIES
University entry in both Australia and New Zealand is competitive and academic standards are high. All universities are considered "accredited" and are closely monitored by the government (they are required to satisfy certain conditions and make particular commitments in order to be eligible for federal funding). Universities in Australia and New Zealand generally have a wide range of course offerings in many disciplines.
Australia
There are 39 universities in Australia, 37 publicly supported and two private. Of the 37 public universities in Australia, 22 were established before 1988. Six of these 22 were established as the first universities in each state in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. One university was established at the conclusion of World War II, followed by a group of 12 state universities being established in the late 1950s, 60s, and early 70s to accommodate the increasing number of students who were intent on a university education. Three of the pre-1988 universities were former Institutes of Technology. The remaining 15 universities that were established post-1988 comprise both former Institutes of Technology and former Colleges of Advanced Education (similar to the Polytechnics in the United Kingdom).
New Zealand
New Zealand has eight institutions of higher learning, also public universities. (There are also 21 Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology, but Middlebury students typically do not attend these schools, as they are less relevant to a liberal arts degree.) Most of the universities in New Zealand were established in the late 1800s: the Universities of Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, and Victoria, as well as Lincoln University and the Auckland University of Technology. Massey University followed in the 1920s, then Waikato in the 1960s.
EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES
IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Based on the English university system, bachelor's degrees in Australia and New Zealand are generally three years, with some students adding a fourth year for an Honours degree. A major difference between the Australian/New Zealand educational systems and that of the United States is the level of specialization. Students in Australia and New Zealand choose their area of specialization during secondary school. They do not choose a random assortment of courses from a variety of departments; this concept of a liberal arts education is unique to the United States. In an Australian or New Zealand university, the primary function of academics is to conduct research, so there is a strong emphasis placed on student independence.
In deciding to study abroad, students should be aware and be prepared to accept that educational philosophies overseas differ radically from those dominant at U.S. colleges and universities. While the American higher educational system is based on contractual relations with students and continuous assessment (e.g., homework, quizzes, weekly papers, etc.), foreign educational cultures place primary responsibility for learning on the individual student. From this perspective, the primary goal of education is to acquire knowledge and increase understanding, rather than to focus on outcomes as measured by grades. Similarly, the principal vehicle of instruction tends to be the lecture, while class participation and discussion usually play a minor role. However, from the viewpoint of study abroad, students' goals should be less to express their own opinions and cultural biases, than to learn about those of their host culture. At the same time, students have greater freedom to pursue what interests them within the general framework of a given course than is often the case at home. Students will also generally have less interaction with professors, though they are almost always pleased to interact with students who seek them out. In short, the experience of studying abroad is likely to be very different from that to which students are accustomed. Students who do not accept this challenge will be forfeiting a unique educational and cultural opportunity.
GRADING SYSTEMS AND COURSE LOADS
Australia
Most Australian universities use a grading system with four clear grades of pass, although the terminology differs between institutions. The most commonly used terms are High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, and Pass. There is also a grade of Conceded or Terminated Pass, which is roughly equivalent to a U.S. grade of "D." It is important to note that the distribution of grades in Australia contrasts markedly to that of the U.S. Many Middlebury students are used to earning grades of B or better; it can be far more difficult to receive the equivalent grades at Australian universities. For example, according to several studies, the number of students who earned grades of A in the U.S. was three times the number of High Distinction grades awarded to students in Australia. It is also important to note that the award of the grade Credit, which is roughly comparable to a B grade in the U.S., is considered to be a good solid grade in Australia, and the award of a Pass grade in Australia is far more common than the comparable U.S. grade of C. Nonetheless, Middlebury students who take their academic work seriously generally perform at the same level abroad as they do at Middlebury.
New Zealand
In New Zealand students work to earn an overall mark for their "course" (degree) in a specific discipline. Results are normally written in letter grades of A through F, but this may vary at some universities. New Zealand degrees are granted in levels (First, Second, Third, Pass, and Fail), and employers often require students to present these results during job interviews. As in Australia, in New Zealand it can be more difficult to earn the high grades to which Middlebury students are accustomed.
Course Loads and Credit Transfer
Middlebury expects students to take a "normal" full load of courses as defined by their university abroad (NOT a "minimum" full load). Taking extra courses will not result in extra credit. On the other hand, taking less than a normal full load (as determined by the program or university attended) will jeopardize the transfer of credit. Students studying on programs sponsored or transcripted by U.S. universities that calculate credit in terms of semester/credit hours should be aware that a normal full load in such systems ranges from 15 to 19 semester credit hours (NOT 12), regardless of the number of courses taken. Often, students will take more courses than they would at Middlebury; sometimes they will take fewer courses. However, under no circumstances should they take less than 15 semester credit hours. Students should also take care to distribute their course choices and not to exceed the maximum number of course credits for the major (16 in each department). In most cases, students studying in Australia or New Zealand will take at least four courses per semester (with some exceptions, see Off-Campus Study with questions).
Exams
Students are required to take all exams when and where they are offered, whether voluntary or not. This means that Middlebury students are required to sit for exams at the same time and place as students in the host country. Students may not avail themselves of any exceptions offered to visiting students in order to avoid the sometimes long reading period between the end of classes and final exams, and students are not normally permitted to re-sit exams due to failure.
Grades
As per a faculty vote, Middlebury transfers all study abroad grades. All grades earned on approved study abroad programs will be recorded on the Middlebury transcript and calculated into the Middlebury grade point average. This includes failing grades.
Principles for incorporating grades from non-Middlebury programs abroad into GPA
(Adopted by Educational Affairs Committee, April 2003):
When students' applications to study abroad are approved by the Programs Abroad Committee, the approval will indicate the number of units of credit that the student will receive upon successful completion of the program: nine units (full academic year), five units (one semester and Winter Term), or four units (one semester).
Assuming enrollment in a normal full load of coursework as outlined in the student's approval letter, the number of courses will be divided into the number of credits the student will receive to determine the weight to be assigned each course in the calculation of GPA. For example, if a student is enrolled in five courses in a four-unit program, each course would be assigned a weight of .80. If a student is enrolled in four courses in a five-unit program, each course would be assigned a weight of 1.25. These calculations will be carried out to the second decimal place. If truncating a weight after the second decimal point does not produce a sum that is equal to 4.00, 5.00, or 9.00, weights will be rounded up as necessary. The higher weights will be assigned to the courses in which the student received higher grades.
Normally, as is the case with courses taught on the Middlebury campus, all courses in which a student is enrolled will be assigned an equal weight in the computation of the GPA, regardless of the number of contact hours. However, if the transcript issued by the program abroad clearly indicated that a course was a double course or a half-course, the calculation of course weights will be adjusted to reflect this.
Only grades that are reported on an A-F scale, or that can be converted to an A-F scale, will be used in the calculation of the GPA, including grades of D and F. As has always been the case, courses graded on a pass/fail or audit basis will not be transferred. In addition, independent research projects and internships must be evaluated upon return by a Middlebury faculty member.
Since the weight to be assigned to each grade is a matter of calculation, not assessment, students may not appeal the determinations of OCS or the Registrar's Office regarding the weight to be assigned to a course. Students who wish to appeal their grade in a course may do so using the grade appeal procedures established by the program or by the International Office of the institution at which they were enrolled.
FULL YEAR/HALF YEAR
It is possible to study abroad in Australia or New Zealand for a semester or a full year, or for the Australia/New Zealand academic year. The academic year in Australia and New Zealand runs from February or early March until November or early December.
Semester: Students choosing to study abroad in Australia or New Zealand for our fall semester usually depart in July and finish the semester in November or early December (this is Semester II in Australia and New Zealand). Students who study in Australia or New Zealand during our spring semester will depart in February or early March and finish in late June (this is Semester I in Australia and New Zealand).
Year: Students may choose to spend the entire year studying in Australia or New Zealand, in which case they would normally be abroad from July until July, which includes the Southern Hemisphere summer vacation from around November until February (please note that it is not possible to return to Middlebury for J-term only). Another possibility is to study abroad in Australia or New Zealand for their academic year, February/early March through November/early December, which would mean studying abroad during the spring of one Middlebury academic year, followed by the fall semester of the next academic year. This is sometimes an attractive option for Febs, whose junior year coincides with this spring/fall combination.
WHICH UNIVERSITY?
Middlebury, unlike many other schools, does not have an "approved list" of programs abroad. Among the many options in Australia and New Zealand we do have preferences. Generally, we prefer study that is integrated into the public university system. We have found that study abroad at private universities in Australia or New Zealand is not as suitable academically or culturally as study at the renowned public universities.
Although Middlebury prefers that students directly enroll in a university in Australia or New Zealand, occasionally Middlebury students have participated in School for International Training (SIT) programs in these countries. As these programs are of a field-based nature, they are generally most appropriate for students studying environmental studies or sociology/anthropology or another discipline in which fieldwork is considered particularly valuable. Students seeking to study abroad on SIT programs in Australia or New Zealand must have a compelling academic rationale for studying on this program as opposed to directly enrolling in a foreign university, and students must present a proposal for the SIT Independent Study Project as part of their application to the Programs Abroad Committee.
WHERE MIDDLEBURY STUDENTS GO
In the past several years, Middlebury students have studied at the following universities:
Australia
The University of Adelaide – Established in 1874, the university is located in Adelaide (South Australia) and has an enrollment of 14,000 students.
Flinders University of South Australia – Also located in Adelaide (South Australia), Flinders was founded in 1966 and has an enrollment of 11,000 students.
Griffith University – Established in 1971, Griffith has six campuses, five of which are located in Brisbane, Gold Coast (Queensland). Griffith has an enrollment of 21,500 students.
James Cook University – James Cook gained autonomy as a university in 1970. With campuses in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay (Queensland), James Cook has an enrollment of 8,700.
La Trobe University – Founded in 1964, campuses are located in Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury/Woodonga (Victoria). La Trobe has 21,000 students enrolled.
Macquarie University – Established in 1967 and located just outside of the central business district of Sydney (New South Wales), Macquarie enrolls 19,000 students.
Melbourne University – Established in 1853, the University is the second oldest in Australia. Located in the city of Melbourne (Victoria), the university has an enrollment of 34,000 students.
Monash University – Located in and around the city of Melbourne (Victoria), Monash was established in 1961 and enrolls 18,000 students.
Murdoch University – A university of 10,000 students, Murdoch is located just outside the city of Perth (Western Australia) and was founded in 1973.
The University of New South Wales – Founded in 1949 and located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney (New South Wales), UNSW has an enrollment of 27,000.
The University of Queensland – Founded in Brisbane (Queensland) in 1910, this university enrolls 27,700 students.
The University of Sydney – Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university. There are 33,000 students enrolled at this university, which is located in downtown Sydney.
The University of Tasmania – Located on the island of Tasmania, south of Australia, the two campuses located in Hobart and Launceston enroll 12,700 students. UTAS was established in 1890.
The University of Western Australia – Established in Perth (Western Australia) 1911, UWA enrolls 13,600 students.
The University of Wollongong – Located just over an hour south of Sydney (New South Wales), this university was founded in 1951 and has an enrollment of 13,000 students.
New Zealand
The University of Auckland – The largest university in New Zealand at an enrollment of 26,000 students, the University of Auckland was established in 1883 in the city of Auckland (North Island).
The University of Canterbury – Located in Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, the University of Canterbury was founded in 1873 and has an enrollment of 12,500.
The University of Otago – Founded in 1869, the University of Otago was New Zealand's first university. Otago is located in Dunedin (South Island) and has an enrollment of 20,000.
Victoria University of Wellington – Located in the capital city of Wellington (North Island), Victoria was founded in 1897 and has an enrollment of 14,000.
The University of Waikato – One of New Zealand's newer universities, Waikato was established in 1964. Waikato enrolls 14,000 students and is located in Hamilton (North Island).
Middlebury Students in Australia and New Zealand 2005-2006
Academic Year
Edward Len, University of Western Australia
Fall
Nicholas Bastis, University of Otago
Lindsay Brush, University of Otago
Scott Coriell, University of Otago
Sabra Davison, University of Otago
Andrew Everett, University of Otago
Mary Frederickson, University of New South Wales
Michael Hart, University of Otago
Lindsay Lintonk University of Otago
Henry Marshall, University of Otago
Peter Mellen, University of Otago
William Simpson, University of New South Wales
Anna Strimaitis, James Cook University
Samuel Temes, University of Otago
Ben Wiechman, University of Otago
Jennifer Williams, University of Otago
Spring
Jason Bloch, University of Otago
Michael Gleason, University of Otago
Katharine Harwood, School for International Training
George Herpel, University of Waikato
Tiger Lyon, University of New South Wales
Makely Lyon, University of Queensland
John Montesanti, University of New South Wales
Jake Navarro, University of New South Wales
Christine Neeb, James Cook University
Maegan Olivos, University of Otago
Kerry Ortega, School for International Training
Carolyn Stwertka, University of Otago
Lisa Zaval, University of Otago
THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION
The Office of Off-Campus Study, located in Sunderland Language Center 129, has available considerable information about study in Australia and New Zealand. A study abroad resource library where students can research study abroad options through catalogs, brochures, past student evaluations, and on the web, is located in Sunderland 124. The study abroad home page is found at www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap and has links to many universities in the Australia and New Zealand.
General Information Sources
Study in Australia is a comprehensive resource on studying in Australia and includes information on semester or year study, guides and links to universities, pre-departure information, student visa requirements and forms, and more. Their web site, which includes all of the above information, can be found at: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
Education New Zealand: This web site has links to all the universities in New Zealand and includes brief information on specialist fields for which particular universities are well known. The web site, which also includes general information on the New Zealand educational system, can be found at: www.educationnz.org.nz/
www.nz.com : Nz.com is a web site for information on the culture and geography of New Zealand and also includes New Zealand news and travel and tourism information.
Embassy web pages: The embassy web pages for Australia and New Zealand include helpful information on culture and education. These web sites can be found at:
www.immi.gov.au/
www.nzemb.org/
Individual University Catalogs
The study abroad resource library in Sunderland 124 contains a wide range of university catalogs (and often additional materials). Many universities present their opportunities in brochures specifically developed for American overseas students. These catalogs are both generally descriptive and specific in delineating what is available to visiting study abroad students. Most of these catalogs are also available on the web (www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap has links to many universities in Australia and New Zealand).
Returned Students from Study in Australia or New Zealand
The best resource for information about study in Australia and New Zealand is fellow students who have spent all or part of a year there. Meetings are organized during the fall to bring returned students together with interested sophomores.
Additional initiative should be taken to meet with individual returned students. They are interested in helping and have valuable information and insight (see the list in this booklet for names of students who studied in Australia or New Zealand last year).
Written Evaluations
It is mandatory for students returning from study abroad to complete program evaluations before credits are transferred. These evaluations also provide useful information and are available to interested students on our web page (www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap ).
Study Abroad Fair
Representatives from several universities and programs in Australia and New Zealand will be at the Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, September 28, 2006 (McCullough Social Hall, 12:00 until 4:00 p.m.) to talk with interested students. Please see the Office of Off-Campus Study for more information.
ADMISSION AND APPROVAL
It makes good sense to spend the fall term investigating the university system in Australia and New Zealand by reading, talking to returned students, attending meetings, investigating the web, and talking with your academic adviser. E-mail the universities that appeal to you and request applications and other relevant materials.
Please note: students must meet with Stacey Thebodo in Off-Campus Study at least once DURING FALL SEMESTER to discuss their study abroad plans.
January is a good time to complete university applications, many of which are available on the Web. Generally, they are not difficult and there is usually no application fee. Middlebury students with a "B" (3.0) or "B+" (3.3) average will likely be admitted to many of the universities to which they apply.
It is important to be aware that several universities in Australia and New Zealand tend to attract Middlebury students in large numbers. Since attending a university abroad with a significant number of Middlebury students can negatively affect the experience abroad, students are encouraged to seek out universities that not only have few Middlebury students, but also have relatively low numbers of American students. Returned students verify that this enhances successful integration and helps to avoid the pitfall of hanging out exclusively with American students. In addition, at least one of these universities that attract large numbers of Middlebury students, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), has instituted a quota system whereby no more than ten students from one college will be admitted each semester. Therefore, if you identify UNSW as the university that is most suited to your academic interests, it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
It is the student's responsibility to present to Middlebury College a compelling academic rationale for study abroad. Students should begin discussions with their major advisers during the fall semester, and finalize plans during the registration process for winter and spring terms. This should not be left to the last minute; faculty are often more difficult to contact during winter term. Also, students must meet with Stacey Thebodo in the Office of Off-Campus Study at least once DURING FALL SEMESTER to discuss their study abroad plans.
When meeting with their academic adviser during the application process, students should bring: 1) the completed application form; 2) as much information as possible on the courses to be taken while abroad; and 3) an essay that presents a compelling academic rationale for off-campus study (see essay section below).
Students must complete the following:
Study Abroad Application Form: available from the Office of Off-Campus Study.
Major Adviser's Form: the front page to be completed by the student; the back of the page and course approval section to be completed by the major adviser(s).
Essay: Students should submit an essay of 300-500 words giving their academic reasons for seeking to study abroad. Students should explain how their proposal relates to their major/minor and general academic goals, as well as why the particular program of study was chosen and why they have chosen a semester or year abroad.
In order to present a compelling rationale for the time away from Middlebury, students should keep in mind that the College does not grant academic credit solely for life experience or cultural immersion. The essay then must present a compelling academic rationale for off-campus study and should:
i. spell out how the student's course of off-campus study will be integrated with his or her course of study at Middlebury, serving a major, minor, or some other established curricular interest.
ii. demonstrate that the student has adequate preparation for studying abroad, in the form of preparatory course work or research.
iii. demonstrate that the courses are appropriate to a liberal arts education, the student's major(s) or other academic interests, and/or are unique in perspective and involve the study of the natural history, economics, history, politics, or culture of the region where the school is located.
iv. describe how the student is able to complete the major and other requirements in a timely and reasonable fashion.
Spring semester only students should also include the following in the essay:
® an academic justification for spring term study only. (See section on fall/spring enrollment imbalances.)
Regardless of how many applications students make to universities , only one PAC application should be completed, indicating the student's first choice. If students write a convincing and coherent essay, have their major adviser's endorsements, and have achieved at least a "B" (3.0) average in the major [and a "B-" (2.7) overall], they will likely be approved for study abroad and transfer of credit.
DEADLINES
January 12, 2007: Deadline by which students must submit the above items to their academic adviser(s).
February 1, 2007: Deadline for submitting the completed application, including a completed adviser's form, to the Office of Off-Campus Study.
Please note: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all the aforementioned forms, including the required signatures, are submitted to Off-Campus Study no later than February 1. Students submitting applications after the above dates run the risk of having their applications rejected. Sufficient time must be allowed in order to obtain required signatures and comments from major advisers (faculty support is an important factor in committee decisions); hence, the January 12 deadline for submitting materials to the adviser(s).
DIRECT APPLICATION VS. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
Most Middlebury students apply directly to universities in Australia and New Zealand, just as they applied from high school to U.S. undergraduate colleges and universities. All arrangements are made independently by the student with the university. Universities in Australia and New Zealand have made the recruitment of visiting study abroad students a priority and have well-developed procedures for orienting and integrating these students into their academic and residential programs.
It is also possible to attend a university in Australia or New Zealand through a U.S.-sponsored program. In this format, the program takes care of most of the practical arrangements. Many universities in Australia and New Zealand are affiliated with a number of programs and welcome American applicants whether they apply directly or through a program. Programs offer services for which they charge fees. The two largest programs that place American students in English-speaking universities abroad are the Arcadia University Center for Education Abroad and the Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University.
In general, students whose grades are strong enough [usually a B (3.0) or above] to be admitted to a given university will be accepted independently of whether they apply through a program or not. Universities do not save places for programs, though they often limit the number of U.S. students they admit.
FEES AND FINANCIAL AID
Students studying abroad (except those on official exchange programs) are charged an administrative fee of $1,050 per semester abroad. Be sure to tell your parents/guardians about this fee, which covers some of the costs associated with the administration of the study abroad process, from the initial search for a program through the application and approval processes, to the final transfer of credit. In addition, the Office of Off-Campus Study maintains links with students abroad in order to help facilitate room draw and registration for classes on their return, as well as to keep students informed of important campus news or in the case of emergencies.
Federal grants and loans can usually be applied to any approved study abroad in Australia and New Zealand; however, Middlebury financial aid is not available. Check with the Financial Aid Office for more detailed information. Scholarships are generally not provided by study abroad programs, though there are exceptions. Also see the booklet "Study Abroad Guidelines" for a listing of non-Middlebury sources of financial aid.
Look closely at program fees. Programs advertise fixed costs; often there are significant living and transportation expenses that must be calculated by students. In general, most study abroad experiences can be achieved well within the total cost of a semester or year at Middlebury. Students returning from study abroad are the best source of information about the real expenses of such study abroad.
EXPENSES AND DEBTS INCURRED WHILE ABROAD
Students are reminded that they are responsible for their own expenses and the settlement of any outstanding debts in the country in which they have studied. Failure to pay such debts reflects poorly on both the student and Middlebury College and jeopardizes our relationships with institutions overseas, as well as opportunities for future students. In such cases, credit for study abroad may be withheld until the matter is settled.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Students are encouraged to attend events conducted by the Office of Off-Campus Study throughout the fall semester to investigate their study abroad options.
A Study Abroad Fair
will be held
Thursday, September 28, 2006, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
in the McCullough Social Hall.
Students can collect information and speak with representatives from
programs and universities around the world.
Also, meetings will be held during the fall semester to connect students interested in studying abroad with returned students (see Off-Campus Study for dates and times). Students are reminded that they must meet with an adviser in Off-Campus Study during the fall semester. The staff in the Office of Off-Campus Study is happy to answer questions and meet with students interested in and applying to study abroad; see the contact list below.
Office of Off-Campus Study
Sunderland Language Center 129
tel: (802) 443-5745
fax: (802) 443-3157
e-mail: studyabroad@middlebury.edu (non-Middlebury programs)
schoolsabroad@middlebury.edu (Middlebury Schools Abroad)
URL: www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap
Jeffrey W. Cason, Dean of International Programs
Liz Ross, Associate Director
Stacey Woody Thebodo, Assistant Director (non-Middlebury programs)
Julie Good, Coordinator (Middlebury Schools Abroad: China, France, Germany, & Russia)
Nicole Chance, Coordinator (Middlebury Schools Abroad: Italy, Latin America, & Spain)
Jamie Northrup, University Relations Coordinator
Christie Jones, Program Assistant
(Rev 8/06)