STUDY ABROAD WITH A NON-STETSON PROGRAM

The Center for International Education recognizes the value of international experience, whether with a Stetson University program or with another program or university, and encourages all students to study abroad.

Be aware that:

*Students cannot earn Stetson credit for participating in a non-Stetson Abroad program but, with the appropriate pre-departure approvals, students may earn Transfer Credit.

*The last thirty (30) credit hours of the undergraduate program must be taken on the Stetson campus or in a Stetson Abroad program. The last thirty (30) credits can not be taken in a non-Stetson Abroad program.

*State and Federal Financial Aid can be applied to approved non-Stetson study abroad programs, but Stetson scholarships can not. With careful research and planning, students may be able to find study abroad programs whose lower costs compensate for the loss of Stetson scholarships.

Although arranging to study in a program other than one administered by Stetson University requires more work on the part of the student, it is possible to do if the student takes the following steps:

 1. Identify a Program you would like to participate in. The Center for International Education has a collection of materials about programs worldwide. The staff of the Center will be happy to make photocopies of information.

 2. Contact the Program that interests you and request specific information about course offerings, course descriptions, contact hours, credits, accreditation, and grading.

 3. Speak With Your Academic Advisor about your plan to study abroad, show him/her the information you have collected on your intended program, and get written approval to participate for transfer credit in the program.

 4. Take your Adviser's approval and the program information to the Chair of your Major Department for written approval to participate for transfer credit in the program.

 5. Go to the Registrar's Office to make sure that you have not exceeded your transfer credit quota, and complete a Transient Student Form.

 6. Take all written approvals and program information to Student Financial Services to determine if your financial aid will apply to the study abroad program you have chosen. If you are on a scholarship through an organization independent of Stetson University, contact that organization directly to find out if the scholarship will apply to the study abroad program. Your Stetson scholarships do not apply to non-Stetson study abroad programs.

7. Contact the Cultural Credit Coordinator of your college to determine if you can earn cultural credit for the study abroad program you have chosen. If so, get written approval stating how many cultural credits you will earn.

8. Take all of your written approvals and program information to the Center for International Education, where you will also be asked to sign a waiver and complete a data sheet. Be sure to keep your written approvals so that if there is any question about the transfer of credits upon your return, you will be able to show that you were approved by all relevant parties.

9. Apply to the study abroad program for which you have been approved.

Revised January 2009