Bryn Mawr College

Assess your own goals and needs

• What do you want to learn?
• What kind of classroom and teaching environment are you looking for?
• What kind of living situation best suits you?
• How long can you be away from Bryn Mawr College?

 Explore program options

• Review the Bryn Mawr College Approved List of Study Abroad Programs.
• Visit the Study Abroad Resource Room at the Office of International Programs – read student evaluations, browse program materials, talk with student coordinators.
• Talk to faculty, returned students, major advisor(s) and your dean.
• Attend one mandatory general information meeting.
• Read this Study Abroad Guide and the Study Abroad section on the Bryn Mawr College website.
• Attend program specific information meeting(s) presented by program reps.

Application process at Bryn Mawr College

• Declare your major/majors.
• Submit the completed Bryn Mawr Study Abroad Application to the Office of   International Programs in Canwyll House West by application deadline (Check website for information).
• As you wait for approval of your Bryn Mawr study abroad applications by the Foreign Studies Committee, you may simultaneously apply to the overseas program.
• If applicable, contact Director of International Programs and/or the Financial Aid Office to discuss terms of your financial arrangements.

Applications to Overseas Institutions 

• Obtain program application forms from overseas institutions. 
• Be sure to send all materials in before the program deadline.
• Read your acceptance letter(s) carefully and return the completed information as requested. 
• If applicable, send in the confirmation deposit before the deadline.
• Notify the Director of International Programs at Bryn Mawr College of your acceptance and submit a copy of your acceptance letter to OIP.
• Apply for housing at overseas program, if applicable
• Notify overseas program if you want to withdrawal.
• Notify OIP of your withdrawal.

Before you leave Bryn Mawr

• Clear all registration holds and make sure all outstanding balances are paid.
• Contact the Career Development Office about services they can provide in your absence. Open a reference file.
• Meet with your Dean to complete the Notice of Departure form.
• Terminate your telephone services by giving the Telephone Services in writing your name, dorm, room number, phone number, and the address where you want your final bill sent.
• Submit your forwarding address to the Post Office in Campus Center if you wish to have your mail forwarded to an address other than the one listed in the Campus Directory.
• Appoint another Bryn Mawr student to serve as your proxy and act on your behalf for Room Draw.  If you are returning to campus mid-year, leave your list of preferences with the Residential Life Office.
• Attend mandatory pre-departure meeting.
• Submit Release form, address form, copy of your passport and copy of insurance card to OIP.

Immigration and Visa Process

• Become familiar with the entry/visa requirement of the host country.
• Apply for your passport or renew it if necessary. 
• Make sure your passport will be valid the entire time you will be outside the U.S. 
• Leave a copy of your passport with your family.
• If you are a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident, consult the Director of International Programs about how studying abroad will affect your U.S. immigration status.
• Assemble documents needed for visa application and apply for visa.

Prepare for your Trip

• Inform yourself of health and safety issues in the country you are applying to and discuss them with your family.
• Make all flight arrangements
• Obtain the International Student Identity Card if your program does not provide it.
• Consider purchasing insurance for personal liability, property loss and trip cancellation
• Arrange for health insurance that will be valid throughout the duration of your stay overseas.  Carry a copy of your insurance card.
• Have a physical, dental checkup, eye examination, etc. Make sure you receive all appropriate inoculations.
• Plan your budget.  Bring an emergency fund (minimum $250).
• Prepare to bring the recommended amount of money for start-up costs.
• Arrange to have $100 in smaller denominations of local currency to bring with you.
• Plan to bring appropriate credit card and/or bank card.
• Arrange for Power of Attorney for the person handling your financial affairs in your absence.
• Arrange for an international calling card and/or cell phone.
• Bring medication, prescriptions, etc. for your entire duration away.
• Take several passport-size photographs with you.

Go Abroad!

• Participate in student orientation upon arrival at the program.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Study Abroad

Q: Where is the study abroad office?

A: Study abroad is part of the Office of International Programs.  The Office of International Programs is located in Guild Hall. The office, which also has a resources library, is open Monday thru Friday from 9 am and 5 pm.  The study abroad advising staff in the academic year 2011-2012 are:

• Theresa Cann, Assistant Dean and Director of International Programs (provides information and advice about study abroad programs, requirements, and application processes)
• Patricia Lausch, Coordinator, International Student Advising
• Siobhan Nelson '12, Student Coordinator, studyabroad@brynmawr.edu
• Daisy Shetterly'12, Student Coordinator, studyabroad@brynmawr.edu

Coordinators promote Bryn Mawr study abroad programs and activities on campus

Q: When do I need to submit my study abroad applications?

A: In general, you need to submit two applications: the Bryn Mawr study abroad application and the overseas program application.  For study abroad programs on Bryn Mawr’s approved list, a student may begin to apply to one simultaneously as she is compiling her Bryn Mawr study abroad application materials.  Students are required to submit the Bryn Mawr College study abroad application to OIP by the required deadline listed on the OIP website and the study abroad guide.  Oveseas programs have their own application deadline.  Please note that many overseas programs have rolling admissions, which means they review applications and accept students continually until spaces are filled.  Thus it is important that you do not wait until the overseas program deadline to submit your application.

Bryn Mawr has direct admissions agreements with some overseas programs.  You can find the list of programs in Study Abroad Guide.  If you are interested in applying to any of these programs, please make an appointment to see the Assistant Dean, Director of International Programs.

Q: What is the minimum GPA for study abroad?

A: Bryn Mawr expects a study abroad applicant to have a GPA of 3.0. Students with a lower GPA should consult the Assistant Dean, Director of International Programs

Q: I’d like to apply for a non-approved program.  What do I need to do?

A: To request permission to study in a non-approved program, a student must submit the following documents to the Office of International Programs by the required deadline:

• Bryn Mawr Study Abroad Application Form

• An additional statement by her major advisor recommending her choice as an important academic alternative to the approved programs

• An additional essay explaining why she wants to attend this program.  She should list specifically:

          1) what courses she intends to take;

          2) how these courses will enhance her work in her major;

          3) any courses she intends to pursue outside her major.

4. Student must assemble and submit the following information about the program along with the Bryn Mawr College application to OIP:

• A copy of the program description
• list of courses
• support services offered
• program dates (start and end date)
• examination procedures
• Costs- tuition, room and board estimates for meals that are not covered

The Foreign Studies Committee will assess the overall academic quality of the program and its relevance to the student’s plan of study in comparison with programs on the approved list.  The student will be notified of the Committee’s decision regarding her request before the application deadline for study in an approved program.

Q: After I submit my applications, how soon do I hear back?

A: The Foreign Studies Committee, which consists of faculty members and staff in the Undergraduate Dean’s Office, reviews the Bryn Mawr study abroad applications.  A student requesting permission to study in a non-approved program will be notified of the Committee’s decision regarding her request before the application deadline for study in an approved program.  If a student is applying for an approved program, she will be notified of Bryn Mawr’s decision within four to six weeks.  Overseas programs typically notify applicants of their decisions within a month of receiving your completed information.

Q: Who is eligible to study abroad for the full year?

A: Only foreign language majors may study abroad for the full academic year.  In exceptional circumstances, for examples, study at Oxford or Cambridge, the Foreign Studies Committee may consider proposals from students in other majors who can demonstrate compelling academic reasons for studying abroad for more than one semester.

Q: How many overseas programs should I apply to?

A: You only need to apply to one overseas program.  You are required, however, to indicate which semester would be your first choice for study abroad on the Bryn Mawr application.  Every effort will be made to accommodate your choice of semester.  However, as Bryn Mawr must achieve a balance between the students who are abroad in the fall and who are abroad in the spring, some students may not be granted their first choice.  You may not be required to indicate your semester of preference if your Dean and/or your Major Adviser believe that, for academic reasons, you should study abroad in a particular semester.  In this case, the Foreign Studies Committee requires a written explanation from the Dean and/or the Major Adviser (see Part J of Bryn Mawr study abroad application).

Q: Can I apply for two different programs in two different semesters?

A: You should only consider this if you are a foreign language major and have strong academic reasons to study with two different programs in two different semesters.  Please note that student visa regulations are getting more complicated for many countries, thus, you need to plan further in advance than in the past.  If you are a U.S. citizen, it is nearly impossible to obtain a student visa for a second country outside of the U.S.  There is no guarantee that the consulate will process the visa in time for you.  If the Foreign Studies Committee approves your application and you are accepted to both programs, you need to be prepared to return to the U.S. to obtain your second visa.  You may experience a delay that could make your late for the second program.

Q: Can I apply for a program that includes multiple countries?

A: Bryn Mawr promotes full immersion and integration into the academic, social and cultural environment where the students are studying.  A program that includes multiple countries tends not facilitate this.  The Foreign Studies Committee is very unlikely to approve your request.

Q: Does Bryn Mawr pay my overseas program tuition?  How about room and board expenses?

A: All students receiving academic credits for study abroad during the academic year are charged Bryn Mawr tuition. Bryn Mawr in turn pays the overseas programs for your tuition and academic-related fees.  You will pay room and board expenses directly to the overseas programs, unless they are part of the comprehensive fees charged by the program.