Faculty Resources
Supporting students abroad
Faculty play an important role in every stage of the off-campus study experience. Whether you're encouraging students to explore their options, supporting them through the application process, welcoming them back to campus, or exploring opportunities to get involved with OCSE, these resources are designed to help you support global learning at Skidmore.
Advising your students
Faculty advisors play an important role in helping students explore off-campus study, plan coursework, and stay on track academically. These resources will help you guide students before they apply, during the application process, and after they return to campus.
Promote off-campus opportunities
Many students don't realize off-campus study can fit into their academic plan until it's too late to take advantage of the opportunity. Early conversations help students understand their options and plan ahead.
Advise students early
Encourage first-year and sophomore students to include off-campus study in conversations about their academic goals and long-term plans. Even if a semester abroad isn't the right fit, introducing the option early helps students make informed decisions about their coursework and degree planning.
Promote opportunities in your classroom
Faculty can help students discover off-campus study by making it part of classroom conversations and encouraging them to learn more about the opportunities available through OCSE.
You can help by:
- Highlighting the annual Off-Campus Study Fair, information sessions, and other OCSE events.
- Encouraging students to explore the OCSE website and meet with an OCSE program manager.
- Inviting OCSE staff to give a brief classroom presentation.
- Incorporating study abroad perspectives into classroom discussions and assignments.
- Displaying OCSE materials in your office or department.
Request a classroom visit from OCSE:
Encourage students to connect with OCSE
Students benefit from meeting with OCSE early in the planning process. Encourage them to attend information sessions, meet with a program manager, and participate in events throughout the year to learn more about program options, deadlines, and the application process.
Help students select courses that support their academic goals before they leave campus. Faculty advisors, department chairs, and program directors work together to review proposed coursework and determine how courses completed off campus may apply toward degree requirements.
Use these resources during the advising process:
- Course Equivalency Matrix – Review previously approved course equivalencies.
- Proposed Course of Study Form – Review and approve students' planned coursework before departure.
Welcome students back
Returning from off-campus study is an important part of the learning experience. Students continue to reflect on and apply what they learned long after they return to Skidmore. Faculty can help students connect those experiences to their academic work and future goals.
Each semester, OCSE shares a list of students in your department who have recently returned from off-campus study.
You can support returning students by:
- Asking about their experiences during advising appointments, office hours, or before and after class.
- Inviting students to share perspectives from their time abroad during class discussions or assignments.
- Encouraging students to build on research or projects they began while off campus, including senior projects or capstones.
- Attending OCSE returnee events to welcome students back and celebrate their experiences.
Faculty opportunities
Interested in becoming more involved with off-campus study? OCSE offers faculty opportunities to lead programs, contribute to international education, and help maintain the quality of Skidmore's approved programs. Explore the opportunities below or contact OCSE to learn more.Faculty can develop and lead short-term, faculty-led travel seminars that combine classroom learning with immersive experiences abroad. These programs are created in partnership with OCSE and are designed to complement the Skidmore curriculum while connecting students with the culture, history, and resources of the host location.
Program directors work closely with OCSE throughout the planning process. Responsibilities typically include:
- Designing the academic program, syllabus, and itinerary.
- Developing learning experiences that connect course content to the host location.
- Working with OCSE to manage logistics, budgets, and program planning.
- Recruiting and selecting participants.
- Preparing students through pre-departure meetings and orientation.
- Supporting students throughout the program.
- Completing a post-program assessment and working with students on re-entry activities.
Contact OCSE to learn about proposal timelines and upcoming opportunities.
Faculty have opportunities to travel on behalf of Skidmore and OCSE to evaluate the quality and relevance of the College's Approved Programs abroad. These evaluations are part of OCSE's ongoing process for reviewing approved programs and supporting high-quality off-campus study opportunities for students.
If you're interested in participating in a future program evaluation or site visit, contact OCSE to learn more.