Congratulations! Now what?!

Congratulations on your decision to study off-campus! As you continue to wrap up your semester at Skidmore, there will be a lot to do to get ready to be away. You might be feeling overwhelmed with all that has to be done before you depart. We have created these weekly pre-departure emails to help you stay on track with all the important information and things to consider.  

In addition to these emails, you can find your student handbook and pre-departure information in your myocse learning content. Your program will also provide you with location and program specific information. Pay attention to all the emails your program is giving you so that you don't miss deadlines or important information. 

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Important reminder - As on-campus registration course starts next week, please remember that students who are approved to study off campus will not be able to register for classes. If you no longer plan to study off campus, you must notify us that you want to withdraw so we can lift that hold. 

S‌AVE-THE-DATE: OCSE staff will host our mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation on Wednesday, November 29th at 7 pm in Gannett. Mark your calendars now!

Pre-Departure Checklist: What should you being doing now?

1. Have you applied to your program? Getting approved by our office is just the first step. You need to apply directly to your program by their deadline.
2. Do you have a passport? By now you should have a valid passport. If you are still the process of applying or waiting for your passport, please speak with your program to make sure there won't be any complications. 
3. ‌Do you need a visa? Some countries require students to obtain a visa for studying or for visiting. This process can take several months, so do not wait until the last minute! Make sure you read all the information your program provider gives to you and follow their deadlines. You may need to hand over your passport during the visa process, so keep this in mind as you make plans for the winter break. 
4. ‌Your program will give you details on the program dates, arrival information, and guidance about booking your flight. We recommend you arrive in-country on the arrival day designated for your program. You should also book a flexible, roundtrip tickets to accommodate any last minute changes. 
5. OCSE post-acceptance item - There are several items that are due to OCSE by November 1st, including the $500 non-refundable deposit. If you have not completed these and need more time, please contact OCSE. Not completing all required items will result in us having to withdraw you.
6. Program pre-departure forms - Your program will also have required forms, like health forms, course registration, housing questionnaires, visa guides, code of conduct pledges, and more. Check with your program if you have questions.

During the course of this process, you've read and signed a lot of forms around our policies and expectations. It is your responsibility to know the policies around studying off-campus. Here are a few to keep in mind at this point in the pre-departure process:

You must enroll in a full course load on your program. This is different than maintaining full time status. A full course load is usually 15 credits but will depend on the off-campus program.

You cannot earn credit for a class you've already earned credit for at Skidmore (unless that class is repeatable). This is especially important when taking a language course. Make sure the level you're placed in abroad is not the equivalent of a course you've already completed 

All courses should be pre-approved by the relevant department at Skidmore before registering for any courses onsite. Read all policies here.

Maintain Your Eligibility 

Only students in good academic, financial, and social standing are eligible to study off campus. This was reviewed as part of your application process and will be reviewed again before you depart.

If your cumulative GPA falls below a 2.75 or if your social, academic, or financial standing changes dramatically, OCSE reserves the right to withdraw you from your program.  

If you're concerned about your academic trajectory this semester or have recently had a change in your social status, please reach out to us so we can help advise you on next steps.

Research your host culture

‌It's very important that you learn as much as you can about your host country, city and culture before departure. Topics you can find out more about include the political environment, US relations, pop-culture, foods, etc. It is likely that your program will provide you with specific information but we recommend you do your own research so you are prepared as possible. 

Coming up next week...

In next week's pre-departure email, we will focus on finances. 

#globalskidmore