Parents

For some families, off-campus study is the first time their student is moving far from home, domestically or abroad (with the possible exception of being on the DePauw campus). For other families, having traveled across the country or to another part of the world is nothing new. Regardless, it is a big step to send your student to a new place that you may know little or nothing about, or to a place very different from your home or from the DePauw campus.

Off-campus study is a time for your student to grow in her or his knowledge about the world, but also about her/himself. We encourage students to talk in depth and at length with you about their participation in this program. We also encourage and remind students that they are the ones ultimately responsible for their education and safety. We provide lots of information and support before, during and after the off-campus experience, so your student is never alone in this experience.

My student is majoring in xxx. Can s/he study off campus?
Students of all majors and academic programs can study off campus, but for some programs with sequenced courses, like the sciences, this means planning early. Students in Programs of Distinction students can study off campus in addition to their required semester off campus with the program. Again, starting early to plan for this is key.

What will my student study while off campus?
Students are expected to choose a location off campus that complements their academic, personal and professional goals. Because this is an academic semester and part of the DePauw education, students should choose a place in which they can earn credit toward their major or minor. It is also possible to study a topic that complements the major course of study on campus.

There are a variety of options for learning methods in off-campus programs. These include university classes at foreign institution, classes offered by educational organizations in their own center or in a university’s academic facilities, field research, internships, or service work. Often, there is an opportunity to do more than one of these, but not all are possible in all locations. Students wishing to pursue another language may study that language intensively or take classes taught in that language, if they have enough proficiency.

Where can my student study off campus?
DePauw University maintains a list of programs from which students can choose to participate in. These programs reflect a diversity of academic focus and programmatic type as well as diversity of location, and complement the DePauw education. Programs are located in a number of countries on six continents. This list is reviewed every year by the International Education Committee, a faculty committee. Students may choose to apply to a program that is not on the list, but should consult with an off-campus study advisor before doing so. See the list of those programs currently approved.

When can my student study off campus?
Students may study off campus for a semester or longer as early as spring of the sophomore year and as late as the fall of the senior year. Most spend only one semester off campus, but they can spend two semesters. Ultimately, going off campus means giving some things up; a student must think about her or his extracurricular activities and interests as well as academic obligations and requirements. It is a combination of all of these things that determine which semester works best for the student.

How does off-campus study work?
Students wishing to study off campus should speak with the Center for International & Experiential Education as early as possible to meet the appropriate requirements, including having an advising session and completing an application. DePauw maintains minimum requirements (e.g., GPA and progress toward major), but it also requires a statement of intent, outlining a compelling academic rationale for the program of choice. Students must indicate a second choice in case we are unable to accommodate their first. While there is no guarantee of approval (students must earn this privilege), the vast majority of students are approved through the DePauw process and are accepted by the program to which they are applying.

Will my student get academic credit for studying off campus? How does this work?
Students who are approved to study off campus must have the courses they wish to take off campus approved by the appropriate departments before they leave campus to ensure they will continue their progress towards their academic requirements. Students studying off campus may earn credit towards major, minor or general distribution requirements.

How much does off-campus study cost?
Students approved to study off campus are billed DePauw tuition as normal. In addition to DePauw tuition, students enrolling in off-campus study will be billed the Off-Campus Study Fee, which supplements the budget allotted to manage the off-campus study. The fee is $2500 for one semester and $3000 for two semesters. Students studying on an international program will also be billed for the Health Services Fee. The off-campus program bills the student directly for all other expenses, which usually include room, board, and, in some cases, course-related fees (e.g., lab fees, studio fees). Students are also responsible for books and travel from the US to the program site. It does cost more to study off campus, so we encourage students to start saving as early as possible. We also require they complete a budget worksheet so they can better estimate how much it will cost. Estimates are available in the Center for International & Experiential Education. See the Finances page for more information.

Does my student keep his or her financial aid and scholarship?
Students receiving scholarship and/or need-based financial aid will have this applied according to the normal rules for financial aid at DePauw. The Off-Campus Study Fee can be packaged for need-based financial aid loans. Students approved for off-campus study who are on need-based financial aid are also eligible for an Off-Campus Study Scholarship to assist with the fee and additional costs associated with off-campus study.

How does off-campus study help my student find a job or get into graduate school?
Graduate schools and employers look for applicants that can make themselves distinct from everyone else. Studying off campus in and of itself may not make your student more distinct, but what your student is able to articulate s/he learned while studying off campus may be the key. As your student plans for this experience and later reflects on the experience, s/he should practice articulating in detail and with examples what s/he learned – academically, personally, culturally – and how they see the experience impacting their academic program and career choice. The process of application we have our students go through in order to study off campus is partly designed to help students start thinking about this early on. We continue helping them to make concrete examples and connections when they return to campus via a re-entry orientation, career services programs, and advising for nationally competitive scholarships and other postgraduate opportunities.

Where will my student live?
Housing in off-campus programs varies depending on where your student goes. Some programs offer several options while others offer only one. The options that exist are housing with a host family, housing in an apartment with local students, housing in an apartment with other off-campus study students, or housing in a University residence hall. For students who are going to another country that speaks a language other than English, we encourage students to live with locals, either other students or host families, so they can have more exposure to the language and culture. Host families range from a single older woman renting out a room in her house to the full family. We find that many college-aged students are a bit reluctant about living with a host family. It is important to remember that host families are selected by the off-campus program and students are place with the family by the program based on similar wishes and interests. The program is always there to help and, if necessary, switch the student to another housing placement.

Who's going to be there to take care of my student?
In each of the places DePauw students study off campus, there is either a program director or an international student office that provides resources and support to your student. Upon arrival, your student will be given an orientation to the place and the available resources. However, each place is different in how much they reach out to students. It is important to encourage your student to seek the advice and support that is available. While there are a number of people who will act as resources and guides throughout the duration of the program, it is also important to remember that this is a time to help students learn how to take care of themselves.

What happens if my student gets sick while off campus?
A new climate and allergens, coupled with the travel, changes in diet and routine all can bring minor illnesses on. Routine health checks should be done prior to arriving to DePauw. Off campus, students will have the help of their program leaders or international student offices in accessing local health facilities when needed. DePauw University provides all students studying abroad with membership with a leading medical services provider, AIG Assist, which provides a host of services in the case of minor and major illnesses or injury. For thsoe students staying in the United States, we strongly encourage obtaining health and accident insurance. If your student has particular health concerns, either physical or mental, you are encourged to disclose this so program leaders can adequately support your student's needs.

How will I communicate with my student?
Today, more than ever, it's easy to stay in touch with someone wherever they are in the world. There are free email providers such as msn.com or yahoo.com. Students are encouraged to use email as a way to let their families and friends back home know they are safe and what they are doing and learning. But they are also encouraged to balance the time they spend talking to those back home with the time they devote to experiencing the new place they are in and to meeting new people.

Are there opportunities for my student to travel?
Yes. Many of the off-campus study programs that DePauw works with offer optional, and some required, excursions. Students will often choose to travel on their own time. We recommend students travel the longer distances during their long breaks or before/after the program. For weekends, we strongly encourage staying in the vicinity of the program site. The primary purpose for students to study off campus is to obtain an academic and cultural education in the location in which they have chosen to study. Travel outside of that location is a benefit, so a balance of immersion in the place of study with travel should be kept.

What if my student needs special accommodation for learning or physical disabilities?
While at DePauw, students will have access to appropriate accommodations for any documented learning or physical disabilities. It is important that all necessary paperwork be submitted in order to make these accommodations. While on an off-campus study program, the same accommodations may not be as accessible. While abroad, access to accommodations can be limited, so all accommodations may not be available. It is important to convey documented disabilities and need for accommodations well in advance so the program director can work with the student and the ADA Coordinator to address any needs. If you have questions about disabilities or accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator.

What happens if my student gets homesick?
Homesickness is normal for students starting college and traveling abroad away from family and friends. While many parents want to help their student through any difficult situation, we encourage parents to not rush to visit or handle their student's difficulties. Instead, we encourage you to be supportive, offering suggestions on how to enjoy the things they do have and focus on the things that are going well. Often, students get homesick because they miss the familiarity of things and people at home. If it helps, think of studying abroad as a first step to your student moving off and starting a career someplace else; at some point they need to settle in and make a life for themselves, sometimes not knowing anyone. Between your suggestions and encouragement and the support program staff provides, most students will get through those moments of homesickness rather quickly and easily.

It is important to note that if a student has a history of depression or deep and extended sadness, it may be more difficult to bounce back from bouts of homesickness. For those who do have more trouble with depression, it is very important to acknowledge this in advance of the time abroad so the program directors can work with the student and a counselor to ensure the appropriate support network is in place to help the student have a successful experience. If a student is currently on medication, it is very important to discuss with your counselor how those medications will be accessible while off campus. Because of the unfamiliarity of a new place coupled with a different routine and different diet, you may want to discuss with your health care provider if the amount of medications taken here will need to be altered while your student is off campus.

What is culture shock and will my student encounter it?
Culture shock is a moment when the differences of a new place challenge your abilities to deal with those differences. These moments can take place in a new country or simply in a new city where the way people live is substantially different than what you are used to. Confronting these differences can be very frustrating, but can often be opportunities for real and deep learning. Your student will encounter these moments. Depending on a person's previous experience in dealing with substantial differences, s/he may cope well or not so well. Adjusting and adapting to a new culture is a major goal in living in a new place and living abroad. The more a student is capable of making adjustments and adapting to the differences they encounter while in a supportive environement, the better equipped s/he will be to live in new cultures as well as her/his own culture after graduation.

Can I visit my student while he/she is studying off campus?
Sure! This is often one of the benefits of your student studying off campus. However, it's always a good idea to help them find their place and settle in before you visit; they’ll have more to show you and you’ll be more impressed with how much they’ve grown! Consult with the program your student is studying with on when they recommend is a good time for you to visit.

What happens if my student needs to come home early from the program?
If your student needs to return home early from the program, this should be communicated to the Center for International & Experiential Education at DePauw as well as the off-campus program in which your student is studying. We will work to make sure the student can arrive back to the US as conveniently and safely as possible. Depending on the reason and the timing of the withdrawal from the program, refunds and partial credit may or may not be an option. Enrolling in classes at DePauw may be an option if withdrawal from the program takes place very early on; after a week or so from the start of DePauw’s semester on campus, it is difficult to enroll in classes on campus

In the event there is a major conflict or crisis that might put my student at risk, what will be done to help keep my student stay safe?
The world (abroad and in the US) is not as safe as it once was, so nobody can guarantee complete safety. However, there are steps one can take to minimize risks. Prior to students leaving campus, we mandate attendance at orientation sessions where we talk about health & safety issues, strategies for staying safe, and the difference between anti-Americanism and anti-American foreign policy. A few things you and your student should be aware of are:

  • Ultimately, students are responsible for their own safety. They must become informed of where they are going and develop ways to manage minor and major emergencies.
  • We work closely with our program partners so we know their staff takes your student’s safety seriously. Each university or program has its own emergency protocols, which students will be informed of, or should inquire about, at their on-site orientations.
  • We communicate several times throughout the semester with your student about issues as mundane as what's going on on campus, to issues of registering for classes, and to issues of potential risk in that location.
  • We monitor news of events taking place around the world and contact students as appropriate.

Should I have a valid passport?
Yes! The chances of you having to go see your student in the case of an emergency are slim, so more than likely you won't need a passport while your student is in Ecuador. But, in case you do need or want to visit your student abroad at some point, you will need a valid passport. It takes 4-6 weeks to get a valid US passport these days, so plan ahead and apply for one with your student if you don't already have one.