While Abroad

Academic Requirements

In order to get full credit for your courses abroad, we require the following: Wherever appropriate, you must take all or the majority of your courses at the local university.If you are attending a program where the instruction is in English but the local language is not English, you must study the language of the country while abroad.  Failure to enroll in a language course will nullify study abroad credit toward your Columbia degree. If you plan to continue study of this language upon your return, you should consult the relevant department which may require you to take a placement test. Students on Columbia-approved programs who undertake language study while abroad toward satisfaction of the GS language requirement must take a placement test upon their return to demonstrate that they have achieved intermediate-level proficiency or beyond.

Course Approval

If there are any changes to your pre-approved courses once you have arrived at your host institution, you must immediately contact you’re the GS study abroad advisor at gsstudyabroad.edu to seek approval for courses that are intended for credit toward your Columbia degree.

Keeping in contact

Update your contact information in Student Services On-Line and with your GS advisor before you leave if possible; otherwise do so as soon as you have your new contact information. If someone other than your emergency contact on your application form will handle your affairs in your absence, provide the contact's name and address to your GS advisor.  You can also update the emergency contact information in SSOL.  You will remain on your GS listserv while abroad and will receive important information relevant to registration, fellowships, etc., through the listserv.

Fellowships

If while abroad you are considering applying to a national fellowship, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, or Fulbright, information and deadlines about fellowships are sent to the GS listserv. Inquiries may also be sent to .  Please note that pre-applications for some fellowships, such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright, are due during the spring semester.

Registering for Columbia courses while abroad

While abroad, students will be able to register on-line or over the phone for the classes they wish to take upon their return to Columbia. For course information, you can access the GS Bulletin On-line. Please contact your major department directly for all courses requiring departmental or instructor permission.  Please be in touch with your GS advisor about courses you plan to take to satisfy GS core requirements.