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. For those students studying in another language, you may take a language course, and possibly another course, at the program center.
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"People from the remotest desert villages of Rajasthan converge on the holy city of Pushkar every fall to buy, sell and share facts and lore about their livelihood - the camel." Derek Mitchell, CC'03 Delhi, India |
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. If you plan to continue study of this language upon your return, you should consult the relevant department who may require you to take a placement test.
Course Approval
Once you have begun your term-time classes, complete a Course Approval Form to make sure that you are taking classes for which you can earn credit
Keeping in contact
Update phone numbers and addresses at your class center 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, leave the contact's name and address with your class dean. If local mail service is such that you are not likely to be reachable by mail, but your parents can reach you by phone, please let our office know. You will remain on your class list-serve and will receive important information, such as information related to fellowships and other opportunities, as well as registration information.
Fellowships
If while abroad you are considering applying to a fellowship, please consult the Fellowships Web site for general information as well as instructions on how to pre-apply. Please note that pre-applications for some fellowships, such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright, may be due while you are away.
Registering 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. Toward the end of your semester abroad, you will be contacted by the Study Abroad office letting you know your registration times.
For course information, you can access the Columbia College Bulletin and SEAS Bulletin. Please contact your department directly for all courses requiring departmental permission.
Housing
While abroad, students will either take part in the housing lottery, or complete a housing application online. If you would like to live with a particular group of stduent, you may assign proxy status to a studnet on campus so that they may act on your behalf in the lottery. For more info, see the Housing Department.