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IPO FAQs / IPO 2008-2009 Calendar / New & Upcoming in IPO

The International Programs Office (IPO)...

...Promotes international events on campus...Advises students on international opportunities,
and
...Facilitates both domestic and international off-campus study (OCS).

photo by Keli Horton View more photo contest images …

Plan ahead! Complete IPO applications due February 27, 2009 for off-campus study during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Stop by the IPO in Lowry 116 (open Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm) or call x2951 to schedule an appointment with the Director.

NEW & UPCOMING IN THE IPO

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS PREPARING FOR FALL 2009 or FULL YEAR 2009-2010 OFF-CAMPUS STUDY!!!
Don't forget to attend your MANDATORY Pre-Departure Orientation on April 20th (English-speaking and Asian destinations) and April 28th (non-English-speaking destinations), 5-7pm in Lowry Ballroom. Please remember the following:
- take the online pre-departure survey.
- talk with your academic advisor about your off-campus coursework.
- bring your completed Emergency Response Card to the pre-departure meeting.
- inform the IPO immediately of any changes in your OCS plans.
- apply to be an COWs Abroad! Blogger during the Fall 2009 semester! Earn money while blogging about your off-campus experience. Dowload, complete and submit your application by May 1st if you wish to participate!
Please contact us if you have any questions!!!

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE IPO WEBSITE! See what your fellow students are doing during their off-campus experiences:
Check out this semester's Returnee Photo Contest winners!
OCS Returnees featured in OCS Student Profiles

NEW! Off-Campus Study Friday Lunch Tables
Returnees - share your experiences with others. Interested students and members of the campus community - learn more about off-campus study at The College of Wooster. This informal lunch meeting is open to everyone and takes place each Friday from 12 noon to 1:00pm in Lowry 250/251. Grab your tray and join us!

WE'VE MOVED! Stop by to visit us in Lowry 116!

Learn how to reduce your "global footprint" by traveling and studying abroad ethically, ecologically and responsibly by checking out the new links here.

The IPO has a Facebook Group! Keep updated on IPO events and opportunities, and network with other students interested in off-campus study!

IPO 2008-2009 CALENDAR
(see the Global Diversity Events Calendar for other events)

IPO FAQs

• Why should I study off campus?
• What if I am interested in a summer program?
• How much will it cost? How do financial aid and tuition work with studying off campus?
• How can I decide which program and location are best for me?
• I'm not sure which program I want to go on, and the deadline is coming up -- what can I do?
• Where can I find a list of all the programs that Wooster endorses?
• The program I want to enroll in is not endorsed by Wooster. What do I need to do?
• I've missed the March 1 IPO application deadline. Can I still study off campus, or is it too late?
• I'm not going off-campus until spring of next year. Why do I need to have all this paperwork in so early?
• Do I need to pay the application fee/program deposit myself, or does the College include that in my tuition?
• Do I need to pay for my travel expenses/airfare myself?
• Are there other ways to finance off-campus study?
• I have been approved by the College to study off campus in the fall, but now I will only be able to do it in the spring. How do I go about changing my semester off campus?
• I have a scheduling conflict -- is it okay for me to miss a pre-departure event?
• Should I enroll for classes at Wooster for the semester that I will be off campus?
• How can I figure out how many credits I will receive for my courses taken off-campus?
• How can I sign up for classes for the semester following my time off campus?
• Does Wooster's student insurance cover me while I am off campus?
• I am currently off campus, and it's time for room draw. What do I do about my housing situation for the first semester after I return?
  

Why should I study off campus?

Off-campus study complements Wooster's liberal arts education by increasing students' knowledge about the world, especially their understanding of how different cultures shape identities and influence action. It also helps students know themselves better. Students who have participated in off-campus study consistently report it as a life-changing experience that helped them better define and develop their life goals.

How much will it cost? How do financial aid and tuition work with studying off campus?

Because students who study on a program endorsed by the College of Wooster pay either Wooster tuition or the program tuition (whichever is higher), they are able to apply their financial aid and scholarships to the cost. You will receive two bills from Wooster: 1) Wooster tuition plus the off-campus study fee (1% of Wooster's comprehensive fee), minus your financial aid and scholarships, 2) any other fees billed by the program (room, board, student insurance, etc.) plus (if the program tuition is higher) the difference between Wooster tuition and the program tuition.

Thus depending on other program costs such as room and board, and apart from the cost of travel, off-campus study could cost you about the same as study in Wooster. If you anticipate that the total costs of studying off campus (including travel) will exceed the costs of studying at Wooster, you may be eligible for additional Federal Student Loans. Be sure to make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office if this is your situation.

Students should also explore their eligibility for study abroad scholarships offered by many programs, and the Lilly Project offers fully-funded off-campus study opportunities. Rarely again in your life will it be so easy and affordable to visit and live in another city or country for a short period of time.

I'm not sure which program I want to go on, and the deadline is coming up -- what can I do?

Evaluate each program you are considering based on its applicability to your academic and personal goals. Then make an appointment with your academic advisor and/or the IPO Director to discuss your options.

I've missed the IPO application deadline at the end of February/beginning of March. Can I still study off campus, or is it too late?

It's probably too late for the next academic year, but you may petition the Dean of Faculty if you have an excellent reason for having missed the deadline. Or you may begin planning to study off campus a year later, or over the summer. Make an appointment with the IPO Director to discuss your options.

I'm not going off-campus until spring of next year. Why do I need to have all this paperwork in so early?

Like the students, the College must plan ahead for off-campus study. Such planning is done on a year rather than semester timeline.

Do I need to pay the application fee/program deposit myself, or does the College include that in my tuition?

You will need to pay the program any deposits they ask for initially. These fees will be deducted from the bill you eventually receive from the College.

Do I need to book and pay for my travel expenses/airfare myself?

In general, yes, although some programs such as PRESHCO include airfare in their program fees. In addition, the Lilly Project offers opportunities for off-campus study that are fully funded. You should read the information about your program carefully.

Are there other ways to finance off-campus study?

You can check with your program to see if they offer scholarships. Some other study abroad scholarships exist, including the Boren Scholarships and Gilman Scholarships. Have a look at the "Other Resources" page for further funding opportunities.

I have been approved by the College to study off campus in the fall, but now I will only be able to do it in the spring. How do I go about changing my semester off campus?

Petition the Dean of Faculty as soon as you are able, but be aware that switching semesters may be difficult, as the College plans far in advance for off-campus study.

I have a scheduling conflict -- is it okay for me to miss a pre-departure event?

Pre-departure events are required. They are also scheduled, and students are notified, well ahead of time. If a student has a conflict, it is his or her responsibility to ask the Director of the IPO if he or she may be excused from the event well in advance of the event. If a student is not excused and does not attend a required pre-departure event, he or she will not be allowed to study off campus.

Should I enroll for classes at Wooster for the semester that I will be off campus?

Only if you anticipate the possibility of not studying off campus, for example, if you are not sure you will have the required 2.5 GPA.

How can I sign up for classes for the semester following my time off campus?

A representative from the Registrar's office will explain the procedure at your pre-departure orientation, and you will receive written information in your pre-departure handbook. If you are still uncertain, or if you have any questions, contact the Registrar's office.

Does Wooster's student insurance cover me while I am off campus?

For study abroad programs outside of the United States, you should check with the Director of the IPO to see if you need to purchase additional health insurance for your time abroad. Just as it does while you are on campus, your student insurance carries a $150 deductible while you are off campus, after which the company will pay 80% and you pay 20%, up to $10,000.

I am currently off campus, and it's time for room draw. What do I do about my housing situation for the first semester after I return?

A representative from the Office of Residence Life should have explained the procedure at your pre-departure orientation, and you should have received written information in your pre-departure handbook. If you are still uncertain, or if you have any questions, contact the Office of Residence Life.