In addition to regular academic programs, St. Mary’s College sponsors special programs that provide opportunities for study and work away from the campus. These programs make available to St. Mary’s students experiences of significant educational value that are not available on the College’s own campus. Students who take part in these programs receive appropriate academic credit at the College for doing so. The two offices that manage these programs are the Office of International Education and the Career Development Center.
Office of International Education
The mission of the St. Mary’s College Office of International Education is to provide support for students, faculty, administrators, staff, and institutional partners as they collaborate in opportunities for educational and cultural exchange to achieve global awareness and engagement within the framework of the College’s commitment to academic excellence. In its daily work, the Office of International Education advises and assists St. Mary’s College students who wish to study abroad for academic credit. For each of these programs, see the Office of International Education in Glendening Hall, Annex.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad is one way that students may satisfy the Experiencing the Liberal Arts in the World element of the Core Curriculum. Students are also encouraged to integrate their study-abroad experience with a St. Mary’s Project. (See a description of St. Mary’s Projects.)
All study abroad programs work toward achieving the following learning outcomes:
- Recognizing cultural differences within and between cultures
- Displaying intercultural communication skills when responding to members of another culture
- Articulating their personal growth in response to experiences in another culture that challenges or deepens their world views
- Increasing their independences and self-reliance through learning to successful navigate travel logistics, new communities and host culture
- Comprehending and speaking a foreign language more proficiently and in culturally appropriate ways, when studying in a country where the language of the university and/or the program differs from the student’s native language(s)
Students can participate in one of the St. Mary’s College-sponsored study-abroad programs described below, or they can apply to attend another program with the approval of the College and apply to have the credits transferred back to St. Mary’s. A student who chooses to participate in a non-St. Mary’s program has the option to remain a full-time student at St. Mary’s and receive applicable benefits for an administrative fee. Students interested in finding a program that is right for them should consult the Office of International Education and their academic adviser at least a year in advance of the time they wish to go abroad. There are special deadlines for the proposals for non-SMCM programs. Please see visit www.smcm.edu/ie for more information.
SMCM study abroad application deadlines are October 1st for spring semester or winter-break study abroad, April 1st for summer study abroad and March 1st for fall semester study abroad. Faculty-led programs, or “Study Tours,” have their own varying deadlines. Students who wish to study abroad should become familiar with the “Academic Policies: Study Abroad” section of this catalog. Students receiving financial aid should consult the director of financial aid for details about the possibility of applying their aid toward program fees
For a full and updated list of semester and short-term approved programs abroad, see www.smcm.edu/ie.
International Exchange Students
The Office of International Education provides assistance to international exchange students on campus. St. Mary’s College provides in-country orientation as well as excursion opportunities to regional destinations to assist students in adjusting to life in the U.S.
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