How to Get Started

Step 1: Attend a Study Abroad information session.

Students planning to study abroad in Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 are required to attend a Study Abroad information session. Sessions last one hour and are repeated throughout the fall semester. Students must be present for the full session. Make plans now for the session that fits your schedule.

(Please note that the information session is different from the First-Year Seminar presentation.)

Step 2: Meet with a Study Abroad Adviser.

After the information session, make an appointment with an adviser in the Office of Study Abroad to discuss your academic goals and identify the programs that might best work for your educational plan. You will receive the Pitzer College Study Abroad application at this advising appointment. Advising times are available throughout the week. You can drop by Scott 110 or call 621-8104 during office hours to arrange an appointment.

Step 3: Research Program Options

It is important for you to take these steps to learn about the various programs available so that you can make an informed decision for your semester abroad:

• - Check out the approved program options to learn more about the programs that were identified in your advising session.
• - Consider the information on the courses available, program dates, pre-requisites, and housing arrangements. You will need this information to complete the corresponding questions on the Pitzer College Study Abroad application.
• - Once you have narrowed your choices to two or three options, check with the Office of Study Abroad to get the names of past participants and talk to them about their experiences.
• - Plan to attend the Undergraduate Research Abroad Symposium in November to talk to returnees about the independent study projects students completed while abroad.
• - Make another appointment with a Study Abroad adviser if you have questions that can’t be answered by the website or by past participants. You may also email questions to studyabroad@pitzer.edu.

Step 4: Discuss Plans with Your Faculty Adviser

Take advantage of your faculty adviser’s office hours to begin discussing your interest in study abroad. Students in any major can include a semester of study abroad in their educational plan. Some majors require early planning to fit in a semester abroad so the earlier you start the better.

You will need to make a preliminary choice of the courses you would like to take while abroad, and your faculty adviser must approve the courses you propose by signing the Adviser Approval form. To view the classes available, visit the program’s Web page or inquire with the Office of Study Abroad.

Step 5: Meet Applications Deadlines

Pitzer College Study Abroad Applications are due MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

The Pitzer College Study Abroad Application, including an interview with a past participant, a faculty recommendation, faculty adviser approval form, essays, and a language evaluation (if required) must be submitted by this deadline. You should distribute the faculty recommendation and language evaluation forms as early as possible to allow sufficient time for faculty to complete them. Keep a copy of your completed application (except the confidential recommendation) for your records.

Students applying for one of the highly competitive and limited non-Pitzer program spaces must submit two Pitzer College Study Abroad applications; one for their non-Pitzer program choice and one for their alternate program choice. The alternate program must be one of the approved program options.

Students applying for approved ISEP programs must submit the Pitzer College Study Abroad application and the ISEP program application. ISEP applications are available in the Office of Study Abroad.

Supplementary Applications are due MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2009

Before Winter Break we will send an email to your Pitzer email account notifying you that any supplementary application forms for your program are ready for you to pick up. At this time, students who requested a non-Pitzer program space will be notified if they are approved or have been denied permission to apply to their non-Pitzer program. The supplementary applications may include (but are not limited to) homestay questionnaires, additional references required by the program, and directed independent study proposals. Keep a copy of your completed supplementary applications (except the confidential references) for your records.

Students will be advised of their acceptance in mid-March.