Students wishing to apply for an unapproved program must complete a full Pitzer application, as well as the Intent to Study Abroad paperwork required of all applicants, by the Monday, November 24, 2008 deadline. In addition to explaining why a particular academic or intercultural learning need cannot be met by one of the approved options, applications for unapproved programs must demonstrate that the Pitzer College goals for study abroad can be fulfilled via the following guidelines:
a) Students in non-English speaking locations will be required to study the host country language or take classes taught in the host country language while abroad.
b) At least one course must be identified as meeting the equivalent of a core course, i.e. a class that provides academic insight to contribute to the student’s understanding of the host culture. This may take the form of a class that examines the host country politics, history, literature, etc. or a class that covers social themes that have significance in the host culture. Students will be required to enroll in the course abroad that is identified in the application to fulfill this requirement. In the event that the class is not available once overseas, the student will need to contact a Study Abroad Advisor about approval of a comparable course.
c) Reflective writing must be easily identified as already existing in a component of the program either through a fieldbook equivalent or the opportunity to pursue an independent study project. If a program offers neither option, students can arrange an independent study project through contacting a Study Abroad Advisor. Topics cannot replicate coursework already completed on campus and must facilitate integration into the local culture. Proposals for projects must be submitted at the time of the application and we encourage you to select a project that involves field research, oral interviews, ethnography and techniques that enhance your engagement with the local culture over those involving library research.
d) Living arrangements must involve a substantial portion of the semester living either with a host family or with students from the host culture in housing that is typical for host country students. Programs that involve living only with other US students in apartments, boarding houses or dorms will not be eligible for approval.
e) The program must provide a transcript from an accredited US institution in order for transfer credit to be awarded. All transfer policies apply to credit for non Pitzer programs that are approved through the application process. Please note that students will not receive credit for non Pitzer study abroad semester programs that are not approved through the application process by the review committee.
f) The program must have written policies in place that address student health and safety issues while abroad.
A majority of these components can be fulfilled to a significant degree on each of the Pitzer exchanges and programs. Applications for unapproved programs will be evaluated against how well the chosen program fulfills these criteria as well as your essay on how the program best meets a compelling academic need. Previous approval of a particular program or fulfillment of all the guidelines above does not guarantee approval for any student’s application for an unapproved programs. There are a limited number of spaces (up to ten per year) available for non Pitzer programs and all petitions will be reviewed competitively against the total number of applications for unapproved programs. All students applying for unapproved programs must commit to an alternate choice from among the approved program choices or the application for the unapproved program will not be considered.
