2020-2021 Student Handbook 
    
    Oct 04, 2024  
2020-2021 Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG] Use the dropdown above to select the current 2024-25 catalog.

Office of Study Abroad Policies and Procedures


Office of Study Abroad

 

The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) administers all semester-long and yearlong study abroad programs for Pomona College students. Interested students can learn more about opportunities to study abroad by visiting the website, reading program evaluations available at the OSA, scheduling an advising appointment, and talking with program faculty liaisons and study abroad returnees. Study Abroad advisors are available to answer questions, provide insight, and assist in all stages of the application process.

 

In order to receive Pomona College credit for a semester or year of study abroad, students must participate through the Office of Study Abroad. Applications are available on the OSA website and are reviewed by the Study Abroad Committee. Deadlines vary but are generally near the beginning of the semester preceding the semester to be spent abroad.

 

The OSA website includes a page for each program that lists eligibility requirements and other specific information. Students earn a maximum of four Pomona credits during a semester abroad. Students currently on academic or disciplinary probation may not apply to or participate in study abroad programs.

 

Students participating in a study abroad program pay Pomona College tuition and the Study Abroad Fee (equal to the standard room and board charge). Pomona College pays for the student’s program tuition, room, board, round-trip airfare, visa or residence permit, and an allowance for local transportation if necessary for commuting to class.

 

Financial aid continues for eligible students during the time abroad. The OSA also maintains a list of additional scholarships for study abroad. Students should discuss how additional outside aid may impact their existing aid package with the Financial Aid Office.   

 

All study abroad participants should remember that living in another country involves extra expenses not covered by the program fees, such as books, passport, immunizations, personal expenses, entertainment, and independent travel. Students should carefully plan a budget before going abroad, using information from peers, program providers, and online resources about costs in their host location.

 

Pomona College Policy Regarding College-Funded International Student Travel

Pomona College supports meaningful international experiences for all students. Such experiences may take several forms, ranging from semester-long study abroad approved by Pomona College’s Study Abroad Committee to summer undergraduate research mentored by a Pomona College faculty member, internships or community engagement activities abroad, grant-funded summer experiences, short-term programs abroad, participation in intensive language study, a skills-based workshop, field school, or an apprenticeship program in the arts.

For semester and yearlong study abroad, students will follow policies and procedures as specified by the Office of Study Abroad and the Study Abroad Committee.

For all other opportunities that include international travel funded in full or in part by Pomona College, all students are required to register with the iJet Worldcue Tracker system, which provides for an array of services aimed at ensuring the student’s security.

In order to receive a travel award, students will be required to submit a detailed project description, including a detailed budget, with their funding application. Students are required to enroll in the ISIC (International Student Identity Card) insurance program made available through the Office of Study Abroad. The cost of the Premium ISIC Card ($99) must be reflected in the project budget. Students must submit a travel itinerary and emergency contact information as well as one or more contacts in the destination country.

All students whose travel is funded in full or in part through Pomona College will be required to sign a waiver indemnifying the College and stating that they are aware of the risk of international travel. The waiver must be co-signed by the student’s guardian or parent(s).

Note that, as a rule, Pomona is unlikely to support international experiences for students that involve travel to countries or regions for which the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory.