CONTACT US
PLANNING
Our International Center mission statement asserts that study abroad "enhances education in the liberal arts . . . ." In the Educational Goals essay that all students who want to study abroad must write, we ask them to describe how their proposed off-campus study will enhance their liberal arts education.
The student confronted with this requirement may well wonder what, precisely, we mean by "education in the liberal arts," as there is plenty of room for discussion and disagreement on the subject.
As a place to begin, we recommend Professor William Cronon's 1999 essay, published in The American Scholar, "'Only Connect . . .' The Goals of a Liberal Education." This piece -- short, clear, persuasive -- offers everyone interested in the subject a full chest of tools to use in thinking about how study abroad and liberal learning may complement one another.
Before you begin:
- READ the Handbook for Off-Campus Study. Make sure you are familiar with all of Macalester's Procedures and Policies regarding Study Abroad.
- THINK about what you want to accomplish academically by studying abroad.
- LOOK for a program that meets your academic needs. Start with Macalester's recommended programs.
- TALK to a Study Abroad Advisor and your Faculty Advisor. A Study Abroad Advisor can help you choose among the many options available. Your Faculty Advisor must approve your proposal for study abroad, so they are key to your decision.
- KEEP in mind that Macalester's goal is that your study abroad experience be one of academic excellence.
Important Questions To Think About When Choosing a Program:
- What are the courses that you would like to take while you are abroad? Do you need these course to complete your major(s), minor(s) or concentration(s)?
- What are your educational goals for study abroad?
- Do you want to complete an independent study, do an internship or directly enroll into a university abroad? Read more on studying at a British University.
- Is a homestay an important part of your program? Read up on what Mac students have said about their previous homestay experiences.
- What are your language skills? How many semesters of a language have you taken?
- Do you want to study in the developed or in the developing world?
- What are the eligibility requirements for certain programs? Do you meet them all?
Where To Begin:
- Start with your MAJOR(S). Look through Macalester's list of recommended programs best suited for your major.
- When you have met decided on a program, and met with both a Study Abroad Advisor and your Faculty Advisor, download the Study Abroad Proposal in the Applying section.
- Read the sample essays
Don't Forget To...
- Think about the immunizations or vaccinations you might need. Check the Macalester Health and Wellness Center, the Center for Disease Control and/or your program for more information.
- Think about other health issues such as access to health care while abroad, health insurance, visiting a travel clinic etc. The Macalester Health and Wellness Center has a lot of great information on all of these issues.
- Look up visa requirements - some countries may have lengthy proceesses that include HIV/AIDS testing, background checks, criminal reports etc.
- Check the deadlines of your programs! Each program may have a different deadline than Mac.
- Get a Passport and/or make sure your Passport is valid.
Get Help!
Ask questions, request information, or set up an appointment with a study abroad advisor at the International Center.
In Person: Markim Hall, 1st floor
Email: studyabroad@macalester.edu
Phone: 651-696-6310