Parent FAQs

At Macalester, about 60% of students study away by the time they graduate. Almost all of those students study away for a full semester, either in the fall or spring of their junior year. For students considering a semester-long study away, Macalester maintains a list of over 100 approved programs that students can choose from, and we encourage them to make informed decisions in selecting a program by reflecting on their goals (academic, professional, and personal) and how to integrate study away into their Macalester education. 

While the majority of Macalester students who study away do so on a semester-long program, we recognize that semester-long study away might not be the right choice for everyone. Therefore, we offer a limited number of Mac-Led Programs (short-term study away opportunities that are embedded in an on-campus course and taught by Macalester faculty and staff). We also provide resources for students to consider an external short-term study away opportunity during January or the summer, of which there are many options.

Students need to start the study away process early, in the fall semester prior to the year they plan to study away. They can learn more information about the basics of study away and the application process at our First Steps to Study Away info sessions offered each fall. Then, they meet 1-1 with a study away advisor to discuss their individual interests and goals related to study away. Students must submit an application for Macalester approval in December, and this is reviewed by the Study Away Review Committee (SARC).

Our website details resources to support students and families in choosing a program and how to apply for Macalester approval. 

Macalester study away programs are reviewed annually by the Study Away Review Committee (SARC) in consultation with faculty from academic departments and concentrations. In addition to meeting the standards of a high-quality liberal arts education, these programs meet the expectations and offer various pathways outlined in the Macalester College Study Away Learning Goals. Many study away options on the Macalester approved programs list are run by providers, which are educational institutions or organizations that manage and host students on-site.

You can explore approved programs and program review criteria. 

After a student is approved for study away, they are required to read and compare various post-acceptance forms through their study away portal. These forms include important information they need to know, on topics such as health and safety, academic policies for study away, financial matters, and travel documents.

Additionally, each student is required to attend an in-person pre-departure orientation. We host additional optional pre-departure sessions such as Returnee Meet-ups (to meet Macalester students who have done their program) and a Preparing for Study Away Travel session. Students are always welcome to reach out to their study away advisor and program staff with any questions.

The “Prepare to Depart” section of our website is a great resource to answer this question. 

About six months prior to their program start (or even earlier), they should be applying to their program. This is different from the process of getting Macalester approval. Macalester is a small school and we only run a few of our own programs. Many study away programs are through program providers – organizations that manage/administer the program. Other students choose a direct enroll program through a foreign university. Acceptance rates are usually fairly high; there could be some programs that meet capacity, or that are competitive, so that’s why it’s important to apply early. Students need to be aware of those deadlines and meet those application dates. Some programs fill before the deadline! If, for whatever reason, a student isn’t accepted into their program, we will work with them to make alternative plans.

About three months before departure, your student should be thinking about health and wellness (vaccinations, mental health abroad, access to medical care) as well as applying for a visa, if required. About one month before, there are final preparations like travel arrangements, pre-departure guides, money and phones abroad, and packing lists. 

In most cases, students need a passport that is valid for six months after their study away program ends. If they don’t already have a passport, they should apply for one immediately and we provide information on how to do so. If they have one that will expire before six months of their program end date, they should renew it now. Passport processing can take a long time, start early!

Additionally, visas or residence permits are required for some study away programs, but not others. Every country and program varies! Some require an in-person appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate. Others will accept mail-in documents. Others don’t need a visa prior to arrival. In most cases, you can’t apply more than 90 days prior to your travel, but your student should know the process and prepare documents. You should also be thinking about making travel arrangements. DON’T plan international travel before or after the program until you know the visa restrictions. 

Refer to our page about passports and visas for more information. 

While students are on study away, they can register for next semester’s courses on campus in the same way as normal. They’ll be designated a date/time to register, and it might not be convenient due to the time difference, but it will be with others in their class/cohort.

Unfortunately, our office doesn’t really deal with those details. If a student is thinking about living on campus, they can contact Residence Life (RL) about availability. The Layover is designated as community housing for students studying away in the alternate term. If students are living off campus, as most do, they need to coordinate their housing with peers. There are some websites through RL that allow them to post about needing a room, subletting their room, etc. There are 300+ students in this situation across campus! 

Generally, students book their own flights, from whatever city they are in. The program will give them an arrival date and window, and instructions on an airport pick up or getting to their housing. They will also give them a last date of housing on the program, by which they have to depart the country or at least vacate housing. All this is self-arranged; almost no programs do group flights. Some programs might recommend booking flexible tickets, as exam dates can vary. Sometimes they recommend not booking flights until students get a visa (as applicable). 

Each program is different – your student needs to read ALL the info they are given. Housing and meals vary on-site. Some programs organize housing and meals that are included (especially with homestays). Some programs organize housing, but meals are not included and students have access to a kitchen. Other programs don’t arrange housing; students need to do that. Individual housing details  are on each program page within our website.

All students continue to be enrolled at Macalester during their study away semester, and are required to be enrolled full-time, as defined by their program. This is at a minimum 12 credits, and a maximum of 18 credits to not get charged extra tuition. Most programs define full-time as 14-17 credits. This allows them to have continuous access to on-campus academic resources like the Library, MAX center, Center for Disability Resources, etc. 

All courses come back to their Mac degree automatically. But credit conversions vary! These are listed on each program page, but students should know how the credits will come back or check with their study away advisor. All their grades from study away count in their GPA, and the pass/fail policy is the same as on campus. If they want a course for their major/minor, it must be approved by the Department Chair. If they want to fulfill a distribution requirement, it must be approved by the Macalester Registrar. 

A general note on academic structure – every program is different. Students could be in large lecture halls, they could have classes that are field- or research-based, some could be in small cohorts that have facilitated discussion. How much time spent is spent in class, assignments, exams, grades will all be different. And a lot of that is intentional, to give students a different experience than they may be receiving at Macalester.

All of our academic policies are available on our Academics page. 

Macalester takes various steps to learn about, assess, and mitigate risk. We cannot eliminate it, but we can be prepared in our training, policies, and response. Our website on Safety outlines some of this process. 

Macalester monitors current events and information about locations abroad through the U.S. Department of State, Center for Disease Control, and Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). Macalester has a Travel Advisory Committee to review student travel to locations around the world, and has safety and emergency guidelines and policies to follow.

We also depend on local, on-site staff and partners as they know what is happening on the ground. They are trained in crisis response as well, and support students on-site. They provide detailed on-site orientation that discusses health and safety protocols. 

Finally, we require that all students who participate on a study away program to have coverage from a comprehensive international insurance plan. This coverage must include medical care for illness and injury, emergency evacuation for medical or security reasons, and repatriation of remains. This insurance coverage is provided for all students through their program or through Macalester, and it is built into the Macalester tuition cost (not an additional expense). Learn more about details of this plan on our Health page. 

We know that the cost of study away is a significant concern for many families, and we try to make the process as transparent as possible. Costs related to study away can be viewed through estimated program budgets on each program page, which are updated twice a year. Costs are divided into billable expenses (what is billed through Macalester, such as tuition, room/board in some cases, etc.) and non-billable or out-of-pocket expenses (what you have to pay in-advance or on-site, such as airfare, room/board, books, visas, on-site transportation, additional travel, etc). All students pay Macalester tuition for their study away program, regardless of program location. This is paid to Macalester, on the same timeline as if the student were on campus. 

Financial aid can be used and is applicable to study away, which includes scholarships, loans, and grants. The only thing that cannot be used is their work study award, as they will not be on campus. They can, though, work extra hours during the semester they remain on campus. Students will receive their initial financial aid award letter in early summer if they are studying away in fall or in late fall if they are studying away in the spring. We also strongly encourage students to apply to internal and external scholarships. 

Lots of detailed information about Costs and Financial Aid is available on our website. 

You are always welcome to contact the Center for Study Away ([email protected] or 651-696-6300) with any questions you have.