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January and Summer Programs

You may choose to participate in January and/or summer programs. However, enrollment, credit, and financial aid are handled differently for these short-term options than for semester programs. You’ll arrange most short-term opportunities independently and work with the relevant Macalester departments for advising, requesting credit, and seeking financial aid and funding support.

Students are also STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to register their international travel plans with the Center for Study Away.

Macalester Short-Term Programs

A few academic departments at Macalester (Geology, Classics, occasionally Psychology and Educational Studies ) offer for-credit January courses abroad. Keep an eye out for information on these opportunities. Students who have demonstrated eligibility for need-based Macalester-funded grants are eligible to receive up to a $1,000 grant that will be credited towards the cost of the program.  Students may also be eligible for student loans to help with program costs not covered by this grant.  Student loan eligibility will be determined on an individual basis at the student’s request. Contact the organizing department for more information.

Academic Credit

If your primary goal is to catch up or get ahead in fulfilling degree requirements, then you should try to get academic credit for your short-term study away; however, you may have other reasons for seeking a short-term study away experience.

Reasons you may choose a for-credit program

  • You may be able to apply credits towards your Macalester education as general credit, fulfilling distribution requirements, and/or fulfilling major/minor/concentration requirements (see section on academic credit).
  • You have some assurance that your program has been vetted by a set of accreditation standards; even so, not all for-credit programs are created equally and you should still review the below section on program quality.
  • Some types of experiences may only be offered for-credit (e.g., studying on a summer program hosted by a domestic or international university). Also, some internship experiences require that you earn credit (see the Internship Program for more information).

Reasons you may choose a not-for-credit program

  • Many types of experiences or programs do not offer credit (e.g., volunteer programs, some research opportunities, some language programs or scholarships, etc.). One of these might be the best fit to meet your goals.
  • Often, not-for-credit programs are less expensive than their for-credit counterparts. This is because they do not need to pay for accreditation. Even so, be sure to review the below section on program quality to be sure you are receiving good value for your money.

Find a Program

Summer programs exist in abundance, while January programs are fewer. In both terms, the opportunities vary greatly in terms of the type of opportunity, length, amount of academic credit offered, and cost. Once you have narrowed in on your goals, availability, and budget, there are few ways to begin your search…

  1. Known providers: Many of the universities and program providers from the list of Macalester Approved Study Away Programs also offer short-term programs. While the short-term programs have not been vetted, these are institutions/providers that Macalester has a relationship with and, thus, a good starting point.
  2. Center for Study Away Library: We have a section of our library dedicated to brochures for short-term programs. Come check it out!
  3. Macalester Internship Program: The staff in the Career Exploration Center can direct you to known internships or providers that facilitate internships.
  4. Search Engines: There are some search engines that are designed specifically for searching for short-term programs. Here are a few to get you started
    ● IIE Passport (Institute for International Education)
    ● Diversity Abroad
    ● IVPA (International Volunteer Programs Association)
  5.  See the below section on fully or partially funded summer opportunities.
  6. Study Away Advisors: We are here to help you think through all of the above, feel free to schedule an appointment by contacting [email protected] or calling 651-696-6300.

Academic Quality

Just as the program opportunities vary, so can the quality of a program. Macalester does not directly control how study away programs operate; the responsibility for determining the “proper fit” of the program and a successful learning experience rests with the student.

  • Is the program accredited? (for-credit programs)
  • Specifically, does the program meet one of the following criteria: (1) is offered by a U.S. or international accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education; or (2) issues transcripts through a U.S. or international accredited, degree-granting institution, or has a special credit-granting relationship with Macalester (e.g. ACM, CIEE, DIS, IES, etc.).
  • What are the credentials of the faculty and instructors?
  • Do they hold advanced degrees? How much location-specific experience do they have? What is their experience teaching the course content?
  • Is the program culturally aware and appropriate?
  • Does the program incorporate local staff, knowledge, and resources? What resources do they provide to support you in learning about the place you will be studying?

Health, Safety, and Security

  • What is the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory Level for your desired study away country or area?
  • If your desired study away country or area is a level 3 or 4 travel advisory, please visit the Travel Warnings and Program Approval webpage for more information and contact the Center for Study Away to learn more about the travel approval review process.
  • Does the program provide or recommend supplemental travel insurance? It is recommended that anyone traveling internationally should maintain existing comprehensive coverage and seek supplemental travel insurance, if it is not already included. Recommended coverage options to seek, include:
  1. Emergency medical evacuation
  2. Political and natural disaster evacuation
  3. Repatriation of remains

Please keep in mind:

  1. If you are currently enrolled on the Macalester plan, you are covered for the above recommended coverage.
  2. Some study away programs include or require insurance policies as part of their enrollment fees.  For those that don’t have medical coverage through your own or program provided insurance policies, it is extremely important to make sure you have medical insurance that will provide for essential medical coverage at your study away site.  You may find this article on How to Find the Best Travel Insurance to be helpful. There are a number of search engines available to help you compare coverage and costs between different policies. Be aware that in most cases you will need to pay for your medical care at the time of service and be reimbursed after you return home and file a claim for reimbursement.

Even if you end up purchasing additional insurance for medical coverage outside of the U.S. you should maintain your primary US health insurance coverage throughout your study away semester.  This is especially important should the unexpected occur and you have to return to the US for medical care.

  • Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure proper insurance coverage and the above are intended as recommendations
  • Does the program offer a clear plan for risk management and emergency response?

Student Support

  • Does the program offer adequate student support for administrative processes, housing, co-curricular support, etc.?
  • Administrative support can depend on the size and scope of a program, but in general, you should seek a clarity in who handles your billing, housing support, emergency response, curriculum, and any travel. These supports are often divided between the organizing agency and the on-site staff and partners.
  • Who will be on-site during the program?
  • Who will be the primary on-site contact? Does the program partner with other local providers or organizations? Is this information accessible?
  • Is an orientation provided?
    It is a best practice that any program provide an orientation to the local culture, customs, and safety protocols. What does your program provide prior to departure and once on site?
  • Can the program support physical, learning or dietary accommodations?
    On a US college campus, there are legal obligations and ethical standards to provide
    accommodations. An international program/organization’s obligations, standards, capacity can vary greatly. If you are seeking any accommodations, be sure to ask prior to making commitments.

Cost and Financial Aid

The cost of short-term study away opportunities can vary greatly. Costs to participate in a  January or summer program are handled on an individual basis; you are ultimately responsible for these costs. Even so, here are some tips to aid you in the process:

  • Be sure to review program financial policies, including deposit and withdrawal policies.
  • Contact Macalester Financial Aid if either of the following apply:
    • You receive need-based financial aid and are participating in a Macalester-run January program. (You may be eligible for a $1,000 grant). Not available for summer study away or non-Macalester programs.
    • You are interested in financing your study away with additional student loans (summer or January); eligibility varies.
  • Check these Macalester funding sources:
    • Ask your department. Some departments have funding set aside for student research and travel.
    • Student Travel Committee: This committee has funding available for student travel through a central application system. The committee considers each individual funding request based on its individual merits and connection to the mission of the College.
  • Search and apply for scholarships.

Macalester Funded Summer Opportunities

Outside Funded Summer Opportunities

Alternatives to Study Away

There are many different ways to have a meaningful intercultural experience without studying away. You may want to consider opportunities that allow you a different type of engagement with local communities. The link below will take you to a list of opportunities that may be a suitable alternative to a study away experience.