Study Abroad FAQ - COVID-19
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Yes! In an effort to provide students with travel opportunities and international experiences, the Center for International Programs (CIP) will be offering a limited number of study abroad destinations for Fall 2021. The CIP is closely monitoring the safety and security of our program locations, and is prioritizing the health and safety of our students above all else.
We are planning on offering the following exchange programs for Fall 2021:
We require all students to first begin a study abroad advising application and meet with our Study Abroad Coordinator prior to beginning a program specific application. Advising is required to ensure that a students' interested program destination matches their academic needs and personal goals. The Center for International Programs is offering advising via Zoom. Please contact studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu for more information.
The deadline to submit an application for Fall 2021 study abroad programs is March 15th.
Please note, starting and completing an application typically takes 3-4 weeks. If you are interested in studying abroad, please contact studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu.
If you are interested in going abroad, but are not interested in the current program offerings, you are allowed to study abroad independently through a program that is not currently affiliated with SMC (NON-SMC program). However, you will still need to submit your application no later than March 15th.
You will be required to do the following:
- Submit a completed study abroad application
- Take a leave of absence from Saint Mary's College
- Pay a $200 NON-SMC program fee
If you have any questions or concerns, please email studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu
On September 2nd, Saint Mary’s College made the difficult decision to suspend all inbound and outbound study abroad and January Term travel programs for the 2020-2021 academic year. This was an extremely difficult decision. However, given the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing uncertainty around international travel, this was the most prudent option for our students. Many of our overseas programs and partners have indicated that they will be cancelling or continuing online as well. At this time, we are encouraging students to defer their study abroad application to fall 2021 if their intended program and academic schedule allows.
Due to the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, students are STRONGLY discouraged from studying abroad independently. We anticipate many programs will make the decision to cancel in-person study abroad programs and the timing of decisions may make it challenging for students to return to campus. Border closures and country-specific quarantine requirements are expected to continue and are subject to change without notice. If you choose to pursue study abroad independent of SMC please be aware that:
- You must take a leave of absence from Saint Mary's College and study abroad without direct university support.
- Many overseas partners and program providers may not allow non-approved SMC students to study on affiliated SMC programs.
- Credit received while studying abroad independently will be subject to SMC's credit tranfer policy.
If a program requires a home school authorization form, please be aware that the Center for International Programs, along with other SMC staff and faculty, cannot complete this form as student's participation in an independent program is independent of Saint Mary's College. Students will need to communicate directly with their program to see if they are able to complete this requirement without SMC's authorization.
No. SMC's decision to cancel study abroad for the 2020-2021 academic year means that the College's affiliation with the program abroad is suspended and SMC cannot support students on the program, regardless of whether or not the program was previously approved and the provider or university abroad is continuing. SMC cannot provide academic, financial, health and safety support or resources to students who study abroad independently while on leave from the College.
Yes, you are eligible to receive Pass/Fail credit in lieu of a letter grade on your SMC transcript. Once we receive your transcripts from your host university abroad, the Center for International Programs will send you a digital copy and you will have seven business days to request Pass/Fail credit on your transcript.
On May 14th, Saint Mary’s College made the difficult decision to suspend all inbound and outbound study abroad and exchange programs for the fall 2020 semester. This was an extremely difficult decision. However, given the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing uncertainty around international travel, this was the most prudent option for our students. Many of our overseas programs and partners have indicated preliminarily that they will be cancelling or moving online as well. At this time, we are encouraging students to defer their study abroad application to spring 2021 if their intended program and academic schedule allows.
We strongly discourage students from studying abroad independently in the fall 2020 semester. We anticipate many programs will make the decision to cancel in-person study abroad programs and the timing of decisions may make it challenging for students to return to campus. Border closures and country-specific quarantine requirements are expected to continue for some time and are subject to change without notice.
We encourage students to defer their study abroad application to spring 2021 if their intended program and academic schedule allows. If students are interested, they should first speak to their academic advisor and then email the Center for International Programs.
Be aware that most spring 2021 study abroad programs begin in January, meaning students will not be able to participate in Jan Term and will have to overload while abroad. Also, Saint Mary's College may decide to run a limited amount of study abroad programs depending on federal and state regulations around COVID-19 and in conjunction with country specific data to ensure the healthy and safety of our students.
We require all students to first begin a study abroad advising application and meet with our Study Abroad Coordinator prior to beginning a program specific application. Advising is required to ensure that a students' interested program destination matches their academic needs and personal goals. The Center for International Programs is offering advising via Zoom. Please contact studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu for more information.
Please note, Saint Mary's College may decide to run a limited amount of study abroad programs in spring 2021 to ensure the health and safety of our students depending on federal and state regulations around COVID-19 and in conjunction with country-specific health data.
The Center for International Programs is closely monitoring and assessing changes in health and safety abroad over the summer. We anticipate opening the study abroad spring 2021 application cycle on August 1st, but may do so on a limited scale depending on federal and state regulations around COVID-19 and in conjunction with country-specific health data.
No, but the Center for International Programs is happy to work with students to identify an international experience through SMC in the future. Program offerings are subject to change every year, so although students cannot defer their applications, they are encouraged to reapply.