Study Abroad

These are the general steps you should take when planning to study abroad. For individual programs, there may be additional instructions or requirements.

1. Check out approved programs on the website or the student database system. Begin by signing in and completing your profile. Programs are listed on the website by country, or in the database by country, city, provider, field of study, language of instruction and term. If you have questions about any of the programs please send an email to the study abroad office (goabroad@rit.edu) and someone will assist you in your research.
2. Register in the Study Abroad Student Database System. This will add you to the email list, allow you to complete important RIT application paperwork and keep us informed of your study abroad plans.
3. Once you have an idea about where you want to study, you should consult with your academic adviser about your general plans & courses. You also need to come by the Study Abroad Office – either stop by during our walk-in hours or email to schedule an appointment.
4. If you are now ready to apply to the study abroad program that interests you, different programs may have different application processes (see below):

Arcadia
Syracuse
Oswego
Queens
CIEE
SAI
SEA
NYU
DIS
SFS
KIT
Siena

Arcadia- you may apply online or download a pdf file and submit a paper application.

Several things to keep in mind as you start this process are:

• Meet with you study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.
• Obtain approval to study abroad from Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director before applying. You will need to make an appointment via email at goabroad@rit.edu
  or by phone 585-475-4466
• Transcripts and references may take some time to collect, so start early!

Additional Materials:

• Some programs require additional application materials such as resumes or portfolios of your work.
• Let Arcadia know about any special needs including course requirements, physical or learning disabilities, or possible schedule conflicts as soon as possible. Your disclosure won’t affect your acceptance to a program; it will simply allow us to improve our ability to meet your needs
• Many programs require a course selection form to complete the application. After you submit your application, you will be provided with an Arcadia Student ID, which you can use to log in and complete this form online. The required forms are unique to each program and are available at www.arcadia.edu/abroad/forms.
• Application fee is waived for RIT students

Syracuse

1. Please complete an online program application.
2. Additional Materials:

In addition to the Syracuse Program Application, you need to submit the additional application materials listed below. These may be submitted by fax (315-443-4593) or mail (SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY, 13224).

• $60 Application fee (You may pay by credit card when applying online or send a check or money order payable to Syracuse University)
• Academic Recommendation.pdf
• Study Abroad Approval Form.pdf signed by Tynelle Stewart (not needed for summer applications), however all students studying abroad including summer need to make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart. This can be done via email at goabroad@rit.edu or via phone at 585-475-4466.
• Official Transcript* from Home Institution
• Internship Request Form.pdf (optional) with resume attached
• Tuition Grant Application.pdf and a copy of your FAFSA student aid report if you are a non-SU student (optional) (Please note that work study is only available to SU students)

MADRID:

• Enrollment Request Form.pdf
• Option II/III Recommendation Form.pdf (with writing sample attached)
• Language study is required. Please include a language course among your class selection. Students who have taken 3 or more semesters of college-level Spanish or its equivalent must also take a non-language course taught in Spanish.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

• Option II/III Request Form.pdf (with writing sample attached)
• Language study is required. Please include a language course among your class selection.
• Music students need to submit an audition CD with three performance pieces; one must be a modern piece. (Spring Only)

HONG KONG:

• Option II/III Request Form.pdf (with writing sample attached)

BEIJING:

• Option II/III Request Form.pdf (with writing sample attached)
• Language study is required. Please include a language course among your class selection.

FLORENCE:

• Portfolio*, 12-15 slides, booklet or CD (for Studio Arts and Architecture applicants only)
• Option II/III Request Form.pdf (with writing sample attached)
• Language study is required. Please include a language course among your class selection.

LONDON:

• Portfolio, 12-15 slides, CD (fall Photojournalism and Architecture applicants only)
• Portfolio (Design program). Submit electronically to Gail Rich, gnrich@syr.edu. Include your name, title of work and date. Provide examples of six (6) projects, including research and sketches and an example of group work is desirable (describe your role in any group project).
• Letter of Intent (Design program applicants only), describing what you hope to gain from a design experience abroad. Submit electronically to Gail Rich, or in paper form to SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY 13244
• CD (Design program applicants only) as a back up. Submit to SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY 13244

SANTIAGO, CHILE:

• Track II Academic Recommendation Form(with writing sample attached)
• Language study is required. Please include a language course among your class selection.

Oswego- Fill out the online application form used for any State University of New York

• Application fee is waived for RIT students

Instructions

• Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.
• Complete the application form found on the SUNY Oswego website. If you are interested in more than one program, rank them in order of your preference. All choices will be considered with equal prospect of acceptance. If you are accepted into several programs, you will be able to choose the one in which you wish to participate.
• Take your application to the Study Abroad Office at your home campus for signature by Tynelle Stewart, RIT Director of Study Abroad. You will need to make an appointment to meet with her via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.
• Keep a photocopy of your completed application for your records.
• Submit the application and all supporting documents to SUNY Oswego as each portion is completed.
• Send an official academic transcript from your current school and any other colleges where you have completed coursework to the SUNY Oswego. Federal laws prohibit the campus from obtaining this document: you must request it yourself.

Note: It is recommended that you send in your materials well before the deadline. Check the website for deadlines. Late applications are sometimes considered on a space-available basis. If the deadline has passed, contact SUNY Oswego for instructions.

Checklist

A complete Application includes all of the following:

• Completed Application Form (Form OAP 1, two pages)
• Study Statement (Form OAP 2, one page)
• Foreign Language Proficiency Form (Form OAP 3, one page) (Not required for programs in which all courses are taught in English.)
• Confidential Academic Reference Form #1 (Form OAP 4, one page)
• Confidential Academic Reference Form #2 (Form OAP 4, one page
• Official Transcript(s) from all colleges / universities attended

Queens

• Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.
• Make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, the RIT Study Abroad Director to get approval to study abroad.

How to apply:

• Visit studyabroad.rit.edu and click on the link for Queen’s University.
• It will then direct you to their website for the Upper-Year Program which is what RIT students apply for.
• On the right hand side is a link for “APPLY NOW”
• By clicking on that link, it will bring you to the steps needed to apply to Queen’s University. It will also provide students with the current course listing for the upcoming academic year.
• By “CLICK HERE” you can download the application(s) and send it via standard mail to the address at the top of the application.
• It is recommended that all students submit a program and bursary application to Queen’s University directly. Both are provided on the page.
• The application fee is waived for RIT students.

CIEE

Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT. Prior to applying for the program make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director, to get program approval to study abroad, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.

How to Apply:

You may apply online through CIEE.org - click on the apply online link in the left navigation and follow the directions from there.

ELIGIBILITY

• All CIEE Study Center programs have specific eligibility requirements. Please see the catalog or the CIEE website (www.ciee.org) for details on the requirements for your program.
• To be eligible for any CIEE Study Center program you must have matriculated at a college or university for at least one semester. AP credits on your transcript may be considered in conjunction with any program-specific language requirements but will not be considered as part of the matriculation requirement. CIEE reserves the right to reject any application.
• To download an application, click on the download/order link in the left navigation and select the CIEE Study Center Application PDF from the Study Abroad Section.

COMPETITIVE ADMISSIONS

CIEE has a competitive review of applications for the programs listed below:

• Prague, Czech Republic: Central European Studies
• Amman, Jordan: Language & Culture
• Dakar, Senegal: Language & Culture

The competitive admissions process was prompted by the immense popularity of these programs and a competitive admissions process will continue the CIEE tradition of a high-quality academic program at our Study Centers in Senegal, the Czech Republic, and Jordan. We also believe that this will be the fairest process possible to assign the available spots on each of the programs.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1- Before you begin the application process, please carefully read the instructions and all associated forms in their entirety, and review the CIEE Academic Policies and Procedures found on CIEE website.

Step 2- Consult with the study abroad staff at RIT. Your study abroad advisor will help you determine the appropriateness of the program you are interested in attending and will inform you of all RIT paperwork and requirements.
Step 3- Collect your application materials. A complete application contains the following items:

• $30 Non-Refundable Application Fee
• (payable by check or credit card; please do not send cash)
• Personal Data Form
• Academic Information Form
• Official Transcript(s)
• Request an official transcript from each college or university you have attended and submit them, in signed and sealed envelopes, together with other application materials. Request transcripts as early as possible.
• Home School Nomination Form
• (Required for ALL applicants)

Additionally, you will need:

School of Record: RIT requires that you need to use a School of Record (SOR), therefore you will receive your transcript from Spelman College, the CIEE School of Record, upon successful completion of the program.

There is a $340 processing fee for using the CIEE SOR which is built into your cost that you will be billed by RIT.

Six (6) passport-size color photos
(2” x 2” color photographs on photographic paper; required with each application)

Photographs are used for on-site documents. Write your name on the back of each photograph. Photographs cannot be electronic or scanned images. Guidelines for acceptable passport photos can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/composition/composition_874.html.

Personal Statement

Read program materials closely before writing your Personal Statement. Type a 500-word (250 words for summer programs) statement that answers the following questions:

1. How does the program content relate to your present and future academic and career goals?
2. What aspects of your personal experience—for instance, relevant coursework, job experiences, previous travel or study in the host country—have prepared you to live and study in a foreign country? Please specify any particular experience with the culture of the host country.
3. What are your objectives for your time overseas with CIEE?

For certain programs, the personal statement must be in the local language. For more specific application information please see www.ciee.org.

PASSPORTS
All students must have a valid passport to participate on a CIEE program. Passports should be valid for at least six months past the program’s end date. Students without a valid passport (or one that expires less than six months after the program end date) should apply without delay for a new passport. We suggest that students expedite their passport application in order to receive their new passports in plenty of time to complete any necessary visa applications or pre-departure procedures required by the host country.

SAI

Meet with the study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your RIT paperwork. Then make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director, to get approval to study abroad, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.

How to Apply:

To apply for the Milan programs (both NABA and DA) go online to www.saiprograms.com and request a brochure. In the brochure will be a paper application and instructions for applying.

SEA

The First Step

To learn if SEA Semester is the right program for you, contact the SEA Admission Counselor for your region. Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.

Application Checklist:

• Complete an application form - Download paper application (pdf) or apply online
• Submit the $45 application fee. Pay online or with a check payable to “Sea Education Association” (please write applicant’s name on the check).
• If you plan to apply for need-based financial aid, download a financial aid application (pdf) and submit it with your application for admission. If you plan to apply for merit scholarships, please note the application deadline for your preferred semester.
• Submit two essays (300-500 words) answering the following questions:
• Essay 1: Why have you chosen to apply to SEA Semester and what do you expect to gain from your experience at SEA? How will SEA Semester complement your education?
• Essay 2: Submit a writing sample of your own choosing (may be graded or not).
• Be sure to note your full name on each one. Email essays to admission@sea.edu, fax to 508.540.0558 or mail to SEA Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, MA, 02543.
• Request and submit high school and college transcripts. High school transcripts may be unofficial and may be sent via fax (508.540.0558) or mail. College transcripts must be OFFICIAL and sent directly from your institution.
• Submit two academic references, at least one of which is from an instructor (i.e. professor, academic advisor) who has taught you within the past year. We welcome additional references (i.e. academic, personal, etc.). reference form (pdf)
• Schedule an interview with your Admission Counselor. Interviews may be conducted over the phone or in person, depending on the Counselor’s schedule. Topics of conversation may include life at your college/university, academic and extracurricular interests, transition from high school to college, your expectations for life at SEA, and how you learned about our program. The interview is also a great opportunity for you to ask questions about SEA.
• Make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director, to get approval to study abroad, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.

NYU

• Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT. Make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director, to get approval to study abroad, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.
• You should submit your electronic application on or before the admissions deadlines posted on the NYU website. You are welcome to apply for admission as early as you would like and your application will be kept on file until we begin reviewing applications for the term you have indicated. Applicants will be notified via email by the notification deadline. Accepted students who intend to enroll must confirm their intention to participate by submitting a nonrefundable $300 deposit and are urged to do so immediately upon receiving admission notification; enrollment is not guaranteed until the deposit is received. Deposits will be accepted as long as space remains available. Please note that space in the program is limited. If the program reaches capacity before we receive your deposit, you will be placed on a waitlist.

Visiting and Special Students

RIT students should fill out the online application and also submit official transcripts of all college-level work and other supplemental materials. A completed application consists of the following:

• Application Form
• Personal Statement (included within the online application)
• Academic Transcripts
• Language Background Form*
• Recommendation Form
• Advisor Approval Form

*Required for applicants to NYU in Madrid and NYU in Buenos Aires. Applicants to NYU in Paris who do not have adequate proof of language proficiency on their academic transcript(s)should also submit this form. The Language Background Form is available for download within the online application.

*NOTE: RIT students are permitted to apply for the following approved NYU programs: London, Ghana, Florence, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Prauge, and Berlin. RIT has not approved any NYU summer programs.

DIS

• Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT. Make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director, to get approval to study abroad, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.

Fill out the preliminary application form:

• Our application process varies by university and, in some cases, by your intended term and program of study, therefore we ask that you submit a Preliminary Application Form so that we can give you precisely the information you need to apply to DIS.
• Filling out the Preliminary Application Form is quick and easy.
• After submitting the preliminary application, you will hear from the DIS North American Office (NAO) via email within 2 business days, with instructions on how to proceed based on the information you provide.
• If you have specific questions regarding application procedures, please contact Maryn Wells
• at 1-800-247-3477 or wells@umn.edu

SFS

Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed under rolling admissions as qualified candidates are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is therefore to your advantage to submit a completed application as early as possible. Programs may fill quickly, so we encourage you to apply early to ensure admission into the program of your choice. Waiting lists are maintained for courses that fill early.

To apply for admission, please review and follow the Applicant Procedures below. Please contact the SFS Admissions Office if you have any questions. Call 800.989.4418 or e-mail admissions@fieldstudies.org.

Applicant Procedures:
1. Review the following admission pre-requisites and policies to confirm eligibility:

• Semester Program Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, in good academic standing and have completed at least one college-level ecology or biology course, and at least one semester of college prior to the start of the program.
• Applicants for the semester program in Costa Rica must have completed a college-level course in ecology or environmental studies, and are encouraged to have taken coursework in international development, economics or anthropology. Students must have one college-level course in Spanish prior to participation.
• Summer Program Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, in good academic standing and have completed at least the junior year of high school prior to the start of the program.
• Applicants for the summer Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment in Kenya are graduates with MPH/Nursing or other health sciences program with related coursework. Junior or Senior year undergraduates with relevant coursework as well as public health and/or international experience are encouraged to apply

2. Meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.

3. Before you begin filling out your application, we suggest that you collect the following information.

• Names of the individuals who will complete your SFS reference forms
• Courses you intend to use to fulfill SFS prerequisite requirements (if applicable)
• Credit card information (for application fee)

4. Complete the online application or download the .pdf of the application for printing from the SFS website

• Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment in Kenya Application (PDF)
• Applicants for this summer program cannot apply online. You must complete and submit this application in lieu of the standard SFS application.

5. Pay non-refundable application fee of $45 (credit card number required for online application). If paying by check please send to: Rosalind Slawson
The School Field Studies
10 Federal Street, Suite 24
Salem, MA 01970-3876

6. Current, Official Transcripts from all schools attended. It is not necessary for college students to submit high school transcripts after a full academic year of college coursework has been completed.

7. Submit two references (hardcopies only - not part of online process):

• SFS Academic Reference completed by a teacher, professor or academic advisor who is well acquainted with your current academic performance.
• SFS Character Reference completed by someone who knows you well, such as an academic source, a job supervisor, volunteer advisor, athletic coach, etc.

8. Participation Approval Form (hardcopy only - not part of online process): obtain approval from your institution’s study abroad office (not required for Public Health program applicants.) For the approval please make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.
Once an application is received by SFS, an admissions counselor will contact you confirming the receipt of your application. If your application is incomplete, the counselor will indicate which materials are needed. SFS only reviews complete applications. Once complete, review takes 2-4 weeks. You will also be sent information on completing the Medical Approval Process and the Financial Aid Application after acceptance.

Send supporting documents (References, Transcripts, Particpation Approval Form) to:
Admissions
The School for Field Studies
10 Federal Street, Suite 24
Salem, MA 01970-3876
P: 800.989.4418
F: 978.741.3551

Important: SFS requires students to have a valid passport for travel to all program locations. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months following completion of your program. If you do not currently have a valid passport or if your passport will expire before the required time, you should immediately begin to apply for a passport through the U.S. Department of State at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Passport processing times can be lengthy so you should begin this process as early as possible, even if you have not yet been admitted to an SFS program.

KIT

Prior to downloading and submitting application please read the message below from the KIT selection committee.

This committee is looking for future leaders in his/her field no matter what that may be. We are looking for people who clearly intend to build professional careers upon their growing expertise in Japan. All of our applicants have fallen in love with some aspect of Japanese culture, but successful candidates also will demonstrate the ability and commitment to continue pursuing these interests upon graduating from RIT. In that sense, the program is not solely a reward for their academic achievement. We also expect them to show how the KIT experience will shape their future endeavors. All of this echoes some of the language from RIT’s various “mission” documents. The KIT program underscores the RIT commitment to career education and global awareness.

In competitions as selective as this one, the committee is forced to make some hard decisions. We are only given a small number of slots to allocate, and have a large applicant pool to choose from. For example on average for every 3 applicants only 1 will be selected, which may cause disappointment from many deserving applicants.

A successful KIT applicant has a GPA of 3.0 or higher, Japanese language grades of a B or above, is in their sophomore year or higher, has at least two years of Japanese, has a strong essay, and letter of recommendation.

We do understand the deep disappointment in not being awarded a spot on the KIT program. If you are not selected there may be other ways for you to make studying or living in Japan possible. We urge you to research these opportunities, and continue your study of Japanese. We may even ask selected students to re-apply the following year. It helps to take courses about Japan outside of the language department.

Siena

To apply for the LIS, Italian & Cultural Studies Summer Program you need to send us:
- a completed application form
- A signed Study Abroad Advisor Form. Students must make an appointment to meet with Tynelle Stewart, RIT Study Abroad Director to gain approval, via email at goabroad@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-4466.

• a letter of recommendation from a member of your Faculty;
• a health form completed by your doctor;
• an ASL evaluation form completed by your sign language assessor;
• an official transcript issued by your College/University;
• a 30$ Application Fee check or money order.

To apply, simply download the application form from the Siena website, complete it  and email it as an attachment to s.allen@sienaschool.com. You will receive a confirmation by email as well as additional instructions and materials to complete the application process.

If you prefer to send all the forms using the US mail, download the pdf on the Siena website, print it, complete your part of the application form and have your Study Abroad Advisor, a member of your Faculty, your Sign Language Assessor and your doctor complete theirs. Send all the forms in one packet to:

Siena School for Liberal Arts
c/o Scottie Allen
PO Box 14508
Richmond, VA 23221-0508

*Please enclose a $30 Application fee check or money order made out to: Scottie Allen - Siena School for Liberal Arts.

Please be sure to meet with study abroad staff to discuss your plans and get your required paperwork for RIT.