Information found in this online edition of the 2008-09 catalog is unofficial and for informational purposes only. By authority of the dean of the College, some factual corrections to the printed version may appear here. The official document of record is the printed edition of the 2008-09 Catalog. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Overseas and Off-Campus Programs
Director: Larry A. Meyers
As a liberal arts college committed to international education, Lewis & Clark offers an extensive program of overseas and off-campus study opportunities. Each year roughly 280 students participate in more than 25 programs, either abroad or in selected areas of the United States. Over half of the students who graduate from Lewis & Clark will have spent at least one semester studying overseas or at a domestic off-campus location.
Overseas and off-campus programs form an integral part of the total educational experience at Lewis & Clark, supporting and enhancing on-campus curricula. Through immersion in foreign or domestic cultures, students learn firsthand about the history, culture, and contemporary issues of the area. They also gain insights into their own culture by comparing and contrasting American institutions and values to those of the host country. Recognizing the significant educational value of study in another culture, Lewis & Clark includes international studies in its General Education requirements for graduation. Most overseas programs offer courses that fulfill that requirement.
Faculty also broaden their historical, cultural, and linguistic knowledge of the world by leading overseas and off-campus programs. Many of Lewis & Clark's present faculty have led study groups, which have gone to 66 countries.
Students should start planning for overseas or off-campus study early in their college careers. Faculty advisors are prepared to offer academic advice about integrating overseas study with majors or General Education requirements. Program information and applications are available from the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs.
Students may not receive transfer credit for an overseas program not sponsored by Lewis & Clark that occurs at the same place and time as a Lewis & Clark overseas program.
Types Of Programs
Overseas and off-campus programs vary considerably in form and content. However, all normally involve language study, academic coursework, field projects, excursions, and a period of residence with host-country families.
In addition, most programs include an intensive orientation prior to departure. Returning students are expected to share their experiences with Lewis & Clark and the Portland community. Despite variations among programs, all belong to one of these three types.
- General Culture Programs
General culture programs immerse students in a foreign culture to enable them to learn as much as possible about the area and its history and contemporary issues. At least six such semester programs, focusing on specific areas or cultures, are offered each year in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.Since many programs are repeated annually or biennially, students may choose from a variety of programs during their four years at Lewis & Clark. Specific sites include Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, England, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Scotland, Spain, and Vietnam.
- Language-Intensive and Departmental Programs
These programs are open to students who meet departmental prerequisites and who are affiliated with the sponsoring department or discipline. Ongoing programs are offered in Chile and the Dominican Republic (Spanish), France and Senegal (French), Germany (German), London (fine arts), Japan (Japanese), Russia (Russian), and China (Chinese). Additional programs are offered on request by academic departments. - Off-Campus Domestic Programs
Off-campus programs are offered in New York City, to study fine arts and theatre, and in Washington, D.C., to study the U.S. government and economy.
Eligibility
All students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for an overseas or off-campus program. Enrollment in an overseas or off-campus program is by selective admission. Acceptance on the program is determined by examination of academic preparation and by personal interview. If accepted and in order to participate on the program, a student must remain in good academic standing during the period between acceptance and program departure. Students on academic or disciplinary warning or probation may apply for participation but must be off probation or warning by the end of the semester preceding program departure. Students are advised that some programs have specific prerequisites and a higher minimum GPA for eligibility.
Credit
Students on all programs may earn a total of 16 semester credits per 14-week program, the amount deemed necessary to make normal progress toward an undergraduate degree. Since curricular offerings vary with the program location and academic focus, students should consider their need to fulfill major or General Education requirements in close consultation with their academic/major advisor before applying for an off-campus program.
Program Fee
Students participating in off-campus study programs are charged a comprehensive fee, which covers round-trip travel, room and board, field trips, excursions, mandatory health insurance, and tuition and instruction. Not included are books, inoculations, passports, visas, International Student Identity Cards (ISICs), and incidental expenses. Round-trip travel is not included for domestic off-campus programs. Financial aid and federal Stafford Loans may be applied to the comprehensive fee.
Application And Selection
Students apply for overseas programs by completing an application, which includes information regarding academic preparation, program objectives, a self-evaluation, release and agreement forms, and personal and academic references. Applicants are interviewed by the program leader or director. Final decisions regarding selection are made by the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs.
Normally students apply one year in advance and a maximum of 25 students are selected for most programs. The application deadline for fall semester programs is late October of the academic year preceding the program. The application deadline for spring semester programs is late January of the academic year preceding the program. The application deadline for seven-week summer programs is late February of the current academic year.
Program Payment Schedule
A $300 nonrefundable deposit must be made within 30 days of acceptance to a program. The remainder of the fee is paid on a per-semester basis according to regular on-campus billing periods and procedures.
Scheduled Programs
As of publication time for this catalog, the following overseas and off-campus study programs are planned.
2009-10
Language-intensive: Chile: Santiago/Valparaíso, China: Beijing/Harbin, Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, France: Nancy/Strasbourg, Germany: Munich, Japan: Osaka, Russia: St. Petersburg/Vladivostok, Senegal: Dakar.
Fall semester general culture: East Africa: Kenya/Tanzania, France: Strasbourg, Greece: Regional Area Study, India: Regional Area Study, Japan: Sapporo, Russia: St. Petersburg.
Domestic: New York City.
Spring semester general culture: Australia: Regional Area Study, Cuba: Regional Area Study, Ecuador: Cuenca, England: London, France: Strasbourg, Russia: St. Petersburg, Vietnam: Regional Area Study.
Summer semester: Ecuador, Ghana.
2010-11
Language-intensive: Chile: Santiago/Valparaíso, China: Beijing/Harbin, Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, France: Nancy/Strasbourg, Germany: Munich, Japan: Osaka, Russia: St. Petersburg/Vladivostok, Senegal: Dakar.
Fall semester general culture: China: Hong Kong, East Africa: Kenya/Tanzania, France: Strasbourg, Japan: Sapporo, Russia: St. Petersburg, Scotland: Regional Area Study.
Domestic: New York City, Washington, D.C.
Spring semester general culture: Australia: Regional Area Study, Ecuador: Cuenca, England: London, France: Strasbourg, Italy: Siena, New Zealand: Regional Area Study, Russia: St. Petersburg, Spain: Seville, one program to be announced.
Summer semester: Australia, Ecuador, Ghana.
2011-12
Language-intensive: Chile: Santiago/Valparaíso, China: Beijing/Harbin, Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, France: Nancy/Strasbourg, Germany: Munich, Japan: Osaka, Russia: St. Petersburg/Vladivostok, Senegal: Dakar.
Fall semester general culture: China: Hong Kong, East Africa: Kenya/Tanzania, France: Strasbourg, Japan: Sapporo, Russia: St. Petersburg.
Domestic: New York City.
Spring semester general culture: Australia: Regional Area Study, Cuba: Regional Area Study, Ecuador: Cuenca, England: London, France: Strasbourg, Russia: St. Petersburg, Vietnam.
Summer semester: Ecuador, Ghana.