Required Documents
Passports
A valid U.S. passport is required for participation in all international programs.
Application for a U.S. passport is filed in person at the nearest county courthouse. A representative of the county recorder of Rice County is available on the St. Olaf campus for one day in April and October to receive applications for passports.
NOTE: The International & Off-Campus Studies Office needs a copy of the information page of the passport of all participants in order to register them, for security purposes, with the in-country embassy.
Visas
For programs that require visas, participants are advised by the Office of International and Off-Campus Studies regarding visa application and picture requirements.
Inoculations
Participants in programs in Europe require no inoculations, unless recommended by the college health service. Participants in programs in Asia, Africa and Central and South America may be required to have certain inoculations. Current information is provided after acceptance into the program.
Physical Examination
Anyone participating in an off-campus program for one semester or longer is required to have a physical examination. This is for the protection of the student. The examination should take place no more than six months prior to departure but also soon enough in advance that any correctable health problems might be caught in time and dealt with before departure. Deadlines for submission of physical examination forms are as follows:
Semester I and full-year programs: August 1; Semester II programs: November 1
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT A DECLARATION OF INTENT
TO STUDY ABROAD IN 2012-2013
Students who want to study off-campus next year on a semester or year-long program will follow a two-step process: a) submission of a Declaration of Intent during the first semester and b) submission of an Application during the second semester.
►There are two main reasons for asking you to submit a declaration of intent. It encourages you to think early about your long-term plans and take steps to prepare yourself before you study off-campus. An early indication of student interest also helps the financial managers of the college budget more effectively to accommodate the maximum number of students on off-campus programs.
►Although the college will attempt to accommodate the interests of all qualified students who want to study off-campus, it is possible that it will need to set some enrollment limits on next year’s off-campus study programs, depending on the total number of applications and the cost of the programs to which students apply. For these reasons, we strongly encourage students to submit an early indication of their plans.
► Filing a declaration of intent signifies a serious commitment. If you cannot make a decision in the fall to submit a declaration, you can still prepare a full application in the spring. However, those who have submitted declarations of intent will be given preferential consideration in the review process and stand a better chance of avoiding a cap on enrollment, if that becomes necessary.
►Important Dates:
October 11 Open House for Semester/Year Programs 4:30-6:30 Black
& Gold Ballrooms
October 25-27 Interest Meetings for Selected Abroad Programs (St.
Olaf’s Term Programs etc.)
November 2 Due date for Declaration of Intent (see the form on the
reverse side of this page.)
February 27 Due date for full application (including additional personal
data, updated academic information and an application essay.) Program-specific applications will start to be available in the IOS office in November.
► You are strongly advised to discuss details of the program you choose with the program adviser and/or the staff of the IOS office. If you cannot decide which program to choose, start with an appointment with Helen Stellmaker, study abroad adviser, in Tomson Hall Suite 380. (stellmak@stolaf.edu phone: 3871)
Information about specific programs can be found at: http://www.stolaf.edu/international/programs/
You can find the list of program advisers in the left column of the same page and the names of the field supervisors under St. Olaf’s Own Programs in right side column.
SUBMIT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- The declaration of intent form with signatures from your faculty adviser and the program adviser for your first-choice program. (Keep a copy for your own records.)
- Application fee of $100
- A short written statement presenting the rationale for your choice(s). Address these questions:
How will the program you want to do build upon your academic studies so far?
How will it enrich your academic or career goals - or connect to your notable interests?
What steps will you take to prepare yourself for the program (e.g. courses or activities)?
HOW TO PAY THE APPLICATION FEE:
- Electronic Payment:
- Go to your page on the Student Information System (SIS). Click on
“Financials” on the left column.
b. Click the link that says Off-Campus Application Fee.
c. Complete the requested information to pay with credit card (note that
Visa cards are not accepted) or payment from your bank account.
d. Print the confirmation page and bring it to IOS along with your
completed declaration. (Note – you will receive an email confirmation of
your payment. A copy of that email will also be accepted.)
2. If you are unable to make the payment electronically, you may go to the
Business Office window to make the $100 payment, obtain a receipt and
bring it to IOS along with your completed declaration of intent.
DECLARATION OF INTENT TO STUDY OFF-CAMPUS
DURING ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013
This form is due in the IOS Office, in Tomson Hall Suite 380, on November 2, 2011 (There will be no exceptions to this deadline. Late submissions will not be processed.)
I _________________________(print your name) declare my intent to study off-campus during the 2012-2013 academic year (semester I, semester II or full year).
My current GPA is: _____ My GPA in my major(s) is: _______________
I plan to apply to the following program(s):
First choice: ______________________When: ___Semester I ___Semester II ___Year
If there are other programs you are interested in and willing to go on if you do not get into your first choice program, list one or more here: (We will allow you to claim the privileges of the declaration of intent if your plans shift for good reasons and you decide instead to apply to one of these programs.)
Second choice: __________ When: ___Semester I ___Semester II ___Year
Third choice: ____________When: ___Semester I ___Semester II ___Year
I understand that the signing of this form commits me to submitting a full application on February 27, 2012 to the program(s) I have listed above. I also understand that because of my early commitment, my application will be given preferential consideration in the spring review process but that my acceptance into the program(s) to which I am applying still depends upon my meeting all of the requirements of the program(s).
I also understand that if I file a declaration of intent now and do not submit a spring application I will forfeit my $100 application fee (unless there are very notable extenuating circumstances).
Signatures: Date:____________________
Your signature (signifying agreement to the above): ___________________
Academic Adviser signature: _____________Print Name: _______________
Signature of Program Adviser:____________ Print Name: _______________
(For your First Choice Program)
Note: If you are listing Term in Asia, Term in the Middle East and/or Global Semester as your first choice, get the signature of the Field Supervisor instead of the Program Adviser.
International Student I.D.
Participants in some international programs are required to obtain an international student ID card. The cost of the card is included in the program fee.
