Orientation and Re-Entry
Orientation
St. Olaf College offers an orientation program designed for students registered for off-campus study. Heightened sensitivity, understanding and appreciation of other cultures are covered through lectures, films and discussions with international students and students returning from off-campus study. Issues of health and safety are emphasized.
Four orientation sessions are held during the year. Orientation for Semester I and year-long programs will be a one-day retreat on a Saturday in April 2012. Orientation for Semester II programs will be a one-day retreat on a Saturday in September 2012. Orientation for Semester I and II domestic off-campus programs will be held on an evening in May 2012. Orientation meetings for Interim programs (both domestic and international) will be held in mid-November, 2012.
The orientation includes sessions regarding topics of general interest and relevance to all programs. Small program groups study culture and specific materials relevant to their own program areas.
Participation in the orientation programs is a requirement for students registered for off-campus programs.
Written information for the programs, in the form of orientation handbooks is provided by International and Off-Campus Studies. Former participants contribute useful information for the orientation handbooks.
Evaluation and Campus Re-Entry
All students on off-campus programs are encouraged to return to campus for a college-sponsored “welcome back” dinner the evening of the first day of classes of their returning semester.
Students are also encouraged to attend program-specific debriefing meetings. These sessions are planned to help students structure course work and activities to create linkages between off-campus and on-campus study, as well as to provide structured opportunities for discussing concerns raised through the off-campus experience.
