• Semester Abroad Options

• Australia
• Austria
• China
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• England
• France
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Japan
• Korea
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Norway

Study Abroad Information for Linfield Students

Semester Abroad Information for Linfield Students

Semester Abroad Programs

Download an Application

Orientation Handbook

Semester Abroad Costsheet

Timelines

Linfield College believes that providing its students with a strong global perspective, both in on-campus learning and in study abroad experiences, is critical in a world shaped by new challenges. The College provides all students, regardless of major or discipline, the opportunity for life-transforming semester experiences in fifteen locations around the world.

Apart from getting a deeper and more profound understanding of a different culture, a semester abroad provides skills and outlooks that are valued in today’s competitive workplace, whether it is the acquisition of a second language or the attainment of a perspective that is receptive and sensitive to cross-cultural traditions and differences. To bolster this commitment, Linfield requires all language majors to spend a year abroad, while language minors, international business and intercultural communication majors must spend a semester abroad. To further augment Linfield’s support of international study, the College pays the round trip air fare from Portland International Airport to the destination of the student’s first study abroad experience.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Overall requirements:

• Students must have successfully completed at least one semester at Linfield before applying
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 to be considered for any semester/year or January term program (program/location-specific requirements are noted below)
• Applicants must be in good academic and social standing to be considered for any program
• In language programs. preference will be given students maintaining a B average in their language grade.

Program-Specific Requirements and Prerequisites:

Austria: GPA of 3.0 preferred; minimum of one year of college level German language (2 years preferred)
Costa Rica: Minimum of one year of college level Spanish required (2 years preferred)
Ecuador:
    Quito: GPA of 3.0 preferred; minimum of 2 years of college level Spanish required
    Galapagos: GPA of 3.0 required; minimum of one year of college level Spanish, a course in general biology and a course     in ecology required
England: GPA of 3.0 required
France:
    Angers: Minimum of one year of college level French required
    Aix-en-Provence: Minimum of two years of college level French required
    Avignon: Minimum of three years of college level French required
Hong Kong: Meeting overall requirements above; no language prerequisites
Ireland: GPA of 3.0 required
Japan:
    Kanto Gakuin University: Two years of college level Japanese preferred
    Rikkyo University:Two years of college level Japanese required; normally open to majors only or by special permission from the Modern Languages Department
Korea: Meeting overall requirements above; no language prerequisites
Mexico: Minimum of one year of college level Spanish required (2 years preferred)
Norway: GPA of 3.0 required; no language prerequisites

Linfield Semester Programs (administered by the International Programs Office – IPO)

Those who choose to participate in a program not administered by Linfield must take the following into consideration:

• Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an outside accredited evaluator.
• Credits do not count toward GPA except for programs approved for certain majors or minors.
• Students must complete the “leave of absence” and “permit to study at another institution” forms to participate in non-Linfield study abroad programs.
• Students must complete the “Preliminary International Transfer Course Approval” form from the Registrar’s Office prior to departure in order to have credits earned count towards a major/minor or LC (see the Linfield Catalogue).
• Students usually cannot take their full Linfield aid package with them, but some federal and state aid may apply (check with the financial aid office).

Application and Selection Criteria

Since there are limited spaces for each program, the selection process is competitive and is based on a completed application, transcripts from previous college work, letters of recommendation, advisor’s approval, and an interview with a selection committee. The selection committee will make their recommendations to the Office of International Programs which is charged with the final decision. Special permission is required to participate in a semester abroad and January term off-campus course in the same academic year.

Students selected to study abroad must attend a mandatory orientation session, usually held in the spring prior to departure, and other program-specific meetings held throughout the semester. In addition, all participants must take IDS 031 – Intercultural Communication: Departure and Re-entry, as part of their semester abroad curriculum, and attend mandatory re-entry sessions as directed by the International Programs Office. As preparation for overseas study, participants are also urged to take SOA 230 or TCC 230 – Intercultural Communication.

The cost of a semester or year abroad in any of Linfield’s administered program is similar to the cost of a semester on the McMinnville campus. Participants pay the regular Linfield tuition and programs fees which cover other on-site costs such as housing and meals, program-organized field trips, orientation and cultural activities, and other incidentals (meals are not included in the costs for Norway, Hong Kong, Korea, Rikkyo (Japan) and Ireland). The regular financial aid package awarded by the College can be applied to all Linfield-administered semester programs.

Costs for passport and visa application, airport departure taxes, costs of required inoculations, expenses for local transportation and certain meals not covered by the program (for example, when students are traveling), and other out of pocket expenses are the responsibility of the students.

Previous participants’ estimates of suggested budget parameters for various expenses are available for each semester abroad site and will be included in the pre-departure orientation material.

For additional questions, please contact the International Programs Office, Melrose Lower Level (Room 025) or call (503) 883-2222. Email: ipo@linfield.edu

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