study Abroad/Away at Connecticut College

Karpov · 04-03-2009, 05:54 AM

I was hoping that some connecticut students might shed some light on this; the website is a little unclear. Are you happy with the Study Abroad opportunities/programs available at Conn. How does Conn's program compare to other colleges. What program is the most popular among students.
Also another issue that i couldnt grips on: spending a semester at one of these colleges
Bowdoin, Amherst Wesleyan, etc. I read something about such an option but cant seem able to find where. Please if any could clear this up, it would be great!

CamelMan21 · 04-03-2009, 08:42 PM

Issue one: Conn has many options for studying abroad and the experiences are base in many ways on the individual. More than half of Conn's students study abroad and Conn's program is very unique. Unlike most school which have a few campuses abroad, generally in western european countries, Conn has SATA. This is a program where Conn pairs up with an international university, usually in developing nations like India, Peru, and Vietnam, and place 10-15 students and two professors at that university. Students take a few classes from Conn professors and a few from native professors. This is a balances approach allowing for continuation of the Conn academic experience while also exposing students to an international academic experience. The best thing about it is that it allows for ample traveling. Students can continue their classes with professors while on the road allowing for greater flexibility. Students also form close relationships with professors that often continue upon returning to campus.
Additionally, many students study abroad at famous international universities: Oxford, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, and University of Cape Town to name a few. These international university programs along with SATA (study away teach away, the above program) are the most popular

In regards to your second issue, what you are referring to is the 12 college exchange program. Any students at one of the twelve colleges with a B average can take a semester or year at another one of the 12 colleges without any worry or credit issues or tuition/financial aid issues. It is to give students at relatively isolated New England colleges a chance to change settings. The 12 colleges are: Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut College, Dartmouth, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan, and Wheaton.

Karpov · 04-05-2009, 07:17 AM

Camel Man thanks for that. it was really helpful.
Now please one more thing. CISLA sounds like great programs but how competitive is it? How difficult is it to get into CISLA. From what i have heard, nearly everyone applies for it. Is that true? Could you perhaps take a guess on the number of people this programs takes.

MarathonMan88 · 04-05-2009, 09:43 AM

When we took the tour, we were told that the "admit rate" for CISLA was about one in three. That seems to be confirmed by this newsletter:

Quote:

CISLA had a record number of applicants this year - 94! When the pool was finally narrowed down, 34 students were admitted into CISLA in the spring of 2008.

Connecticut College : CISLA - Happenings

CamelMan21 · 04-05-2009, 02:55 PM

"From what i have heard, nearly everyone applies for it. Is that true?"

Less than 1/4 of every class applies so, no, that is not true. The other centers are also popular. The advantages of CISLA are not lost on those who are denied entrance to the program. Through CELS program, anyone at Conn who completes a number of workshops is eligible toward $3,000.00 for a summer internship which can be used abroad. But, yes, the CISLA program is competitive but worthwhile. If your child is poised and a strong student they should have no problem gaining admission. Many people apply "just because" and typically they are the ones who are not accepted.

Karpov · 04-07-2009, 08:15 AM

About this 12 College Program, it sounds great but its mention on the website is so low key that i am wondering if there is a catch. is there a limit to the number of people who can avail it. I googled it and found a pamphlet for wellesley students which said that there is a draw to select students..but maybe there are more applicants for this over there given it is an allgirls school. then again maybe a lot of people apply for it.. Please it would be great if you guys could axplain this situation a little

CamelMan21 · 04-09-2009, 03:14 AM

Perhaps it is "low key" mention on the web site is due to the following reasons:

1. Most apparent reason is that the 12 college exchange was started a while ago. International study abroad is now so common and so popular that the need for the 12 college exchange as a means of leaving campus is no longer necessary, nor as adventurous as leaving the U.S.

2. It is difficult to "sell" a program that promotes student leaving to study at a different liberal arts college while simultaneously making your own school appear strong.

3. Wellesley's promotion of it may be as an opportunity for Wellesley students to have a co-ed experience.

Ultimately, I have never heard of a Conn student taking advantage of the program. I do know a Trinity student who used it to study at Dartmouth, and a Dartmouth student (male) to study at Wellesley. You can seek it out, but over the years the program has lost its relevance.

limenet · 04-24-2009, 09:44 AM

I was surprised to learn of how difficult it is these days to justify an entire "junior year" abroad at Conn (and other small LACs) - it seems that the emphasis is very heavily geared to semester only. Anyone out there know how likely it might be for a CISLA student to do a SATA semester sophomore spring and then a language-focused semester during the junior year?

huskem55 · 04-24-2009, 10:39 AM

limenet- it definitely has been done before, i know someone who did SATA prague, then spent semester #2 in africa somewhere.

MarathonMan88 · 04-25-2009, 07:03 AM

limenet--we had this same concern because while D was applying, a bunch of CC students, language majors, were denied permission to do 2 semesters away (last spring or maybe it was 2 years ago). They protested what they saw as a change of rules in midstream and were all ultimately granted permission, but the faculty committee that oversees study abroad was going to review the policy. It would be worth trying to find out what the results of those deliberations were.

ecl · 04-30-2009, 05:25 PM

At "Admitted Students" day recently, a college representative explained that the emphasis now is on a semester abroad. A student has to justify taking an entire year (2 semesters) abroad. That said, as a poster above noted, a student can study abroad and then use another college opportunity to go abroad for a second semester, such as the internship option. Students confirmed that they have done just this. It entails more hurdles than a single year abroad approach, but it's feasible, and also allows a student to change countries/regions mid-stream.

Steverino · 05-02-2009, 09:24 PM

I attended Conn in the mid-70's, went to Williams for my junior year on the 12-College Exchange, and ended up staying at Williams as a transfer student. Although Conn. had gone co-ed several years earlier, the ratio of women to men was still about 3 to 1, which made a year at a male-dominated college seem appealing. Even then, however, I don't think more than about a dozen Conn students took part in the exchange (and only two of us went to Williams).