<p>Leenaboo: </p>
<p>Being in the midst of watching sophmore D pick a study abroad program, I can probably answer basic questions.</p>
<p>a) On funding, you just pay Swarthmore like any other semester and your study abroad program bills Swarthmore. All financial aid continues, just as if you were at Swarthmore. They will also cover airfare and housing, if not included in the cost of the program. This is a great system for financial aid students, probably not so great for full-pay students (unless you find a program that is even more expensive than Swarthmore!)</p>
<p>b) About 40% of Swarthmore students spend a semester abroad.</p>
<p>c) Swarthmore operates its own French immersion program in Grenoble. This is typically a full-year program staffed by a member of Swarthmore French department. This is pretty much a required part of the French major.</p>
<p>d) Swarthmore is one of two partners (along with Williams) in the Hamilton College immersion program in Madrid.</p>
<p>e) There is a long list of pre-approved programs – largely the same list published by many of the top colleges.</p>
<p>A sizeable number of Swarthmore students get funding for overseas study, research, interning, or humanitarian efforts during the summer at some point during their four years. This number includes the Evans scholars plus quite a few students who receive department funding for overseas summer thesis research. There are also Lang Center grants that would cover humanitarian projects overseas. I can’t quantify the numbers or predict whether or not you could finagle yourself a summer deal. Generally speaking, if you are resourceful and determined, you can get funding for just about anything at Swarthmore at some point during four years.</p>
<p>The standard six-week “study-abroad/vacation” in Europe programs don’t look like a very attractive deal for students at colleges covering the cost of a full-semester or full-year program. These programs seem to be designed more for customers who will not have the opportunity for a full-semester or full-year immersion program through their colleges.</p>