Do you wish to explore your academic interests in a new location and possibly receive credit toward your major or minor? Research courses offered by program(s) of interest and familiarize yourself with Swarthmore's credit policies.

Are you interested in a particular country or region? Research the local culture, history, geography, politics, etc.

Are you seeking full language immersion, a language course, or a program with no language requirement? Swarthmore offers programs in each category.

In most cases, you will work with the appropriate Swarthmore language department or program, who can advise you on the process. Preparation may include Swarthmore courses to take prior to your study abroad program, along with other details pertinent to your ability to take content classes in the target language. If you intend to take classes in a language that is not offered at Swarthmore, you will work directly with the study abroad program. Most programs have specific language requirements that they will communicate to you. They will sometimes ask you to do a placement test, or will conduct a Zoom/Skype interview to get a sense of your language skills.

Would you prefer to live with a local family or other students who attend the same program or host university? Depending on the program, housing options may include a homestay, a dorm room, or a shared apartment off-campus. Do you want to cook for yourself while abroad? Some programs provide meals, while others require you to prepare your own food.

Do you hope to participate in an internship, field experience, service learning, etc.? Many programs offer these opportunities, sometimes for academic credit. Some programs offer trips and cultural activities as part of the academic curriculum (which the programs pay for).

Direct Enrollment program
Students take classes at a local university taught by local faculty, alongside local students and will need to adapt to another country's academic system and standards. Direct enrollment programs require independence and initiative, with less hands-on support. 

Highly Integrated program
Students enroll in courses alongside local students at a host university, but must apply and work through a partner organization. Through this partnership, students can access services such as assistance with course registration, guided excursions, and housing support.  

Center-based program
Classes take place in a study center and are instructed in English exclusively for visiting study abroad students. You can expect less interaction with host country nationals in classroom settings. 

Blended program
The instruction for some classes will take place in a study center, but there is also an opportunity or requirement to enroll in classes at a local university (which may require a specific level of language fluency). 

Field-based program
There is an emphasis on learning through hands-on experiences outside a traditional classroom setting; excursions tend to be key components. Field-based programs typically follow an identified theme with a proscribed set of courses. Students are almost always expected to do research outside of the center/program, following research methodology training. 

Exchange program
Swarthmore College has a special partnership relationship with this foreign university -- both sending and receiving students. Although very similar to direct enrollment, exchanges programs have a unique application process and are often selective.  

When you have a valid academic reason for proposing to study abroad on a program that is not on Swarthmore’s approved list, you may submit a request that such a program/institution be considered on a petition basis.

You will need to discuss this request with a GEO advisor, who can open a petition request in your GEO portal. You will then have an opportunity to elaborate on the details of your proposed program.

In order to considered by the faculty committee, completed petitions must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the application deadline for your semester of study (i.e., by May 1 for Spring or December 15 for Fall). Your petition on behalf of a non-approved program will be considered on its own grounds and apart from your subsequent student application to be approved for study abroad.

Any time a student is seeking to engage in Swarthmore Global Travel, they must adhere to the International Travel Policy. 

Students requesting to study abroad in an elevated risk location will be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire seeking additional information.  This request will then be reviewed by Swarthmore's International Travel Risk Management Committee (ITRMC).

The ITRMC will continue to monitor locations where travel approval has been granted. In the event the risk rating changes and/or the travel environment deteriorates, the College reserves the right to rescind approval or revise the conditions of travel.