Mark Twain once wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness – all foes to real understanding.” Recognizing the validity of that statement, Maryville College believes a period of travel and study outside the United States should be a part of one’s education whenever possible. Confronting other cultures and viewpoints, learning about the customs and practices in other societies, coping with unfamiliar surroundings in a language not fully one’s own can do much to deepen insights and broaden perspectives. Such experience can also foster remarkable personal growth.
Education abroad programs are offered through the Center for Global Engagement. Detailed information about education abroad is found at https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/studyabroad or by meeting with an Education Abroad Advisor at the Center for Global Engagement in International House. Every Maryville College student has the opportunity to travel abroad during their academic program.
Travel Study Programs
Short-term possibilities come through experiential travel with a small group of students and faculty. In recent years, groups of students and faculty have used three-week class terms and spring break for study travel to locales in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America. Students may apply for financial assistance.
Semester and Academic Year Education Abroad Programs
For more extended periods, Maryville College has partnered with other foreign institutions. Through such associations Maryville students can experience life and study on a university or college campus in many areas of the globe.
Maryville College maintains bilateral exchange partnerships and International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) exchange programs in 50 countries to over 150 overseas institutions. Program stipulations vary, but in most cases exchange programs are included in Maryville College fees - regular tuition and fees, and usually room and board are paid to Maryville College. Under these reciprocal agreements, when a Maryville student studies at a related institution, a student from that institution may study at Maryville for an equal time period.
Through ISEP, students also have access to ISEP-Direct semester or summer programs. These are affordable fee-paid programs in a number of countries that do not offer the option to do an exchange. The majority of programs offer instruction in English; however, many programs also offer language study or full-immersion study in another language.
Summer Abroad
Summer Abroad programs (3-6 credits on average) give students the opportunity to study in a foreign country for a short period, often focusing on intensive language study or one field of study or one aspect of a country or culture. This is also a good option for students who are not able to study abroad during the regular academic year.
Internships and Community Engagement Abroad
Maryville College works with several international organizations to place students in internship abroad programs. These programs are generally between 6-10 weeks in length and are offered in locations around the world during the summer. Internships abroad are generally unpaid and are offered for academic credit. Students pay a program fee that covers placement, tuition, and housing costs.
Planning, Eligibility and Application Process
A period of study is possible at any time starting in spring break of the first year and the best time to study abroad during each student’s degree plan varies by major. Planning needs to start well in advance and is best done in close consultation with the academic advisor and the Center for Global Engagement. Approval for education abroad is required. Students apply to the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), must meet minimum G.P.A. standards, and must follow the application procedures set by the CGE. Students participating in semester, year abroad or summer study, internship or community engagement abroad programs are supported in the pre-departure phase by taking OVS 203: Cross Cultural Preparation for Education Abroad.
Students also may choose to study at foreign institutions with which Maryville College does not have a relationship; however, different policies and practices may apply. Further, the College will scrutinize carefully, and may reject, credits earned at institutions overseas.
The programs at institutions described in this catalog have been screened for academic quality and attention to the needs of students studying abroad. More information on programs can be found on the Maryville College education abroad website https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/studyabroad and through the Center for Global Engagement at International House.
Education Abroad Scholarships and Aid
Students on any Maryville College affiliated education abroad program are eligible to use FAFSA aid for periods abroad. Students are also eligible to use their merit aid for semester or year-long exchange programs, but not for ISEP-Direct, Direct Enroll, or non-affiliated programs. In addition to a student’s regular financial aid package, Maryville students studying abroad on an affiliated program may apply for additional scholarship support through the Ragsdale International Scholarship or the Tuck International Study Award. Deadlines for each award occur each semester for Maryville College sponsored programs scheduled for the following year.
Education Abroad Transfer Credit and Grades
The Center for Global Engagement facilitates the pre-approval process for all education abroad programs and coursework. Credits earned through Maryville College approved semester and summer education abroad programs will appear on the Maryville College transcript as transfer credit, and grades earned will be calculated into the Maryville College GPA according to internationally recognized guidelines. Transfer credits earned through non-affiliated education abroad programs will appear on the Maryville College transcript, but grades will not calculate into the Maryville College GPA. If approved, Culture/Intercultural Domain credit in the Core curriculum may be earned for Maryville College approved programs of at least 6 weeks duration. Study abroad programs that are three or more weeks in duration may be used for a students’ significant practical experience (SPE) associated with the Maryville College Works program when pre-approved for this purpose.
Maryville College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges to award Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The College’s partner institutions are not accredited by the Commission on Colleges, and the accreditation of Maryville College does not extend to nor include the partner institutions or their students. Although Maryville College accepts certain coursework from the partner institutions as transfer credit towards its degrees, or collaborates in other ways for generation of course credits or program credentials, other colleges and universities may or may not accept this work in transfer; even if it appears on a transcript from the partner institutions. This decision is made by the institution subsequently considering acceptance of such credits.