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On November 13, 2012, Lillian Read and Nick Fleury from the International Degree and Education Abroad Program (IDEA), shared information about their respective programs. Lillian is an Education Abroad Advisor and Nick is the Head Advisor for students seeking an International Degree. Both speakers provided us with very useful information about a program that literally provides students with a world of opportunities.
Here are some key details that I took from Lillian and Nick’s presentation:
• Housed in Heckart Lodge, the IDEA office recruits, enrolls, and supports prospective and current International Degree (ID) and Education Abroad students.
• There are four advisors, each specializing in a different global region, that help students choose a program of study, as well as specific courses to complete their program, utilizing MyDegrees as a starting point.
• Students are sponsored by one of three programs, those being exchanges, third-party organizations, or internships. These programs have different criteria and expectations, so IDEA advisors will help students determine which are available to them and will best facilitate their education goals.
• Credits earned during study abroad are counted toward the OSU residency requirement and that IDEA advisors make appropriate transcript articulations, not the Registrar. That being said, participating students should always return with course syllabi to assist the process.
• Before meeting with an IDEA advisor, students must participate in a First Steps Meeting at Heckart Lodge. These meetings are led by student ambassadors that have gone through the study abroad process and are held Monday through Friday at 12 PM and 4 PM.
• These opportunities are available for Ecampus students, but can be bit more challenging to coordinate.
• One term abroad is the equivalent of one year of language study.
• Students interested in participating in IDEA must have amassed 32 credits and have Sophomore standing.
Submitted by:
Banks Blair
Academic Advisor
Natural Resources Program
College of Forestry
I would just add my own take and clarification on a few of the above points: students MUST bring syllabi back (or obtain them) in order for IDEA to get them credit; students can POTENTIALLY get language credit for the term(s) abroad but it depends on the program and the courses that the students take still; I believe they mentioned one exception (maybe more?) to the sophomore standing for a language intensive program in Germany that starts Spring of the student’s first year in German language. Thank you Banks for such great notes and congrats on your new addition!