What are the requirements for study abroad?

Students applying for study abroad should have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, be in good academic standing, and they should not be under disciplinary action. Students must also meet the requirements of the specific program they are applying to (some programs or universities have minimum GPA requirements that are higher than Lasell's).

Is it necessary to know a second language to study abroad?

No! All of Lasell's study abroad programs offer classes in English. On the other hand, if a student wants to become more fluent in a foreign language, there are programs that specialize in language instruction, and which even offer home stays so that students can become immersed in the culture and language of their host country.

For how many semesters can Lasell students study abroad?

The typical study abroad experience is for a semester. Our students may, however, study abroad for up to two semesters. Some students have chosen to study in one place for a full academic year and others have chosen to study in two different places over the course of an academic year. Lasell students can also participate in shorter summer, winter, and spring break programs.

Where can students go?

The list of approved programs has opportunities in more than 30 countries. In the past, our students have spent a semester in Austria, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and many other countries. We even have a study abroad program that allows students to study in two different cities over the course of the semester. 

On some of our approved programs, even students who satisfy all eligibility criteria may be asked to study abroad on an alternate program, depending on their first choice selection. Because of this, we encourage students to consider both a first and second choice program when applying.

How do students select a program?

Students are encouraged to start researching by reviewing our list of approved programs. As a next step, students may visit the Office of International Services Study Abroad Resource Room or they can explore the student abroad programs' websites to find a program that meets their academic and personal needs. Interested students should also make an appointment with the staff in the Office of International Services to discuss their options.

It is each student's responsibility to make sure that the courses they plan to take abroad satisfy requirements toward their degree at Lasell. Most students take a combination of elective and major courses while abroad and work with their academic advisor closely to ensure that their academic needs will be met on their program of choice. 

Can students do internships abroad?

Yes! Participating in an international internship is highly recommended - it provides a unique opportunity to become immersed in the community and it will add valuable skills and marketability to a resumé. In this age of globalization, having work experience in a different country is highly attractive.

Can students study abroad in the summer? 

Yes. Students can receive credit for their summer term abroad as long as they have sought pre-approval for course transfers prior to leaving. A word of warning though, it can be difficult to receive financial aid for the summer. Students pay the program directly during the summer term.

What about international service programs?

Lasell has a variety of short-term international service programs called Shoulder to Shoulder programs. These are courses taught at Lasell that include a cultural immersion travel component during winter or summer break. Many of the semester study abroad programs also have service components.

Do grades earned abroad transfer back to Lasell?

Yes. It is important to highlight that grades transfer too, not just credits. Some students from other schools, even on the same study abroad programs as our Lasell students, have a "transfer credit" or "pass/fail" policy. At Lasell, we believe that grades earned abroad should be reflected on the transcript in the spirit of demonstrating academic work achieved while abroad. In keeping with Lasell policy, however, students studying abroad on our approved programs can elect to pursue a course as "pass/fail" provided that all Lasell rules about this option are followed. Students are only permitted to take two courses during their entire Lasell career as "pass/fail" and neither of these can be within the major. We caution students that taking a course abroad "pass/fail" does NOT guarantee that you will pass the course, particularly if you opt not to submit assignments or attend exams.

Will courses taken abroad meet requirements for graduation at Lasell?

Yes, as long as the courses have been pre-approved by the Deans or the Registrar for transfer, and the program the student participates in is an approved program, the courses taken abroad can meet the requirements for majors or electives. 

How can I learn more about study abroad at Lasell? 

The best way to learn more about studying abroad at Lasell is to attend the Study Abroad Fair held each semester and our various information sessions throughout the semester. The Office of International Services hosts many different info sessions that focus on various aspects of study abroad, such as: course offerings and the course approval process, visas, budgeting, and packing. To learn when and where our info sessions are taking place, be sure to follow us on Instagram at @lasellabroad, and keep an eye out for our posters around campus and announcements on MyLasell. Students may also schedule a study abroad appointment with the staff in the Office of International Services. 

What steps should I take in order to prepare for studying abroad? 

• The first step in preparing to study abroad is to meet with your academic advisor. Meeting with your advisor early on will help you to determine when study abroad will fit best into your academic plan, and will help you choose courses both before and during your semester abroad so that you can stay on track academically.
• Once you've met with your advisor, you should research study abroad programs by checking out our list of approved programs. 
• Then, you can make an appointment with the Office of International Services using Starfish, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you through the application process. 

When do I need to apply? 

Study abroad applications are due the semester before you plan to study abroad. For example, if you want to go abroad in the spring, you will need to apply the previous fall. For spring study abroad, the Lasell study abroad application deadline is usually in mid-to-late September, and for fall programs the application deadline is in early March. 

Please keep in mind that there are two applications you will need to complete. You will first need to complete the Lasell study abroad application and be accepted by the Office of International Services, before submitting an application to the program you intend to participate in. See below for more details.

Whare the next steps I need to take after I've been accepted by Lasell? 

Once you've been officially accepted by Lasell, you'll be one step closer to studying abroad, but you won't be ready to board the plane just yet. Be sure to complete the steps below in order to confirm your participation in the study abroad program. 

• Download and carefully read your Program Roadmap, which will be provided to you in your Lasell Study Abroad portal (application). The Program Roadmap contains important information about your program, visa requirements, finances, and how to complete the next steps in the process. 
• Pay the Lasell Study Abroad fee by the deadline. This fee is usually due two weeks after the application deadline. Detailed instructions on how to make the payment in Self Service are located in your Program Roadmap. 
• Apply to your specific study abroad program. At Lasell, we partner with study abroad providers, as well as institutions abroad in order to provide study abroad opportunities for our students. Whether your program is through a provider or is directly through a college or university abroad, you will need to apply directly to the program. Please refer to your Program Roadmap for detailed instructions, links to the program applications, and deadline information. 
• Once you've been accepted by your study abroad program, you must determine whether or not you need to apply for a student visa for the country you will be traveling to. This information can be found in your Program Roadmap, and your program provider or institution will provide you with some of the required documentation you need to apply for your visa. If a visa is required for your host country, be sure to start the visa application process early, as most countries require in-person appointments and processing times can take many weeks. If you need help with the visa application process, please make an appointment with the Office of International Services on Starfish. 
• Finally, all students studying abroad through Lasell are required to attend two events to help prepare for their time abroad. First, the Meet & Greet, which takes place mid-way through the semester, is an opportunity for you to meet our Global Ambassadors, ask questions, and learn more about their experiences abroad. At the end of the semester, students must attend the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation, during which important information on academics, health and safety, emergency protocols and more will be covered. 

To learn more about health and safety while abroad, please visit our Health & Safety page.