Unlike many schools that limit off-campus study to the junior year, at Lawrence you can pursue off-campus study virtually any time during your sophomore, junior, or senior year. Therefore, it is never too early to start planning! As you think about your academic program at Lawrence, you should consider what kinds of subjects you may wish to study on an off-campus program, and explore what kinds of programs are available. Once you have figured out which program or kind of opportunity best suits your needs, take special consideration of the program prerequisites, schedule of offerings, and your major/minor requirements as you plan your schedule.
Lawrence can assist your planning in several ways. The Director of International and Off-Campus Programs provides advice and assistance during every step of the off-campus study process, from recommending a program to fit your needs to helping you gain course approval to providing a pre-departure orientation program. A resource room located in the International House provides comprehensive information on the Lawrence-sponsored and -affiliated programs, as well as research materials for exploring other program options. In addition, the faculty program advisors hold annual informational meetings and program representatives regularly visit campus to speak with interested students. And finally, the many students who have returned from off-campus study are an excellent and readily available resource.
Many students think that they will not be able to participate in an off-campus program because they have too many requirements to complete on campus or that required courses are offered at times that prevent them from leaving campus. At Lawrence, this is not true. The term system also provides a great deal of flexibility in scheduling. Having three distinct times each academic year to study off campus allows students to work an off-campus program into almost any schedule. For example, many students choose to attend a fall term or semester program, which still allows them to pursue both winter and spring terms at Lawrence.
The other important factor is that all Lawrence programs grant academic credit. Many students choose to complete general education requirements on a program like the Lawrence London Center, leaving time at Lawrence to pursue courses in their major. Other students use off-campus programs as a capstone experience by studying at a university in their second language, pursuing a senior research project, or participating in an academic internship. Some students choose to do both!
With some appropriate planning and a little attention to administrative detail, you should be able to take advantage of nearly any off-campus opportunity.