The Role of the Office of Education Abroad
At Marietta College, Study Abroad is a division of the Office of Education Abroad. The OEA staff members introduce study abroad opportunities to Marietta College students and assist to incorporate an international experience into their academic plan.
Our comprehensive three-step advising program can begin as early as the first year at Marietta College. The OEA staff help your student think about where and why they want to travel, how study abroad fits into their academic plan, available housing options (homestay, residence hall or apartment living) and to review and compare individual program outlines. Additionally, students work closely with their academic advisor to select courses that are major/minor specific and satisfy general education requirements. Throughout the process, students work with the Office of Financial Aid to see how their individual financial aid package applies to study abroad.
Once accepted into a program, your student will obtain course approval and complete the Off-Campus Study Form. Each semester the OEA provides a mandatory pre-departure orientation with information on travel, culture learning, finances abroad, packing tips and health and safety information. We do not plan your travel, provide foreign currency or insurance, nor do we provide immunizations but we can direct you to other sources on campus and within the city of Marietta for more information.
Upon return to Marietta College, we provide opportunities for your student to engage with fellow study abroad students, promote international opportunities across campus and to present on their cultural learning and international travel.
Support Services
The Office of Education Abroad promotes the benefits of international travel across campus by hosting an all-campus Study Abroad Fair each spring semester. The Study Abroad Fair is an opportunity for students to speak with representatives from third-party program providers and explore program locations, course offerings, and experiential opportunities such as research projects, internships and/or service learning.
Additionally, the institution is committed to the idea that studying abroad is more than travel—it is an academic learning experience and an opportunity to challenge and broaden perspective, ideas and knowledge. COLL 350—Study Abroad Preparation is a 1.5 credit course, offered the semester before a student travels internationally. The course introduces students to the concept of culture learning, cross-cultural communication and values of their host country. On a practical level student identify personal and academic goals for studying abroad, address logistical issues of program selection and skills they can acquire to adjust to living overseas.
In many cases, the adjustment back to Marietta College is more challenging than the study abroad travel. For this reason, the OEA created the Global Gateways program so returning study abroad students can reflect and present on their learning experience while living internationally. Each Global Gateways program provides students with a forum to discuss their experience, the adjustments required in a new academic setting and a brief overview of their host culture. Global Gateways occurs both semesters.
COLL 450—Study Abroad Reflection is the companion 1.5 credit course for students who have completed a study abroad experiences. This course examines foundational and theoretical concepts associated with reentry and reverses culture shock. Students reflect on their entire experience, what they learned, what skills were acquired and how this experience applies to their future career path and/or educational goals post-Marietta College.
Our website offers more information on Budget Planning, FAQs about study abroad, program options for students and testimonials from past Pioneers on their international experience.