Duke University Global Education Office for Undergraduates

Academic

Are there eligibility requirements? How do students receive credit for their coursework abroad? Is it one course to one course in all programs?

Each program has its own eligibility requirements that must be met, in addition to our minimum GPA. If the course students want credit for is in the OSA Database of Approved Courses they don't need to apply for additional approval. If the course is not in the database, they will need to contact Cathy Penny in the OSA to request assistance obtaining DUS course approval. This should be done before going abroad. Several departments require approval directly from the department. There is not always a 1-for-1-course equivalency. We expect a student to take a "full load" abroad. This often means taking five courses, which, if all are successfully completed, can count towards major, minor and curriculum requirements, but only four courses will count towards graduation.

I've heard that I will only get 2 credits for non-Duke study abroad programs, instead of 4 for the Duke-in programs. Is this the case?
No. There is a two course limit is for domestic transfer credit for Trinity students. Pratt students may transfer up to four domestic courses. For study abroad, or a combination of study abroad and domestic transfer, the total can't exceed ten. This would allow a student a full year plus a summer of study abroad in approved programs. If they study on a Duke administered (Duke-in) program, generally they earn Duke credit, so the transfer limit doesn't apply--they aren't transferring courses. Exceptions to this are Duke in Glasgow, Duke in Berlin (second semester) and Duke in France-EDUCO, which are "hybrid" programs in which students receive a combination of Duke credits and transfer credits.

Can I earn credit in my major abroad?
Yes. Students who study on Duke-administered programs earn Duke credit just as if they were on campus. These courses fulfill the same requirements as courses on campus. Students who study on Duke-approved programs should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies in their major department to find out if, and how many, transfer credits may be applied towards their major. More information about credits and course coding can be found in Grades/Transfer Credit.
 
Can I fulfill my foreign language competency abroad?
Yes, on a Duke-administered or Duke-approved program in a country where the target language is spoken (i.e. French in France or Senegal, Spanish in Spain or Argentina). Students studying language on a Duke-approved program will have to request foreign language coding for their language courses taken abroad, just as they would have to request Modes of Inquiry coding for any transfer course. For more information, please visit Grades/Transfer Credit.

Am I eligible for Dean's List during the semester I study abroad?
This varies from program to program. To determine whether you are eligible to earn recognition for honors like Dean's List while participating in a study abroad program, consult the Duke Bulletin under Academic Recognition and Honors at http://www.registrar.duke.edu/bulletins/Undergraduate/ or your academic dean.

Do I register on ACES for the semester I'm going abroad?
With the exception of summer programs, students attending Duke-administered programs will register through the Office of Study Abroad, not on ACES. Students attending non-Duke programs will register for courses on their program. If a student's registration window opens, and they have not yet been accepted for study abroad, they should register for courses (through ACES) on campus. Those courses can then be dropped once acceptance to study abroad is received.
 
Don't I have to be a language major, or speak another language to study abroad?
No. The opportunities for year, semester or summer study are diverse enough to meet the needs of virtually any undergraduate's course of study. Study abroad is not limited to language majors or those with knowledge of foreign languages; Duke sponsors and has identified programs providing language training as well as programs taught in English in many countries. Programs are available offering courses in humanities, social sciences, and sometimes science and engineering.

Can I participate in a study abroad program in a foreign speaking country, but have the courses taught in English?
Yes. But if they participate in such a program during the semester, they are required to take one course in the host country language.

Do I have to declare my major by a certain deadline in order to study abroad?
Students who plan to study abroad for a semester must declare their major and submit their Long-Range Plan before their study abroad paperwork is considered complete. First-year students must declare their major by the end of classes in the spring semester of their first year. (First-year students who wish to study abroad in the summer between their first and second years do not need to declare their major.) Sophomores must declare their major by the Sophomore Declaration Deadline (the end of the eighth full week of their fourth academic semester).

Sophomores are strongly encouraged (but are not required) to declare their major by the Early Declaration Deadline (the end of the third full week of the semester) if they want to study abroad as juniors. Early Declaration will result in the transfer of your academic file to your new department before you make final plans to study abroad, giving you enough time to meet with your major advisor to ensure that whatever courses you take while abroad will keep you on track for graduation.

Is study abroad a question that should come up in the first meeting with my pre-major advisor in September of my freshman year, or can it be decided on a spontaneous basis during my sophomore year?
It is best to discuss the possibility of study abroad at the first meeting. Planning for the experience to complement the academic plan is easiest if incorporated early in the process. Nevertheless, if it is an issue that arises in later discussions, it generally still can be accommodated.

Is there a minimum GPA for study abroad?
Duke requires that students who wish to study abroad for a semester or academic year have a minimum GPA of 2.7; for summer study abroad, you must meet the academic requirements for continuation at Duke. Many programs, however, require that students have a 3.0 minimum, and can have quite competitive applicant pools.

How can I find out what programs offer what classes?
The study abroad website includes a list of all the approved programs, with links to those programs that generally include the academic courses available. Another resource is the Database of Approved Courses on the study abroad website. This lists courses that have been approved and is searchable by department, country, and program. This is NOT a comprehensive list of available courses. It represents only those courses that have been approved. Additional courses can be approved by working with Cathy Penny in the OSA. She works in conjunction with department DUSes to obtain course approvals.

Can I fulfill my sciences and study abroad?
Yes. There are programs and locations with science classes, as well as science themes. Students may take science classes abroad. They should discuss their interests and options with a study abroad advisor.
 


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Postcard from Abroad

Dear Office of Study Abroad,

I lived in a dormitory with first-year students while in Edinburgh. From my bedroom window, I had a spectacular view of a mountain by the name of Arthur's Seat, which figures in many of the novels I read as part of my coursework while abroad.

Pursuing courses in English (and Scottish) literature while in Edinburgh was magical in so many ways. I took classes in the former offices of many of the writers I studied and I was fortunate in that my professors were leading thinkers in their areas as well as passionate about the literature they taught. Learning bits of Scots and understanding the literature of Scotland became synonymous with understanding the place, and experiencing as much as I could while I was in Edinburgh. I ate fish and chips with the best of them. In every pub, I was delighted to meet friendly Scots who were more than happy to tell me about their holidays in The States.

I climbed Arthur's Seat my last day in Edinburgh. The view from above is glorious--I could pick out all of the landmarks I had grown so attached to in those few, short months. The independence I had while studying in Edinburgh gave me a sense of ownership and belonging there. I plan to take a year off between graduation next year and law school, and I'm dying to return to Scotland.

– Caitlin Monjeau


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Postcard from Abroad

Dear Office of Study Abroad:

The most influential experience in my life was my participation in the CFHI program in Durban. The program recruited premedical, medical, and PA students from the US, and sent us to serve in various orphanages, hospice centers, urban and rural hospitals, HIV clinics, and family practices. I was confronted with the complexity of poverty, overpopulation, crime, and pollution, as well as the impact of each of these travesties on health. Even though directly the results of my presence were not powerful, indirectly I was able to bring back my experiences and stories to those in my hometown.

After the trip, I brought with me a new passion for global healthcare, as well as thankfulness for the many amenities I have at home. Moreover, for a year or so, after medical school and residency, I endeavor to practice medicine somewhere in the Kwazulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Along with studying abroad, if there is any service opportunity available for you in a third world country try as hard as possible to take the opportunity. Like me, you will come back with altered perspectives and passions.

– Sterling Tadlock


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Postcard from Abroad

Dear Global Education Office:

 

Supposedly, during World War II, Kyoto was targeted for bombing but was passed over due to strong objections from Henry L. Stimson. He and his wife had spent their second honeymoon in this cultural city and the secretary of war was well aware of its sheer beauty.

Really, if you are ever in Japan, go to Kyoto. Every iconic image of Japan is actually here. The previous imperial capital for over a thousand years, you can see the Golden Pavilion, with its walls reflecting the bright sun and its lake reflecting its bright walls; gorgeous geisha on the steps of the enormous temple Kiyomizudera; winding roads leading in and out of traditional townhouses known as machiya; the tunnel of red gates stretching as far as eye can see; and festival after festival with parades, bonfires, and booths with games and scrumptious things to eat. There's more, of course, but you get the picture without my further being a pamphlet ;).

Before you leave Kyoto, though, be sure to make a wish at one of its many temples. There's something historic of being preserved as one in countless hopefuls that have passed and will pass this immortal city.

 

-Joo-Young Chang

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Duke/OTS Global Health students in Costa Rica

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Berlin Neighborhood

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