Faculty-Led Study Abroad

Rensselaer faculty members are leading student travel groups to international destinations for credit. Short-term study abroad programs provide a great opportunity for students who would like to get an international study experience but are unable to include a long-term program into their plan of study.

Participation in these programs allows students to broaden their cultural horizons as well as view and experience a technological education from another perspective.

Note: Graduate students and graduating seniors are not eligible to participate in these programs.

Program Options

Spring Semester Option: Students participate in a spring semester course that ends with a two-week immersion experience in another country.

Summer Session Option: Students participate in a four-to six-week summer course that takes place entirely in another country.

How to Register: Current Rensselaer students register for a faculty-led study abroad course in SIS - Student Information System. Each faculty-led study abroad course will be noted in SIS with a "SA" for study abroad session. Be sure to read all the information on SIS to ensure you are registering correctly.

Once Registered: The Office of Undergraduate Education will contact students registered for a faculty-led study abroad course and send them an application form. Students must complete this application form and submit it to Karen Dvorak, Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education at dvorak2@rpi.edu or or (518) 276-3411.

Cost: All students must pay tuition for the credit course they are taking, plus airfare, and an additional travel fee in advance. The travel fee varies by course and may include the following types of expenses: lodging, meals, air travel, transportation, and costs for any additional excursions the faculty have planned. Make sure you are aware of what the travel fee is and what is includes for your course. Specific costs for each course and deadline dates for deposits and final payments will be available on this web site.

Airfare Note: Students have the choice of booking their airfare through the Office of Academic Outreach Programs or booking it on their own. There is a non-refundable deposit due for the airfare and travel fee. The amount and date by which the non-refundable deposit must be received are listed with each course. Any questions call or contact Kari Bennett at bennek3@rpi.edu or (518) 276-6431.

Registration and General Questions: For additional information, Request Information, or contact, Karen Dvorak, Program Manager, (518) 276-3411, dvorak2@rpi.edu.

SPRING 2010 COURSES - Spring Semester Option

Looking for a less-expensive way to study abroad? Consider the two-week faculty-led study abroad programs. Learn in an enriching setting appropriate for the class. Your spring semester class extends for two weeks in the summer, abroad!

INDIA - DELHI
Dates: May 22 – June 7, 2010
STSS-4966/STSH-4967 Globalization & Development
CRN: 53326/53327 Section: SA - 4 credits
Description: The Study Abroad portion of this course builds on themes and theories introduced in the classroom. We will be introduced to various activists, scientists, and policy members who are actively involved in trying to understand and forestall the many social and environmental problems that threaten to undermine India’s democracy. The main goal is to help students gain a clearer understanding of our own cultural approaches to social and environmental problems, as well as a respect for alternate approaches to the challenges of sustainability and problems of globalization.
Faculty: Michael Mascarenhas - mascam@rpi.edu - (518) 276-2106.
Cost: TUITION for Spring 2010 Course + Airfare + Travel Fee + Spending money for meals and additional activities.
Who should take this: Upper division students enrolled in the Vasudha Living & Learning Community Program and interdisciplinary students interested in environment and development will typically take this course. This course contributes to the new Sustainability Minor in STS.

Travel to India is now open to students in the following courses:
STSS 4966/STSH 4967 Globalization and Development
STSH/STSS 2960 A Century of Environmental Thought
STSS 2300 Environment and Society
STSH/STSS 4964 Consumer Culture
STSS 4580 Self-Organization in Science and Society
STSS 4962 Social Entrepreneurs and Sustainable Communities
STSS 4967 Sustainability Problems
STSS 4965 Sustainability Studies Research: Asthmatic Spaces
STSS 4960 Food, Farms, and Famine
Register for one of these courses offered during the Spring 2010 Semester and begin your summer studying abroad!

2010 India Sustainability Studies Faculty-Led Flyer (101KB PDF file)

For additional information, visit Professor Mascarenhas' Web site.

PUERTO RICO
Dates: May 21 – June 5, 2010
MANE-2060 Fundamentals of Flight
CRN: 53308 Section: SA1 & CRN: 53309 Section: SA2 - 4 credits
Description: Learn fundamental aerospace concepts, build and fly an airplane (unmanned aerial vehicle UAV) in teams, and promote multi-institutional/multicultural collaboration between Rensselaer and Universidad del Turabo. Students will get hands-on design and fabrication experience within a diverse group of students (as in the work place). Besides discussion and presentations, students will build and fly their own airplane (UAV) designed for a specific mission.
Faculty: Luciano Castillo - castil2@rpi.edu - (518) 276-4892.
Cost: TUITION for Spring 2010 Course + Airfare + Travel Fee + Spending money for meals and additional activities.
Who should take this: The course is targeted for Aerospace students, but other students could register for the course if they are taking it as a technical elective; such as ME students. If you are unsure, contact the faculty member. There are no prerequisites or prior knowledge needed.

2010 Puerto Rico MANE-2060 Faculty-Led Flyer (39KB PDF file)

For additional information, visit Professor Luciano's Web site.

Information Session: There will be an information session on Monday, November 16 at 4:00pm in room 3602 in the Rensselaer Union. For additional information, contact Karen Dvorak, Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education at dvorak2@rpi.edu or or (518) 276-3411.

Program Inquiries/Questions: For further information about the program, Request Information, or contact, Karen M. Dvorak, Program Manager, (518) 276-3411, dvorak2@rpi.edu.

SUMMER 2010 COURSES - Summer Session Option

If you are interested in taking a course over the summer, and would like to get some traveling abroad experience, consider a Summer 2010 faculty-led study abroad course.

CHINA
Dates: May 20 – June 17, 2010
MGMT-4850 Organizational Behavior
CRN: 15931 Section: SA - 4 credits
Description: This course will help students understand managers’ and employees’ attitudes and behaviors in a global setting. Its focus is on understanding interpersonal interactions in work situations, and how to make organizations more effective. Topics covered include personalities, motivations, decision-making, team work, conflict, business negotiation, ethics, national and organizational culture, and organizational change. Numerous exercises, videos, and case analyses are used in class to help provide students with insights into these processes.
Faculty: Hao Zhao - zhaoh@rpi.edu - (518) 276-6818.
Cost: TUITION for Summer 2010 Course + Airfare + Travel Fee + Spending money for meals and additional activities.
Who should take this: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year undergraduate students; typically 1/3 students are from non-management schools such as engineering or science; all are encouraged to register.

2010 China MGMT-4850 Faculty-Led Flyer (111KB PDF file)

For additional information, visit Professor Zhao's Web site.

Information Session: There will be an information session on Monday, November 16 at 4:00pm in room 3602 in the Rensselaer Union. For additional information, contact Karen M. Dvorak, Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education at dvorak2@rpi.edu or or (518) 276-3411.

Program Inquiries/Questions: For further information about the program, Request Information, or contact, Karen Dvorak, Program Manager, (518) 276-3411, dvorak2@rpi.edu.

Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Outreach Programs. Office of Undergraduate Education Web site.

FACULTY-LED STUDY ABOARD - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long are the programs? There are two types of programs. A two-week option allows students to participate in a spring semester course that includes a two-week immersion experience in another country. A four-to six-week option allows students to participate in a summer course that takes place entirely in another country.

Is it credit or non-credit? The courses are for credit. The spring semester courses are extensions of credit courses offered in the spring semester. The summer session courses are credit courses offered in the summer.

How do I register? Students register themselves on Rensselaer’s Student Information System (SIS).

Can graduating seniors register? Graduating seniors are not eligible for faculty-led study abroad programs.

Is an adviser signature required or not? An adviser signature is not required; however, students should follow the regular registration process and meet with their adviser.

How much does it cost? The cost varies by program. Students pay tuition for the course + airfare + a travel fee + spending money for meals and additional activities. The cost for the programs will be available on this web site.

What about cancellation: A non-refundable deposit for travel is required. Refunds for tuition will follow the Rensselaer policy and published deadlines. Refunds for the airfare and the travel fee will follow the travel agency guidelines.

Can I use Financial Aid to pay for this? Special summer financial aid is available to full-time undergraduate Rensselaer students who qualify for need-based financial aid in the upcoming academic year. Summer Student Tuition Assistance (STA) funds are being provided through a separate pool of funds and are considered outside the maximum of eight semesters allowed for financial aid. Students must apply for STA through the regular financial aid process. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid office at financial_aid@rpi.edu.

Who makes the travel arrangements? The travel arrangements are made by the travel agency contracted by Rensselaer’s Office of Academic Outreach Programs.

Where am I staying- Hostel vs. Hotel vs. University housing? Lodging will vary by program and will be arranged by Rensselaer.

Can I deviate from the travel arrangements? We do not encourage students to deviate from the travel plans. The itinerary is planned in detail by the faculty.

Am I with other RPI students? Am I with other college students? Yes, these are RPI travel groups led by RPI faculty. There may be interaction with other college students on the trip depending on the itinerary set by the faculty.

Are these courses being held in a college/non-college setting? Some courses will be held at colleges and others will be held in different locations. It varies by program.

Who can I talk to if I have any questions? If you are considering faculty-led study abroad, contacting the faculty member is the best way to start! For details on applying, contact Karen M. Dvorak, Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education at dvorak2@rpi.edu or or (518) 276-3411.

Visit this link for additional information and details. Office of Undergraduate Education Web site - Study Abroad Link .

Study Abroad

Studying abroad is becoming an integral part of a formal education in this modern world. At this time where global opportunities, understandings, and communications are becoming more and more essential to success, studying abroad or making efforts to more internationalize your campus often plays a significant role in those successes. Rensselaer offers a number of international exchange opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students throughout Europe as well as other opportunities in Asia, Australia, South Africa, India etc.

Rensselaer study-abroad and exchange programs and the associated contact person:

Undergraduate Education International Exchanges, General Study Abroad Questions
Karen Dvorak, Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education, Walker Lab 5101, 518-276-3411
Undergraduate Study Abroad Program

Undergraduate Education International Exchanges, REACH, DTU & NTU, Global E3
Jamie Obst, Senior Program Administrator, Office of Undergraduate Education, Walker Lab 5103, 518-276-6663
Study Abroad Program Options

International Management Exchange Programs (IMEP)
Beth Macey, Senior Student Services Administrator,(518) 276-2388, maceyb2@rpi.edu
International Management Exchange Programs (IMEP)

Architecture Study Abroad Programs
Carly Perruccio, Administrative Specialist Greene Building 115, 518-276-6466
Architecture Study Abroad Programs

Last modified: November 16, 2009