A Message from the Director

Dear Students,

Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your academic career. In addition to fun and exciting travel, you will learn about other cultures, perhaps obtain proficiency in another language, gain invaluable experience in your field of study, develop confidence and self-sufficiency in the face of everyday challenges abroad, and broaden your perspectives on both the world and the United States. As someone who studied abroad twice as an undergraduate, I can attest to the transformative power of living in another country. It is one of the main reasons I became a German professor and why I facilitate student travel to Germany. 

But study abroad isn’t always easy. There are bureaucratic and financial hurdles to overcome. As the new Director of Study Abroad, I promise to assist you in navigating these hurdles. Do keep in mind that there are deadlines to adhere to and paperwork that has to be filled out in a timely manner, so please do stay on top of those things. 

So what do you need to know to study abroad?

First, every Hood student regardless of major can study abroad, but most programs do have a minimum GPA-requirement, ranging between a 2.5 and a 3.0. Some programs require proficiency in the language of the country, but there are many programs that don’t. For most students, the spring semester of their junior year is the optimal time to study abroad.

What about financial aid?

Students are responsible for the following costs when they participate in a long-term (semester or year) study abroad or study away program:

1. Student is responsible for paying the organization hosting the study abroad/away program any costs for food and housing (room and board).

2. Student is responsible for transport to and from the study abroad/away location, as well as any transportation while they are abroad/away.

3. Student is responsible to pay Hood College for the cost of the study abroad/away tuition and fees. This charge will be passed directly from the organization hosting the program to the student. Please note that all tuition and fees must be collected by Hood College prior to the student’s departure for the program. Study abroad/away students are not eligible for any institutional aid from Hood College. Students are eligible for state and federal aid as well as funded scholarships awarded through an application process. Students should complete the FAFSA application and apply for study abroad/away scholarships through Hood College as well as the study abroad organization.

4. Student will be charged a $500 fee to Hood College for payment processing.

5. Any discounts offered by the organization hosting the study abroad/away program will be applied to the tuition and fees portion of the invoice (unless otherwise specified) and will be reflected in the student’s Hood College bill.

6. Hood College will pay the study abroad/away organization directly for the tuition and fees.

7. Students’ balance due to Hood College must be below $500 to remain in good standing to be able to register for the following semester’s classes. We encourage students to reach out to the financial aid and accounting offices to make sure they have received all the applicable aid, and pay any remaining balance prior to their departure.

What about scholarships?

The College offers a number of scholarships to help students study abroad:

Beth Darroch Coggins '81 & Kristina Coggins Heck '11 Memorial Travel Fund (1 award for up to $2,500 to cover travel costs): Thanks to the generosity of the Coggins family and the adventurous spirit of Beth Darroch Coggins '81 and Kristina Coggins Heck '11, who enjoyed living in and exploring different countries around the world, Hood students can follow in their footsteps and become global citizens.

Stella Elizabeth Ziegler Foley ’28 and Marylouise Herrmann Foley ’64 International Travel Fund ($1,500 to $2,500 for a Hood student of junior or senior standing to help cover tuition, travel, lodging, and other costs associated with a study abroad experience between four weeks and a semester): This scholarship is available through the generosity of Jim and Marylou Herrmann Foley ’64 who want to help Hood students appreciate different cultures abroad as much as they did through Marylou’s experiences in Russia and through her travel company Tour Designs, Inc.

Mary Hansbrough Sneckenberger '64 International Travel Award ($1350 to a student of Senior standing for travel to a Spanish speaking country): This travel award honors Mary Hansbrough Sneckenberger '64, whose passion was teaching Spanish and French, and intends to help students improve their Spanish language skills through study abroad.

Susan Whaley '74 Study Abroad Fund ($750 to $3,000): The generosity of Hood Alum and former Board of Trustee member Susan Whaley has made this scholarship available to students interested in expanding their personal, cultural, and professional horizons by studying abroad.

These scholarships are coordinated through the Study Abroad Office. Scholarship applications are due October 31 this Fall for Spring programs and March 16 for Summer and Fall programs. 

Where can you study abroad?

Just about anywhere. Can you picture yourself studying a language in Argentina, France, Spain, or Germany? Can you see yourself studying business in London, Sydney, or Shanghai? Can you imagine travelling to Dublin or Morocco to study political science and international relations? These are just a few of the exciting possibilities you can explore through Hood’s affiliated programs.    

Will your credits transfer?

Yes, if you participate in a Hood-affiliated program. And yes, if you participate in a non-Hood-affiliated program and earn at least a C- or higher. 

When are the deadlines?

Make sure you start the application process early so you can research scholarship opportunities and gather necessary documents. Most of our affiliated programs have application deadlines in early to mid-October for Spring study abroad experiences and mid-March for Fall programs. The College has an internal deadline of November 7 to petition to study abroad in the Spring and a deadline of April 10 to study abroad in the Fall. 

Who do you need to meet with?

First, meet with me to identify the best program and to get started on the application process. Next, meet with your adviser to discuss your plans. Then go to the Registrar and pick up a Petition to Study Away/Study Abroad form. Set up a meeting with Susan Erb in the Financial Aid Office to discuss your financial aid options. Fill out the Petition to Study Away in consultation with your academic adviser and obtain the necessary signatures from the Registrar, Financial Aid, appropriate departmental chairs, and the Director of Study Abroad. Return the completed Petition to the Registrar’s Office. If you plan to do an internship abroad, you need to meet with Dr. Lisa Littlefield in the Career Center.      

I am excited to be the Director of Study Abroad at Hood College. I welcome all students interested in study abroad to meet with me in my office in Tatem 220 to talk about short-term or longer study abroad opportunities. Just send me an email at pincikowski@hood.edu or call me at extension #3475, and we can set up a meeting. After we talk, who knows what adventures abroad await you.

Dr. Scott Pincikowski