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If you study abroad, don't forget to bring back a digeridoo!
In a world in which scientific developments impact life dramatically, a global perspective has become increasingly important. The very experience of studying abroad enables students to expand their education and to acquire an international perspective needed to function in a global society. Students who have studied abroad report a greater sensitivity to global issues, a deeper knowledge of the United States culture, customs and values, and a far-reaching understanding of the world and the challenges facing us in the twenty-first century. To read what HMC students have said about their study abroad experience, go to the Humanities and Social Sciences Department's Study Abroad page.

Typically, HMC students study abroad for one or two semesters during their junior year. With appropriate planning, courses abroad can be integrated with HMC work, transfer credit can be awarded and the student can graduate from HMC within four years. All courses and grades will be reflected on the HMC transcript, but credits will not be computed in the HMC grade point average.

Students must complete the HMC Study Abroad Application and submit it by a specified to the Academic Affairs Office, Platt Campus Center. Accepance to most programs is a two-step process requiring both HMC and the program sponsor or host institution approvals. For more information contact robert_cave@hmc.edu

Students pay a comprehensive fee to Harvey Mudd College that is equal to charges for tuition, room, board, and fees for the same period of time at HMC. The fee covers the costs of the academic program, reasonable room and board in the host country, and an allowance for round-trip transportation to the program site from Los Angeles. A student on financial aid normally receives his/her regular assistance while on a semester or year abroad.

Deadlines
For the Spring semester, the deadline is September 25th, and for the following Fall semester, the deadline is February 15th.

The Process

  1. Identify your criteria for studying abroad. Some considerations may include: curricular focus (range and level of courses available); program design (composition of fellow classmates: US classmates versus local students); options for living arrangements; academic calendar; extracurricular and cultural activities; geographic location.
  2. Attend general study abroad information meetings.
  3. Obtain an HMC Study Abroad Application from the Academic Affairs Office, Platt Campus Center.
  4. Discuss your plans with your academic advisor to determine what courses you can take while abroad. According to the Harvey Mudd College Catalog, you must earn at least 12 units of credit for each semester you spend studying abroad. Occasionally, the Registrar will award additional credit if the program involves more than four courses or if a course has associated laboratory work. You will need to meet with the department chair of each of the departments from which you will be seeking transfer credit from courses taken abroad. Detailed course descriptions assist HMC professors with determining the appropriateness of the course, and generally these descriptions may be obtained from the program's website or from the professors abroad.
  5. Submit your application to study abroad by the appropriate deadline.

Note: Credit toward graduation will be awarded only if you participate in a program of study officially approved by the Harvey Mudd College Study Abroad Committee.