The Office of Off-Campus Study and its Resources

The Office of Off-Campus Study (OCS) handles all off-campus study, abroad and in the U.S., that is undertaken for credit toward the Bowdoin degree for a period equivalent to one or two Bowdoin semesters. Starting in the summer of 2009, we also handle summer programs taken for credit abroad (not in the USA).  Our responsibilities include the following:

  • monitoring the quality of programs and institutions to which the College sends students
  • maintaining a library of program catalogues, evaluations, and other resources
  • organizing information meetings
  • advising students in the choice of a program, and in the application process
  • serving as a contact for off-campus students, from departure to reentry

Bowdoin students should use these Guidelines as a primary reference, to help them choose the most suitable program for their academic needs, and prepare themselves to make the most of their educational experience. Read all eight major sections (in menu at left) thoroughly. For a quick summary of the central points, you may also find useful the FAQ sheet (PDF) prepared for events such as Parents Weekend.

Advising in OCS

An important first step is to complete an OCS preliminary information form, either the PDF version available here, or the printed version distributed at the general introductory meeting in September. (It will be a lot more helpful to you and us if you give us this information before the Off-Campus Study Fair in October.) Knowing your provisional ideas about study away will help us advise you (and you will need to have submitted a form in order to make an appointment). We will also add your name to our email distribution list, for notification of meetings and visits by program representatives, and other off-campus study information. Finally, the processing of your application, when that time comes, will go faster if we have already built a record for you.

The OCS Office holds advising hours from 10:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 4:00, Monday to Thursday, and from 10:00 to 12:00 on Friday, from the first day of classes to the end of reading period each semester. During the morning hours, we give priority to appointments (you are welcome to use our library resources during that time, but a staff member will not be available if occupied with an appointment); walk-in hours are held in the afternoon. Please make a point of visiting the office during the fall semester, once you have thoroughly read these online guidelines. For most students, a preliminary visit during walk-in hours and some browsing of program publications and webpages will give useful basic orientation that will help you make the most of an appointment, if you decide that you need one. At certain times one of two student office assistants who have themselves studied away will be ready to help you.

Even if your plans seem straightforward, you should review them in the fall semester with an OCS advisor. This will help you ensure that there are not other suitable programs to consider, and avoid nasty surprises over deadlines, entry requirements, term length, and approval by Bowdoin. If you have already looked through the office library and need more help, or more private or uninterrupted discussion, please ask to schedule an appointment with an advisor. An appointment is required for any student wishing to petition for a program that is not on Bowdoin's options list, no later than two weeks before the 23 February deadline.

Please note that there is no elevator access to our 3rd-floor office; we will be pleased to accommodate any special needs.

Printed and electronic resources

Catalogues and brochures. OCS maintains a library of printed information published by the programs and universities attended recently by Bowdoin students. Most, but by no means all, of the institutions you will find represented on the shelves are on Bowdoin's options list.

The office's supplies of program catalogues and brochures are limited by space (and programs'; printing and mailing budgets), and we cannot usually give away materials unless you are reasonably sure that you will be applying to that program. Please always ask a staff member before taking anything out of the office. Application materials are also on file in the office.

You can also obtain brochures from visiting representatives at the Off-Campus Study Fair. Nowadays the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, including course descriptions and application forms, is usually available from program or university websites. You are welcome to use the computer in the OCS office for browsing.

Other important information. OCS keeps folders of information relevant to students majoring in particular departments; travel and safety bulletins from the State Department and Centers for Disease Control; and scholarships. We maintain links to many other resources for international education, travel, health and safety.

Evaluations. Another useful resource in the OCS library is the collection of program evaluations completed by Bowdoin students when they return from off-campus study. The evaluations cover not only the academic quality of programs but also housing, program administration, social and cultural issues, and costs. They give a different perspective from a catalogue on how well a program meets the needs of Bowdoin students. At the same time, of course, no Bowdoin student is typical, and evaluations should be used with care, especially if they are less recent, or opinions conflict, or somebody seems to like or dislike a program for personal reasons that do not have much to do with its academic value. The office can also put you in touch with any students who have recently returned from a program, who are almost always generous in sharing their impressions.

Summer programs. If you are interested in transferring credit for studying on a summer program abroad, please consult with the OCS office well in advance. You will need to complete a Bowdoin application by the preceding 15 April. There is no options list like that for semester-length or full-year programs, but many of the institutions on the options list also run summer programs. The IIE Passport publication Short-Term Study Abroad, in the office and accessible online, is a useful reference, though you should be careful to find out as much as you can about the quality and credentials of any program you find listed. For summer programs in the US, approval in advance is required from the Office of the Registrar, through completion of a Transfer of Credit application form.

Other international opportunities. Although OCS does not handle graduate programs, internships, or jobs overseas, our library does contain some resources on these subjects. The magazine Transitions Abroad contains listings for a wide range of international activities, mostly non-credit-earning. For longer-term salaried or volunteer work opportunities overseas you should consult the webpages of BUNAC and Council on International Educational Exchange. Bowdoin's Career Planning Center also has some information on overseas graduate work, organizations such as the Peace Corps, and a limited number of job opportunities. For summer research fellowships, see the website of the Student Fellowships and Research Office.