Santa Clara University

Frequently Asked Questions: Students Abroad

1. Do my grades transfer back to Santa Clara?
YES. For affiliated and direct exchange programs, all grades transfer and are computed in to your SCU GPA, just as if you had taken the classes here at Santa Clara.

2. Can I take a class abroad as pass/no pass (P/NP)?
The rules concerning which classes you can take as pass/no pass while you are abroad are the same as if you were here at SCU:

Taken directly from the SCU Bulletin:
Pass/No Pass Option
A junior (more than 88 completed units) or senior with a declared major may choose to take an elective course on a pass/no pass basis. An elective course is one other than a University, School, college, department, or program requirement. A grade of "P" signifies that the quality of work done is equivalent to a letter grade of "C" or higher, while a grade of "NP" denotes work done at the level of C-, D, or F. Courses taken under the P/NP option will fulfill graduation unit requirements but do not affect grade point averages. Students may elect only one course per quarter on a P/NP basis.

If you meet all these requirements, then you need to talk to your study abroad program about taking the class as a pass/no pass. It must appear this way on the transcript that Santa Clara ultimately receives from your program. If your program has different standards for issuing a pass (i.e., you have to get a D or a C-), it is important to communicate with your program and your professor that you need to earn at least a C in order to pass.

3. How do I register for classes back at Santa Clara?
Please see the Academic Planning section from the online handbook.

4. Where can I find the course catalog for the upcoming term?
All course catalogs are accessible via your ecampus account or on the Registrar's Office website.

5. I am having trouble accessing e-campus from this foreign web browser.
For tips about using ecampus, please check here: https://www.scu.edu/ecampus/using.cfm

6. How do I get a new course approved that I am taking abroad?
1) Search the online course approval database if your course has been pre-approved. If your course and correct equivalency is already in the database, you will not need to get any new signature.

2) If the course is not located in the online database, then you can follow the course approval procedure via email to the appropriate department chair providing the following information:

• Your name
• Your study abroad program & location
• The course number
• The full course title
• The course description
• The URL to get more information, if you have it (like a syllabus), or details about the content of the class

3) Forward email correspondence to Lori Johnson (LAJohson@scu.edu) at the Drahmann Center who oversees the course approval protocol. Keep copies for your file.

7. Where do I find safety information about a weekend trip I am planning to take?
The State Department website at http://travel.state.gov is a rich source of up-to-date information, and we highly recommend checking it before embarking on a trip. The Consular Information Sheets will give you a quick overview of what you need to know before entering any country, and you can also see any current Travel Warnings at this website.

8. Help! I need a place to live when I come back to Santa Clara.
All on-campus housing are arranged with the SCU Housing Office, or you can check the Off-Campus Housing Directory for leads!

9. I am studying abroad for the full year and notice that my International Student ID Card (ISIC) expires in December. What should I do?
International Programs would be happy to issue you a new card (for information about all the great discounts you get, see the ISIC website). You will need to complete a new application and mail it to SCU International Programs with a photograph and $25.

10. I would like to evaluate my study abroad program for Santa Clara.
Excellent! The evaluation form is available here in .pdf form. We really appreciate having current evaluations on file for other students to browse.

11. How can I incorporate a more international flavor to my remaining coursework back at Santa Clara?
Santa Clara offers two minors that are very popular with study abroad students: The International Studies minor and the International Business minor. Look into them!

12. What websites have other study abroad students recommended to you as being helpful?
We constantly are updating our LINKS section of our website with student tips.

13. When is payment due for my next quarter back at Santa Clara?
For more information about payments due to Santa Clara, you can see The Bursar's Office website.

14. How can I get involved in promoting study abroad when I get back to Santa Clara?
There are several ways!
a) Apply to be a Study Abroad Peer Advisor! Applications are available each year in January from the International Programs Office.
b) Work in the International Programs Office (check with us to see if we are currently hiring student assistants).
c) Get involved during Orientation to speak with other students who will be going abroad on your program or to your host country.

If you would like to learn more about any of these programs (and there is much more available!), please contact us!

15. What is your address so I can send you guys a postcard detailing my fabulous adventures? Glad you asked!

International Programs Office
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Take care of yourselves and each other, and if you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to ask!