Kalamazoo College Study Abroad Programs
Kalamazoo College sponsors programs in ten countries, including Ecuador, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Trinidad and Tobago. On most Kalamazoo College sponsored programs, a College representative meets each group as it arrives abroad. College personnel visit these study abroad programs as needed. All Kalamazoo College sponsored study abroad programs have a Resident Director appointed by the College to mentor students and represent the College. At many programs, students live in homestays; in other instances, housing is arranged by the program, typically in university residence halls. In most cases, the CIP will assist students during the pre-departure process, including processing required documents and student visa applications.
Kalamazoo College Partner Study Abroad Programs
The College collaborates with domestic and international program partners in order to offer a wide variety of study abroad experiences. Programs in this category are referred to as Kalamazoo Partner Programs in Hornet Passport. Although they are not operated by Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Partner Programs on the program list are approved for the transfer of academic credit. No special process is required to apply academic credit earned on these programs to general graduation requirements. For study abroad credits to apply toward the completion of a K major, students must get prior approval from their department chair.
The Center for International Programs assists students with the application processes, and coordinates the payment of tuition, room and board, and non-refundable deposits required by the host institution.
Students interested in Kalamazoo Partner Programs will need to complete additional application materials for the host institution, submit pre-departure forms directly to the program partner and be prepared to be in direct, regular contact with the K program partner prior to departure. In other words, students will need to communicate directly in a timely manner with the program partner and independently work to turn in materials, forms, and other items by the due dates designated by the program partner. Upon acceptance, students are encouraged to direct any questions to the Partner Program’s appointed contact person.
Application to Kalamazoo Partner Programs is a two-step process. Students first submit applications to the Center for International Programs for preliminary review. CIP-endorsed applicants are then nominated for selection with the host institution. Students typically need to submit application materials to Kalamazoo Partner programs by the deadline indicated by the partner. It is important that students interested in Kalamazoo Partner Programs are aware that the host institution makes the final selection and participation decisions. Neither the CIP nor Kalamazoo College has the authority to change or alter the policies or decisions made by the partner institution.
The CIP provides a Kalamazoo Partner Program Application Advisory and a Kalamazoo Partner Program Pre-Departure Advisory to applicants and students endorsed by the CIP for participation in Kalamazoo Partner Programs. The application advisory is a component of every Kalamazoo partner study abroad application while the pre-departure advisory accompanies the notice of endorsement for a Kalamazoo Partner Program. Both advisories inform students of their responsibilities regarding required application documents, fee payment, pre-departure requirements and due dates, international transportation and student visa application.
Students endorsed for most Kalamazoo Partner Programs are responsible for obtaining their own student visa or entry document. In most cases, Kalamazoo Partner Programs will give directions to K students for applying for their visa, though Students will be ultimately responsible for all steps according to partner (or 3rd party) guidance.
Kalamazoo Partner Program participants are invoiced for the study abroad comprehensive fees. The College Business Office issues the invoices on the same schedule as the College tuition, room and board fees. In turn, the CIP draws on the study abroad comprehensive fees to make payments on eligible partner institution program fees. Kalamazoo Partner Program participants are responsible for payments on refundable deposits required by Kalamazoo Partner study abroad programs. Specifics on the study abroad fees are explained on the Financing Study Abroad page. Payment information can be found in the Student’s Hornet HQ account.