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PLU is committed to a vibrant array of global educational opportunities, linked to its mission and vision of educating to achieve a just, healthy, and peaceful world.
Both on- and off-campus opportunities abound. Academic majors and minors provide on-campus study of global issues such as development, global resources and trade, and human rights as well as specific cultures and societies. Departmental courses and multidisciplinary programs are described in detail in their respective sections of this catalog. Please note among others the offerings in anthropology, history, international iusiness (under iusiness), languages and literatures, political science, and the following multidisciplinary programs: the Americas, Chinese studies, environmental studies, global studies, and Scandinavian studies.
Off-campus programs span the globe and the calendar. PLU encourages majors in all fields to participate in off-campus study --for a January term, semester, academic year, or summer term. The following outline suggets the types of programs available to undergraduates; consult the Wang Center for International Programs for comprehensive and more detailed information.
PLU Programs:
January Term - Every January a wide variety of off-campus courses led
by PLU faculty take students to destinations ranging from Neah Bay to
New Zealand. Approximately 300 students participate annually in these
intensive learning experiences. The application process occurs during
the preceding spring semester. See Wang Center website for current offerings.
Democracy, Development, and Peace: Active Learning in Norway - Offered for the first time in fall 2003, this program provides students with the opportunity to study and participate in Norway's democratic model and its successful implementation globally with respect to aid for developing countries and conflict resolution. Based at Hedmark University College, the semester program includes a core course on The Norwegian Approach, a selected topics course, an internship, and a research project.
People's Republic of China - Sichuan University - Students spend the spring semester at Sichuan University in Chengdu. The curriculum is centered around Mandarin Chinese and Chinese cultural courses. By advance arrangement, students can add a physics course to the spring program or arrange to spend the full year at Sichuan University. Extensive study tours are included. Prior Chinese language study is recommended but not required.
Trinidad and Tobago - January Term and Spring semester (January to mid-May) in Trinidad provide students a unique opportunity to explore the island and learn about the varied heritages of this multicultural society. During January a PLU faculty member accompanies the group to Trinidad and teaches one course, which varies from year to year. From February to mid-May students take the core course, Caribbean Culture and Society, and choose two additional courses from the regular course offerings at the University of the West Indies. Students earn 18 semester hours credit for the January to May program.
Consortial Programs:
ILACA Granada and ILACA London - Hosted by the Independent
Liberal Arts Colleges Abroad (ILACA), a consortium of Pacific Northwest
colleges, these semester-long programs provide opportunities for study
in Granada, Spain or London, England. A faculty director from one of
the colleges accompanies each student group.
Tanzania - In a consortium effort with other colleges and universities of the Lutheran Church, PLU offers a five-month exchange opportunity at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Students study Swahili language and select three or four courses from the wide offering of courses at the University of Dar es Salaam. All university courses are taught in English. This is a fall semester program.
Sponsored Programs:
PLU has agreements with the following program providers and awards academic credit:
Other Programs:
Opportunities to study abroad are made available through many colleges
and universities in the United States and some U.S. students choose to
enroll directly in an overseas university. In these cases, special
arrangements need to be made in advance for appropriate credit
transfer. PLU financial aid is not applicable.
Application Process:
Applications for off-campus study must be pre-approved. Students submit
to the Wang Center for International Programs by the relevant deadline
the completed application forms, an official transcript (when
required), and letters of recommendation. Consult the Wang Center for
application forms and deadlines.
Credits:
PLU awards academic credit for all PLU, consortial, and sponsered
programs. Courses taken on these programs will be listed on the PLU
transcript with appropriate department numbers. Letter grades will also
be posted, although they will not be included in the PLU cumulative
grade point average. Study abroad grades are calculated for honors at
graduation.
Program Costs and Financial AID:
Students eligible for state and federal financial aid may transfer
their aid awards (with the exception of work study) to their student
accounts for PLU, consortial, and sponsored programs. Students may also
apply their university grants and scholarships as well as government
loans on selected programs.Tuition exchange benefits do not apply to
study abroad. See the Wang Center for International Programs for
detailed information on off-campus study costs and financial aid
applicability.