Off Campus Study
Off campus study is one of the many rites of passage students can opt for during college, but why does everyone talk about the transformational impact of a semester or two away? Educators use phrases like "training future global leaders," "catalyst for increased maturity," and "formation of lasting friendships and networks."
It's not always easy to travel to a new environment—you remember this from your first semester in college—but stepping away from all that is familiar has important benefits. The academic, career and personal gains you are sure to experience from the thoughtful immersion in a culture beyond Syracuse will benefit you, and, in turn will have a positive influence on everyone connected to you-locally and globally.
Note: A student who completes a study abroad course substitution cannot complete a contract course. Similarly, a student who completes a contract course cannot complete a study abroad course substitution.
What does the Off Campus Course Substitution entail?
The Off Campus Course Substitution is a great option to help satisfy 3 of your 12 required Honors credits while you're abroad. The substitution involves completing the following submissions:
- Pre-Departure Essay
- A 3-5 page essay detailing your goals and expectations for your semester away. This is submitted prior to you leaving for your semester away.
- Critical Incident Essays
- Three 3-5 page essays detailing specific, meaningful experiences over the course of your semester away. The first submission should be submitted around the 3rd/4th-week into your semester, the second will be expected around midterms and the third is expected before you depart from your semester abroad.
- Travel Journal
- Weekly journal entries of your own design. These are submitted throughout your semester away.
- Re-Entry Essay
- A 3-5 page essay reflecting on your semester away. This is submitted once you return from your semester away.
These submissions will be done through Blackboard once you’re registered for the Off Campus Course Substitution.
If you have any questions about the Off Campus Course Substitution process, please reach out to Jack Dubay at jmdubay@syr.edu!
Getting Started
First, be sure to meet with an advisor in your home college now to ensure you reserve the right courses to take abroad/away, so you'll continue to make good progress on your major requirements. This substitution can be completed while studying abroad, or away from SU Campus within the US. Once you confirm your plans to study off campus, we ask that you touch base with your Honors Advisor to ensure the substitution pathway is a good option for you.
Once you have these meetings complete, please fill out our Off Campus Study Registration Form. Once this is submitted, you will be added to a Blackboard organization with instructions and prompts for the submissions above!
Juniors/4th Year Architecture Students studying off campus in the fall semester should begin exploring Thesis Project topics prior to their semester off campus. Students in this group who will be off campus for the entire year should discuss this plan with an Honors Advisor before going off campus.