Getting Started

Start by defining your objectives:

Academic goals: What courses or fields are you exploring? Want language immersion? Internships? Research opportunities?

Personal goals: New cultural experiences? Community engagement? Adventure or familiarity?

Professional goals: Building career-relevant skills? Expand professional networks? Kenyon encourages using SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely) as a framework for planning your off‑campus study experience.

StudioAbroad Platform

Use StudioAbroad to browse over 190 approved programs across 50 countries. You can filter by location, academic discipline, language, and duration. Save favorites, review alumni comments and find alternate options

Kenyon-Managed Programs

Consider programs like Kenyon‑Rome or Kenyon‑Exeter, which offer structured Kenyon faculty support and familiar credit integration

Major-Specific Guidance

If you’re in a language or area studies major (e.g., international studies, modern languages and literatures), consult your department’s recommended program lists and meet with faculty to identify top fits.

For each program of interest, dig into:

Prerequisites and language requirements: Do you meet them? Can you safely enroll?

Academic structure: Are courses taught by host institution faculty or third-party providers?

Credit transfer: Will courses fit your major or distribution requirements?

Housing and living arrangements: Dormitory? Homestay? Independent living?

Academic Calendar: What dates does the program run? Sometimes academic calendars can be quite different than our own!

Meet with a CGE advisor to review your program shortlist and confirm eligibility requirements (GPA minimum: 2.75 for most programs; some majors require higher).

Talk with your major advisor or department faculty about how specific courses will count toward your degree requirements.

Connect with returned OCS students for firsthand feedback — either through CGE or informal networks.

Grade transfer policies: Kenyon faculty‑taught courses count in GPA; other courses post as transfer credit, not factored into your GPA.

Language requirement: If you go to a non-English speaking country, you'll need to take and pass a local language course.

Insurance and housing: You may not opt out of housing or insurance fees. Exceptions are limited and require petitions.

Create a table or spreadsheet to track:

• Program 

• Academic Fit

• Language Required

• Housing

• Estimated Cost

• Returned Student Feedback

• Notes

For example:

• INTL courses, major credit

• Spanish required

• Dorm and host food

• Comparable to Kenyon

• “Challenging but rewarding”

• Pros: intensive language; cons: competitive

When you interview for OCS and submit your OCS application, you must present compelling arguments explaining how the proposed work will complement your academic program at Kenyon. For more information on the application process, see our How to Apply page.

Schedule CGE advising appointments and an interview. We will open your application only after discussing your first and backup program.

Submit your full application by advertised deadlines; these are firm with no exceptions.