GatewayAbroad

About the School for International Training (SIT)

SIT Study Abroad, a Richmond affiliate program, is the pioneer of experiential, field-based study abroad. Students selecting SIT programs will have the opportunity to explore another language and culture while engaging in interdisciplinary coursework and conducting fieldwork, with their efforts culminating in a month-long Independent Study Project (ISP). SIT offers many programs in Europe, but typically the only available site for Richmond students is Switzerland (the Balkans multi-country program may be approved on a case-by-case basis). The Switzerland visa process takes time, so it is important to apply early if you are interested in this program. For more information, please see: http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/.

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Eligibility

• Due to the nature of SIT programs, applications to SIT programs will be reviewed on an individual basis to ensure that the student is well suited for the SIT program. Students will also be interviewed by UR faculty as part of the application process.
• An overall GPA of 3.0 and at least one related course to the region is generally required. Students may also be required to have language proficiency minimums for particular locations. See SIT web site for further details.
• Students interested in SIT programs should have completed three semesters on campus prior to the period of study abroad. Transfer students must have completed at least three semesters of college or university study, one semester of which is to have been completed on campus at Richmond.
• Robins School of Business students may transfer back credit from only one (1) business course taken while enrolled on the SIT program to count towards their business degree.  Specific course approval must be given by Dr. Tom Cosse.  RSB students may transfer courses back from non-business subjects to count towards any non-business majors/minors and general education requirements (pending departmental approval) and towards the total units needed for graduation.
• Note: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university to study abroad. When reviewing applications for approval, disciplinary records will be taken into consideration and students must be cleared by the Dean's Office to study abroad. Students on conduct probation will not be able to study abroad if their probationary period extends beyond the start date of the semester abroad program.

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Academics

See SIT website for details about the SIT program model, which you should carefully read to make sure SIT is the right program for you.

Depending on which Switzerland program students select (either 'Global Health and Development Policy' OR 'International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy'), students typically may be able to take coursework involving subject matter in the following: Anthropology, Economics (A&S), Environmental Studies, European Studies, French, International Studies, Minority Studies, Peace & Conflict Studies, Political Science, Pre-Health, Public Health, Social Policy & Administration, Women's/Gender Studies.

For course details relevant to each specific program, you should consult the SIT website at http://studyabroad.sit.edu/sn/programs/.

Students on SIT programs normally take 16 credit hours. All credit will be transferred back to UR using the Conversion to Units system. 

To determine the unit value of an SIT course, the following formula will be used by the University of Richmond Registrar's Office:  semester hours/3.5, round up to nearest tenth of a unit.  A 3-semester credit course will be transferred back to Richmond as .9 units.  A 4-semester course will be transferred back as 1.2 units.
 

Grading Scale

Students are graded using the U.S. system. Credit for grades lower than "C" will not be transferred back to the University of Richmond.

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Accommodations

Students live with host families.  See here for additional information about the homestay on the International Studies program, and here for additional information about the homestay on the Global Health program. 
 

Dates and Costs

Click on the link to learn more about Dates and Costs for SIT.
 

Application Process

Students applying for SIT programs will need to complete the online UR Office of Int'l Education (OIE) application (by clicking the "Apply Now" button), which will include an interview by a UR faculty member designated to work with UR students applying for SIT programs (applicants will be contacted with details). After receiving conditional acceptance by UR, students will also need to complete an SIT application.

To make this dual-process easier, the OIE will allow students to submit the SIT Academic Reference rather than the OIE-format letters (so your faculty do not have to write two letters). Students should simply skip the recommendation portion of the OIE application process and should provide faculty with the blank SIT forms instead, instructing them to submit completed letters to the OIE.

Once the OIE has finished evaluating the letters, they will be forwarded to SIT to be attached to your SIT application. We will also forward to SIT the official UR transcript you submit to the OIE. Students should apply early, if possible, to allow time to complete both applications, as SIT programs are known to fill early. Questions? Email abergman@richmond.edu.
 

Visa Information

Students are required to apply for a student visa prior to departure. Do this in a timely manner! SIT generally provides some information about the visa process to admitted students, but in most cases students are ultimately responsible for completing the paperwork.
 

For More Information

To learn more about SIT programs available, contact Amy Bergmann in the Office of International Education.

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This document represents the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the document are not binding. The University of Richmond reserves the right to change without specific notice programs and the conditions under which they are offered.