For Faculty

The Office of Global Engagement is responsible for initiating and implementing new study abroad opportunities that align with Bryn Mawr College’s strategic interests and that best meet student needs. Global Engagement is responsible for tracking student study abroad data, as well as identifying emerging trends and programs from new and existing providers and sharing relevant program options with the appropriate departments. 

New programs can be proposed by Global Engagement, an academic department, or a member of the Study Abroad Committee. In this way, academic departments and the global engagement office work collaboratively to identify study abroad programs that best fit the particular academic needs of students. The goal is for study abroad to be as integrated as possible into students’ curricular pathways.

In the event the proposed program is offered through an institution, program provider, or location that the College does not currently have on its approved programs list:

• The proposing department and the Office of Global Engagement discuss the potential program to determine if it fulfills a student need for an academic program abroad. This is done in an effort to ensure programs of a similar nature, academic focus and/or region are not duplicative.
• If a new study abroad provider or partner is proposed, an on-site visit is conducted by staff in the Office of Global Engagement. A detailed evaluation is written, in accordance with best practices outlined by the Forum on Education Abroad. This person serves in an advisory role for the program and answers questions from interested students.
• If the proposed addition is a new program or new location through a provider already on the approved programs list, the Office of Global Engagement may determine that an in-depth meeting with program representatives may take the place of an on-site site visit.
• If the proposal is supported by one or more academic departments and the Office of Global Engagement, the Director of Global Engagement then forwards the new program proposal for review and approval to the Dean of the Undergraduate College, the Dean of Student Success, the Provost, and the Registrar. The Study Abroad Committee and the General Counsel are also consulted.
• A detailed summary of program information is included in the program review, including:
  • Program description and structure
    • Host institution/school of record
    • Typical credit load
    • Prerequisites (language proficiency, GPA expectations, etc.)
    • Academics and curriculum
    • Co-curricular opportunities
    • Room & board arrangements
    • Financial information (tuition, housing, fees)
    • Risk assessment
    • Health and safety procedures
    • How the program would contribute to a diverse portfolio of program options
    • List of peer and aspirational institutions that also approve the program
• Once approved, a program will be added to the list of approved programs for the following application cycle

In the event the proposed program is with an institution, program provider or in a location which the College does not currently have on its approved programs list, but has already been approved by Haverford and/or Swarthmore, a streamlined process is followed:  

• The program is reviewed by the Office of Global Engagement, which consults with the relevant academic departments, as well as with Haverford and/or Swarthmore study abroad office.
• Programs supported by the Office of Global Engagement are then reviewed and approved by the Dean of the Undergraduate College, the Dean of Student Success, the Provost, and the Registrar. The Study Abroad Committee and the General Counsel are also consulted.
• It is recommended that a site visit be made by Global Engagement staff at the next available opportunity, but it is not required before adding the program to the approved programs list.
• Once approved, a program will be added to the list of approved programs for the following application cycle

Once programs have been reviewed, approved, and added to the College’s approved list of programs, they are subject to regular review to ensure they meet the College’s standards for academic rigor, cultural immersion, programmatic best practices, and health and safety, and ensure that the Office of Global Engagement can appropriately advise students accordingly.

• The goal is for Global Engagement staff to visit programs on-site on a regular and rotating basis.
• Global Engagement staff track data on programs to review, remove, etc. depending on student feedback, student attendance, provider communication, health and safety considerations, changes to the program structure or academics, etc.
• After a site visit, a detailed evaluation is written, in accordance with best practices outlined by the Forum on Education Abroad. This person serves in an advisory role for the program and answers questions from interested students.
• The Director of Global Engagement can remove a program from the College’s approved list at any time for health and safety considerations. In this case, the Dean of the Undergraduate College, the Dean of Student Success, the Provost, the Registrar, the General Counsel, the Travel Safety Council and the Study Abroad Committee are consulted as appropriate and notified beforehand. Every effort is made to notify relevant academic departments as well.

Study abroad programs may be removed from the College’s list of approved programs based on multiple factors. Key criteria may include, but are not limited to, academic misalignment, inadequate support for students, breaches of academic freedom, and safety concerns.

• Academic Issues: Inadequate academic rigor, poor quality of instruction, or inability to meet curriculum requirements set by the College.
• Administrative Issues: Inconsistent communication, lack of support from the program/institution, or changes in organizational structure that cause the relationship to become unproductive.
• Health, Safety, and Security: Significant risks identified with the host program or country, including political instability, health crises, or failure to provide adequate support and emergency protocols for students.
• Sustainability: Persistent low enrollment numbers over multiple cycles, and/or a failure to maintain a fair balance in the exchange of students, making the program or partnership unsustainable.
• Institutional Strategy: Non-alignment with the College's internationalization goals or strategic priorities
• Contractual Non-Compliance: Violation of legal, financial, or ethical requirements