Study Away Resources for Faculty

We are so glad you are exploring teaching a course with a study away experience! Below you will find information that will help you start and finish the process of submitting a study away proposal. These processes have been established through the Study Away Team and in alignment to the Standards of Good Practice through the Forum on Education Abroad.

Plan, Plan and Plan!

Preparing and leading a study away experience is a two-year process. The first year is focused on developing and approving the proposal with the second year focused on student recruitment and facilitation of the experience.

Faculty Eligibility

  • Must be full-time classroom faculty. 
  • Is in good standing with the College (does not have an active professional improvement plan).
  • Can demonstrate their ability to effectively coordinate and lead students on a study away trips.
  • Meets the educational qualifications to teach the course for the study away experience.
  • Has previous travel experience, ideally to those destinations being traveled to.
  • Can provide financial oversight, student consultation and overall risk management.
  • Must effectively collaborate with the Department of Experiential Learning including:
    • Attend required meetings throughout the year
    • Be responsive to email
    • Meet deadlines
    • Actively market your trip
  • Be knowledgeable of the following, but not limited to:
    • Understanding of the following policies: Clery, College Sponsored Student Travel, Employee Reimbursement, Purchasing, Sexual Misconduct, Student Code of Conduct, and Travel
    • Understanding of purchasing procedures and practices
    • Understanding of maintaining awareness around the overall safety of the travel destinations
    • Understanding of collecting of GRCC Travel and Risk Forms from students
    • Understanding of responding to incidents while traveling
    • Understanding the Emergency and Communication Plan

Curricular Standards

  • The course being proposed for the study away experience is either part of a program and/or meets a general education requirement.
  • All instruction and travel are required to be within the confines of the official semester start and end dates.
  • Contact Hours must be appropriately distributed before, during, and after the trip.
  • The course has an updated Course Document.
  • The syllabus being used is in the approved College template and clearly states the policies and procedures related to evaluation, awarding of credit, grade appeals, and academic integrity.
  • The proposal clearly explains the curricular benefit of teaching the course in the desired location(s) while meeting course outcomes.

Scholarships & Financial Support

At GRCC, we do not offer specific scholarships geared towards student travel.  For many students, these are "one in a lifetime" experiences and most will need financial support.  The Gilman Scholarship is a great resource available to most students where they could receive up to $5,000 dollars.  We also encourage faculty to explore ways they can use their professional development funds to offset costs as well as resources from the Center for Teach Excellence.

Study Away Proposal

A proposal is required for all Study Away experiences to be considered. The submission of the proposal is a three step review and approval process. The first step is the pre-approval submitted by December 1 followed by the full proposal submitted by March 1.   Both proposals are submitted to the Director of Experiential Learning and is then reviewed by the Study Away Review Team. Team recommendations are made to the Dean of Instructional Support as well as the Provost.

  • the proposal informs the review team of your expertise around travel, how the experience meets the curricular needs of the course, the logistics of the experience and overall cost
  • the proposal must include an estimate from the provider you are working with
  • proposals are submitted electronically
  • the proposal must meet the criteria
  • it is strongly encouraged that you provide an opportunity to receive feedback from your Department Head and faculty within your department/program on your proposal

Proposal Documents

The Pre and Full-Proposals have been combined into a Google Template. Review this instructional video with directions on how to complete and submit your proposal.

You are strongly encouraged to read the guidelines document prior to your submission of the pre and full proposals.

Study Away Support

Faculty are best prepared when they have met with Sasha Ahmed. Sasha provides leadership for supporting faculty in their effort of proposing a course with a study away experience and facilitates the professional development offerings under the auspices of Instructional Support. Sasha supports faculty in their successful completion of the Study ;Away Proposal. She specializes in the following topics:

  • Preparing a Study Away Proposal
  • Working With a Third Party Provider
  • Preparing Students for Study Away
  • Minimizing Risk during Study Away

Contact Information

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