Language and Culture Experiential Guidelines

Language and Culture Requirement

College of Science students demonstrate an understanding of world cultures and languages through completion of the Language and Culture requirement. This core degree requirement is met through completion of several options, including study abroad experiences. A study abroad experience is applied to meet the Language and Culture requirement based on a student's catalog term: Pre-Fall 2023 catalog terms - full waiver; Fall 2023 catalog terms and forward - maximum six credits of nine required credits).

To secure approval, a study abroad experience must satisfy the following requirements:

• Take place outside the United States and meet one of the following program requirements: 
  • Approved semester or year-long Study Abroad program
  • Summer program of at least seven and a half weeks duration
  • Approved short-term study abroad program (minimum eight (8) days containing a minimum 3-credit course and significant immersion in the local culture)
  • Purdue Summer Internship Program
  • College of Education Maymester in Tanzania Study Abroad Program
• Include a minimum three (3) credits of coursework or research
• Include significant immersion in the local culture and language independent of any US-based program in which the student may be participating

Students wishing to use an approved study abroad program to meet the Language and Culture requirement must complete the following process.

1. Documentation Process
   • Students will work with their Academic Advisor to:
     • Determine the appropriateness of a study abroad experience in relation to intended outcomes of the Foreign Language and Culture requirement, degree requirements and desired degree completion date, and
     • Complete the experiential learning contract process.
2. Contract Process
   • Students complete and submit the Experiential Learning Contract to request approval of their study abroad experience.
     
     
3. Final Approval Process
   • Students write a reflection paper using the Study Abroad Reflection Paper Guidelines and submit their paper to scienceadvising@purdue.edu.
   • Students are contacted with a decision at the conclusion of the review process.