Summer & Interterm Opportunities

While almost 300 students per year participate in either a semester or yearlong program abroad, others seek an international research, study or internship experience during the summer or interterm. These opportunities may be an alternative to a full term abroad or they can be an extension of a student’s time abroad to deepen knowledge of another culture or global topic. To ensure that all Smith students have access to opportunities regardless of major, transfer status, life commitments or financial need, grants can provide funding for special projects that are enhanced by a learning experience abroad.

SEARCH PROGRAMS

Students have the liberty to define their own summer and interterm experiences free from prerequisites, eligibility requirements and program restrictions. While the Office of International Study is happy to advise students in the process of planning their experiences, students do not need approval from Smith for summer and interterm programs.

Transfer of credit earned on an accredited summer or interterm study abroad program is not required. Students wishing to transfer credit, may submit an application online using the Smith International Travel Experiences System (SITES). Applications may be submitted either before or after the completion of the term abroad, but should allow at least two weeks for processing. If the decision to participate on the program is contingent upon being able to earn credit, it is advisable to allow plenty of time to complete the credit application in SITES prior to confirming participation. There is no guarantee of approval.

According to Smith policy up to 12 summer credits, and 12 interterm credits may be earned towards a student's degree during their Smith career. 

Students are fully responsible for all program/host institution costs and expenses for summer and interterm programs. That said, students are highly encouraged to apply for scholarships offered by their program/host institution as well as applying for outside scholarship such as the Critical Language Scholarship or the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Additional funding sources can be found in the Additional Resources section at the bottom of this page.

Finding a Program

In addition to using the search option above to peruse academic bearing summer/interterm program options, the following may also be helpful with identifying summer/interterm opportunities.

Summer Opportunities Fair

The fair is a good way to meet program providers and host institution representatives. The fair is held in mid-February each year. Check the News and Events page for the specific date of this year’s fair.

Smith-Affiliated Short-Term Programs

Applying for Credit Approval

To seek credit approval from Smith College, submit the summer credit approval application online in the Smith International Travel Experiences System (SITES).

Log into SITES

About International Experience Grants

International Experience Grants

The Office for International Study oversees the awarding of Smith College International Experience Grants (IEGs). These grants provide partial funding toward opportunities for global engagement during J-Term or the summer which enhance or deepen a student’s learning. Priority for funding will be granted to first-time applicants and those who have not had other global experiences such as semester-long study abroad. Applications for awards of between $300 and $3,500 will be considered. 

Awards range from $300-$500 per week and will not exceed $3500. Students are expected to seek additional funding sources and/or plan to bear a portion of the cost themselves. 

For more information on Smith College funding sources

For more information on other funding sources

Prior to selecting a program, students interested in pursuing service learning opportunities abroad are advised to consult the website of the International Volunteer Programs Association, paying special attendance to the “Why Standards” and “Volunteer Stories” links. It is especially important to consider issues related to program quality, ethics and safety when participating in international volunteer programs.

Application Deadlines

For Interterm Proposals: Last Monday in October
For Summer Proposals: Second Monday in March

Special note for Tibetan Studies in India Program students: if you are applying for funding to support study on the Tibetan Studies in India Program, any IEG funds awarded will be disbursed directly to the program to cover fees and expenses.

Note: IEG funding cannot be used with Praxis funding.

To be eligible for funding, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Smith undergraduate in good academic standing.

  • The proposed activity must be completed before graduation and may not conflict with the academic year.

  • The proposed activity must not be part of a semester or year-long study abroad program and must not take place in your country of residence.
  • The proposed activity must not take place in a country that is under a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory of level 3 or above. (Some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis). If the student is proposing an activity in a country with a Travel Advisory of level 3 or above, students will be required to consult with the Director of the Lewis Global Studies Center, and, if approval is given, the student will have to complete a supplemental Acknowledgement of Risk & Release Form.)
  • The proposed activity must not be politically or religiously related (contact the dean of religious life in the chapel about religious activities).
  • If the proposal includes a research component and the proposed research involves human subjects you may additionally be required by federal law to gain approval from a formally convened Institutional Review Board (IRB). This process can take up to four-to-five weeks. Students must still submit their IEG application by the posted deadline even if IRB approval is pending. If the student intends to interview or study people for their research project, please visit the Smith College Institutional Review Board Approval for more information or contact Johanna Ravenhurst.
     

Note: Some college funds (including the Tomlinson Fund) may have restrictions about combining funding sources. Students should familiarize themselves with the criteria of each fund to which they apply.

International students must consult with the International Students and Scholars Office regarding their visa clearance to travel abroad and return to the United States.

A federally mandated withholding tax of 14 percent may be applied to grants awarded directly to international students at the time the funds are disbursed by the Controller's Office.

International students may consult with the Controller's Office or the International Students and Scholars Office to determine if this tax will be withheld and to learn how these funds may be returned to the student when the student files taxes.

Project Categories

Proposals will be accepted in the following categories:

  • Intensive language study and proficiency with a preference for language study beyond the novice level
  • Practical experiences related to majors, minors, concentrations, or other academic requirements
  • Independent research projects linked to your academic area of interest and supported by a faculty mentor
  • Smith College faculty-led programs (including Global FLEX, and other similar opportunities)
    • Special note for Tibetan Studies in India Program students: if you are applying for funding to support study on the Tibetan Studies in India Program, any IEG funds awarded will be disbursed directly to the program to cover fees and expenses.

Evaluation of Proposals

As this is a competitive grant, your proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Proposal clearly outlines your proposed activity.
  • Proposal clearly describes what you hope to learn. 
  • Proposal clearly demonstrates how the proposed activity is relevant to your course of study or future goals. 
  • Proposal clearly shows you have considered your preparation or need for preparation in order to execute your plan. 
  • Determination of final funding amount will be based in part on the level of your financial need as determined by Student Financial Services.

How to Apply

To apply for an IEG complete the application in Smith International Travel Experiences System (SITES).

  • This application includes 5 short-answer questions and a budget worksheet.
  • If the proposed activity is not a Smith faculty-led program, you must upload a program brochure or URL for the program that provides a description of your proposed program or project, program dates, and costs. If your proposed program or project is self-designed, upload a statement providing specific details about your proposed program or project that includes dates and specific information on what you plan to do. (PDF only.)  
  • Any questions about the IEG application may be directed to global@smith.edu.

You must complete the required IEG Student Report Form by the beginning of the second week of classes, or your student account will be charged this amount of your award. 

The college requires that students document that they spent their grant funds for the purpose for which they were awarded. To do this, upload the expense report form and copies of receipts (for at least the amount of your award) to the IEG Student Reports Google Form.

Blumberg Traveling Fellowships

The Janet Mitchell Blumberg Traveling Awards were established by Professor Phillip I. Blumberg and his children in 1976 in honor of his late wife, Janet Mitchell Blumberg ’39, who spent her junior year with the Smith program in Florence. The award allows students to augment their study abroad experiences by undertaking faculty-mentored research projects that encourage intellectual growth and cultural appreciation. Any Smith student enrolled in a Smith Program Abroad for a semester or a full academic year is eligible to apply. 

Blumberg research proposals require a Smith College faculty mentor who provides support throughout the proposal development, research phase and final presentation on campus. Projects are expected to combine observation, research and first-hand cultural experience. The award is intended to support students who can demonstrate a personal and intellectual commitment to their proposed project and whose projects will enhance the student’s understanding and appreciation of the host culture. Approximately five awards of up to $3,000 are granted each year.  This is a merit-based competition; financial need is not taken into account. Note: Blumberg funding cannot be used with Praxis funding.

Application Deadlines

Summer Proposals For All Programs: Last Monday in March. 
Geneva & Florence Fall Term Applicants: Proposals for late December through January are due Second Monday in November. 
Hamburg Yearlong Applicants: Proposals for March/spring term are due Third Monday in January.

Eligibility

  • Smith student enrolled in a Smith Program Abroad for a semester or full academic year
  • Projects should be of at least four weeks duration and take place in summer or equivalent academic break during or immediately after the student's term abroad.
  • All proposals must have the support of a Smith College faculty mentor who agrees to assist in the proposal development and final presentation.

Restrictions

Blumberg funding cannot be used with Praxis funding.

Students who apply for a Blumberg Traveling Fellowship agree to prepare and deliver a brief presentation of their project at the annual Blumberg Award Luncheon held in October. Visual aids are strongly encouraged in the form of PowerPoint, sound recordings, slides, photos, materials and so on.

Applicants also agree to submit a two-page project report, which outlines the activities undertaken, and an expense report to the Lewis Global Studies Center in the first week of classes in the fall semester. Students must upload as PDFs the two-page project report, expense report form and copies of receipts (for at least the amount of your award) to the Google Form within one week of returning to campus.

Students must consult with their JYA program director as they design and propose their projects.

Projects involving human subjects (such as interviews) must receive IRB approval before they will be considered for funding.

Submit the Blumberg Traveling Fellowship application via the Smith International Travel Experiences System (SITES) by the deadline.

Please note that the online application in SITES will include the the following components:

  1. Project proposal: outline of the project in terms of goals, procedures, concrete results the student aims to obtain and how they will be presented at the Blumberg Luncheon. Be specific in describing the project's academic validity and its connection to your academic and/or career goals. Include the project title at the top of the document. 1,000 words maximum.
  2. Personal statement: describe personal and academic preparation for the proposed project, including related activities and interests. 500 words maximum.
  3. Résumé: include all activities since high school and any community, sports or arts involvement.
  4. Letters of recommendation: One letter should be from the Smith faculty mentor and the other should be an academic recommendation from a Smith or local study abroad faculty member.

Please direct all questions to global@smith.edu.

Please note: Student academic records will be also be reviewed by the committee.

The college requires that students document that they spent their grant funds for the purpose for which they were awarded. To do this, upload the expense report form and copies of receipts (for at least the amount of your award) to the Google Form within one week of returning to campus.

Failure to do so will result in your student account being charged for the amount of your award. Any unspent funds must be returned to the Office for International Study.

Additional Resources

Praxis

Fellowships

Smith Students’ Aid Society Grants

Center for Religious & Spiritual Life