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 (below) and submit their paper to scienceadvising@purdue.edu.

     • Study Abroad: Reflection Paper Guidelines

       We hope that your time abroad is enriching --- academically, socially, and culturally. Part of a successful

       study abroad experience is the ability to critically reflect on that experience and articulate it well to

       others. Consequently, in order to complete the language and culture requirement of the core curriculum

       through study abroad, you must write a reflection paper.

       Although there is no page limit on this paper, in order to adequately reflect on the cultural aspects of

       your experience a minimum four double-spaced page reflection paper is required. College-level writing

       that has been spell-checked and proof read is expected. This paper is due the first day of the semester

       following the conclusion of the Study Abroad program.

       Preparation

       1. Plan in advance for this paper by keeping a journal, mementos, or correspondence.

       2. Spend some time brainstorming: review specific events, striking conversations, sights, sounds,

       and even smells.

       3. Try to sum up your experience in a sentence or two. Is there a word, phrase, or theme that

       captures it?

       Analysis

       In your paper reflect on some or all of the following questions:

        In what ways is the culture where you studied different from your own?

        How is this culture similar to your own?

        What, if anything, shocked you?

        How does this culture define “learning” or “knowledge”?

        How have cultural differences made you more aware of your own culture---of its benefits,

       limitations, strengths, or biases?

        In what ways might your own culture/society benefit by learning from that of others, specifically

       from the one in which you studied?

        How do cultural differences allow others to view you differently than you view yourself?

       You must address the following question:

       How might your experience abroad affect your future --- with regard to academic, social, career, and/or

       personal choices?

   • Students are contacted with a decision at the conclusion of the review process