Am I eligible?
How many students are selected to participate in a studio abroad, and how are they selected?
If I am selected to participate, do I need to accept?
What courses will I take?
What are the costs of the studio abroad program?
What will my GSD student status be while in a studio abroad?
Do I need a visa, and how do I get one?
If I am not selected for a studio abroad, are there other travel opportunities for me at the GSD?
Whom should I contact for more information or additional questions?

 

Am I eligible?
Any GSD student who is eligible to take a studio option in the coming semester and is in good academic standing is eligible to participate in a studio abroad, unless otherwise noted. Studios can sometimes be directed toward students with a particular design background, in which case you should check with your Program Director to determine if it makes sense for you to apply. Students who have participated in a previous studio abroad program at the GSD are not eligible.

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How many students are selected to participate in a studio abroad, and how are they selected?
A minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 14 students are selected to study abroad each semester. Students that are selected to participate in the study abroad program are chosen by a lottery system. The selection is completely random, and each student has an equally likely chance of being chosen. Interested students must submit a paper ballot by the given deadline in order to be included in the running of the lottery.

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If I am selected, do I need to accept?
If you submit a ballot and are entered into the studio abroad lottery then it is expected that you will accept your spot in the studio. There is an opportunity, immediately after participants are notified, to revoke your ballot with no penalty to you. In this case, the next person on the waitlist will be offered a position in the studio abroad program.

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What courses will I take?
While studying abroad you will take one option studio plus two seminars, equivalent to 16 credits. You will also have the option to take an independent study, for a combined total of 20 credits which is the equivalent to one term at the GSD.

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What are the costs associated with the studio abroad progam?
Tuition and fees are the same for a studio abroad as they are for a normal semester at the GSD. If you receive financial aid, you will still receive this while studying abroad. Though these costs remain the same, you may find additional costs such as travel, housing, lower currency exchange rates, etc. while studying abroad and should keep this in mind as you decide whether or not to enter the lottery. Any costs associated with obtaining visas are the full responsibility of the student.

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What will my GSD student status in the studio abroad program?
You will remain a full time matriculated student at the GSD while participating in a studio abroad, and will pay normal tuition and fees as if you were studying at the GSD in Cambridge, MA.

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Do I need a visa? How do I get one?
Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary visas for any GSD travel, including all costs associated with these visa(s). Whether or not you will need a visa while studying abroad depends on your citizenship and where you will be studying abroad. The best way to determine this is to visit the consulate’s website for the country in which you will be studying. If you do need a visa, it is recommended that you begin the visa process as early as possible in order to plan for any unknown difficulties in obtaining this. You can apply for a visa through an embassy or consulate in the U.S. or through a visa processing vendor. Due to certain country-specific requirements, vendors can’t assist with all visa and passport applications–such as when you’re required to make a personal appearance at an embassy or consulate. For more information about applying for visas, review Global Support Services’ website.

Whether you need a visa or not, all students traveling on Harvard business must register their itinerary and travel/lodging details by going to https://www.globalsupport.harvard.edu/ and following the instructions listed.

Please visit our website for more information on travel safety and guidelines.

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If I am not selected for a studio abroad, are there other travel opportunities for me at the GSD?
The GSD provides numerous opportunities for those who wish to incorporate domestic or international travel into their curriculum or research. Please see the Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning and Design Fellowships, Prizes and Travel programs to see other ways that you can apply for travel opportunities. Also, the GSD course catalog lists recent and future travel opportunities within studio options that are led at the GSD in Cambridge, MA.

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Whom do I contact for additional information or questions?
For additional information or questions, please contact Selena Shabot ([email protected]).

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