<p>Hello,</p>
<p>does anybody know what the first semester abroad options are for Class of 2016 admits for 2012/2013 school year? I'm not talking about the JanPlan one month abroad program but the actual first semester abroad program. From my research I found in the past it was Salamanca, Spain and Dijon, France but the France semester abroad hasn't been updated since 2007. </p>
<p>Thanks in adv.</p>
<p>Hi jjang - the two first semester abroad options Colby offers are those you listed: Salamanca, Spain and Dijon, France. Additional information about the Salamanca program can be found here: [Colby</a> College | Academics | First Semester Abroad in Salamanca](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/salamanca/salamanca-for-freshmen.cfm]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/salamanca/salamanca-for-freshmen.cfm), and information about the Dijon program can be found here: [Colby</a> College | Academics | First Semester Abroad in Dijon](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/dijon/dijon-program-information-for-freshmen.cfm]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/dijon/dijon-program-information-for-freshmen.cfm).</p>
<p>thanks! I wasn’t sure if those links were updated.</p>
<p>Do all first year students have to take their first semester abroad? If not, how is it decided what students go abroad? When do you find out whether you go abroad or not?</p>
<p>Hi, countrysurfer18 - All Colby students are not required to take their first semester abroad. Typically, about 35-40 first year students are split between our two FSA programs in Salamanca, Spain and Dijon, France, and all of them must have taken either Spanish or French while in high school. Some students selected have mentioned an interest in one of these two programs in their application for admission, others are selected by the admissions staff based on fit with the program. Students are notified of their selection in their acceptance letter to Colby. </p>
<p>General information on Colby’s First Semester Abroad programs can be found on our website: [Colby</a> College | Off-Campus Study |First Semester Abroad](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/first-semester-abroad.cfm]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ocs/first-semester-abroad.cfm).</p>
<p>I also have a few questions about this program…is it mandatory for students selected to attend these programs, or can they opt out if they’d much rather spend their semester on the actual campus?
also–does applying ED affect whether or not you are selected for the program (so long as you do not express any interest for it in your application?)
On the Colby FAQ site, it seemed as though mostly waitlisted students were selected for the first semester abroad (other than students who expressed interest). Is this the case?
thanks if anyone can answer this!!</p>
<p>I applied ED to Colby and was deferred. Does anyone know my chances for acceptance in regular decision? Are more students rejected or deferred? Also, If I am accepted into the first semester study abroad program- am I required to attend or can I just start Colby in January?</p>