From the Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland, to the University of Otago in New Zealand, South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) international transfer program enables SPSCC students to think global after graduation. The international transfer program is an extension to the college’s already robust study abroad selections and offers a more long-term option for students who wish to live and study in another country. Through the international transfer program, SPSCC has created partnerships with colleges from all over the world so SPSCC students can complete their four-year degree overseas.
Like transferring to an in-state school, an international transfer follows a similar process. International transfer students would first complete their associate degree at SPSCC. After graduation, the student would then transfer to one of the universities that has created an articulation agreement with SPSCC. If the student has completed the pre-requisites to enter their selected program, the international university will accept the credits that the student previously earned, and the student will continue their studies at the overseas school.
Dr. Patrick Chapman, an anthropology professor at SPSCC, is also the founder of the college’s international transfer program. The program was born around 2011, while Chapman was visiting Otago Polytechnic, a college in New Zealand that has been a friend to SPSCC for over three decades. Chapman says during this visit, he met with Otago Polytechnic to discuss how the colleges could create a more direct partnership. “The idea of transfers came about, where students can do their two-year degree here and transfer down there,” says Chapman.
Chapman was interested in creating a program of this type because international transfers can have many benefits for SPSCC students. Not just for the experience of studying in another county, an international degree can also cost less money and it can take less time to earn a degree abroad. After meeting with Otago Polytechnic, Chapman then contacted neighboring school to Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago.
“I approached the anthropology department and explained that our classes are similar to the classes there and they were interested,” he says. “The University of Otago ended up partnering with us so students can major in and earn bachelor’s degrees in anthropology, English, history, philosophy, or politics down there now.”
The international transfer program has also since expanded to schools in Europe and Australia after Chapman reached out to programs that he thought would be a good fit for SPSCC graduates. In addition to Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago, SPSCC currently has articulation agreements with the American Business School of Paris, Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland, Deakin University in Australia, Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Glasgow in Scotland.
Get Ready to Transfer Your World
To find specific program requirements, the international transfer page on the SPSCC website contains information about each school, including classes required to enter certain programs. Chapman says completing pre-requisite classes are important for a smooth transfer process. Areas of study vary from school to school and include business administration, anthropology, film studies, politics and chemistry.
For students interested in transferring internationally, it is recommended to meet with Chapman as a first step. As the coordinator of the international transfer program, he has specific insights and advice on how to successfully transfer internationally.
“I can make sure to keep them updated if there are changes to the agreement,” he explains. “And then, a lot of these universities don’t normally have community college students transferring there, because they don’t have community colleges in their country. Not everybody who works at those universities are going to be familiar with these agreements. So, when one of the students is getting ready to apply, I contact those universities to say this student will be applying, keep an eye out for it. Then their coordinators over there will inform everybody and help facilitate the process.”
Several SPSCC students and graduates are currently participating in the international transfer program. One SPSCC alumnus began at Goldsmiths, University of London in September to complete a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. Two students have been accepted to the University of Otago for the upcoming school year. Three students have completed and submitted applications, one to the University of Otago and two to Otago Polytechnic. Two more students are in the application process to the University of Otago. Four more are ready to apply to international universities in the near future and are in contract with representatives of their chosen schools.
Earning an international degree has a multitude of benefits, including the employment prospects that can arise from earning an international degree. “The students can get new perspectives by living in another country,” Chapman shares. “They can get different ideas of how to do things, how the world works. Of course, they can bring that back into their workplace, so they have that kind of competitive advantage compared to those students who don’t have an international background.”
To learn more about the international transfer program and the degrees offered, visit the South Puget Sound Community College website.
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