Study Abroad??

[smustang51]

Hey everyrbody, I am currently applying for the BDCP and have a question about studying abroad while on the program. I've asked my recruiter about it and he advises against it during the regular semesters. The program that I was considering is Semester At Sea and, basically, you go on a ship for one semester and travel around the World while you study. Afterward your hours/units (12) are transferred to your home college for credit. I realize that you must meet with an officer once per month as well as the biannual physical, so I'm not sure if that would be feasible overseas. If it's a no-go, I'll just do it in the summer, but I would really like to go next semester. If anyone has any definitive advice, I would really appreciate it.

 

[Godspeed]

I too am curious about this. Can any recruiters step in?

 

[gtg941f]

I'm studying abroad this summer. The only hassle is that I need to contact every embessy when i arrive in each country. I'll try ot get you more details when I have time.

 

[nublett]

Have you guys asked Wink? This is a though one and I have absolutly no experience with it. Wink was a recruiter and is very helpful. You might want to PM him.

 

[gaijin6423]

I was maybe in a slightly different situation, as my program was funded through both private foundations and TAD orders, but I was selected to go to Japan after I graduated from USNA. Your program sounds quite a bit different, as our's (ROTC also participates) was about 1.5 summertime months in a specific foreign country. Most people who participate wind up going to classes in whatever nation they go to, but our specific Japanese program was a bit different. 3 weeks as JMSDF officer candidates (sort of), and 3 weeks sightseeing and teaching a bit of conversational English at the Japanese National Defense Academy (think USNA, USMA and USAFA rolled into one). The private groups that helped send us over there were the Cox and Olmstead Foundations, if you're interested. Not sure if those programs are accessible to you, but you might want to look into it as a compromise.

 

[Tom]

You do not have to have a physcial twice a year, just the fitness test.

 

[Gatordev]

Just to broaden the scope here a bit... One of the issues that can arise is the accountability of the government. When in BDCP, you're active duty (correct?), so you're therefore held accountable to the same rules and restrictions as everyone else in the fleet. As such, some kind of Force Protection/Anti-terrorism plan has to be in place. Usually, this is just a FP message that's sent out and then approaved. Word of your presence is then sent to the embassy of the country you're going to. So while you may not be near the embassy, at least they know you're there. I'm simplifying it a bit here (not a FP officer), so if you want more details, I'm sure one of the FPOs can chime in.

Also, all the above happens in one form or another any time someone goes abroad in one of the required countries. Even on ships that pull in for liberty, this thing occurs, provided the country is on the list. I don't mean to say you can't do what you're trying to do, just that this stuff may be a hurdle to overcome. Should be doable, though.