University of the Philippines-Los Baños

Semester Program:
Fall – 20 weeks (June through October)
Spring – 20 weeks (November through March)

Internship Program:
Fall – 6 weeks (November through December)
Spring – 6 weeks (April through May)

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Study with Filipino students for a semester at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños!!

Established in 1909, the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) is one of the premier universities in the Philippines.  With an enrollment of 7,100 undergraduates and 2,300 graduate students from throughout Asia, UPLB offers a comprehensive academic program.  Students may enroll in courses that are similar to those offered by MSU or take courses that focus on Asia and the tropical environment.

Don’t forget to also visit Prof. Bernsten’s Web site. It contains detailed information about the program, maps of the area, photographs, and more!

Where does it take place?

The Philippines is a chain of 7,000 islands and inlets located in the heart of Southeast Asia.   The university is located in Los Baños, which lies at the foothills of Mt. Makiling and on the shore of Laguna de Bay – the largest freshwater lake in Asia.  UPLB’s 56-square mile campus has 71 academic buildings, a student union, dorms, experimental fields, a botanical garden, and a forest reserve. 

Situated only 40 miles south of Manila, students have easy access to the cultural and social amenities of the capital city.  On weekends, students can travel by bus to take in a movie, spend an evening at a disco, attend a concert, visit historical sites or go shopping at one of the city’s modern malls – one even has an ice skating arena!  Students interested in the outdoors can snorkel at Hundred Islands, hike the Sierra Madre range, picnic at the world’s smallest active volcano, Taal, travel to Bagio, a mountain resort just north of Manila, or swim at one of Los Baños' famous hot springs.

What can I study?

Semester Program

UPLB offers courses in all academic areas:

Students may enroll in any of UPLB’s courses, subject to the approval of their MSU department for the transfer of credit upon return to the U.S.

All students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12), maximum of fifteen (15) semester credits.

All classes are taught in English.  Students will have access to e-mail through local Internet service providers.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

Internship Option

Los Baños is the headquarters of many national and international research agencies.  In addition, many U.S. firms have offices in Manila and numerous NGO’s provide assistance to women and poor families.  Internship opportunities are available for students in all majors.

Three (3) credits may be earned by participating in an internship during the six-week period following the regular semester program.

What are the requirements?

Students must be of at least sophomore status and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least a 2.5 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission. 

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program and will be required to participate in a selection interview.

Students admitted to the program will be required to participate in a pre-departure orientation to the Philippines offered during the spring semester prior to departure.

This program is open to MSU students only.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will be housed in a dormitory at UPLB (single or double occupancy rooms are available) or may choose to rent an apartment near campus.

Meals can be purchased at the campus cafeteria or at numerous local restaurants, including a McDonalds at the campus entrance!

Who can tell me more about this program?

Richard Bernsten
Department of Agricultural Economics
211-E Agriculture Hall
Phone:  (517) 355-3449  

Larry Leefers
Department of Forestry
113 Natural Resources Building
Phone:  (517) 355-0097

Taylor Johnston
Crop and Soil Sciences
260 Plant and Soil Sciences
Phone: (517) 355-0271 ext. 1164

Russ Freed
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
384C Plant and Soil Sciences
Phone: (517) 355-0271 ext. 1187

Frances Kaneene
Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies
138 Natural Resources
Phone:  (517) 355-0798

Rhonda Crackel
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
121 Agriculture Hall
Phone:  (517) 353-8873

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone:  (517) 353-9202

Check Prof. Bernsten’s Web site for a more detailed description of this program.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within Asia.  Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least 4-8 weeks before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines to consider before departure.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The TOTAL COST of this program (including airfare) is $500 to $1,000 less than a semester on campus at MSU!

Funds paid directly by the student include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $5,284 for fall 2008.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

A program fee of $127 (fall 2008) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

NOTE:  All CANR majors will receive a scholarship from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Contact Rhonda Crackel for details.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science also offer their students special study abroad scholarships.  Check with Rhonda Crackel in CANR or Oumatie Marajh in CSS for further details.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall semester participation.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. 

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu

Return to the Study Abroad Home Page