OIP would do well to find the g-spot

How should I phrase a letter to a professor who has most likely forgotten that she agreed to fill out a study abroad evaluation for me? I have a certain talent for apologizing in an effective, sincere way, but I have no idea how to gently tell someone when she has probably made a mistake. Should I assume that she remembers agreeing to do this, and just wants to wait until closer to the due date to fill out the form? Too Pollyanna-ish a view, and therefore risky. Alternatively I could remind her why I needed it done early and go through the logistics, assuming that she still cares. This whole letter is going to take on a terribly assuming tone if she has no memory of who I am, but I don't want to offend her by assuming she needs to be reminded. Can I discretely insert a picture and a seating chart with my usual desk highlighted?

The truth is, the evaluation form is too short to be meaingful but still a logistical hassle for professors who could be doing more valuable things, like writing full recommendations for students who actually need to prove something. Recommendations should be optional for non-competitive programs -- a useful tool for students who think that their letter grades do not reflect their actual academic potential. If OIP moves quickly on this initiative, I may not have to mail this letter at all.

OIP: Office of Inept Programs

For many Hoyas, Study Abroad has been written in our destiny since we showed up for NSO. Approximately 50% of Georgetown students will go abroad during their four year stint on the hilltop. With numbers like these, you would expect our overseas studies departments would be world class. You would be wrong. Luckily even OIP's shortcomings can't ruin it for you. I had the most amazingly experiences on my semester south of the border, but the OIP had little to do with my overall satisfaction.

My journey, like every one’s, began in the OIP resource center, poring over thick binders of poorly organized, useless information. The limitations on study abroad sites quickly produce a road block more formidable than the Great Wall of China. To add insult to injury, this is the point where you realize that “direct matriculation” does not mean you will be paying your host university’s tuition. Oh no. You still get to pay for the full $17,000 even though the University of Tanzania charges other students a whopping $500 per semester. Sound fair to you?

So you grin and bear it, you finish the application process which seems a little stressful at the time, but it’s okay. You’re done, right? Wrong again, amigo. Once you’re accepted, it’s time to prep for the trip, go to completely useless pre-departure orientations and then receive out-of-date information on visa requirements, etc. When the sheet says, “Only requires a DC background check,” it really means “This country needs to know everything you’ve ever done, including your pre-school grades (they accept nothing less than a crocodile in sharing), so go get an FBI background check like yesterday.” True story.

Your semester begins and you love the people there, everything is so new and amazing, but then you have to register for classes. Don’t expect help from the OIP when you’re confused. Instead, expect to e-mail your adviser only to find that they’re out of the country for the next two weeks. So basically, you’re on your own, suck it up.

The moral of the story is that the OIP is in need of some major reforms. Georgetown is a school renowned for the SFS and linguistic programs, yet our overseas programs are complicated, expensive and limited by bureaucracy. My closing advice: buy a big bottle of ibuprofen, because the OIP is one big pain in the…lederhosen.