Petition Letter
Hello I am Joshua Annibale, I am heading into my third year at Queen’s University as I continue to pursue a degree in Political Studies. Currently, I am in the process of completing an external exchange application to study abroad in Milan, Italy during the Winter 2026 semester. I am excited for the opportunity to further my academic and personal development through this international experience. I understand that undergraduate students are permitted to take a maximum of 6.0 units of LOP courses. However I am requesting an exception to this limit due to my unique extenuating circumstances, which impact my ability to take a full course load and slow my degree progress toward completing 90 units required for graduation, including the 30 units needed for Political Studies. As it stands I have achieved 60 units, in order to to maintain my academic trajectory, I believe it is necessary to take more than the standard limit of LOP credits while on exchange. Taking additional courses in Milan will help me to stay on pace academically and most importantly allow me to stay connected to my degree and long-term goals. As someone aspiring to enter law and eventually work in business and economics, I see this petition as an essential step in continuing my academic journey. Studying subjects such as European Integration, international relations, and comparative legal traditions in a European context will provide unique insights not readily available at home. Moreover, studying abroad in Milan presents an extraordinary opportunity to immerse myself in a different political and cultural environment. Experiencing Italian and broader European perspectives firsthand will allow me to engage with new academic frameworks and apply classroom learning to real-world settings. I am extremely confident that this experience will significantly enhance both my academic growth and personal development. Learning how to adapt to new environments and building a global understanding are not only essential skills in the field of politics, but in life itself. I hope you will consider my request favourably. I am eager to make the most of my time abroad while remaining on track to complete my Political Studies degree at Queen’s. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Josh