Petition Letter
Rebecca Davidson
Student ID# 20401321
Queen’s University
September 11th, 2025
Dr. Dorit Naaman
Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen’s University
Re: Academic Petition Letter to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another university
Dear Dr. Naaman,
I am petitioning to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another university. Specifically, I am requesting to take 15.0 units of courses during the Winter 2026 term through the Sant’Anna Institute in Italy, whose school of record is Jacksonville University, Florida. Jackson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. This winter term study abroad program is offered through SAI.
I am a full-time third-year student in good standing with a GPA of 2.97 in the Bachelor of Arts Honours program, pursuing a Psychology Major and an English Language and Literature Minor. I qualified for, and applied to, a bilateral exchange program at Queen’s, but was unable to be matched due to overwhelming demand. I therefore am seeking an opportunity to study abroad independently.
The SAI program at Sant’Anna Institute offers an exceptional academic opportunity to broaden my academic horizons while aligning with the requirements of my undergraduate program. The opportunity to learn, study, and grow abroad is one that will strengthen my academic foundation, complement my current studies at Queen’s, and further my long-term goal to become an educator. This program offers immersive learning opportunities to help develop cultural competence, which is particularly meaningful in my Psychology studies. Other factors I have considered include SAI’s attention to student safety and Italy’s reputation as a celiac-friendly destination. I also chose SAI because the Queen’s International Program Office has previously issued International Letters of Permission for SAI programs.
I am requesting permission to take 15.0 units of elective courses during the Winter 2026 term, including Cross-Cultural Psychology, History of the Mafia, Drawing on Location, Introduction to Marine Biology, and Elementary Italian Language. Each course offers experiential learning that is unique to the region and unavailable at Queen’s. While some courses have similarities to courses offered at Queen’s (e.g., Mafia Culture LLCU 214, Introductory Drawing ARTF 100, Beginning Italian ITLN 111), the courses through SAI offer an exceptional opportunity for deep immersion into the culture, language, and living history in Italy. Other courses, including Cross-Cultural Psychology and Introduction to Marine Biology, do not have equivalents at Queen’s, or are only offered through Bader College, UK.
My academic progress toward my Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology Major and English Minor will not be adversely affected by this study semester abroad. I have mapped out my Academic Plan below and can confirm that I will satisfy my program requirements in both Psychology and English by the end of the 2026-2027 Academic year, and be on track to graduate at the end of my fourth year.
Thank you for your time to consider my petition. I am committed to furthering my education and upholding Queen’s standards of academic excellence as I embark on my journey to study abroad independently. I would be extremely grateful for your support in taking these 15.0 units of courses on an International Letter of Permission.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Davidson
Queen’s Student # 20401321
Student ID# 20401321
Queen’s University
September 11th, 2025
Dr. Dorit Naaman
Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen’s University
Re: Academic Petition Letter to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another university
Dear Dr. Naaman,
I am petitioning to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another university. Specifically, I am requesting to take 15.0 units of courses during the Winter 2026 term through the Sant’Anna Institute in Italy, whose school of record is Jacksonville University, Florida. Jackson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. This winter term study abroad program is offered through SAI.
I am a full-time third-year student in good standing with a GPA of 2.97 in the Bachelor of Arts Honours program, pursuing a Psychology Major and an English Language and Literature Minor. I qualified for, and applied to, a bilateral exchange program at Queen’s, but was unable to be matched due to overwhelming demand. I therefore am seeking an opportunity to study abroad independently.
The SAI program at Sant’Anna Institute offers an exceptional academic opportunity to broaden my academic horizons while aligning with the requirements of my undergraduate program. The opportunity to learn, study, and grow abroad is one that will strengthen my academic foundation, complement my current studies at Queen’s, and further my long-term goal to become an educator. This program offers immersive learning opportunities to help develop cultural competence, which is particularly meaningful in my Psychology studies. Other factors I have considered include SAI’s attention to student safety and Italy’s reputation as a celiac-friendly destination. I also chose SAI because the Queen’s International Program Office has previously issued International Letters of Permission for SAI programs.
I am requesting permission to take 15.0 units of elective courses during the Winter 2026 term, including Cross-Cultural Psychology, History of the Mafia, Drawing on Location, Introduction to Marine Biology, and Elementary Italian Language. Each course offers experiential learning that is unique to the region and unavailable at Queen’s. While some courses have similarities to courses offered at Queen’s (e.g., Mafia Culture LLCU 214, Introductory Drawing ARTF 100, Beginning Italian ITLN 111), the courses through SAI offer an exceptional opportunity for deep immersion into the culture, language, and living history in Italy. Other courses, including Cross-Cultural Psychology and Introduction to Marine Biology, do not have equivalents at Queen’s, or are only offered through Bader College, UK.
My academic progress toward my Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology Major and English Minor will not be adversely affected by this study semester abroad. I have mapped out my Academic Plan below and can confirm that I will satisfy my program requirements in both Psychology and English by the end of the 2026-2027 Academic year, and be on track to graduate at the end of my fourth year.
Thank you for your time to consider my petition. I am committed to furthering my education and upholding Queen’s standards of academic excellence as I embark on my journey to study abroad independently. I would be extremely grateful for your support in taking these 15.0 units of courses on an International Letter of Permission.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Davidson
Queen’s Student # 20401321