Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13193
Submitted: May 19, 2025 at 3:01:22 PM
First Name: Joshua
Last Name: Annibale
Pronoun: He/Him
Student Number: 20404609
Email: 22mqf2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
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
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: As part of my academic plan for studying abroad in Milan, I have carefully selected a series of courses that not only align with my Political Studies degree at Queen's but also provide valuable new perspectives that will strengthen my understanding of global governance. Firstly, I plan to take 'The European Union in The World: Crisis or Transformation?' - a course that will deepen my knowledge of supranational governance and contemporary geopolitical challenges. This topic is less emphasized in my current program, and studying it from within Europe will offer firsthand insight into the EU's evolving global role. Secondly, taking ‘International Relations in the Middle East: A Comparative European Perspective’ will allow me to examine global diplomacy through an alterntaive regional lens, expanding my understanding of international relations in a way that compliments the political frameworks I have studied at Queen's. In addition, ‘The Economics of European Integration’ will enhance my grasp of the political and economic dynamics that influence policymaking within the EU, helping me explore how economic forces shape governance on a regional scale. This course directly supports my interest in the intersection of politics, economics, and law-fields I hope to engage within my future career. Roman Law and Common Law: Two Jurisprudential Traditions in Comparison will further strengthen my academic foundation by exploring the legal traditions that underpin modern western governance. As I intend to pursue law after graduation, this comparative legal perspective will provide essential context for understanding the roots of contemporary legal systems and their political implications. Lastly, I plan to enroll in Personal Marketing: Performance Skills at Work as an elective. While distinct from traditional political studies, this course will equip me with professional development tools that are rarely covered in my Queen's course work. Learning to effectively communicate my strengths and present myself in diverse professional environments will be a critical asset as I prepare for both law school and a future career in business or economics. In order to ensure academic success during my time abroad, I plan to maintain an organized study schedule, seek support from local academic advisors and professors, and regularly check in with my Queen's academic advisor to stay on track with my degree requirements. I am committed to actively participating in coursework and taking advantage of the cultural resources in Milan to broaden my learning. These courses and planned strategies are central to both my short-term academic progress and long-term goal of building a career grounded in law, international affairs, and economic policy.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC