WINTERTemplatePre-Departure

OrientationA

PR

IL 2013

BSU Office of Study Abroad

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01Turn in Documents in Office

• Passport copy• Participation agreement• Health Form

• Acceptance letter from affiliate provider

• Transfer of credit form (semester study abroad students)

http://www.bridgew.edu/study

abroad/forms

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02Passports and Visas

• Check passport expiration date!• Photocopy your passport before you

go, and bring it with you – Don’t keep it in the same place as

your passport• Visa requirements vary depending

on country, length of stay, purpose of visit

www.state.gov –keep up to date with country-specific travel info and travel warnings

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03Meetings

• Each Study Abroad program will have program specific meetings that are mandatory!

• You will receive email with information about the date and time of the meetings

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04Packing

• Carry on luggage– Laptops, cameras, etc– No liquids over 3 oz. in carry on

luggage– in a clear plastic bag• What to pack

– Multi purpose clothing– Comfortable shoes– Electrical adaptors

• What NOT to bring– Expensive jewelry– Unnecessary credit cards,

social security card, etc– Excess cash• Luggage weight – check for

additional baggage fees with the airline

• Check with airline for any updated information

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05Contact and Travel Info

• Leave with your family:– Copy of your passport

– Flight information & Itinerary– Your in country contact info– OSA contact information

• Register your trip with Smart Travel Enrollment Program at https://step.state.gov/step/

• Register with local in-country embassy• Identify In-country resources:

– faculty leader

– program director– international programs office– resident director

06• Study Tours

– 3 BSU undergraduate or graduate credits

– Grades are factored in to your GPA

– Register for the study tour online through Infobear

** Enrollment open now **

Academic Credits

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• Faculty Leader distributes the syllabus

• 3 credits include coursework before and after dates of travel

• All activities and meetings in country are mandatory

Study Tours

08Semester/Year Abroad

• STUDY Abroad = Academic focus, not just travel

• Class attendance is important, but may not be factored into the grade.

• Follow the advice and direction of your in-country peers, contacts and directors.

09Style of Instruction

• Lecture

• Courses may meet once a week

• Accessibility of faculty/professors

• Teachers’ titles are important when you address them (Dr. Smith, Professor Smith)

• Observe other students’ style of study

10Academic Credits

Academic Year/Semester Programs– Students have to maintain a full time

status.• Undergraduates: 12 BSU Credits

– At BSU your record shows that you have a placeholder of 12 credits

– Register for the actual courses at the host university

– Grades do not factor in to GPA; will come in as transfer credits when:

• transfer credit forms received• transcript received

11Transfer of Credit Process

Visit http://www.bridgew.edu/StudyAbroad/getting-credit.cfm for all details on getting academic credit

12• Experiencing Culture Shock

– Happens to everyone– Everybody may experience different degrees of

culture shock at different times– Take care of your mental health: stress, anxiety,

sleeplessness, depression– Use BSU and in-country support services when

needed

• Represent us well– BSU Conduct Code– Host university Code– Host country laws

• Appropriate dress

• Intercultural Communication

While Abroad

13•Send back to BSU Study

Abroad any course changes you make

•Complete new transfer credit form via email

•Before you leave your host university – make sure you request to have your transcript sent to BSU Study Abroad Office

•Keep in touch: OSA social networks, newsletter, BSU email

Communication While Abroad

14• Credit/Debit cards• Cash

• Diversify your sources of currency

• Be aware of ATM fees and exchange rates

• Plan ahead• Ask for exchange rates in

your US bank• Let your bank/credit card

company know travel dates and locations

Money Matters

15Safety• Use COMMON SENSE

• Do not be overly trusting

• Be mindful of overly advertising

yourself as American

• Let someone know where you are going

• Follow directions and safety warnings with Rx medication

• Use alcohol responsibly

• Engage in safe behavior

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Use the buddy system

• Know in-country emergency information

• Do not use any illegal drugs or

substances: BSU’s zero tolerance policy

applies abroad

16Health Information

• Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)

• Students should meet with health care provider prior to departure

• Staying healthy abroad means being healthy physically and mentally

• Travel clinics for recommended immunizations

• Prescription medications– bring extras– bottles must match contents

17Insurance Information

• CMI/Medix (www.cmi-insurance.com) • Personal, health, and travel

insurance– Study Tours– Exchanges– Summer programs– Undergraduate Research– International Service Learning

• All students should maintain personal health insurance- check with them directly for coverage

• Carry insurance cards• Any in-country treatments—save

receipts and you can be reimbursed

Affiliate providers offer their own insurance

coverage

18• Unplug—being online all the time

hinders culture assimilation• Get involved and take advantage

of opportunities– Clubs, sports, music, academic groups

• Global citizenship• Prepare in advance

– Politics, history, religion, geography– State Department website, Guide books

like Rick Steve’s and Frommer’s

• Language – basics are helpful– Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank

you, etc

– Numbers

Get the most out of being abroad

19• International phone card

and cell phones– Usually is better to purchase

in country when you arrive

• Social Networks

• Email

• SKYPE, ooVoo, and other IMs

• Set realistic expectations– Of service– How often you will check in

with people back home

Communication

20• Course registration while abroad—review course

selections with advisor via email– http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/

• On-campus housing– http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/– Global Village: International Residential Learning

Community, opening fall 2013• Study tours—any final projects• Semester/AY Programs – if you haven’t completed

your Transfer of Credits, do it once you return from your Study Abroad program

• Study Abroad Ambassadors – Mentor incoming international exchange students– Point of contact for other students interested in

Study Abroad

Planning Your Return

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• Dr. Mary Lou FriasBSU Health Services

• Rita CamaraResidential Life and Housing

• Lt. Ryan Tepper

Campus Police

• Study Abroad Ambassadors

Additional Information

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Questions?

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Happy Travels!

Additional Information