TIPSStudying AbroAd

for studentsbefore you go

cominghome

WhiLeyou’re there

the university of ioWastudy abroad

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The staff of Study Abroad is committed to helping you get the most out of your sojourn. Whether you will be away for a few weeks on a short-term program, or for an entire academic year, we know that the experience will have a lasting impact on you academically, professionally, and personally.

We encourage you to study this handbook, which has been compiled with your needs in mind. Here you will find everything from tips about guidebooks and packing to ideas about how you can keep your international experience alive once you get back. In between, there’s everything from credit transfer to culture shock, how to use ATM cards overseas to a discussion of cross-cultural dating patterns.

Please pack this handbook with the rest of your belongings and make use of it while you’re overseas. Some of the information it contains is important for you to know before you leave the States, but some of it may only make sense to you after you’ve been abroad for a while.

Once again, we commend you for your commitment to internationalize your academic experience. Best wishes for an exciting and meaningful journey.

Study AbroadInternational ProgramsUniversity of Iowa 1111 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, IA 52242-1802 T 319/335-0353study-abroad@uiowa.edu

CongrAtulAtionS on your decision to study abroad!

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tAble of ContentS 1 Before You Go 1

Academic Credit Flow Chart iv

Documentation 1

Power of Attorney 2

Packing 4

Airport Security 5

Guidebooks 6

Country-Specific Information 7

2 While You’re There 9

Health Issues 9

Safety Guidelines 13

Money 15

Recording Your Experience 17

Communication 18

Culture Shock 21

Minorities Abroad 23

Gender Issues Abroad 24

LGBT Issues Abroad 25

Relationships 27

Environmental Issues 29

3 Coming Home 31

Reverse Culture Shock 31

Getting Involved 32

4 Resources and Information 34

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ACAdemiC Credit flow ChArtStudying abroad is an academic experience. Hopefully this simple flow chart can help you determine how to ensure that credit from your time abroad is smoothly absorbed into your academic record here at the University of Iowa.

Select your program

Elective credit

Consult with Study Abroad

advisor

General Education Program credit

Get a Credit Approval Form (CAF) from your Study Abroad advisor

Major Credit/Minor Credit/

Certificate Program Credit

Consult with your academic advisor

Automatic, if you are on a US-accredited

program

File CAF with the Study Abroad before you go

While abroad, keep copies of all syllabi, course descriptions, papers, exams, etc.

If you qualify for federal financial aid, and you are

going on a non-UI program, visit the Financial Aid Of-

fice with your CAF and information about your study abroad program

before you file the CAF

Midway through your first semester back on campus, check with Study Abroad to

see if we’ve received your transcript. If you took classes overseas which were not pre-approved on your CAF, further consulta-tion about that credit may be required.

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doCumentAtionPassPorts

Hopefully by now you’ve applied for a passport. If not, get started on that right away. They can take weeks or months to receive. Passports are issued by the U.S. government to U.S. citizens (or your own government, if you’re a citizen of another country). Applications are available from the local post office or can be downloaded from the web at http://travel.state.gov/passport/. Be sure to make several color photocopies of the inside front cover of your passport. Leave one with someone at home and take the other copy with you (kept separate from your actual passport) in case your passport is lost or stolen. It’s also prudent to scan and email it to yourself or a family member. That way, a copy of your passport is no further than the nearest computer with a printer. You may also want to take a notarized copy of your birth certificate with you as proof of ID in case your passport is stolen.

the visa

A visa is permission from a foreign government to apply for entry at the border, and can be obtained from foreign consulates in the U.S. or in other countries. They are issued for specific purposes, such as work, travel, tourism, or study. Even if you’re only planning to travel for a short time, some countries require a visa stamped in your passport.

Visit the state departments website for more information. http://travel.state.gov/travel/.

Though some study abroad programs provide information on acquiring visas, it’s often the student’s responsibility to apply. Consulates are not open for very many hours each day and are often short-staffed. Consulates are closed on national holidays. If you plan on leaving your host country for a neighboring country while abroad, you will have to research the visa requirements of the second county. You will also need to be sure that you can re-enter you host country. Please scan or photocopy your visa.

residence Permits

This is permission to remain in another country for an extended period. Some study abroad programs will assist participants with the paperwork necessary to obtain a residence permit, but be prepared to take care of this on your own at a police station or city government office when you reach your host country.

1. before you go

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emergency Processing

If you’ve left things to the last minute, it’s possible to apply for an expedited passport. If you’re applying for a renewal passport and your previous passport was issued when you were 16 years old or over, you may do this through the mail. If you’re applying for a U.S. passport for the first time or if you’re applying for a renewal and your previous passport was issued when you were under 16, you must apply in person at a U.S. passport agency. Applying for an expedited passport involves an extra fee in addition to the routine service fee of $100. For more information, contact the USPS Passport Agent at the Iowa City Post Office, 400 S. Clinton St., (319) 354-1560, or see http://travel.state.gov/

It’s also possible to use the services of an agency. For a fee, the agency will handle your applications and help you obtain a passport and visas quickly. It all depends on proof of departure date and is practical only for truly last-minute cases.

Power of AttorneyThe right to take legal action on another person’s behalf is conferred using Power of Attorney. In terms of studying abroad, it’s especially useful when it comes to things like financial aid disbursement or dealing with the student’s financial institution while he or she is out of the country. Following is a brief explanation of Power of Attorney.

What is PoWer of attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal instrument that is used to delegate legal authority to another. The person who signs (executes) a Power of Attorney is called the Principal. The Power of Attorney gives legal authority to another person (called the Agent or Attorney-in-Fact) to make property, financial, and other legal decisions for the Principal.

are there different tyPes of PoWer of attorney?

Yes. There are Nondurable, Durable, and Springing Power of Attorney.

• A Nondurable Power of Attorney is used for a specific transaction, like the closing on the sale of property, or the handling of financial affairs while the Principal is traveling outside of the country.

• A Durable Power of Attorney enables the Agent to act for the Principal even after the Principal is not mentally competent or physically able to make decisions. The Durable Power of Attorney may be used immediately, and is effective until it is revoked by the

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Principal, or until the Principal‘s death.

• A Springing Power of Attorney becomes effective at a future time. That is, it depends on the happenings of a specific event chosen by the Principal (for example, an illness or disability). A Springing Power of Attorney remains in effect until the Principal’s death, or until revoked by a court.

hoW do i seLect an agent for PoWer of attorney?

You should choose a trusted family member, a proven friend, or a professional with an outstanding reputation for honesty. Remember, signing a Power of Attorney that grants broad authority to an Agent is very much like signing a blank check. Most students who study abroad designate one or both of their parents as Agents. However, know that if you appoint two or more Agents, you must decide whether they must act together in making decisions involving your affairs, or whether each can act separately.

once i sign PoWer of attorney, may i make LegaL and financiaL decisions for myseLf?

Yes. The Agent named in a Power of Attorney is your representative, not your boss. As long as you have the legal capacity to make decisions, you can direct your Agent to do only those things that you want done.

hoW many coPies of a PoWer of attorney shouLd i sign?

You are required to sign (execute) only one copy. However, it is not unusual for a Principal to sign several original copies. Banks and financial institutions, for example, usually require an original or a certified copy of a Power of Attorney before allowing an Agent to transact business on the Principal‘s behalf. And banks frequently provide customers with their own Power of Attorney forms.

do i need to have my signature Witnessed on a PoWer of attorney?

Yes. Your signature on the Power of Attorney must be witnessed by a Notary Public (that is, it must be notarized). Most banks and financial institutions employ notaries. When having something notarized, remember to always show a form of photo identification (your Agent should bring one, too).

do i need a LaWyer to PrePare a PoWer of attorney?

No. You are not required to hire a lawyer to draft a Power of Attorney. However, because a Power of Attorney is such an important legal instrument, the careful consumer may want to consult a lawyer.

more questions?

UI Student Legal Services is willing to help you with Power of Attorney as well as other legal concerns you may have while abroad. Visit their website for more information: http://imu.uiowa.edu/legal.

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PACkingtraveL Light, be PrePared

The secret to packing smart is to take as little as possible and yet have everything you need. A good way to determine what to bring is to lay out what you think you will need, then leave half of it at home. The vacant space in your luggage will soon be filled with the treasures you come across during your travels. Don’t load yourself down.

Consider both the physical and social climate; dress accordingly. Take drip-dry, no-iron clothes. Comfort and practicality are the keys for both clothing and shoes. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Transfer liquids from breakable containers into plastic containers. Use plastic bags to organize (you can later use the bags to separate damp items from dry, or dirty clothes from clean). Don’t overstock on toiletries; most things are available in major cities abroad.

Identify the type of luggage best suited to your needs (suitcase? backpack? carry-on/day pack?). Consider the method you will use to reach your final destination. Will you have to navigate airports, team stations, and bus stops or

will there be someone there to pick you up? Clearly identify your luggage inside (name & permanent address) and out (name & address of destination). Ask your airline whether you should lock your luggage before checking it at the airport.

Check your airline’s website for the most recent regulations on luggage weight, size, and number of pieces. In general, you’re allowed three pieces of luggage on most flights. One piece may be a carry-on and two pieces may be checked. In your carry-on, keep one change of clothes, toiletries, identification (passport, visas, ID card, etc.), and any medication. In some cases, it might be prudent to pack several days’ worth of clothing. Pack everything up; carry it around for a while by yourself (up and down the stairs, around the house). Then unpack, eliminate the nonessentials, and try again.

Clothing styles differ all over the world. Research clothing styles ahead of time, blend in, and above all else, respect the customs of your host country. It’s a good idea to layer up. Planes tend to be cold but your destination might not be.

a feW tiPs:

• Adjust your clothing style to prevent being the target of pickpockets and other unwanted attention. Trade overtly American sweatshirts, baseball caps, and new, white tennis shoes for darker-hued pants, sweaters, and walking shoes.

• Know what is culturally appropriate in women’s wear. Research local customs before you arrive in your

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host country. To avoid harassment, female students may want to adopt a clothing style similar to that of resident women. For example, a student in India should not feel required to wear a sari, but she may want to keep her shoulders and backside well-covered and avoid showing her decolletage. For clothing advice from real women, see www.journeywoman.com.

Never take anything abroad that you’re not willing to risk losing. Too often students will take a precious memento, expensive piece of jewelry, or electronic toy only to have it lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Things our returnees wished they had brought:• a more weather-appropriate jacket• American deodorant• multiple debit/credit cards• more dress clothes• luggage locks• a larger, sturdier backpack

Things our returnees wished they had left at home: • the book bag

(no one uses them in Europe)• too many books• an ineffective raincoat • too many toiletries• flat iron, hair dryer, straightener

(these are sold everywhere)• too many clothes• the alarm clock that needed to be

plugged in

The best things our returnees took with them: • a 500 GB external hard drive

for all those photos• a journal• ear plugs

• pictures of family and friends

Don’t forget any of the following: • comfortable walking shoes• at least one nice outfit• medication along with a copy

of your prescription• battery-operated alarm clock• addresses of friends and family

to send postcards to• a journal• a travel-size towel• an umbrella• your passport and airline tickets

(in your carry on!)

AirPort SeCurityWorldwide airport security regulations have gotten stricter over the years. The following tips should help you have a safer and easier experience flying. Please be aware that different airports, airlines, and countries have their own security measures that may differ slightly from those mentioned below.

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Air travelers may now carry small amounts of liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints, but there are very specific guidelines for these carry-on items. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

• Remove items found in manicure sets, pocketknives, or any other item that could be viewed as “threatening.” All knives and any other weapons of any sort are unacceptable.

• Make sure all suitcases and carry-on bags have completed nametags.

• Anticipate having to open a bag for security inspection.

• You MUST bring a government issued photo identification card, such as a driver’s license or passport. You will not be allowed to check-in without official identification.

• Be prepared to unlock your checked baggage or to have any

locks broken by security.

Check the TSA’s website http://www.tsa.gov for more tips and all the latest security policies.

before you dePart

• Call your airline’s toll-free number or check its website to reconfirm whether or not your flight is still scheduled to depart, and if it’s departing on time. Be sure to reconfirm on your return flight, as well.

• If you have an e-ticket, bring your e-ticket locator/confirmation number with you to the airport. If you were issued a paper ticket, double check that you have the ticket with you. Also, do you need to show the credit card that you paid for the ticket with? Check ahead.

• Allow plenty of time to check in. The recommended minimum is now 2 hours prior to departure for domestic flights, and 3 hours prior to departure for international flights.

checking in for the fLight

• Do not leave baggage or vehicles unattended. Anything left unattended will be immediately removed.

• Never accept packages from strangers.

• You are required to have a boarding pass before you can pass through the security checkpoint.

• Have airline tickets, boarding

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adventure of your own.

Here’s a list of travel guides that you might find helpful during your journey.• Let’s Go• Fieldings• Lonely Planet• The Rough Guide• Discovery Channel Insight Guides• Frommer’s• Footprint• Fodor’s• Rick Steves’• Green Guides

Country-SPeCifiCinformAtionOur TIPS workshop is very general, because each year students go to about 50 different countries overseas. Finding information specific to your destination will go a very long way toward having a safe and meaningful experience abroad. Here’s how you can find country-specific information that

passes, and government photos IDs available to show to security.

• Be prepared to empty all of your pockets and to demonstrate operation of electronic equipment.

• Expect increased passenger and baggage searches.

• Make it easy to be screened. Wear shoes that can be taken off and put back on relatively easily.

• If you know that your shoes have metal in them, take them off before going through the metal detector.

uPon arrivaL

• Proceed promptly through the terminal, beyond the security checkpoint.

• Have your luggage receipts available for verification when retrieving luggage.

• Visit The State Department‘s study abroad section: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/.

guidebookSSome guides are targeted toward more affluent travelers with listings of four- star hotels and resorts, while others may only provide information on inexpensive lodging. Some have better maps, others have better photos and suggestions for sightseeing. Don’t forget about the human element when seeking guides; talk to people who have been there. Sometimes the information in guidebooks is out of date, but locals and students will certainly have the pulse of the city or the country. And don’t forget to explore. Get your nose out of the guidebook and have an

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City Public Library. Your study abroad advisor will have some suggestions for you, whether you’re going to Western Europe or Southeast Asia.

find out What PeoPLe overseas think:

A good source of news and information from abroad is at Watching America, http://www.watchingamerica.com/.

cLothing questions:

Consult a Consular Information Sheet for a description of the climate, or visit Weather Underground http://www.wunderground.com for a look at the weather where you’ll be going. See also http://www.journeywoman.com for advice on what female students might expect from the local males depending on how they dress.

Lists:

A lot of students wish theyd spent more time figuring out what they want to see and do while abroad. As you’re researching your host country, keep your eyes open for places you might want to visit. Making lists and taking notes will help you prioritize while you’re in-country.

will help you prepare for your time abroad:

taLk to returnees:

We will try to put you in touch with students who have been to the place you’re going. Most returnees will be happy to answer more questions later, if you have them. If there is not a returnee at the reception from the country where you’re going, tell your advisor. We’ll do our best to find someone you can talk to before you get on that plane.

go to your country-sPecific orientation:

Study-abroad advisors try to organize a get-together for everyone going to country “X” prior to departure, and returned students are often there for you to talk to. If you’re going on a program through another U.S. college or university, read their pre-departure materials thoroughly. You will also be getting a good orientation once you’re overseas, whether on a UI program or a program offered by another school.

consuLt guidebooks:

One or two guidebooks will probably give you more information than you know what to do with. Guidebooks in the “Lonely Planet” and “Culture Shock” series are particularly useful if you want to get beyond stuff to pack and places to see. Even if you don’t buy one, spend some time at a book store with one before leaving.

buy a “cuLturegram” or read a book:

Check out http://www.culturegrams.com or check the UI Library or the Iowa

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health screening by a local physician after you arrive in order to allow you to get a temporary residence permit. Your program provider should inform you of any required shots and inoculations prior to departing. To find out about specific inoculations that may be required to enter your host country or countries in which you may wish to travel, consult the travel clinic at the Student Health Service (4189 Westlawn, 319-335-8394). You may also contact the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit their website at http://www.cdc.gov.

The CDC specifically recommends a polio booster, as many countries are not free of endemic polio viruses. Tetanus and diphtheria boosters are recommended for all students. Students traveling to the U.K. and Ireland are encouraged to get a meningitis vaccination. You should be immune to measles, mumps and rubella through vaccine or physician-diagnosed cases of these diseases. If you were born after 1957, you should have received two doses of measles vaccine in order to be immune. A gamma globulin shot is useful against hepatitis and can reinforce your immunity to other diseases. Smallpox is considered by the World Health Organization to be wiped out, but country-to-country regulations change frequently.

Any inoculation should be recorded with the officially approved stamp on the yellow form International Certificate of Vaccination as Approved

heAlth iSSueSPrePAring to trAvel AbroAd Good health is a prerequisite to an enjoyable stay abroad and crucial while you’re traveling. You may be exposed to unfamiliar climates, food, medicine, and health care systems. In many cases, a good measure of common sense and a healthy respect for your own body (and its limitations) will help to avoid medical problems. A few preliminary precautions can spare you a good deal of unpleasantness.

medicaL and dentaL checkuPs

Medical and dental checkups prior to your departure are crucial. Remember: only your physician knows your personal medical history and can advise you if your situation warrants some alteration of the general preventive guidelines outlined here. Frequently, health statements from your doctor are required to obtain a visa to enter your host country, if a visa is required.

shots and inocuLations

Some places require immunizations before allowing foreigners to enter the country. Some countries require a

2. while you’re there

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make a photocopy of your medical records in case of loss. Carry these documents in a place that is both secure and accessible by you at all times while traveling.

medicines

Prescription Medicine — If you take prescription medicine or birth control, you should research whether it’s available in your host country and bring a copy of the prescription for the generic name of the drug. In developed countries, you will need to take only an initial supply of the medication; in most developing countries, you will want to take a supply that will last your entire stay. Make sure all medications are in your carry-on.

over-the-counter remedies

If you regularly use any over-the-counter remedies, you may want to take an initial or full-year‘s supply. For customs purposes, take all medicines in their original containers. Syringes can be construed as drug paraphernalia. Bring a doctor’s note if you must bring them.

StAying heAlthy AbroAd Monitor your health. Don’t exhaust yourself. Moderation will pay off in the long run. Eat well. This doesn’t mean overspending in expensive restaurants, but it does mean eating a balanced diet. Vegetarians may find that maintaining a vegetarian diet abroad can be a challenge. It may be difficult to obtain enough quality fruits and vegetables to stay healthy, and meal plans may or may not include vegetarian offerings.

by the World Health Organization. Such forms are available through the Johnson County Health Department and must be properly stamped to be acceptable.

Since many inoculations require more than one visit to the clinic or cannot be taken in combination with others, it’s recommended that you begin your inquiries well in advance of your departure.

whAt to bring:medic aLert embLem

Be sure to wear a Medic Alert emblem (recognized internationally) for a specific medical problem (i.e., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, food or drug allergies). In how many languages can you convince a nurse that you’re allergic to a medication and not just afraid of a needle? Call 1-888-633-4298 or go to http://www.medicalert.org for information. Also utilize the Study Abroad emergency card handed out during TIPS.

medicaL records

While living and traveling abroad, it’s a wise precaution to keep personal medical records with you to be used in case of an accident or illness. A good medical record will mention ALL drugs you are taking, including any not related to disease, and identify any chronic ailments, allergies or hypersensitivities. It will also list your immunization history, blood type, eyeglass prescription, personal physician, health insurance (along with the number of the policy) and, if pertinent, your religion. Be sure to

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Some tips to help you through: Research the foods offered in your host country. You may wish to bring protein powder, vitamins, and other dietary supplements with you to ensure good nutrition. Talk to other vegetarians who have studied abroad. During orientation, check with the host-country coordinator regarding resources or suggestions to help you maintain your diet. Finally, you may need to find a tactful way to deal with social situations in which you’re offered specially prepared meals that include meat. Traveling will bring your body into contact with different bacteria; the change can unsettle your stomach or cause other health problems. Water, including ice cubes, milk, fresh fruit and unwashed, raw vegetables could upset your system until your body adjusts to its new surroundings. Know where to get treatment. Find out where health care facilities are and how to access them.

Take measures to reduce the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. As always, intimate contact could expose you to bacteria or viruses that could lead to infection or contraction of STDs, including HIV. Always use protection if you’re sexually active while abroad.

If you consume alcoholic beverages abroad, do so in moderation. Inebriation can result in poor academic performance, higher risk behavior, and/or regretted sexual activity. In many serious accidents and deaths involving students overseas, excessive alcohol consumption plays a role. Don’t become a statistic.

heAlth inSurAnCe informAtion All study abroad students are required to have health insurance while studying abroad. Most students will automatically be signed up for Iowa Regents Study Abroad Health Insurance coverage, provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). The cost of this plan is included in your program fee. Main features of this plan include the following:

Medical expense: $500,000 per accident or sickness

Pre-existing Conditions Coverage: $100,000

Mental & Nervous Illness (per lifetime): $20,000 in patient; $10,000 outpatient

Prescription Drugs (in/outpatient): 100% of eligible expenses

Emergency Medical Evacuation: 100% of covered expenses

Emergency Medical Reunion: $10,000 maximum, $300/day

Security Evacuation (natural disaster/political unrest): $100,000

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Repatriation of Remains: 100% covered expenses

Accidental Death & Dismemberment: $25,000

Trip Delay Benefit: $500 maximum, $100/day

continuous insurance coverage in the united states

Despite the extensive coverage affected by the Iowa Regents Study Abroad Health Insurance, please do not let your regular insurance coverage lapse while you are out of the country, since any medical condition for which you have already received treatment or which might develop while abroad could be considered a “pre-existing condition” when you attempt to enroll again in your local plan (either when you return after your study abroad experience, or in the event that you’re transported home because of a medical emergency).

suPPLementaL insurance PLans

If you feel you will not have adequate protection while studying abroad after reviewing the Iowa Regents insurance plan, we suggest you purchase supplemental coverage designed specifically for international travel and study. A basic plan can be expected to cost about $40 - $50 per month and will cover you only while outside of the United States.

The names of companies that provide such coverage are listed below. The University of Iowa does not endorse any specific company.

HTH Worldwide1-888-350-2002 1-800-677-7887 www.hthstudents.comstudentinfo@hthworldwide.com

CMI Insurance Specialists www.studyabroadinsurance.cominfo@cmi-insurance.com Wallach & Co., Inc. 1-800-237-6615www.wallach.com/hcglobal2000.aspinfo@wallach.com

International SOS Assistance, Inc. 1-800-523-8662www.internationalsos.com

Medex Assistance Corp. 1-410-453-6300 www.medexassist.com info@medexassist.com ISIC

Occasionally, your current insurance plan provides adequate coverage for your study abroad program with the exception of medical evacuation coverage and repatriation of remains coverage. If you need to supplement your current insurance with those coverages, consider the purchase of an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) which provides a minimum amount of insurance for students abroad.

The International Student Identification Card application is available through the Office for Study Abroad, or on-line at <http://www.myisic.com>. Its coverage is limited to the following: $300,000 Emergency Evacuation $25,000 Repatriation of Remains $25,000 Accident Medical Expense (Includes $500 Emergency Dental Coverage) $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment - Air $1,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment

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- All Other $500 Lost Document Replacement (includes your ISIC card) $165 per day Sickness/Hospital Benefit (up to 61 days) $100 Baggage Delay $100 Travel Delay Free - Travel Guard Assistance.

vACCinAtionS: CdC reCommendAtionSThe Centers for Disease Control is an American governmental organization that deals with public health and communicable diseases both in the US and around the world. The CDC provides recommendations on vaccines for US citizens travelling to other parts of the globe.

Some destinations may not require anything more than the routine series of shots most students received as children. Other countries, especially tropical ones, may require considerably more inoculations.

As a standard precaution, the CDC recommends travelers have the Hepatitis A and B series. Boosters for tetanus/diphtheria are also commonly recommended. Yellow fever, rabies, and typhoid are often prescribed for students going to less developed countries.

More vaccines and even prescription medication—particularly to prevent Malaria—may be required for a safe and healthy student abroad experience. Students traveling to tropical countries or students that will be spending time in rural areas will want to be sure they have the latest news and information on possible forms of infection and disease.

Contact your study abroad advisor if you have other questions or concerns regarding H1N1 or other recent disease outbreaks.

http://www.cdc.gov

SAfety guidelineSThe university’s top priority while sending students abroad is to bring everyone back safely. Unfortunately, students don’t seem as concerned. Studies suggest that some students engage in riskier behavior and drink more while abroad than they would at home. You may not understand what parts of your host city are dangerous and what parts are safe. Learning when you have to keep your guard up may take awhile. Use the following tips to make your international experience a safer and richer one.

be aLert:

• Be aware of your surroundings and the people with whom you have contact.

• Be wary of people who seem overly friendly or interested in you.

• Be cautious about giving out your address, phone number, or e-mail address to new acquaintances.

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• Do research of your city before departure.

bLend in:

• Don‘t dress or behave in a way that will easily identify you as a tourist or an American.

• Integrate yourself as fully as possible into the university community.

• Be sensitive about who or what you photograph.

avoid theft:

• Keep valuable items in a safe place. Lock valuables in hostel/hotel safe when touring a city. Use luggage locks if you don’t have access to a safe.

• Leave non-essential items, such as expensive jewelry, in the U.S. If you can‘t replace it, don’t bring it.

• Don’t keep all of your documents and money in one suitcase or location on your person and make copies of your documents.

• Don’t flash large amounts of money: carry and use small bills whenever possible.

• Be discreet in displaying your passport—do so only when necessary and avoid doing so in public places.

• Don’t carry anything valuable in the back pocket of your backpack or pants.

• Get in and out of airports, train, bus, and subway stations as promptly as possible.

• Use extra caution when traveling or going out alone.

• Never leave your bags unattended in an airport, bus or train station.

be PrePared for an emergency:• Carry phone numbers of program

contacts at all times.

• Know how to reach a doctor, a hospital or clinic, and the police in the country in which you are traveling.

• Have sufficient funds or a credit card on hand for emergencies.

• Always carry enough local currency to take a taxi home or to make a phone call (pay phones in some countries do not accept coins, and you may need to use a phone card).

• Know how to say, “I‘ll call the police” in other languages

be smart:

• Consume alcohol in a responsible and culturally appropriate fashion.

• Don’t accept rides with friends or acquaintances who have had too much to drink.

• Don’t use illegal drugs.

• Avoid overt acts or displays of patriotism.

• This is still real life. Consider the consequences of your behavior.

stay in touch:

• Maintain regular contact with home so that your family and others in the U.S. are assured of your safety.

• Maintain regular contact with your program director or host

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institution coordinator.

• When traveling, notify someone other than those traveling with you—preferably your host contact or director, as well as someone at home in the US—of your itinerary.

• Review U.S. State Department Travel Advisories concerning the countries or region to which you will be traveling. Travel warnings and announcements are available online: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_current.html

• Keep informed through radio and television broadcasts, by reading the newspaper, and through on-line news services: http://www.cnn.com, http://news.bbc.co.uk/, and http://www.npr.org.

• Develop political awareness.

money: how muCh money will i need while AbroAd?Study abroad programs often provide students with an estimated budget or expense sheet that will give you a good idea of how much money you will need while abroad. If not, find out what expenses you will have that aren’t included in the program fee, such as airfare, meals, textbooks, local transportation, and laundry. Also, consider how your lifestyle will change while you’re abroad. Will there be an added cost of communicating with family? Will personal items be more expensive in the country where you will be studying? Don’t forget to budget for travel and any gifts you might buy. Lastly, investigate the value of the US

dollar against the foreign currency. You can find exchange rate information on the Internet at http://www.oanda.com or in major newspapers.

to access funds abroad

While exchange rates are always better abroad, it’s a good idea to change a small amount of US dollars into the foreign currency at the airport before you leave the US to cover immediate expenses upon your arrival. Also see if you can convert currency at your bank to take advantage of favorable conditions.

There are several ways to access money while abroad: ATM cards, credit cards, traveler’s checks, and exchanging cash. Don’t rely on just one of these methods to access money. Students studying abroad for an extended period of time may want to consider opening a bank account if their program provides or on-site staff recommend this as a useful option.

atm/credit cards

In most countries it’s possible to use ATM machines to obtain local currency. ATM networks such as Cirrus and Plus seem to be the most widely available. Check with your bank to make sure that your card can be used internationally. Bank card withdrawals are debited (in dollars using the market exchange rate) from your US bank account directly, while credit card withdrawals are charged against your card. Credit cards may also assess interest charges. Where automatic tellers aren’t yet available, you may charge advances of local currency against a credit card at banks displaying a Visa or MasterCard

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symbol. American Express cardholders may write personal checks of up to $1,000 drawn on their own account in the US for local currency and traveler’s checks at any American Express office or agent. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express offer good exchange rates on purchases in many countries and are widely accepted in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. You can generally expect to be able to use credit cards in department stores, nice restaurants, and hotels. It’s suggested that you carry at least two different cards, reserving one for emergencies only.

traveLer’s checks

Travelers checks are a very reliable backup option. If you do bring traveler’s checks, it is a good idea to bring them in small amounts at $20 to $50. This can come in handy if you lose your debit or credit cards and need to access some funds quickly and safely. Traveler’s checks are perhaps the safest, though most cumbersome, method of transporting currency abroad.

to get money fast

If you’re in dire need of money, a friend or relative can send you cash through wire transfer services offered by MoneyGram. There are thousands of MoneyGram agents throughout the world, usually located in grocery

stores, hotels, and convenience stores. Your friend in the US goes to a sending location, pays a fee, and gives the agent cash in the amount you need. The sender is allowed a free 10 word message and, to some locations, a free phone call to tell you the money has been sent. The money will be available for you to pick up in the foreign country at a receiving location within a short period of time. You may have to pay a fee as well. Make sure to bring ID to pick up the money. Access their website at www.moneygram.com to find out about fees and sending and receiving locations. Western Union functions in the same way as MoneyGram. Visit them at http://www.WesternUnion.com to find out about fees and sending and receiving locations.

using foreign currency

Remember: Exchange rates change constantly. For updated information, check out http://www.oanda.com/ or http://www.xe.com.

While abroad, you‘ll have to learn to convert currency. It‘s not too difficult; you’ll get the hang of it quickly. For example, there are approximately 12 Mexican pesos to the dollar. That means that every peso equals about $.09. If something costs 25 pesos, divide by 12, and you‘ll see that it costs a little more than 2 dollars. Take a calculator or converter to help out, or work on your percentages. Always round up, just in case.

TIP: ConverTIng Money

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reCording exPerienCeSThink of a journal as a written and visual record of your experience abroad that you will have for years to come. You can document your travels, display souvenirs, describe a city, tell a story about someone you met on the train, keep a vocabulary list, or analyze a political discussion that you heard that day. You can start now -- before you leave -- and continue journaling after your return. Some people will want to keep a paper journal. Others may want to blog online. Whatever fits your schedule and lifestyle, here are some things to consider regarding journaling from abroad.

reasons for keePing a journaL

• to record your goals and personal agenda for your sojourn abroad

• to collect addresses and references

• to use as a diary to record your travel and daily routines

• to spark creative thinking through observation, reflection and analysis

• to assist in cultural adaptation

• to record your feelings upon re-entry

tiPs on journaL Writing

• write in the same fashion as you would in a letter to a close friend

• provide a context for the stories you relate

• include specific names of things you discover in your new environment

• translate words

• use adjectives and adverbs to increase the descriptive quality of the text

• tell stories; quote from the people you meet

• sketch in your journal (even if you suck at drawing); it really captures the scene in your mind

questions to consider before Leaving

• Why did I select the program I did?

• What do I want to get out of this experience?

• How can I make friends in the host culture?

• If I expect to improve my language skills, will I have to avoid other English speakers?

• Am I concerned about missing friends, family? How will I stay in touch with them?

• How would I describe the U.S? Americans? Myself as an American?

in the host country

• What are my initial reactions? Are they different than my companions� reactions?

• What type of experience engages me most? Isolates me most?

• What interaction was the most confusing of the past week? The most stressful?

• Who was most helpful to me this past week?

• What am I doing to meet people?

• Am I being viewed as an individual,

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Charting a Hero’s Journey. L. Chisholm.

Culture from the Inside Out: Travel and Meet Yourself. Cornes.

CommuniCAtionBring the addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of everyone with whom you may want to stay in contact with. Don’t forget your parents’ work numbers in case of an emergency, and UI telephone and fax numbers and e-mail including Study Abroad: 319-335-0353. Leave your contact information abroad with your family and friends before you leave. Provide them with the phone number and address of the program’s director or contact person after you arrive.

Phones

In most foreign countries, both domestic and international phone calls are very expensive compared to US rates, and phone bills are not itemized. Public phones, however, are more prevalent abroad than in the US. In general, expect restricted access to phones.

If you’re staying with a host family, ask before calling the U.S. directly due to the cost. Make sure to get a calling card before you go abroad and use it to call the U.S. An International Student ID Card (ISIC) can also be used as a phone card: http://www.myISIC.com. You can also make collect calls, which is definitely much cheaper.

To receive calls from the US, make sure that the people who might call you have the correct country and city code for your location. All international

as an American, as a foreigner?

• Have my goals changed?

uPon returning• What did I learn about the host

culture? About myself? How can I apply this information?

• Who will listen to my stories? How can I get more involved in international activities?

• Do I think of America any differently now that I have returned?

• What advice would I give to those who are leaving tomorrow for my host culture?

Used with permission from Sylvie Burnet-Jones, University of Colorado-Boulder; Barbara Kappler, University of Minnesota; and the website of the International Centre, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario .

For more information on journaling in the context of living in a new culture:

Writing across Culture: An Introduction to Study Abroad and the Writing Process. By Wagner, Magistrale, and Warner.

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calls start with 011 and are followed by a country code (e.g. 52 for Mexico, 34 for Spain) and then possibly a city code before the actual phone number. Also, suggest to your parents that they enroll in an international long distance plan with a long distance carrier like AT&T. You can schedule a reasonable time and day for parents or friends to call you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Consult with your host family or roommates to make sure the time you chose is suitable for them, as well.

Once abroad, make sure that you know the phone number of your program’s director or contact person and memorize the local equivalent to 911 or the police and fire departments.

This handy website can also provide basic info on country codes and dialing procedures: http://www.howtocallabroad.com/

ceLL Phones

Cell phones are popular in the United States and abroad, and many students may find one essential. Family or friends who may not be able to call your apartment or host family’s phone would be able to reach you on your cell phone. In most places outside the U.S., cell phones are purchased and then SIM cards, small chips that have prepaid minutes, can be bought in small shops and at newsstands.

Be careful using your U.S. cell phone. Many may work abroad but you may end up paying high roam charges outside the U.S

.

skyPe

Skype is a computer application that can turn an internet connection into a telephone line. If you download Skype, a free program, onto a laptop and own a microphone and speakers, you can use that computer exactly like a telephone. These days, laptops often come pre-loaded with this software. There are even webcam capabilities. Calling from one Skype account to another Skype account anywhere else in the rest of the world is free. Calling from Skype to a landline is possible, but does require a Skype account and costs money. This fee is likely to be lower than the international calling rates. Visit Skype’s website for more information:

http://www.skype.com

Letters & Postcards

Don�t forget about letters as a means of communication. They’re cheaper than phone calls, can be more personal, and make great keepsakes. Postcards are easy to write and can quickly be done while absorbing your surroundings at a park or café, on a train or in a plaza. The drawback, of course, is that mail can be slow and unreliable. If you do decide to use the mail system in your

Don’t promise to call home right away. Tell your family and friends that you will contact them a few days after you arrive. You might be too tired or too busy, or the phones in your new host country might not be working at the time your plane lands. Don’t make people worry needlessly if you don’t call when you promised.

TIP: CallIng hoMe

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host country, never send money or valuables and avoid receiving packages. International express services can be very expensive and are not overnight. If you absolutely need to send or receive an important package, talk to your program provider first. They may have suggestions on navigating your host country’s postal system.

comPuters

E-mail is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family in the States while you’re abroad. You can share impressions of the host culture instantly, learn the latest about goings-on at home, and minimize the re-entry shock everyone might feel when you return.

Web access abroad may be more limited than what you’re used to here. Even if you’re bound for Europe, you will need to downgrade your expectations. It’s a rare campus that provides 24/7 wi-fi access to the web. Internet cafes are popular places to catch up on e-mail from the States and to surf the web. Prices vary. Ask local students where they go for access.

If you do have consistent internet access, keeping a blog may be a good way for everyone at home to learn about

what you’re doing. It may also save you time and money since you won’t have to write the same story over and over to all your friends and family. That will give you more time to explore your new surroundings.

Be aware that at some universities, your professors may ask you to turn in handwritten essays, papers, and other assignments. Taking a laptop is a great idea for students who can afford to do so. That said, you must realize that contracting with an Internet service provider abroad can be time-consuming and expensive. In some cases, the room you’re staying in may not have a telephone hookup.

Even without Internet access, your laptop can be an invaluable study tool, saving you much time and frustration by allowing you to write papers, reports, and do homework at home. Once you have a document ready to hand in, you may need to copy it to a USB drive and take it to a computer lab or internet café to print it. This way, you’ve gotten most of the labor out of the way already, and you didn’t have to write your paper with someone standing behind you, wondering when you were going to get off the computer so that they could check their e-mail.

If you plan to take a laptop, make sure that it can run on the voltage common to the country where you’re studying. Almost all newer laptops have built-in converters in their power supplies that will allow you to switch between 110 V. (standard in U.S.) to 220 V. (standard most other places in the world). If your laptop doesn’t, or if you need a voltage different than above, consider investing

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a chunk of money in a good voltage converter designed for the place you’re going. Paying more for a good converter means you’ll pay less in repair bills if the voltage fries your machine. If you take a laptop, be sure to take it in your carry-on. Don’t check it, as your laptop might arrive in several pieces.

Culture ShoCkCulture Shock is the term used to describe the more pronounced reactions to the psychological disorientation most people experience when they move for an extended period of time into a culture markedly different from their own. In a sense, culture shock is the occupational hazard of overseas living. Culture shock comes from:

• Being cut off from the cultural cues and patterns that are familiar—especially the subtle, indirect ways you normally have of expressing feelings. All the nuances of meaning that you understand instinctively and use to make your life comprehensible are suddenly taken from you.

• Living and/or working over an extended period of time in a situation that is ambiguous.

• Having your own values (heretofore considered as absolutes) brought into question.

• Being continually put into positions in which you’re expected to function with maximum skill and speed but where the rules have not been adequately explained.

• For some people culture shock is hardly noticeable. For most of us,

however, it’s something we�ll have to deal with.

Culture shock has two distinctive features. First, it doesn’t result from a specific event or series of events. It comes instead from the experience of encountering ways of doing, organizing, perceiving or valuing things which are different from yours and which threaten your basic, unconscious belief that your culture�s customs, assumptions, values and behaviors are right.

Second, it doesn’t strike suddenly or have a single principal cause. It builds up slowly, from a series of small events which are difficult to identify.

SymPtomS of Culture ShoCk:Not everyone will experience a severe case of culture shock, nor see all the symptoms. Some that may occur in more severe cases include: • Homesickness• Withdrawal • Psychosomatic illnesses • Boredom • Unexplainable fits of weeping • Compulsive eating

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• Loss of the ability to work effectively

• Compulsive drinking • Need for excessive amounts of

sleep • Irritability • Hostility towards host nationals • Chauvinistic excesses • Stereotyping of host nationals

• Exaggerated cleanliness

StAgeS of Culture ShoCk: initiaL euPhoria

Most people begin their new adventure with great expectations and a positive mind-set. If anything, they come with expectations that are too high and attitudes too positive toward the host country and their own prospective experiences in it. At this point, anything new is intriguing and exciting. But, for the most part, it’s the similarities which stand out. This period of euphoria may last from a week or two to a month, but the letdown is inevitable.

irritation and hostiLity

Gradually, focus turns from the similarities to the differences. And these differences, which suddenly seem to be everywhere, are troubling. Little, insignificant seeming problems are blown way out of proportion. This is the stage generally identified as culture shock, and you may experience any of the symptoms.

graduaL adjustment

The crisis is over and you’re on your way to recovery. This step may come

so gradually that, at first, you will be unaware it’s happening. Once you begin to orient yourself and are able to interpret some of the subtle cultural clues and cues which passed by unnoticed earlier, the culture seems more familiar. You become more comfortable in it and feel less isolated from it. Gradually, too, your sense of humor returns and you realize the situation is not hopeless after all.

adaPtation or bicuLturaLism

Full recovery will result in an ability to function in two cultures with confidence. You will even find a great many customs, ways of doing and saying things, and personal attitudes which you enjoy—indeed, to which you have in some degree acculturated—and which you will definitely miss when you pack up and return home. In fact, you can expect to experience reverse culture shock upon your return to the U.S.

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minoritieS AbroAdSocietal attitudes toward race and sexual orientation change considerably across cultures, and students traveling abroad inevitably bump into them. Remind yourself that this is a learning experience: you’ll be learning a great deal about a foreign culture, and about your own cultural identity in juxtaposition to it. Study Abroad has resources focusing on the experiences of people of color, and gay/lesbian/bi people traveling abroad. The following comments can serve as a starting point for your pre-departure research.

cuLturaL reactions to coLor

Every culture deals with racial issues

in some form. An African American student in Spain dealt with more honest curiosity than hostility from locals. Many of the Spaniards in her host city had never met a black person before. On the other side of the Atlantic in Brazil, where whites, blacks, and the decedents of indigenous people exist along a racial continuum, African American students may face more direct mistrust. According to one student, bankers were suspicious of her when she tried to exchange dollars for Brazilian currency. When she spoke with them in English, their attitudes

In some cases, particularly where a person has adjusted exceptionally well to the host country, reverse culture shock may cause greater distress than the original culture shock.

minimizing the imPACt of Culture ShoCk • One of the best antidotes to culture

shock is knowing as much as possible about where you are.

• By looking consciously for logical reasons behind what seems difficult, confusing, or threatening, you will reinforce that there are explanations behind what you observe in the host culture.

• Don�t criticize the host culture. Resist making jokes and comments that degrade the locals, and don�t associate with the Americans who do make them.

• Identify a sympathetic host national, and talk with that person about specific situations and your feelings. Talking with Americans can be helpful, but only to a limited extent. Your problem lies in your relationship to the host culture.

• Have faith—in yourself, in the goodwill of your hosts, and in the positive outcome of the experience. Know that culture shock is to some degree inevitable, and that reactions are emotional and not subject to rational management.

Source: Survival Kit for Overseas Living. L. Robert Kohls.

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to movies has created the image of the “promiscuous American”. This stereotype has directly affected the lives of many female study abroad students. In general, it’s a good idea to behave rather conservatively at first until you have a solid understanding of the dating norms and appropriate behavior regarding intimate relationships. Dressing conservatively might also help prevent unwanted attention. How far down the arm or leg should the hem line go? Visit this website for more information on dressing appropriately abroad: http://journewoman.com/

harassment Incidents of harassment and sexual assault are generally more common in many other cities around the world. Women tend to receive considerably more direct attention such as suggestive comments and direct staring. Such things may not be considered appropriate to do to local women, but foreign female students may find themselves treated differently. Asking locals what to do in these situations is the best advice.

What to do• Learn which areas of town to avoid,

and steer clear of them whenever possible.

• Walk with others when you’re out at night, and stay on busy, well-lit streets.

• When you go out to bars, watch how much you drink. A lot of cultures frown upon drunkenness, and it also makes you more vulnerable to assault.

would change since she was a foreigner. Finally, an African American student in many places in Africa is not necessarily considered “black” but “Western.” These are just three examples of how African Americans are treated on three different continents.

Asian students may also be treated differently depending on where they go in Asia. An Asian American UI student whose parents emigrated from China studied abroad in Hong Kong. He, too, expected it to feel like coming home but discovered he was about as Western as the African American student was in Africa. Without understanding the local dialect or culture norms, he was as foreign as any other student from the United States.

Caucasian students may also, for the first time, find themselves in the minority. This may lead to culture shock but is also hopefully a learning experience for both the student and the host nationals. Race will almost certainly be an issue for everyone while abroad.

gender iSSueSThe roles of men and women in society vary greatly from culture to culture. To learn about things like dating, gender discrimination, women’s safety, gender norms, social etiquette, and other such topics you should consult guidebooks or talk to people who have experience in the culture, but here is some basic advice for men and women and politeness/friendliness.

PercePtion of american Women American popular media from music

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• Watch your drink. Keep your drink in your hand and in your line of vision in case someone tries to slip something into it.

• Do not accept rides home from strangers, people you don’t trust, or anyone who’s had too much to drink.

• Trust your instincts.

• Be respectful of those around you.

What if i am sexuaLLy assauLted?

The most important thing to remember is that a sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. Sometimes after being assaulted, this is hard to remember, as you’re trying to figure out what happened and who to blame. If you’re assaulted, someone else made the decision to hurt you. No matter what choices you make, you cannot control other people’s choices in any other area of life, and sexual assault is no different.

You will probably feel confused and feel a lot of strong emotions like fear, anger, hatred, disgust, self-doubt or self-blame. There is nothing wrong with having strong feelings: this is a natural part of dealing with trauma. Sometimes getting the emotions out by talking to a friend or family member, writing in a journal, or punching a pillow can help.

Talk to your study abroad director. They are there to offer you support, and will be able to give you resources if you choose to pursue legal action and counseling or decide you need medical attention.

Do what feels right: you are the best judge of how to handle your assault. If you feel like you need to be alone and cry, then do. Similarly, if you feel like you want to go to the police (or if you don’t), remember that you are the one who makes these choices, and to do what you think is best. Keep in mind that not all police everywhere are sympathetic to certain issues. Do some research on your host country, their beliefs, and their laws.

What if a friend is assauLted?

Listen to them. As mentioned above, talking can be helpful to someone who has just been assaulted, and they might need nothing more than someone to sit and listen to them.

Offer suggestions, but respect their choices. After an assault, people feel very powerless because they have been violated by someone else. One way of regaining a feeling of control over their lives is to make their own decisions about what happens next. Suggest that they visit with the study abroad director or someone else in charge, but if they decide against this, don’t force them or lecture them.

Be there for them: your friend turned to you because they trust you and see you as someone who can help them. If they ask you for help try to do it if you can. Call them or stop by once in a while to see how they are doing, and let them know you’re there if they need someone to talk to.

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Behavioral signals (such as eye contact, a smile, touching) may lead us astray in a foreign culture. While LGBT people are part of the social fabric throughout the world, the very notion of such identities as they are defined in North America may not exist in your host country. For more information on this topic, try reading Same Sex, Different Cultures: Exploring Gay and Lesbian Lives by Gilbert Herdt.

suPPort

Obtain country-specific information on the support systems (meeting places, organizations, etc.) available in your host country. Are these appropriate for you? Do you visit similar places in your home community? Be sure to talk about these issues with your study abroad advisor.

LegaL asPects

Familiarize yourself with the laws of your host country. In some countries, where sexual orientation can be a basis for persecution under the law, personal safety considerations may require you to hide your sexual identity.

being out

If you’re “out” in your home country, reflect on what it means to leave behind a support system of friends and family. Being LGBT abroad has been described by some as a second coming out.

homestays/housing

Some programs place students in home-stay or housing situations so that they may be more immersed in the local host culture. It’s important that all students are aware of and consider

lgbt iSSueS AbroAdThe experience of studying and living abroad challenges many facets of your identity. For many students, it will be the first experience of being the “other”. For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) students, whose experience at home may always be one of “otherness”, the experience abroad may offer new freedoms or additional challenges. Whatever the case, an understanding of LGBT identity and life in your host country will be an important step in your pre-departure preparations. Consider the following:

cuLture and identity:

Cultures vary in terms of what is considered appropriate behavior and how sexual identities are defined and understood. Learn as much as possible before you leave about the culture-specific norms of friendship and dating, styles of behavior and general attitudes.

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the implication of being identified as LGBT in the host-culture and how coming out might affect the host-family relationship.

Program sPecific information

While the study abroad office in your home country may be inclusive of LGBT perspectives, the in-country staff and faculty may represent another office and culture that will present a different climate. Depending on this climate, you may need to look outside of the office for support related to sexual identity issues or LGBT community information.

reLationshiPs/heaLth

Before you leave the US, we encourage you to learn as much as possible about the culture-specific norms of friendship and dating for relationships between people of any sexual orientation. Inform yourself of important safe sex practices, and access to LGBT sexual health advice.

relAtionShiPS AbroAd Whether it’s coping with leaving your significant other back home, forging new relationships with natives abroad, or attempting to retain a new love when you get home, dealing with relationships abroad can be confusing. Here’s how to better cope with the dating opportunities and difficulties studying abroad can pose.

Long distance reLationshiPs: decisions and maintenance:

Leaving your friends and family is

difficult, but leaving a partner behind can make getting on the plane, or even deciding to go abroad, much more so. Here are some things to think about regarding those you may be leaving: Don’t let a boyfriend or girlfriend stop you from studying abroad. You might regret it, and you may even resent your partner for your decision to not go.

Beware of studying abroad with your significant other. Trying to establish your identity in a new culture can put considerable stress on your relationship. Relationship problems can start your program off on the wrong foot. If you break up, the rest of the program could be really uncomfortable.

A better option for studying abroad as a couple is to pick different sites in the same area. This way you both have unique study abroad experiences, and you both understand what it’s like to have studied overseas.

If you do study abroad together, make sure not to close yourselves off. Take part in the culture and meet new people together.

If you’ve decided to study abroad and you’re leaving your partner behind:

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are all things to consider. Try to avoid scenarios with partial break-ups. Either be officially together or officially not together. Grey area can cause a lot of confusion and emotional distress. Try to make the best decision based on your life goals and desires, and don’t let the comfort zone of a relationship prevent you from enjoying the incredible experience of studying abroad.

starting reLationshiPs WhiLe abroad:

Developing close relationships with people in your host country can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of studying abroad. Here are a few guidelines for starting healthy relationships during your stay:

• Ask locals about cultural dating and sexual norms when you arrive. Your behavior may be misinterpreted if you’re unaware of the signals that you send.

• In many countries, unmarried men and women don’t have close platonic relationships like we do in the states. If your only intention is friendship make sure it’s clear.

• Consider every relationship carefully. The allure of a “once in a lifetime” fairy tale relationship abroad may cause bad judgment.

• It may be advantageous for gay and lesbian travelers to contact local groups through the Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Organization. These groups often have social events and are an easy way to meet people.

• Be especially wary of STDs, and bring protection from home.

• Communication is the key to keeping a relationship healthy. Phone calls, emails, messenger, and snail mail are all great ways to keep in touch. However, don’t force communication. Try not to talk every day; that way you’ll always have something new to talk about.

• Long distance relationships are costly, so share the bills. Communication can be expensive, and can be a major point of contention with many couples. Make sure you’re each pulling your weight, and don’t use money as ammunition in a fight.

• Trust is the most important aspect of a long distance relationship. Make sure you and your partner are still allowed to enjoy the college experience. Go out with friends, discover your country, find new friends, and allow for personal discovery. Expect your partner to do the same.

• When you do reunite make sure it’s not solely physical. Nurture emotional and intellectual aspects of the relationship as well.

• Realize that when you return home the relationship will need nurturing again because you will both be different people and will have had different experiences. Everything will not simply go back to the way you left it.

Deciding whether you will stay in a relationship while abroad or separate during your program is a difficult decision. The level of commitment, length of the relationship, level of trust, and mutual relationship goals

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It’s common for people to form close relationships with people from their own country. However, it’s important to remember that when the program ends you may still have a long-distance situation with that person.

Beware that while meeting someone abroad can help you learn about the country’s culture, it can also prevent you from interacting with locals and learning about the culture. This is especially true if you meet another American. Relationships can also interfere with your studies. Although new relationships require a lot of time, remember that the primary reasons for going abroad are to study and to learn about a new culture.

environmentAl iSSueSYou will be a tourist while studying abroad. Despite your best efforts to blend into the fabric of the local culture, you will likely remain an outsider during your stay in your host country.

This isn’t all bad. Tourism stimulates economies, creates jobs, and builds bridges between people from different cultures. However, tourism can have a negative impact on the local environment. Snorkelers have degraded coral reefs all around the world. Excessive camping has had an impact on national parks.

As a conscientious tourist, try to leave as little a footprint as possible. Carry out what you packed in. Take a moment to consider how your actions affect the local environment, economy,

and host culture. Check out the Web Resources section of this guide for links to international minded environmental organizations.

environmentaL considerations:• Learn about the environmental

impact of tourism on beaches, mountains, wetlands, deserts, etc. and seek to counter those effects.

• Use accommodations that have a reputation for being sustainable.

• Use water sparingly. Many communities face water shortages and water usage costs money.

• Save electricity. Turn off lights, air conditioners, and heaters when you’re not in the room.

• Don’t litter, even if you notice the locals doing so. Find a trashcan.

• Don’t buy products made from endangered species or valuable, historical, or cultural artifacts.

• Don’t disturb the wildlife. Maintain a proper distance at all times.

• Don’t take home natural resources such as shells, plants, animal bones, etc.

• If you go camping, make sure you have any necessary permits and follow local park rules.

• Choose your recreational activities wisely. Low impact sports that don’t involve a lot of equipment or fossil fuels and that don’t disturb the environment or local communities are preferable.

• Use local and public transport whenever possible. Take a train or

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bus. Bike or walk.

• Carbon Offsetting. If it’s within your budget, contribute money to an organization involved in carbon offsetting every time you fly.

economic considerations:• Buy locally produced products and

services.

• Stay in locally owned accommodations, eat at locally owned restaurants, and hire local guides. Usually, smaller equals better. If you decide to go on a guided tour through a tour agency, ask about their sustainability practices.

• Contribute something to the place or community you’re visiting, beyond just the money you’re spending to get what you want.

• Choose destinations based on their demonstrated commitment to sustainable practices including their human rights record, environmental conservation record, and commitment to peace.

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reverSe Culture ShoCkReverse Culture Shock is feeling out of place in your own country. While everything is familiar, you feel different. Even walking through the airport and hearing American English can be a surreal experience.

Returning to the United States can be a disturbing mixture of pleasure and pain: pleasure because you’re returning to all you love in the States, and pain at leaving all you have grown to love in your host country. Unfortunately, leaving a new home, new friends, and a new culture you have grown accustomed to, makes returning to the States quite a bit more complicated than stepping off the plane. A couple things to be prepared for upon re-entry to the United States include the following:

re-estabLishing reLationshiPs

People you were close with when you left, even those you kept in contact with, will be separated from you by the experiences you have had in each other’s absence. This separation is certainly not permanent; just keep in mind that since both of you have changed, you won’t necessarily interact in the same way as before.

This all holds doubly true with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner. Realize that it may take time to reconnect with your significant other. All of this is a normal part of

3. Coming home

readjustment. Couples can survive the study abroad experience.

readjusting

Fitting your new life into your old one can be frustrating. Since every country has a unique approach to life, it can be difficult if you’re used to operating within cultural mode, or have made that approach to life a part of you, to return to the U.S. where the rules are different. It’s easy to become frustrated with aspects of U.S. culture that no longer make sense to you. Try to keep things in perspective. Bear in mind that every country has its flaws and its strengths. Also be prepared to return to all those little trials you left behind you. You might have journeyed far, far away, but they haven’t.

Just as it’s possible to dramatize the glory of your return home, it’s also possible once you’ve returned home to over-romanticize your experience abroad. Life is never cookie cutter perfect. Home is not the impenetrable haven you might remember it as at times, and life would still not be

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website:

• http://international.uiowa.edu

Join Global Buddies, a group that matches new international exchange students with returned study abroad students. Contact the Exchange Student Coordinator in Study Abroad.

Get involved with the Organization for the Active Support of International Students (OASIS).

Join the International Classroom Journey and give talks at local schools and community centers about your experience studying abroad.

Join the Friends of International Students (FIS) and offer your support for students studying abroad from other countries in the United States.

Females who want to welcome foreign women to the local community may join the International Women’s Club.

• For more information on these programs and activities, visit http://international.uiowa.edu

Most UI language departments sponsor a weekly conversation hour or a weekly meal where you can keep your newly-acquired language skills honed and polished. Contact the respective language departments for further information.

other organizations incLude:• Iowa City Foreign Relations

Council: https://www.facebook.com/ICFRC

• Council for International Visitors to Iowa City (CIVIC): http://iccivic.blogspot.com

flawless, even if you were back in the host country you left behind. Talk to others who have studied abroad, keep in touch with those you met abroad, use the emotional momentum to continue cultural interactions, check out on-campus groups like Friends of International Students and Scholars.

getting involved Studying abroad is an experience you’ll never forget. It changes you forever, making you a more self-confident individual and a better world citizen. So, what are you going to make of your experience overseas when you get back to the States? Are you going to make a photo album, put it on your shelf, and take it down from time to time to reminisce about that special time in your life? Or are you going to use that experience to your benefit? If you want to get involved when you get back to town, there are lots of ways to do it. Here’s a list of suggestions:

re-Work your academic focus:

Consider applying some of the course work you took abroad to a new major, minor or certificate at the UI. You may want to complete an International Business Certificate. Your overseas credit might get you started. Contact the UG Program office in the Tippee College of Business for more details.

heLP us Promote study abroad:

Apply for a position as a peer adviser in Study Abroad or volunteer to be a source of information to students considering going overseas to the place you studied. Find more information about these opportunities on our

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• UI Amnesty International: http://www.uiowa.edu/~amnesty

is there Life after graduation?

Consider applying for a Fulbright scholarship for graduating seniors and get back overseas! Contact the Grants and Development office in International Programs, 335-0374.

Consider a stint in the Peace Corps, the toughest job you’ll ever love. Contact the UI campus representative by visiting the Office for Study Abroad or emailing peacecorps@uiowa.edu. http://www.uiowa.edu/~pcorps

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• Kayak: http://www.kayak.com (compare hundreds of different airlines to find the best rate)

• Orbitz: http://www.orbitz.com

• Travelocity: http://www.travelocity.com (some say it’s best for far-flung destinations)

• Expedia: http://www.expedia.com

• Online Travel: http://www.raileurope.com/us/

• Association for Safe International Road Travel: http://www.asirt.org/

• Eurail: http://www.eurail.com/

• BritRail: http://www.britrail.com

• London Underground: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/

advice from savvy traveLers• Let’s Go online: http://www.

letsgo.com/

• Lonely Planet online: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

• Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door: http://www.ricksteves.com/

• Backpacking in Europe: http://www.eurotrip.com/

• Sleep Cheap in Europe: http://www.europeanhostels.com/fall/default.asp

• Sleep Cheap Everywhere: http://www.hostelworld.com/

• All Hostels Everywhere: http://www.hostels.com/

• Transitions Abroad: http://www.transitionsabroad.com

• Internet cafés: http://www.cybercafes.com

reSourCeS &informAtionLegaL• UI Student Legal Services: http://

imu.uiowa.edu/legal

• United States Department of State: http://www.travel.state.gov

• Visa requirements: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

• Foreign consular offices in the US: http://www.embassy.org

• Travel Document Systems visa agency: http://www.traveldocs.com/

• US Dept. of State Travel Advisories: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

• British travel advisory site: http://www.fco.gov.uk (more comprehensive & less politically fraught)

mom WouLd Want you to knoW• Centers for Disease Control

(CDC) Traveler’s Health: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

• Safety Abroad First Educational Travel Information: http://www.globaled.us/safeti/

getting there and getting around• STA Travel: http://www.statravel.

com (home of the Int’l. Student ID Card)

• Travel Cuts: http://www.travelcuts.com

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environmentaL resources• Apply for a Green Passport and

commit to eco friendly travel: http://www.greenpassport.us

• Join the University of Iowa Green Passport group: http://greenpassport.ning.com/group/uistudyabroad.

• Sustainable Travel International: http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org

• Stay Carbon Neutral: http://www.carbonneutral.com/index.asp

• Check with Ethical Traveler: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/

• International Center for Responsible Tourism: http://www.icrtourism.org/

• Tree Flights: Sponsor some trees to absorb your carbon emissions: http://www.treeflights.com/

• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education: http://www.aashe.org/

• Environmental Defense Fund: http://www.edf.org/home.cfm

hoW do you Work this thing?• Online Currency Converter:

http://www.oanda.com/

• Online Measurements Converter: http://www.convert-me.com/en/

• Electric & Phone: http://kropla.com (helps you figure out which plug to pack)

Lgbt resources• The University of Iowa Gay

Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Union: http://www.uiowa.

edu/~glbtau

• Cedar Rapids Gay and Lesbian Resource Center: http://www.crglrc.org/

• NAFSA LesBiGay Special Interest Group: http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/student.htm

• International Lesbian and Gay Association: http://ilga.org

What the good books say• Intercultural Press: http://www.

interculturalpress.com (great intros to countries & cultures)

• NAFSA Publications: http://www.nafsa.org (your mom & dad might like to read Study Abroad: A Parent’s Guide)

you are here• On-line Geographic Information:

http://www.geographic.org/

• Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/

• Google Earth: (download at) http://earth.google.com/

• Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com