UMD STUDY ABROAD ORIENTATION

Getting ready for your study abroad experience

Welcome…now please go away!

Agenda Welcome & General presentation

z.umn.edu/abroadorientation Break Country/Program Q & A sessions

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,” – Saint Augustine

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends,” – Maya Angelou

UMD Information

Study Abroad Checklist Manage my checklist- forms and online orientation must be complete before you

go abroad Program Costs and estimated out of pocket expenses

Billing at UMDhttps://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/finances/program-cost-comparison/https://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/finances/cost-information/

Communication with UMD & Studentshttps://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/while-abroad/staying-connected-abroad / Cell phones

Talk with your cell phone provider to discuss options and/or consider buying a phone abroad UMD email and host institution email – check both regularly!

UMD email policy as “official means of communication” Country codes

http://www.countrycodes.com or http://www.howtocallabroad.com/codes.html Preparing to go

Discuss your academic plan with your academic advisor or trusted faculty and/or staff in your major/minor or collegiate unit or Department

Make sure your finances are in order before you go abroad so that there are no surprises when your program fee is billed and due

Frequently check and stay on top of emails and “to do items” from both the International Education Office and the foreign university that you will be attending

Registration

UMDhttps://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/before-you-go/academics / For term(s) abroad: IEO will register you based on the Study Abroad

Registration Form you submit (online checklist) Your returning semester: You will be able to register early, but you must

ensure you have no holds on your student account NOTE: IEO cannot remove your holds; an email will be sent to you from the UMD One Stop Office with a registration update closer to the registration date

Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used in tuition banding.

Abroad You should receive notification from your foreign university of which

courses you have been enrolled in. For some universities, your registration will not be final until you arrive on-site.

You will have the option to change classes for a limited period of timeNOTE: *Notify IEO immediately if your credits change from what you indicated in

your Study Abroad Registration Form as there may be financial aid implications

Credit & Grades

Know how your grades & credits will be converted to your UMD transcript – see program specific conversion chart

Ensure your courses are reviewed at UMD (before you go) Utilize the “Foreign Course Syllabus Request Form” Google doc to

request course syllabi if you are unable to access them online. This is available in the “academics” section of your program web page on the IEO website.

After the program, you will receive an “NR” for pending study abroad grades

Official transcripts will be issued by the foreign universityhttps://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/credits-transcripts/ Check with your foreign university to ensure an official

transcript will be issued directly to the International Education Office

UMD study abroad grades1. Posted to UMD account after transcript is received and all courses

have been officially reviewed2. APAS modifications done by collegiate unit

Money

Spending money abroad is easy! Start thinking about how much money you will have access to

abroad and how will you receive that money (Set a budget) Notify your financial institutions of your overseas travel Be aware of additional fees that may be charged

Foreign conversion rates Non-Institutional ATM fees

It is highly recommended to have more than one credit card and/or debit card Chip & Pin Cards https://

www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/chip-pin-cards Check your card’s expiration date!

Be aware of exchange rates and currency How to use/exchange money abroad Things to consider to manage spending

It is never too late to start budgeting You can look up many costs for things abroad online

Arrival and Daily Life Packing https

://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/before-you-go/packing/ Video from UMD affiliate ISA http://z.umn.edu/vge What to expect at the airport (time, TSA, screening, customs)

Arrive at the airport 2-3 hours in advance Take your time and ask questions if you are unsure of what to do or where to go Customs

When going through customs do not use your phone or listen to music Have all of your documents (passport, visa/travel documents, acceptance

letter, date of return to the U.S.) ready to give to the immigration officer, and answer the questions asked of you as best you can.

What to familiarize yourself with in the first few days Money/local currency Where are the nearest grocery stores & ATMS What are the important and emergency numbers you need to know and program

them in your phone How do you get to campus/your classes Make note of words, terms, and things you don’t understand to ask on-site staff

or locals Communication avenues – how will you communicate with people in country and

at home What is the easiest and safest way for you to get around?

Health & Safety

Health Manage your health abroad

Make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician, Travel Clinic, and Physical and/or Mental Specialist

Discuss prescription medication, necessary immunizations, physical and mental health management

Disclose and discuss health needs with the UMD study abroad office and relevant offices at UMD; e.g. Disability Resources, Health Services

Understand your insurance coverage - domestic , CISI and foreign (if required) Prescriptions & medication – plan ahead!

Safety Abroad NO DRIVING while on the program Research your destination

Local customs and cultural norms Historical & current conflicts Political Policies and laws

Utilize the resources on the U.S. Department of State website Alcohol & Drugs – know the law Sexual Assault – be careful Safeguard Important documents & valuables – keep copies of documents

(passport, etc.) Travel Smart

Preparing to Go Abroad

The University strongly recommends that all travelers register with the United States Department Of State (USDOS) Smart Traveler Program (STEP)… STEP: https://step.state.gov/step/

Utilize travel resources, guide books and foreign university resources US Department of State, CDC, WHO UMD Study Abroad Handbook

Create an emergency plan—local emergency phone numbers, U.S. embassies, insurance info. International Education Office emergency abroad web pagehttps://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/about/in-an-emergency/

Make copies of important documents Put them in a place where you can access them abroad/scan

and email copies to yourself Share with a family member and/or trusted friend

Insurance Domestic Insurance

It is highly recommended that you keep your domestic insurance while you are abroad

International Insurance The International Education Office will automatically enroll you before the

start of your program General Details

The University of Minnesota requires all University students studying abroad to be enrolled in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) insurance, http://www.culturalinsurance.com/ (enrollment completed by IEO staff)

The cost of CISI is included in the UMD program cost Access to CISI and additional information via the insured CISI portal Find the current plan at https://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/health-safety/insurance/ You will be covered for the duration of your study abroad program

Payment for Services Rendered: General Services - the individual makes payment and CISI reimburses Emergency: CISI pays directly if a claim is started right away

Filing a Claim for Services Rendered: Complete a CISI claim and send it with receipts to CISI Make certain to keep a copy of all documents you send

Travel Outside Program Dates It is highly recommended students enroll in CISI directly for travel outside of their

program dates

Insurance & Medication

Medications Abroad Contact the CISI assistance team for help in researching country

guidelines: In the U.S., call (855)327-1411, Worldwide call (01-312) 935-1703 (collect calls accepted) or E-mail medassist-usa@axaassistance.usWhen asked for your ID number it is the policy number GLM N04835530A

Check on allowances for substances into foreign countries – confirm that your prescription is considered a legal substance abroad and identify how much you can bring with you

Develop a plan with your doctor for having/getting medications abroad

If you bring any prescription abroad makes sure to Leave it in the original bottle, Bring a doctors note stating what you are taking, why you are taking

it and the dosage of the prescription

Insurance - CISI Online Resources

Life Abroad

Alcohol safety and student behavior Know Your limits (video)

Being a good representative Remember you will not only represent UMD, but Duluth,

Minnesota, and the US while abroad Think about your actions (verbal & non-verbal) in the

context of the culture you are in Take time to learn about the cultural norms of the

countries and cultures you will visit. Curiosity Cultural Humility

“You cannot see the whole picture when you are inside the frame” – UMD Professor Dr. Chang’aa Mweti

UMD Study Abroad Handbook TSA www.tsa.gov/traveler-information

Check online for the latest travel rules Get the My TSA Mobile App

International Education Office “Before you Go” web pages

https://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/before-you-go

Emergency card exampleshttp://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/TipsToGoWalletCard.pdf

http://www.studentsabroad.com/handbook/emergency-card.php?country=General

Student Identity Abroad https://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/get-started/student-identity

General Travel Resources

Culture Shock

It’s normal to experience it! It can be experienced when going

abroad, and/or returning home Resources for dealing with culture

shock : What is Cultural Awareness, anyway? http

://z.umn.edu/vkh Glimpse article http://z.umn.edu/vkg

Study Abroad Resources

UMD study abroad pre-departure orientation website https://ieo.wp.d.umn.edu/resources/before-you-go/orientation/

Students Abroad studentsabroad.state.gov/

Travel.State.Gov travel.state.gov/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention-CDC : http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

World Health Organization-WHO: http://www.who.int/en/

Health Insurance CISI www.culturalinsurance.com/

Travel Resources Essentia Health—Travel Center

essentiahealth.org/EssentiaHealthDuluthClinic3rdStreetBuilding/TravelCenter.aspx

St. Luke’s—International Travel Health Centerwww.slhduluth.com/Clinics-and-Specialties/Specialties-and-Services/International-Travel-Health-Center.aspx

Currency Converter www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ Calling Codes www.countrycallingcodes.com/ Time Zones www.timeanddate.com/