pre departure orientation
TRANSCRIPT
PowerPoint chart object
01Turn in Documents in Office
• Passport copy• Participation agreement• Health Form
• Acceptance letter from affiliate provider
• Transfer of credit form (semester study abroad students)
http://www.bridgew.edu/study
abroad/forms
PowerPoint chart object
02Passports and Visas
• Check passport expiration date!• Photocopy your passport before you
go, and bring it with you – Don’t keep it in the same place as
your passport• Visa requirements vary depending
on country, length of stay, purpose of visit
www.state.gov –keep up to date with country-specific travel info and travel warnings
PowerPoint chart object
03Meetings
• Each Study Abroad program will have program specific meetings that are mandatory!
• You will receive email with information about the date and time of the meetings
PowerPoint chart object
04Packing
• Carry on luggage– Laptops, cameras, etc– No liquids over 3 oz. in carry on
luggage– in a clear plastic bag• What to pack
– Multi purpose clothing– Comfortable shoes– Electrical adaptors
• What NOT to bring– Expensive jewelry– Unnecessary credit cards,
social security card, etc– Excess cash• Luggage weight – check for
additional baggage fees with the airline
• Check with airline for any updated information
PowerPoint chart object
05Contact and Travel Info
• Leave with your family:– Copy of your passport
– Flight information & Itinerary– Your in country contact info– OSA contact information
• Register your trip with Smart Travel Enrollment Program at https://step.state.gov/step/
• Register with local in-country embassy• Identify In-country resources:
– faculty leader
– program director– international programs office– resident director
06• Study Tours
– 3 BSU undergraduate or graduate credits
– Grades are factored in to your GPA
– Register for the study tour online through Infobear
** Enrollment open now **
Academic Credits
07
• Faculty Leader distributes the syllabus
• 3 credits include coursework before and after dates of travel
• All activities and meetings in country are mandatory
Study Tours
08Semester/Year Abroad
• STUDY Abroad = Academic focus, not just travel
• Class attendance is important, but may not be factored into the grade.
• Follow the advice and direction of your in-country peers, contacts and directors.
09Style of Instruction
• Lecture
• Courses may meet once a week
• Accessibility of faculty/professors
• Teachers’ titles are important when you address them (Dr. Smith, Professor Smith)
• Observe other students’ style of study
10Academic Credits
Academic Year/Semester Programs– Students have to maintain a full time
status.• Undergraduates: 12 BSU Credits
– At BSU your record shows that you have a placeholder of 12 credits
– Register for the actual courses at the host university
– Grades do not factor in to GPA; will come in as transfer credits when:
• transfer credit forms received• transcript received
11Transfer of Credit Process
Visit http://www.bridgew.edu/StudyAbroad/getting-credit.cfm for all details on getting academic credit
12• Experiencing Culture Shock
– Happens to everyone– Everybody may experience different degrees of
culture shock at different times– Take care of your mental health: stress, anxiety,
sleeplessness, depression– Use BSU and in-country support services when
needed
• Represent us well– BSU Conduct Code– Host university Code– Host country laws
• Appropriate dress
• Intercultural Communication
While Abroad
13•Send back to BSU Study
Abroad any course changes you make
•Complete new transfer credit form via email
•Before you leave your host university – make sure you request to have your transcript sent to BSU Study Abroad Office
•Keep in touch: OSA social networks, newsletter, BSU email
Communication While Abroad
14• Credit/Debit cards• Cash
• Diversify your sources of currency
• Be aware of ATM fees and exchange rates
• Plan ahead• Ask for exchange rates in
your US bank• Let your bank/credit card
company know travel dates and locations
Money Matters
15Safety• Use COMMON SENSE
• Do not be overly trusting
• Be mindful of overly advertising
yourself as American
• Let someone know where you are going
• Follow directions and safety warnings with Rx medication
• Use alcohol responsibly
• Engage in safe behavior
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Use the buddy system
• Know in-country emergency information
• Do not use any illegal drugs or
substances: BSU’s zero tolerance policy
applies abroad
16Health Information
• Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)
• Students should meet with health care provider prior to departure
• Staying healthy abroad means being healthy physically and mentally
• Travel clinics for recommended immunizations
• Prescription medications– bring extras– bottles must match contents
17Insurance Information
• CMI/Medix (www.cmi-insurance.com) • Personal, health, and travel
insurance– Study Tours– Exchanges– Summer programs– Undergraduate Research– International Service Learning
• All students should maintain personal health insurance- check with them directly for coverage
• Carry insurance cards• Any in-country treatments—save
receipts and you can be reimbursed
Affiliate providers offer their own insurance
coverage
18• Unplug—being online all the time
hinders culture assimilation• Get involved and take advantage
of opportunities– Clubs, sports, music, academic groups
• Global citizenship• Prepare in advance
– Politics, history, religion, geography– State Department website, Guide books
like Rick Steve’s and Frommer’s
• Language – basics are helpful– Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank
you, etc
– Numbers
Get the most out of being abroad
19• International phone card
and cell phones– Usually is better to purchase
in country when you arrive
• Social Networks
• SKYPE, ooVoo, and other IMs
• Set realistic expectations– Of service– How often you will check in
with people back home
Communication
20• Course registration while abroad—review course
selections with advisor via email– http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/
• On-campus housing– http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/– Global Village: International Residential Learning
Community, opening fall 2013• Study tours—any final projects• Semester/AY Programs – if you haven’t completed
your Transfer of Credits, do it once you return from your Study Abroad program
• Study Abroad Ambassadors – Mentor incoming international exchange students– Point of contact for other students interested in
Study Abroad
Planning Your Return
21
• Dr. Mary Lou FriasBSU Health Services
• Rita CamaraResidential Life and Housing
• Lt. Ryan Tepper
Campus Police
• Study Abroad Ambassadors
Additional Information