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Pre-Departure Orientation . Introduction Logistics Safety Issues BREAK Health Issues - Insurance Cultural Awareness Packing. LOGISTICS. Passport and Visas http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html Mail-in Service, Expedited Service, Walk-in Service
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Pre-Departure Orientation Introduction Logistics Safety Issues BREAK Health Issues - Insurance Cultural Awareness Packing
LOGISTICS • Passport and Visas • http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html • Mail-in Service, Expedited Service, Walk-in Service • Tickets/Photos • Money Matters • Create a budget • Traveler’s Checks, Credit Cards, Currency, ATM & Check Cards • Don’t keep all your money in one place • Packing Tips -PACK LIGHT • Major Hassles (train stations, hotel stairwells etc.) • Airline Limitations
AGENDA – PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION MAY 9 Gateway Center Room 2509 Assuming the Risks for your own health, safety and well-being 9:00 INTRODUCTIONS 9:15 STA TRAVEL: Services that STA can provide ·Discounted Airfares for students ·Advantages of student tickets ·Eurail train passes in Europe, travel passes Australia ·International student identify cards Benefits provided for $25! (I’ll send you the list) ·Assist with travel itineraries ·Travel Tips ·Tour Books 9:30 LOGISTICS CONT’D • Luggage • ID INSIDE & OUT (local and home) • Be able to carry all your belongings • Count luggage pieces each time you move • Packing • What’s the weather going to be like? • Don’t keep everything in one place • Keep essentials in carry-on bag • Make Copies of important documents • passport, travelers checks, credit cards, airline tickets • leave set with family at home
The Basics Passport ATM Card Travelers checks Address Book Travel Insurance Eyeglass prescription/supplies Emergency Phone Numbers Camera, film & batteries Pictures from home Clothes Toiletries Equipment Backpack Money belt/neck pouch Travel combo-lock Rain poncho Electrical converter First Aid Kit Alarm Clock Things to Share Gift for host family Pack Light! PACKING 101
TRAVEL TIPS • Travel Guides • Lonely Planet www.lonelyplanet.com • Let’s Go www.letsgo.com • Berkeley Guides www.berkeleyguides.com • Rough Guide www.roughguides.com • Get a Journal • Comfortable Shoes • Calling Card • Global One – www.globalcalling.com/sdsu
SAFETY AND SECURITY Types Of Risks • Minor incidents-pickpockets and scams • Natural Disasters • Civil Unrest • Terrorism Acts-within host country • Terrorism Acts-against Americans • Terrorism in America • Cancellation of Programs • What then?
SAFETY Continued… • Know before you go! • Inform yourself of local and university rules/laws (drugs/ plagiarism etc.) • Know what the US Embassy/Consulate can and cannot do for you • Realize your limitations based on new geography and language abilities • Be prepared to handle unsupportive attitudes: Political and Cultural differences • Avoid Political Demonstrations • Don’t dress like a Southern Californian!
Keep yourself informed: State Dept. Alerts www.state/gov Cautions Advisory Warning SDSU does send out periodic notices via email to students and coordinators abroad but it is your responsibility to check our website at www.sdsu.edu/studyabroad Read local papers and/or Int’l Herald Tribune Listen to BBC or CNN SAFETY
SDSU Paperwork • Academic Approval Form • Contractual/Consortial Agreement • Liability Waiver • Medical Self-Assessment • Change of Address • Power of Attorney (optional) • Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA) Read the “SDSU Student Handbook for Study Abroad”
HEALTH MATTERS • Getting Healthy before you go • Be aware of health conditions in host country and surrounding locations • Review recommended vaccinations • Revisit services of SDSU Health Center • Get Healthy BEFORE you go • Medical Exam • Dental check-up/work • Stay healthy while in-country • Sufficient Sleep • Deal with stress by getting involved in outside activities • Eat/drink sensibly • SARS Update • Review Packet information • Review Centers for Disease Control website
Travel related illnesses include: Diarrhea Tetanus/Typhoid Hepatitis A -contaminated food/water Parasitic Infections Malaria Yellow Fever Dengue Fever Keep the following in mind: Make sure immunizations are up to date Drink only boiled water, coffee, hot tea, canned or bottled carbonated water/soft-drinks, bear or wine Wipe/wash cans and bottles before drinking Avoid ice Take care when eating fresh fruits/vegetables Avoid salads Avoid un-pasturized milk and cheeses Stay away from street vendors In Restaurants: Look for busy restaurants If in doubt—pass on by Use guidebooks for recommendations TRAVEL-RELATED ILLNESSES
PRESCRIPTIONS & INJECTIONS • Remember: • Consult with your doctor • Wear/Carry ID regarding any medical conditions • Carry a letter from physician describing medication and any treatment you may need • MEDICINES • Bring enough for trip • Bring copies of prescriptions, including generic names • Keep medicines in original containers • Bring an extra set of glasses AND eye prescription • Note Special health needs on medical history forms/host family questionnaires • Educate yourself about laws regarding importation of medicines
HEALTH MATTERS continued… • English-Speaking Medical Care Abroad • Program Director/On-site Coordinator • American-Embassy/Consulate/Hotels/Travel Agencies • AIDS - SAME CONDITIONS APPLY OVERSEAS! • Protect yourself from: • Unprotected Sex • In Developing Countries-Bring own supply of LATEX condoms • Be careful of unscreened blood – avoid transfusions, shots • Be aware of use of unsterile needles-including both drug and tattoos • Know your HIV status—Some countries deny entry for HIV+ people • Educate yourself • Log onto CDS website www.cdc.gov • Copy list of emergency numbers for help if you get into trouble
INSURANCE Mandatory Medical Insurance (must include: repatriation, medical evacuation benefits) • You must have Medical/Accident Insurance • You might need liability insurance • Understand what’s covered/required • Do you have to pre-pay costs, get reimbursed? • Carry or download reimbursement forms/information • KNOW HOW TO OBTAIN HELP ---know your policy • One of three types of Insurance are required: 1) Purchase SDSU Insurance or 2) Provide other insurance such as an HMO, PPO (Kaiser, Blue Cross, HealthNet, etc.) PLUS the purchase of the SDSU Repatriation/Medical Evacuation Insurance. The International Student ID Card is not acceptable 3) Purchase required national government insurance PLUS the SDSU Repatriation/Med. Evac. Insurance
CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT • Initial Anxiety • Honeymoon • Culture Shock • Initial Acceptance • Mental Isolation • Acceptance • Reentry Shock F E E L I N G S TIME
Defining Culture Examples of different patterns of behavior What does it mean to be an American? Personal Space In/interdependence Use of Rules What are host country values regarding… Personal space? Rules? Professors? Seniors? Group vs. Individual? Time? CULTURAL AWARENESS
CONTACT INFO • Vikki Serrano- Travel/Study Programs (619) 594-5154 or travel.program@sdsu.edu • Robert Carolin-International Student Center (619) 594-3440 or rcarolin@mail.sdsu.edu • Angie Caruso-Financial Aid (619) 594-1632 or angie.caruso@sdsu.edu • Debbie Hegmann-Disbursement (619) 594-1532 or dhegmann@mail.sdsu.edu • Melissa Zimmerman-Cashier’s (619) 594-4469 or mwoelm@mail.sdsu.edu • Schedule of Classes: http://www.sdsu.edu/cgi-bin/schedule/
Bon Voyage! Buen Viaje! Shchestlivogo Puti! Kiotskete! Gute Reise!