Faculty Exchange Program Pre-departure Briefing Session 2011-2012, 2nd semester

1. Faculty Exchange Program Pre-departure Briefing Session 2011-2012, 2nd semester

2. Faculty Exchange Program Pre-departure Briefing Session 2011-2012, 2nd semester Contents: • Safety Issues • Health Issues • Insurance • Travel • Academic matters • Maximize your overseas learning experience • Emergency support • Checklist

3. SAFETY ISSUES • Personal safety and security issues are now major concerns in virtually all countries. Remember that Hong Kong is a safe city with one of the best police forces in the world. Not every country is so fortunate. • Beware of risky situations. • Reporting procedure: in case of emergency, please report the incident to the International Office of your host institution. • Handling alcohol. • Taking overseas trips. • Be aware of natural disasters. Take care

4. Health Issues • Pre-travel consultation • Any medical problems? • Bring medications that you need to take regularly. • Record of medicines you are using. • Types of vaccines you require (alert of any allergy). • You may book a medical appointment at University Health Service on 2549-4686.

5. Insurance • Ensure that you are covered by comprehensive health, accident, personal property and travel insurances for the entire period of your exchange studies. • Read carefully the insurance policy requirements of your host university and items to be covered. Purchase only the plan which meets the stated requirements. • Make sure you have met the health requirements of your host country before you depart.

6. Travel during Exchange • Valid passport and student visa • Flight booking • Driver license • Rail passes • Phone cards • International student card

7. Academic Matters • Apply for leave of absence and credit transfer at the Faculty Office before you leave for exchange. • Deadline for Leave of absence & credit transfer: 2ndsemester – 15 December 2011 • Deadline for Amendments - Add/Drop courses: 2ndsemester – 31 March 2012 • Before committing to any changes (add/drop) of courses, and to avoid cases that the credits cannot be transferred, you must seek prior approval from the Faculty Office.

8. Research on Host Country/University • Language, culture, transportation, communication, weather, electrical appliances, food, religion, places of interest • Location, travel time/distance, special programs, facilities, fees, study requirements, exam dates, rules and regulations

9. Maximize Exchange Experience • You are our Ambassador • Make new friends • Learn a new language • Appreciate local culture and custom • Explore the host country and university • Travel

10. CEDARS Counseling Services • Pre-exchange preparation (for specific learning goals/ study plans): Ms Enid Fung, Student Advisor (eycfung@hku.hk, 2857-8382) • During exchange period (for adjustment issues): Ms Heidi Tseng, Counsellor (heidit@hku.hk, 2857-8388) • Students can also use CEDARS’ one-stop contact: cedars-cope@hku.hkor 2857-8388

11. Emergency Support • Contact the local emergency authorities for assistance. • Speak with the contact person of your host university. • Contact the local Chinese Embassy for assistance. For a full list, please visit: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/embassy.htm • Ring up the Hong Kong Immigration Department (境外港人求助熱線) (852) 1868 (24-hour hotline) • Inform your parents/relatives/friends in Hong Kong. • Inform the FBE Faculty Office <fbe.undergrad@hku.hk>.

12. Arrival Checklist This section lists out the essential things that you need to do within the first few weeks after your arrival: • Meet your buddy or representative from your host university (if any) at the airport. • Report to your hall / hostel / host family. Inform them if you have special accommodation requirements. • As a general practice, female students will not be assigned a ground floor room for security reasons. If you have any concerns about the security of your accommodation arrangement, raise it with your hall manager. • Familiarize yourself with the campus and the neighborhood of your hall / residence. • Familiarize yourself with the security system and make sure you know where to report security matters in your residence and on the campus. • Register your arrival at the International Office. • Select your courses and register. Apply for identification documents like the university identity card, library card, etc. • Sign up for orientation sessions. • Get an email account and get on line as soon as possible. • Open a bank account and arrange for fund transfers.

13. Preparation for your exchange: • Health insurance • Application for leave of absence & credit transfer: http://www.fbe.hku.hk/doc/programs/bba/multimedia/exchange/credit.transfer.guidelines_2011-12.doc (Guidelines) http://www.fbe.hku.hk/doc/programs/bba/multimedia/exchange/credit.transfer.form_2011-12.doc (Application Form) • Credit transfer database: http://www.fbe.hku.hk/Programme/Undergraduate/enrichment/index.asp?doc=exchange • Visa application • Observe your host institution’s rules and procedures • Check your host institution’s semester schedule for air-ticket booking

14. Useful Information • Pre-departure Notes prepared by CEDARS for outgoing exchange students: http://cedars.hku.hk/nonlocal/publication/predeparturenotes2011.pdf • Contact list of previous years’ FBE student participants: • Readily available on the following webpage: http://www.fbe.hku.hk/Exchange/Contact.Info.2011/

15. Learn from last year’s student participants!

16. Questions