Santa Clara University Abroad Orientation Basics 2012-13

Santa Clara UniversityAbroadOrientation Basics 2012-13 Susan M. Popko, Associate Provost for International Programs

Overview • SCU Goals for intercultural learning • Documents • Being an American Abroad • Health & Safety • Legal • Crossing Cultures

Passports, Visas & Registering with US Embassies Abroad • Passports required/valid 6 mos. beyond return to US • Visa = A stamp inside your passport • Processing times for passports and visas • All students must register with the US embassy abroad through the STEP program • To register in STEP, link through SCU: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm • Check-In: Issues with passports and visas?

SCU Goals for Intercultural Learning - One • Develop an understanding of the history and contemporary situation of the country which you visit • Seek ways to live like a local • Understand the impact that your presence has on the local community • Seek opportunities for reciprocity – what does the local community who is hosting you tell you that they need?

SCU Goals for Intercultural Learning - Two • Engage with the local culture through living in a homestay; volunteering; participating in an academic internship; joining a local club; studying the local language • Connect your experience abroad with your academic and personal experience at SCU.

Being An American Abroad • Not all of you may identify as being “American” but may still be considered to be American by citizens of the country you are visiting • Not all of you may “look like an American” by others’ standards but may still be considered to be American by citizens of the country you are visiting • What does “Being American” mean, anyway?

How Do I Appear “American” • Appearance • What you look like physically and what you wear • Behaviors • What you do and how you act • Language • What you say and how you say it

Before You Go: Understanding What “American” Means to Others • Read about and be aware of the political context of the country you are visiting, particularly how U.S. politics impacts that context • Read about and be aware of political issues in the U.S.

Health & Safety Essentials:US Department of State (DOS) • Country Specific Information • Travel Alerts -Worldwide Caution • Travel Warnings • Great links! http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm

Health & Safety Essentials: Before You Go • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travelers’ Health: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm • Immunizations • Prescriptions • Special Needs

Know Your Country: Health & Safety • What are the modes of daily transportation? • What precautions should you take while commuting from class to your residence? • How do you take a taxi, e.g., hail from the curb, call, find in a taxi queue? • How do locals handle computers, cell phones, cameras in public? • How will you manage drinking water while abroad? • What is the cultural practice of eating meat (vegetarians, vegans)? • Are there foods of which you should be aware not to eat?

Staying Healthy On-Site • Wash your hands frequently • Carry soap papers and hand sanitizer • Take a multi-vitamin • Drink a lot of water • “Peel it, boil it, or forget it” - refer to DOS Travel, CDC and country guides for your specific destination • Drink bottled water or other drinks • Be aware that most students do become ill at some point

Immunizations & Medications • Follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm • Plan ahead – it make take six months to be fully immunized • Plan for how you will take regular medications abroad – some countries limit the quantity of medications that may be brought into the country from acne medicine to birth control. Check with the embassy of your country and limits and talk with your doctor about taking or filling your prescriptions abroad

Emergency Evacuation Insurance • All SCU students studying through an approved University program abroad are covered by the University’s emergency evacuation insurance.

Sexual Harassment • Expectations of gender and sexuality differ significantly in other cultures • Legal definition of “sexual harassment” is entirely absent from many cultures • American women are often perceived as “loose”; you need to expect that is how you may be perceived initially and be aware of what you communicate through your dress and behavior • Local women often experience what in the US context would be considered harassment – observe how they respond • Local cultures may not recognize gay or lesbian people • If you experience harassment tell your director

Theft and Scams • Avoid places where foreigners may be targets • Be aware of pairs or groups of thieves working together • Be aware in crowded places, e.g., airports, bus stations, metro, concerts, etc. • Do not take valuables that you cannot stand to lose • Do not “flaunt” your cell phone, camera etc. on the street • 1-5 SCU students are robbed each semester abroad

Legal Issues • Students must abide by the local law of the country • The US government, the State of California, SCU do not have legal standing to intervene if you break the law • Most legal incident involving students abroad happen when alcohol is involved

Quiz: Know Your Country! • Who is the current political leader of your country? • What is the political and economic system in place? • Name your country’s signature food(s). • What percentage of students graduate from high school in your country? • What percentage attend university?

Quiz: Know Your Country! • Name the countries which border your country. • Name the three largest cities.

Quiz: Know Your Country! • List two authors or artists from your country and the works for which they are known? • Say “hello” and “thank you” in the local language?

Personal, Cultural, Universal? • Culture is only one dimension of human behavior and it is therefore important to see it in relation to the other two dimensions: the universal and the personal. • Because of universalbehavior, not everything about people in a new culture is going to be different; some of what you already know about human behavior is going to apply in your host country. • Because of personal behavior, not everything you learn about your host culture is going to apply in equal measure, or at all, to every individual in that culture.

Personal, Cultural, Universal • Personal - the ways in which each one of us is different from everyone else, including those in our group. • Cultural - what a particular group of people have in common with each other and how they are different from every other group • Universal – the ways in which all people in all groups are the same

Which Statements Are Personal, Cultural or Universal? • Sleeping with a bedroom window open. • Running from a dangerous animal. • Considering snakes to be "evil." • Men opening doors for women. • Respecting older people. • Liking spicy food. • Preferring playing soccer to reading a book. • Eating regularly. • Eating with knife, fork, and spoon. • Being wary of strangers • Calling a waiter with a hissing sound. • Regretting being the cause of an accident. • Feeling sad at the death of your mother. • Wearing white mourning robes for 30 days after the death of your mother. • Not liking to wear mourning clothes for 30 days after the death of your mother.

Crossing Cultures: The Stages of Cultural Adjustment • 1. Euphoria • 2. Irritability & Hostility • 3. Gradual Adjustment • 4. Adaptation & Biculturalism • 5. Re-entry

Responses to Culture Shock • Contextualize your feelings in terms of CS • Inquire about aspects of culture that seem different or difficult • Seek cultural patterns • Avoid other Americans in a constant state of CS • Make friends with host country nationals • Resist the temptation to withdraw • Keep a journal, blog, etc.

The “It Should…” Perspective • American-oriented • Consumer-oriented • Liability-oriented

Crossing Cultures Successfully • What is “immersion”, anyway? Long-term adoption of daily living like a local • How would a local student live? • How can I participate in the local culture? • What is the intersection between my own identity and local norms? • How do I navigate the experience of being both a guest and a resident?

“It’s Going to be Different”: Develop a Plan • Classes – with Americans? With local students? • Housing – with host family? • Pursue an academic internship • Volunteer • Commit to a Language Partner • Join a club or community organization • Play a sport/instrument • Be flexible

Questions?

Santa Clara University Abroad Orientation Basics 2012-13