Welcome to the Study Abroad General Orientation!

1. Welcome to the Study Abroad General Orientation!

2. Welcome, Introductions, Announcements

3. Overview and Topics • UW-System policies require all students (and program leaders) to participate in an orientation prior to departure. • Topics: • Participation/Engagement/Responsibilities/ Expectations • Academics: Registration, Credit, GPA, transcripts • Finances • Health and Safety • Emergencies • Enculturation and Culture Shock • Travel Essentials • Plus “fun” stuff • This presentation and the handbook on the study abroad website: www.studyabroad.uwm.edu (click on “Orientation” link)

4. Participant Engagement & Responsibilities Study Abroad is an Investment • Educationally- academic, credit-earning endeavor (know your syllabus and itinerary) • Financially- don’t throw your money away! • Time commitment- sacrificing time away from work, family and friends • Personally- one of the most impactful times of your life • Set some goals and then chronicle your experience through a journal, video, pictures • Try new things, new foods, new museums, new methods of transportation Be Informed About and Engaged in the Study Abroad Process • Partnership between CIE, student, faculty, parents, vendors, university partners abroad • Months of pre-planning with many campus offices involved • Manage your email; read and understand the documents you receive; sign and submit all required forms and paperwork; attend orientation and classes • Learn about the place you are going (politics, strikes, weather, money, etc) • Know the consequences before you consider withdrawing (talk to a SA coordinator; withdrawals must be dated and in writing)

5. Participant Engagement & Responsibilities While Abroad • Be a good student • Attend all classes, ask questions • Be on-time for program related excursions and activities • Complete all assignments • Contribute positively to group dynamics • Be a good “global” citizen (ambassador of yourself, your city, your university and the United States) • Learn to laugh at yourself and have fun learning as you go! …but do notabuse alcohol, use drugs or disrespect others (program participants, host country citizens, other travelers, etc) After Returning • Give feedback about the program and use what you’ve learned in your future classes, daily life, etc.

6. ~WARNING~ What you are about to witness involves important learning content but not trained actors! Please forgive those involved…

7. Now we dance!

8. The next day…

9. Academics: Registration, Credit, Course Equivalency and GPA • Registration • Short-term • Semester Study Abroad • Exchange (Summer/UWinteriM/Sem/Year) • Non-UWM programs • Holds • Credits • GPA • Course Equivalency Approval Form • Continuing Registration • Withdrawal from Program • Consider the financial consequences • Must be in writing

10. UWM Educational Services Credit Agreement Requirement • Located under the Finances section of PAWS Student Center • Sign electronically • Hold will be removed immediately upon completion of the agreement via PAWS

11. Academics: Transcripts and Post-Program Evaluation • Transcripts • UWM students attending UWM programs • UWM students attending non-UWM programs must have their transcripts sent to the CIE study abroad office for processing • Non-UWM students attending UWM programs must request an official transcript from UWM’s Registrar’s Office after fees are paid and grades are reported • Re-entry Program Evaluation

12. Finances • Travel Logistics • Program Finances • Financial Aid

13. Travel Logistics • Trip cancellation and travel insurance • Airline arrangements • Economy class • Routing • Getting your own airfare— • Airline Information Sessions • Hotels • Shared rooms • Basic accommodations • Food • Choices limited • Vegetarian needs • Portion sizes

14. Program Finances • Play an active role in understanding your finances • See the finances section of the website about study abroad fees posting, CIE late fee policies, refund, withdrawal information • Program withdrawals • Fee posting to PAWS account

15. Program Finances • Check the financial section of your PAWS account • Study Abroad Program: Program Fee • SA: Academic Costs (Found under tuition) • SA: Faculty Expenses (Found under other charges) • SA: Student Expenses (Found under other charges) • SA: Fees (Found under other charges) • Exchange Program: UWM Tuition and Study Abroad Fees & Insurance • SA: Fees (Found under other charges) • Non-UWM Program: Study Abroad Fees & Insurance • SA: Fees (Found under other charges)

16. Financial Aid • Be an active participant in your own financial planning – know your financial situation and options • Understand how financial aid & FAFSA work • Study abroad financial aid budgets • Meet with a financial aid advisor • Posting of loans & grants to PAWS shortly after SA charges are posted and shortly before the term starts • Early departing programs • Aid disbursement through Cashier’s Office (Financial Aid Authorization form)

17. Financial Aid Authorization

18. Financial Aid Status • SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Financial Aid office monitors Pace (66.67%) and Timeframe (180 credits maximum attempted credits) • Know your status before departing: good, warning, probation, or ineligible • Transcripts from host schools are sometimes not sent for weeks after your program ends so your grades likely will not be immediately reported • You might receive an email from financial aid stating that you are in warning, probation, or ineligible status • Academic Plan – must take exact number of credits as outlined in Academic Plan.

19. Financial Aid Status of Probation or Warning • If you receive a probation or warning email DO NOT PANIC! • You DO NOT need to contact the financial aid office. You will still receive your financial aid for the semester and the probation or warning status will be lifted once your grades are reported. • Once study abroad grades are reported, contact financial aid office and request update of eligibility status. • If study abroad grades are not posted on PAWS as regular grades or transfer credits, please provide the financial aid office with a transcript of study abroad grades.

20. Financial Aid Ineligible Status • If you receive an email stating that you are ineligible, then you should contact your study abroad coordinator and a financial aid advisor immediately. • Once study abroad grades are reported, contact financial aid office and request update of eligibility status. • If study abroad grades are not posted on PAWS as regular grades or transfer credits, please provide the financial aid office with a transcript of study abroad grades. Work with your coordinator for this. • May have to work with financial aid advisor and academic advisor if you have exceeded 180 attempted credits

21. Health and Safety

22. Health & Safety: Insurance • CISI Insurance • Required by state of Wisconsin • Built into cost of your program—you do NOT need to purchase yourself • Reimbursement policy (pay first and keep receipts) • Participant Portal: http://www.culturalinsurance.com/ • Receive CISI Login Instruction Sheet at Site Specific • Print ID card • Review plan features • Download forms • Purchase additional insurance • Look-up claim • Review country-specific resources: overseas U.S. embassies/consulates; country profiles, health and vaccination info; DoS travel warning; links

23. Health & Safety: Preparing to Go • Health provider(s) and dental visits • Required for Special Medical Health Risk & Release • Also, just a good idea • Medical Self-Disclosure – “The More We Know” • CIE may require a letter from provider listing health problem(s), medications, etc. • Especially important if you have a pre-existing condition • Develop a plan with instructions from your provider based on your condition/needs • Traveling with Medication • B.Y.O. self-care (Advil, Pepto, etc.) • Travel kit • Pack it in your carry-on

24. Health & Safety: Travel Resources CDC Resource • CDC country name -> health information for travelers • CDC yellow book -> 2012 Yellow Book • CDC malaria or CDC malaria map • Your destination will determine how important malaria medication will be – but it is always important! Bureau of Consular Affairs (US Department of State) • Travel state name of country Other • uwm.edu/norris/ click on services header then travel clinic • tripprep.com

25. Health & Safety: Immunizations Norris Health Center recommends: For all students: Be up to date on your routine vaccines: • Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis • Measles-Mumps-Rubella • Polio • Influenza For students traveling outside of Western Europe: • Hepatitis A For certain areas of the world: • Yellow Fever • Typhoid • Rabies • Meningococcal Meningitis • Japanese Encephalitis • Tick born Encephalitis

26. Health & Safety: Environmental Factors • Sun • Use sunscreen, hat, long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, shade to minimize exposure • How much sunscreen? 1 ounce. Apply 30 minutes before exposure (and before deet) • Highest risk: 10AM - 4PM, equator, high altitude, summer, water • Heat and humidity • Rest, drink fluids, stay where it’s shady and cool- it takes a minimum of two weeks to adjust. • Avoid strenuous hiking or biking until acclimated. Dehydration is the most important predisposing factor in heat illness

27. Health & Safety: Environmental Factors • Altitude • Can magnify the effects of sun and dehydration. • Particularly difficult for people with existing respiratory difficulty • prevent or treat with acetazolamide • hydrate - avoid coffee and alcohol • go slow - acclimatizing for a few days at 8,000–9,000 ft before proceeding to higher altitude is ideal • Water safety • Drinking water - if in doubt-drink only bottled, boiled, or filtered water • Watch out for ice cubes – they’re usually made with tap water • Practice good water safety - drowning accounts for 13% of deaths of Americans abroad • Be aware of marine hazards, schistosomiasis, leptospirosis

28. Health & Safety: Environmental Factors • Animals: • All are suspect for rabies! • Monkeys are not cute and they do bite! • Any animal bite should be evaluated by a health-care provider as soon as possible, after cleaning the wound for 15 minutes. • Insects: itching and scratching • local infection (cellulitis, boils) • transmit disease- malaria, dengue, yellow fever, lyme disease, leishmaniasis, tick-borne encephalitis • Prevent bites: stay indoors when insects biting • Wear long sleeve shirt, long pants, and socks • Pre-treat outfit with permethrin if a serious problem • Use DEET > 30% repellent on exposed skin

29. Don’t get Hit • Leading cause of death in travelers under 40 is injury • Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury death to US citizens traveling abroad

30. Don’t get Lit • U.S. data show that an alcohol-impaired driver has a 17 times greater risk of being involved in a fatal crash. • Penalties for drug and alcohol use can be severe • Drug and alcohol impairment increase your risk for incarceration, sexual assault, injury, unprotected sex and STI

31. Don’t do ‘It’ • Hepatitis B • HIV • HSV • HPV • Chlamydia and Gonorrhea • Syphilis Recommend • Bring condoms with • Watch out for date-rape drugs • Be mindful of local cultural norms and expectations

32. Don’t eat Sh-t • “ The world is covered in feces, Its just thicker in some places than others” • “ Travel expands the mind and loosens the bowels” • Traveler’s diarrhea occurs in 22-64% of traveler’s to the developing world Severe cramps and diarrhea • Prevent: frequent hand washing, eat only freshly prepared steaming hot foods, avoid unpasteurized dairy products, Avoid raw fruit and vegetables • Treat with antibiotic you have brought with you

33. In summary… • Don’t get bit • Don’t get hit • Don’t get lit • Don’t do it • Don’t eat sh-t

34. Crime Prevention • Use common sense • Beware of pickpocketing! • Don’t bring/carry unnecessary items which can be stolen • Don’t flaunt digital cameras, iPods, jewelry, etc. • Wear a money belt/ pouch under your clothing • Avoid dark, unsafe/ unknown places and walking alone • ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!

35. Preventing Sexual Violence What is sexual violence? • Any form of unwanted, unwelcome, forceful or coercive sexual contact • It can happen anywhere and to anyone • Most assaults are committed by someone known to the victim • Understand cultural norms of host country! • It is NEVER the victim’s fault!

36. Preventing Sexual Violence • Ways to minimize risk • Use the buddy system • Be aware of date rape drugs • Never leave your drink unattended • Don’t share drinks with anyone • Don’t leave a bar/club/party with someone you just met • Don’t accept rides from strangers • Don’t tell strangers where you live • Guys, you can help, too! • Remember: it is NEVER the victim’s fault!

37. U.S. Dept. of State Information • Country Specific Information and Travel Warnings • http://travel.state.gov/ • http://studentsabroad.state.gov/ • Check this information before traveling to other countries during your study abroad program • CIE will inform you of any travel warnings via email. • CIE registers all program participants with the U.S. Embassy in their host country. • Avoid political activities or demonstrations

38. Emergencies • Think about how you would respond in an emergency: • Emergency planning: http://studentsabroad.com/planning.asp • In the event of an emergencyseek local help first: • Program leader • Staff at International Office • Home stay family • Friends • Hotel staff • After emergency has passed, contact home or UWM: • UWM Police: 414-229-4627 (Available 24-7) • UWM Study Abroad Office: 414-229-5182 (M-F 8:00-4:30. Outside of business hours, leave a voicemail message or transfer to UWM Police.)

39. Emergencies: Real vs. Perceived Real • Broken bone • Missing student • Robbery or assault Perceived • Lost suitcase • Difficult roommate • Dirty hotel room • Bathroom down the hall • “Weird” food • Bad grade(s)

40. Enculturation/Culture Shock • Recognizing culture shock • Anxiety/Depression • Becoming familiar with cultural norms • Journal writing and silent observation

41. Differences in Culture • Male/Female roles • Racial and ethnic concerns • LGBTQ: Sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression abroad • Mobility (MIUSA website) • Economic realities • Terrorism • Political awareness • Being a U.S. citizen abroad

42. Travel Tips & Essentials: Documents, Money, Packing

43. Travel Documents - Passports • Expedited service (if you don’t already have one) • Photocopies: • One copy in U.S. • Two copies in CIE study abroad • One copy with you – but not with your passport! • Photocopy your visa (if applicable) • Extra passport photos • Parent, spouse, guardian passports

44. Travel Documents – Entry Visas • An Entry Visa is your ticket into a country and is granted by the government of the country you’re visiting. It is a stamp or sticker placed into your valid passport • Non-U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residentsare responsible for their own immigration documentation for entering the study abroad countryor countries (including transitcountries) and for re-entryinto the United States

45. Handling Money Abroad (1of 2) • Know your own spending habits and plan accordingly! • Understand the money culture of your host country • Cash based economy or no? • Availability of ATMs? • Multiple ways to access/ use money • ATM Withdrawals • Use your US card to withdraw local currency • Know your pin! • Check with your bank to make sure your card will work overseas • Let your bank know where you will be traveling so they don’t cancel your card • Good to have a back-up – just in case! • Paying with Plastic • Chip and pin • No “cash back” • Minimum charge allowances • Travelers Debit Card • The “new” travelers check • Not tied to your personal bank account • Easily replaced if lost/stolen

46. Handling Money Abroad (2of 2) • Currency Converters (for exchange rates) • www.oanda.com • www.xe.com • Have about $100 worth of local currency when you arrive in your host country (“just in case” money). • Ask your bank about ordering foreign currency • Currency Exchange in airports • ATMs in host country (not always available) • ISIC (International Student Identity Card) • Travel discounts • Sold in the study abroad office for $22 • Especially good in Europe

47. Packing Tips for Air Travel • Medicine in original container • Bring copies of all prescriptions, including eyeglasses/contacts • Medicine/prescriptions/important items in carry-on • TSA 3-1-1 rule

48. Packing Tips - General • Travel light!! You will have to carry what you pack. • Pack an interchangeable wardrobe • Bring GOOD walking shoes! • Take easy washables • Roll your clothes and use Ziploc bags for toiletries • In-country baggage requirements

49. Site Specific Orientations Short-term Programs • Site-specific (or program-specific) Orientations have been or will be scheduled by your faculty leader and study abroad coordinator. Watch your email! • These are mandatory and attendance may be factored into your course grade • Some programs have additional pre-departure classes or multiple pre-departure meetings. Semester Programs • Scheduled by study abroad coordinator based on group availability • May include UWM returnees from prior semesters or exchange students at UWM from the host school

50. Be smart, be safe, have a great time! “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness—all foes to real understanding” -Mark Twain