2’nd Pre-departure Meeting

1. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program 2’nd Pre-departure Meeting • Topics • Ms. Orie Varner from the Study Abroad Office • Recap of important info from the 1’st meeting • Student rules / regulations • Telephone numbers / telephone calls • Money  $ and € • Medical coverage / Emergency assistance • Things to bring / not to bring • Odds and ends • TA positions • Billing • Next meeting

2. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Items Addressed in 1’st Meeting • Passports  everyone has one but check expiration date • Travel Plans  send me flight info • Depart U.S. on July 9 (arrive July 10) • Depart Belgium on August 16 3. Lost luggage contact info: Sofie Bruneel (secretary) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Celestijnenlaan 200 E (room 01.256) B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium Phone: 32-(0)16-32.97.21 Cell: 32-(0)472-41.24.11

3. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program 4. Roommates have been assigned 5. Rooms are furnished  bring towels 6. Meals  bring your own meal money - $20 to $25 per day 7. Pre-register for the Study Abroad classes online 8. Classes are regular A&M classes - K.U. Leuven international students may be in the classes

4. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Items Addressed in 1’st Meeting • July 10 (Wed)  arrive and get checked into rooms - Rent bicycles - Get KUL cards July 11 (Thur) is a Flemish holiday - everything will be closed! - Tour classrooms / explore town July 13 (Fri)  1’st day of class!

5. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program • Items to Always Remember 1. We are guests in Belgium and the Belgium people are our hosts. 2. We represent Texas A&M University at all times. 3. Most Belgians speak English, therefore they always know what you are saying!!!

6. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Ground Rules • You must attend all classes, field trips, seminars and other Study Abroad activities, unless permission is received in advance. 2. Students have been divided into two groups - One group will report to Dr. Munster - One group will report to Dr. Engler

7. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Ground Rules 3. Notify both faculty members in advance if you leave the town of Leuven. 4. We will be using a “buddy” system to help keep track of everyone. - Your “buddy” will be your roommate - It is important that you let your “buddy” know where you are at all times - “Buddies” should keep track of each other on weekends, field trips, excursions, etc.

8. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Student Rules and Regulations • Primarily concerned with student safety • Faculty members and students have responsibilities • Students are at least 18 yrs old  Considered adults • Study Abroad students must comply with all terms and conditions of student conduct as outlined in the Terms of Participation Agreement • Each student has signed this agreement • Students are responsible for observing the same rules as students attending classes on campus

9. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Due Process and Dismissal • Violations of TAMU rules may result in expulsion from the program • Forfeiture of program fees • If a student is disruptive to the program • Faculty member will give the student written notice about the nature of the problem • Student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem • The consequence of failing to correct the problem may be dismissal from the program

10. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Additional Safety Measures • Students should travel in groups of three or more • Students must notify both faculty members when traveling out of Leuven • Students who ignore these rules do so at their own risk!! • Faculty members can not enforce these rules! • Faculty members are not parents for Study Abroad students

11. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Consequences of Actions • When you leave Leuven  You are on your own! • If something happens to you the faculty members can not come to your aid • Faculty members have absolutely no obligation to get involved with the local authorities if a student is detained

12. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Travel Tips for Safety • Don’t carry valuables all in one place • Wear pants with lots of pockets! • Don’t carry more than you need • It will be obvious that you are from the U.S. • Easy “mark” for con-artists • Many cons have elaborate schemes • Always be wary whenever someone strikes up a conservation  especially in a train station • It may be innocent but always have your antennas out • Be street smart!

13. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Travel Tips for Safety • Be very careful with your passport  it’s your lifeline back to the U.S.! • Make a color copy of your passport and drivers license • Keep these in a different place than your passport • Keep your eye on your luggage! • Book room reservations before you leave on a trip

14. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Telephone Numbers • Belgium cell phone numbers • Dr. Munster 32-(0)497-20.99.00 • Dr. Engler 32-(0)499-62.57.33 • The number 32 is the country code for Belgium • Only dial 32 when you are not in Belgium • The (0) in the phone number means the following: • If you are in Belgium, you have to use the 0 to dial the number • If you are not in Belgium, you do not use the 0.

15. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Telephone Calls • Calls back to the U.S. are very expensive! • Phone booth stores are the cheapest • You may want to check into an international calling plan for your cell phone • Find out how to avoid roaming charges when traveling internationally • Computer calls using Skype are the cheapest!! • Best if you have a headset with microphone • Free computer to computer • $0.02/minute computer to phone • http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/callphones/

16. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Dollars ($) – Euros (€) • At this time the exchange rate is: • 1 € = $1.31 • This is the cost for us to buy a Euro • Generally, the exchange rate goes up and down slowly • Hopefully the cost will go down! • Euros are used throughout Europe except: • England • Switzerland • Denmark • Sweden • Norway • Eastern European countries

17. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Dollars ($) – Euros (€) • Important  exchange at least $150 to Euros in the U.S. at a bank or airport before getting on your trans-Atlantic flight • Good to have some local money in your pocket when you arrive! • May have trouble finding an ATM at first • May have trouble getting your card to work • All Study Abroad program costs are covered except: • Meal money • Weekend travel • Miscellaneous expenses • travel / snacks / etc.

18. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Money – Debit Cards • Best way to get Euros in Belgium is with a debit card • Comes out of your bank account • Low fees / good exchange rates • Just need to find an ATM • Must know your PIN number • Must notify your bank about your travel plans • If debit card is sponsored by Visa or MasterCard • Can generally also use it wherever credit cards are accepted

19. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Money – Credit Cards • Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Europe • Must notify credit card company of travel plans • I wouldn’t recommend using credit cards to get Euros • Credit cards charge big finance fees

20. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Money – Credit Cards • My recommendations: • Don’t use travelers checks • Travelers checks are not accepted very many places • Outdated • Don’t bring U.S. dollars • No place takes dollars  not even banks!!

21. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Medical Coverage / Emergency Assistance • Medical coverage and emergency assistance will be provided by CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) Insurance • Cost covered by the Study Abroad fees • You will receive CISI info by email • Coverage includes: • Medical expenses for accidents and sickness • Return ticket for qualified emergencies • Program fee refund for qualified emergencies • Travel delay benefit for qualified emergencies • Security evacuations • You will also be covered by K.U. Leuven Universiteit • Your KUL student card is needed for this coverage

22. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Things to Bring • Rule #1  Travel light • Suitcases on wheels are the best • Generally bring warm clothes for cool weather • Highs during the day may be in 70s oF • Lows at night may be around 50 oF • Sweaters / sweatshirts / long pants / long sleeve shirts • However, some years the highs can be near 90 oF!! • We need to look for the temperatures in Brussels in June • If the highs are in upper 80 oF  we need to bring shorts / short sleeve shirts

23. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Things to Bring • Rain gear  it will rain! • Bring something to keep you dry on a bicycle! • Bring an umbrella • Comfortable walking shoes • You do a lot of walking in Europe! • Calculator for homework / tests • Laptop computer if you have one • Stapler • Three hole punch • A willingness to try new things • A good attitude!

24. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Things to Bring • Electrical plug adaptor for laptop • Voltage converter for hair dryers if not dual voltage (make sure converter can handle the wattage!!)

25. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Things NOT to Bring • Liquids in carry-on luggage • Limited to 4 oz per container • All liquids must go in a clear 1 qt plastic bag • Ok to bring liquids in checked bags • Review the TSA rules • Heavy suitcases • Check your airline for weight limits on luggage • Airlines weigh the bags at the check in counter • If you are over weight they charge you a lot!! • Most airlines now charge for each checked bag!

26. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program If You Fly Through England • Airports in England limit passengers to 1 carry-on bag. A purse or small backpack is considered 1 bag! Everything else must go in your luggage.

27. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Flying Tips • Print out your boarding pass before leaving for the airport • Can do this 24-hours in advance • Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours early • Carry on a change of clothes just in case: • Your luggage is lost or your flight is cancelled • Carry on prescriptions meds (in original packaging and containers) • Quickly get to your gate when you have to change planes • Have the contact information for the Belgian secretary with you in your carry-on bags in case your luggage does not arrive in Brussels when you do! • Expect delays!

28. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Flying Tips • Have your boarding pass / passport ready to show at security check point • Be prepared to remove your shoes • Be prepared to take off your belt and empty pockets • Be prepared to take your laptop out of its case • Before you leave for the airport check airline website for flight status

29. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Pre-register • Pre-register for the Study Abroad classes • Just like you pre-register for all other classes • Go to  Summer Session • Go to  View AGSM Courses (for non-engineering students) • AGSM 335 • AGSM 337 • Go to  View BAEN Courses (for engineering students) • BAEN 460 • BAEN 465

30. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Odds and Ends • Belgium is divided into two regions • Flanders in the north  Flemish speaking region • Leuven is in Flanders • Wallonia in the south  French speaking region Flemish Flag Walloon Flag

31. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Odds and Ends • Most cities/towns in Belgium have two names! Below the 1’st name is Flemish the 2’nd name is French • Brussels – Bruxelles Bergen - Mons • Leuven – Louvain Doornik - Tournai • Luik – Liege Ieper - Ypres • Gent – Gand Antwerpen – Anvers • Train stations in Flanders  list Flemish names • Train stations in Wallonia  list French names

32. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Odds and Ends • In Leuven in July the town sponsors music festivals • 6 – 8 stages are setup around town for music • The music is free • Each weekend has a theme • Latin music • Blues • Folk • Jazz • Etc

33. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Train Travel Tips • High speed trains require seat reservations • 2’nd class is much cheaper and almost as good as 1’st class • Just more crowded • Most train stations have travel offices to help you book train tickets • The station in Leuven has one • Learn how to read the train schedules and you won’t need to wait in line at the travel offices • Train schedules are online

34. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Scholarships • There will be two student workers for the Study Abroad classes • Only students in the BAEN Department are eligible • An email will go out asking who would like to be considered • TAs will grade home work but not the tests or reports • Study Abroad scholarships through the Study Abroad office have been awarded • The COALS scholarships have been awarded to students in COALS • The BAEN Dept has scholarships for BAEN students • We will use COALS scholarship forms you submitted

35. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Fees That are Waived for Study Abroad Classes • Health Center fee ($72.50) • Rec Sports fee ($101.92) • Transportation fee ($70) • University writing fee ($8) • University Center Complex fee ($100) • But, if you take Summer I classes at A&M you will be charged these fees!

36. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Overnight Field Trip • One field trip will be 2 days long • A Thursday and Friday • Spend Thursday night in Brugge • No cost to the students

37. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Webpages for Study Abroad Classes • http://munster.tamu.edu • http://baen.tamu.edu/users/cengler/ • Information for all classes • Program schedule • Useful Info  already information linked here! • Syllabi • Lecture schedule • PowerPoint presentations • Homework problems • Textbook required for BAEN 460 / AGSM 335 • Ward, Andy D. and Stanley W. Trimble. 2004. Environmental Hydrology – 2nd Edition. Lewis Publishers. New York, NY. ISBN #1-56670-616-5 • Can share textbooks • No text for BAEN 465 / AGSM 337

38. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Webpages for Study Abroad Classes • Available now for AGSM 337 and BAEN 465 at • http://baen.tamu.edu/users/cengler/ • Notes • PowerPoint slides • In June, check out the Study Abroad webpage • http:munster.tamu.edu • Print out: • PowerPoint lectures • Homework assignments • Bring them with you to Belgium

39. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Next Meeting at Blue Baker on Dominic Dr. • Wednesday, May 1, at 6:00 pm • Students from the 2012 Study Abroad program will be there

40. Belgium Environmental Soil and Water Study Abroad Program Questions??