Pre-departure Workshop for Study/Research/Athletic Activities Abroad

1. Pre-departure Workshopfor Study/Research/Athletic Activities Abroad Karen Strang, Manager, International Initiatives Office • Ambassadorship • Risk & Responsibility (Waiver, Health & Medical Treatment, Checklist) • www. voyage.gc.ca (travel report, ROCA, country insight) • GuardMeInsurance (GlobalGuard out-of-country emergency health insurance, trip cancellation and baggage insurance) • Diversity, culture shock & coping strategies • Q&A Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

2. AMBASSADORSHIP • You will be an ambassador for Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada and “Me to We” while abroad. So ensure you are informed and ready to represent your home country. • Weblinks: • www.gc.ca • www.cbc.ca • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada • http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/look/look-04.asp Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

3. You are choosing to take part in this international sojourn • Understand that with these amazing experiences you are exposing yourself to risks & • dangers…BE AWARE/INFORMED • Know that you are taking full responsibility for yourself while abroad (excursions, trips, etc…) • You will not hold NU &/or any of its employees liable for your actions • You are responsible for reviewing all of the information • Weblinks, resources, handouts, etc… • Complete and submit all the required forms by: DATE 4:00pm in A201) • Waiver of Claims and Release from Liability • Health/Medical Form • Participation Agreement • Copy of your passport (page with the photo) • Risk Assessment & Emergency Planning Record • Risk Management Protocol (contacts in case of emergency – NU, onsite, supervisors, embassies) Risk and Responsibility Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

4. Risk and Responsibility TRIP SPECIFIC INFORMATION to enter in these forms: • Waiver of Claims and Release from Liability • Health/Medical Form • Participation Agreement • DESTINATION: Jamaica • SSRA LOCATION: Ochos Rios & Port Antonio • DATES OF ACTIVITIES: Jan 14-27, 2012 Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

5. www.voyage.gc.ca Essential Information for Canadians Abroad Planning a Trip: • Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) • Checklists Country Information: • Travel reports & warnings (travel advisory) • Contact info of Canadian government office abroad • Security, health & travel information • Laws and regulations • Country profiles & cultural information Resources and Links • Publications and resources (Bon Voyage But…) • Passport and visa info Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

6. Why is Global Guard the mandatory out-of country health insurance plan? Other Insurance Plans: • Restrictions (age, activity, country, length of trip, etc…) • Pre-existing condition clauses, exclusions • Reimbursement plans – most do not pay up front • Will return you home as soon as they can • Repatriation, air evacuation, prescriptions, family support, etc… • Leverage & support (partnership between NU & GlobalGuard) • Travel Healthcare Insurance Solutions Inc. (T.H.I.S.) Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

7. GlobalGuard Travel Health Insurance GlobalGuard Complete details: • Rates on Premiums chart • Coverage – departure and arrival dates back in Canada • Can extend coverage from outside of Canada (if travelling beyond group trip) • 100% coverage of eligible claims • Worldwide coverage from time of departure (layover) • 90 day extension upon return to Canada • Easy payment system & claim (credit card) How to apply: • Complete the Nipissing U “on-line” application on the GuardMe web site • Refer to instruction sheet For more details and to make a claim visit: www.guard.me Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

8. “The butterfly effect is a phrase that encapsulates the more technical notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.” Reference: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect The Butterfly Effect Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

9. Personality What makes each of us unique Culture What makes some of us different from others Human Nature What makes us all the same Inherited and learned Specific to an individual Specific to a group Learned Universal Inherited References: - Hofstede, G. (2001) - UBC Intercultural Training and Resource Centre Nipissing International Office (A201) - nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

10. The visual aspects are what you can see (above the surface) : • Body language and gestures • Architecture and design • Food and eating habits • Fashion and style • Music, dance and drama • Religious rituals and buildings • Fine arts and literature • Historical buildings and artifacts • Etc… • The deeper aspects of culture are what you cannot see (below the surface) : • Religious beliefs • Work ethic • Decision making patterns • Approaches to problem solving • Roles in relation to age, gender and status • Notion of respect • Family relationships • Etc… Above the surface you can see the visible characteristics of culture. Like a tree the core traits (like the tree trunk) will remain the same but some features can change over time (like the leafs). Under the surface, the deeply rooted aspects of culture (like the tree roots) are not readily visible. These characteristics are more difficult to discover. The core values and beliefs (roots) defines a particular society (holds up the tree and allow it to grow stronger). Nipissing International Office (A201) - nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

11. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension Power Distance (PD): Reflects the degree to which a culture believes how institutional and organizational power should be distributed (equally or unequally) and how the decision of the power holder should be viewed (challenged or accepted). Uncertainty Avoidance (UA): Reflects the degree to which a culture feels threatened by ambiguous, uncertain situation and tries to avoid (or not) uncertainty by establishing structures. Individualism – Collectivism (IND): Reflects the degree to which a culture relies upon and has allegiance (loyalty) to the self or group (“I” or “We”). Masculinity – Femininity (MAS): How cultural groups value such behaviors as assertiveness, achievement, acquisition of wealth or caring for others social support and the quality of life. 0 Nipissing International Office (A201) - nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

12. Culture Shock Acculturation Cycle Honeymoon Honeymoon High Mood Low Adjustment Adjustment Culture Shock Reverse Culture Shock While Abroad Back Home Nipissing International Office (A201) - nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540

13. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements The Honeymoon Phase • Factors that lead to culture shock: • Language barriers • Racial discrimination • Change of weather • Separation from home • New food and dietary restrictions • Money and finances • Diminished social interactions • Change of status and level of academic success • Loss of point of reference/familiarity • Felling incompetent in the new environment • Experiencing a daily re-learning process • Making sense of other’s behaviors • Different educational system (intensity and delivery) • Academic differences (resources, essay writing and referencing, critical thinking, participation, etc… • Behaviors do not give the desired results • Facing different values, attitudes and beliefs • Facing the unpredictable (fear of the unknown) • First few days or weeks • Fascination with new surroundings • Feel excited • Challenges start to occur • Comparison of cultures (host vs. home) • Experience at different time than colleagues • Part of acculturation process • Recognition and admittance Honeymoon Honeymoon High Mood Low Adjustment Adjustment Culture shock Reverse Culture Shock While Abroad Back Home

14. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements • Symptoms of Culture Shock: • Homesickness • Sleeplessness and being overly tired • Physical illnesses (lower immune system) • Loss of ability to work or study effectively • Overeating or loss of appetite • Identity confusion • Disorientation • Low moral and/or self-esteem • Helplessness, loneliness and fear • Withdrawing from people who are different • Social isolation • Hostility and anger and irritability • Anxiety and/or stress • Depression • Alcohol and drug abuse • Mental/emotional disorders Culture Shock • Required to make adjustments to adapt to new environment • Everyday actions, behviours and tasks require more effort and concentration • Physical, emotional and mental implications • Severity of culture shock and symptoms vary • Self identification and understanding • Awareness of personal health, feelings and emotion is essential in seeking advice or assistance • There are support options Honeymoon Honeymoon High Mood Low Adjustment Adjustment Culture shock Reverse Culture Shock While Abroad Back Home

15. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements The Adjustment Phase Culture Shock will pass and you will experience the adjustment phase Having a positive attitude and an open mind assist in developing relationships with others Start to accept the host culture, values, customs and norms Everyday tasks become easier and more enjoyable Start to view host culture as simply different and you begin to embrace this Anxiety decreases Start to feel as part of the host culture Honeymoon Honeymoon High Mood Low Adjustment Adjustment Culture shock Reverse Culture Shock While Abroad Back Home

16. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements Key Factors Important in a Successful Intercultural Adjustment Open Mindedness: Ability to keep opinions flexible and be receptive to new stimuli. Sense of Humor: In another culture there are many things which lead one to weep, get angry, be annoyed, embarrassed, or discouraged. The ability to laugh off things will help guard against despair. Ability to Cope with Failure: Everyone fails at something overseas. Persons who go overseas are often those who have been the most successful in their home environments and have rarely experienced failure, thus, may have never developed ways of coping with failure. Communicativeness: The ability and willingness to communicate one's feelings and thoughts to others, verbally or non-verbally. Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to respond to or tolerate the ambiguity of new situations. Keeping options open and judgmental behavior to a minimum describes an adaptable or flexible person. Curiosity: Demonstrated the desire to know about other people, places, ideas, etc… This skill or personality trait is important for travelers because they need to learn many things in order to adapt to their new environment. Positive and Realistic Expectations: It has been shown frequently that there are strong correlations between positive expectations for an intercultural experience and successful adjustment overseas. Reference: http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_adjusting.html

17. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements Tolerance for Differences and Ambiguities: A sympathetic understanding for beliefs or practices differing from one's own is important to successful intercultural adjustment. Positive Regard for Others: The ability to express warmth, empathy, respect, and positive regard for other persons. A Strong Sense of Self... A clear, secure feeling about oneself results in individuals who are neither weak nor overbearing in their relations with others. Persons with a strong sense of themselves stand up for what they believe but do not cling to those beliefs regardless of new information, perspectives, or understandings which they may encounter. Admit frankly that these impacts exist. It is not a sign of weakness to admit that you feel uncomfortable, tense or confused. Learn the rules of living in your host country. Try to understand how and why the local people act the way they do. Their behaviours and customs may be different from your own, but they are neither better nor worse than what you are used to. Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise and take the time to sleep. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate amounts. Travel. Take the time to be a tourist and explore the country’s sights. Reference: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/culture_shock-en.asp

18. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements Take time to learn the language. It always helps to understand as much as possible of what people are saying. They will appreciate your effort to communicate with them in their language, even if it is just a few simple phrases, and it will make your daily life much easier. Carry a small notebook and jot down a couple of new words each day. Use a phrase book to learn the vocabulary you need to cope with real-life situations. Make friends and develop relationships. Getting to know local people will help you overcome cultural differences and understand the country. It will also show you how to be more sensitive to cultural norms and expectations. Maintain contact with friends and family back home. Writing home about your experiences and problems can help you sort through them. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your feelings and thoughts. Do something that reminds you of home. Listening to your favourite music or practising a familiar hobby can boost your spirits when you are feeling homesick. Avoid idealizing life back home. Try to make the most of your stay and consciously adopt an open mind. Get involved in some aspect of the new culture. Whether you study art or music, or learn a new sport or martial art, being an interested student will make a world of difference. Reference: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/culture_shock-en.asp

19. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements Reverse Culture Shock • Typically more difficult to deal with then culture shock while abroad • Honeymoon stage – excited to return home • Disappointment with lack of enthusiasm and understanding of your experience • Being to miss your friends you made while abroad • Re-questioning of aspects of your life (personal identity, relationships) • Similar culture shock systems • Learn to utilize the skills, knowledge and competencies gained while abroad Honeymoon Honeymoon High Mood Low Adjustment Adjustment Culture shock Reverse Culture Shock While Abroad Back Home

20. Pre-departure Session: BEd. P.T. International Placements Key Factors Important in the Re-Entry Adjustment • Keep in touch with the friends you made abroad • Create a photo album and/or a scrapbook with your pictures, comments and highlights. It will be a great keepsake as well as a useful and interesting resources to share with others when talking about your experiences • Start planning your next educational experience abroad and/or backpacking trip • Make presentations to other students at your institution about your experiences overseas • Talk to students going abroad and/or returning from abroad (they are the ones who will be the most interested in hearing your stories and adventures • Refresh your portfolio and resume to include your international experiences as well as the skills, knowledge and competencies that you gained • Get involved on campus and/or with your international office • Take part in a peer-mentorship program or start up this kind of initiative if it does not exist at your institution • Think about how your experiences have impacted your academic and/or professional career goals and make some adjustments if necessary. Talk with an academic advisor and/ or career councilor. • If you are experiencing major reverse culture shock symptoms talk to your International Student Advisor, counsellor, family and/or friends.

21. Nipissing International Office (A201) - www.nipissingu.ca/international - (705) 474-3450 x4540