WINTER

1. WINTER BSU Office of Study Abroad Pre-DepartureOrientation Template APRIL 2013

2. 01 Turn in Documents in Office • Passport copy • Participation agreement • Health Form • Acceptance letter from affiliate provider • Transfer of credit form (semester study abroad students) http://www.bridgew.edu/study abroad/forms PowerPoint chart object

3. 02 Passports and Visas • Check passport expiration date! • Photocopy your passport before you go, and bring it with you • Don’t keep it in the same place as your passport • Visa requirements vary depending on country, length of stay, purpose of visit www.state.gov –keep up to date with country-specific travel info and travel warnings PowerPoint chart object

4. 03 Meetings • Each Study Abroad program will have program specific meetings that are mandatory! • You will receive email with information about the date and time of the meetings PowerPoint chart object

5. 04 Packing • Carry on luggage • Laptops, cameras, etc • No liquids over 3 oz. in carry on luggage– in a clear plastic bag • What to pack • Multi purpose clothing • Comfortable shoes • Electrical adaptors • What NOT to bring • Expensive jewelry • Unnecessary credit cards, social security card, etc • Excess cash • Luggage weight – check for additional baggage fees with the airline • Check with airline for any updated information PowerPoint chart object

6. 05 Contact and Travel Info • Leave with your family: • Copy of your passport • Flight information & Itinerary • Your in country contact info • OSA contact information • Register your trip with Smart Travel Enrollment Program at https://step.state.gov/step/ • Register with local in-country embassy • Identify In-country resources: • faculty leader • program director • international programs office • resident director PowerPoint chart object

7. 06 Academic Credits • Study Tours • 3 BSU undergraduate or graduate credits • Grades are factored in to your GPA • Register for the study tour online through Infobear ** Enrollment open now **

8. 07 Study Tours • Faculty Leader distributes the syllabus • 3 credits include coursework before and after dates of travel • All activities and meetings in country are mandatory

9. 08 Semester/Year Abroad • STUDY Abroad = Academic focus, not just travel • Class attendance is important, but may not be factored into the grade. • Follow the advice and direction of your in-country peers, contacts and directors.

10. 09 Style of Instruction • Lecture • Courses may meet once a week • Accessibility of faculty/professors • Teachers’ titles are important when you address them (Dr. Smith, Professor Smith) • Observe other students’ style of study

11. 10 Academic Credits Academic Year/Semester Programs • Students have to maintain a full time status. • Undergraduates: 12 BSU Credits • At BSU your record shows that you have a placeholder of 12 credits • Register for the actual courses at the host university • Grades do not factor in to GPA; will come in as transfer credits when: • transfer credit forms received • transcript received

12. 11 Transfer of Credit Process Visit http://www.bridgew.edu/StudyAbroad/getting-credit.cfm for all details on getting academic credit

13. 12 While Abroad • Experiencing Culture Shock • Happens to everyone • Everybody may experience different degrees of culture shock at different times • Take care of your mental health: stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression • Use BSU and in-country support services when needed (Exchanges: Int’l Office in country, Study Tours: Faculty, Affiliates: In-country coordinator) • Represent us well • BSU Conduct Code (zero tolerance) • Host university Code • Host country laws • Appropriate dress (no sweats or flip flops!) • Intercultural Communication

14. 13 Communication While Abroad • Send back to BSU Study Abroad any course changes you make • Complete new transfer credit form via email (if any changes) • Before you leave your host university – make sure you request to have your transcript sent to BSU Study Abroad Office • Keep in touch: OSA social networks, newsletter, BSU email

15. 14 Money Matters • Credit/Debit cards • Cash • Diversify your sources of currency • Be aware of ATM fees and exchange rates • Plan ahead • Ask for exchange rates in your US bank • Let your bank/credit card company know travel dates and locations

16. 15 Safety • Use COMMON SENSE • Do not be overly trusting • Be mindful of overly advertising yourself as American • Let someone know where you are going • Follow directions and safety warnings with Rx medication • Use alcohol responsibly • Engage in safe behavior • Be aware of your surroundings • Use the buddy system • Know in-country emergency information • Do not use any illegal drugs or substances: BSU’s zero tolerance policy applies abroad

17. 16 Health Information • Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) • Students should meet with health care provider prior to departure • Staying healthy abroad means being healthy physically and mentally • Travel clinics for recommended immunizations • Prescription medications • bring extras • bottles must match contents

18. 17 Insurance Information • CMI/Medix (www.cmi-insurance.com) • Personal, health, and travel insurance • Study Tours • Exchanges • Summer programs • Undergraduate Research • International Service Learning • All students should maintain personal health insurance- check with them directly for coverage • Carry insurance cards • Any in-country treatments—save receipts and you can be reimbursed Affiliate providers offer their own insurance coverage

19. 18 Get the most out of being abroad • Unplug—being online all the time hinders culture assimilation • Get involved and take advantage of opportunities • Clubs, sports, music, academic groups • Global citizenship • Prepare in advance • Politics, history, religion, geography • State Department website, Guide books like Rick Steve’s and Frommer’s • Language – basics are helpful • Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank you, etc • Numbers

20. 19 Communication • International phone card and cell phones • Usually is better to purchase in country when you arrive • Social Networks • Email • SKYPE, ooVoo, and other IMs • Set realistic expectations • Of service • How often you will check in with people back home

21. 20 Planning Your Return • Course registration while abroad—review course selections with advisor via email • http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/ • On-campus housing • http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/ • Global Village: International Residential Learning Community, opening fall 2013 • Study tours—any final projects • Semester/AY Programs – if you haven’t completed your Transfer of Credits, do it once you return from your Study Abroad program • Study Abroad Ambassadors • Mentor incoming international exchange students • Point of contact for other students interested in Study Abroad

22. 21 Additional Information • Dr. Mary Lou FriasBSU Health Services • Rita CamaraResidential Life and Housing • Lt. Ryan Tepper Campus Police • Study Abroad Ambassadors

23. 22 Questions?

24. 23 Additional Information Happy Travels!