Where YOUwill - Adelphi University · academics.adelphi.edu/asr Office of the University Registrar (516) 877-3300 ecampus.adelphi.edu/registrar Residential Life and Housing (516)

WherewillYOUgo?

STUDY ABROAD HANDBOOK

ADELPHI.EDU/STUDYABROAD

IMPORTANT CONTACTS AT ADELPHI

Center for International Education (516)877-3487adelphi.edu/studyabroad

Public Safety (516)877-3511 administration.adelphi.edu/publicsafety

Office of Academic Services and Retention (516)877-3150 academics.adelphi.edu/asr

Office of the University Registrar (516)877-3300 ecampus.adelphi.edu/registrar

Residential Life and Housing (516)877-3650 students.adelphi.edu/sa/rlh

Student Financial Services (516)877-3080 ecampus.adelphi.edu/sfs

Health Services Center (516)877-6000 students.adelphi.edu/sa/hs

TABLE OF CONTENTSCongratulations............................................................................................5

BeforeYouGo,PlanforYourReturn....................................................5

UponYourArrival..............................................................................5

GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad...............................................................6

Passports...........................................................................................6

StudentVisasandResidencyPermits....................................................7

ArrangingTravel................................................................................8

PackingYourLuggage........................................................................8

VoltageandElectricalAppliances........................................................8

LaptoporNoLaptop?.........................................................................9

PreparingforYourReturn....................................................................9

HealthandSafety.......................................................................................10

VaccinationsandImmunizations........................................................10

PrescriptionMedicines......................................................................10

StudentHealth.................................................................................10

HealthInsuranceCoverage...............................................................11

HealthandSafetyResourcesontheInternet........................................11

FinancialConsiderations.............................................................................12

CurrencyExchangeandMoneyAbroad............................................12

TuitionandFees...............................................................................12

RoomandBoard..............................................................................12

FinancialAidandScholarships.........................................................13

ArrivingatYourDestination........................................................................14

ArrivalDates...................................................................................14

AirportArrival.................................................................................14

ImportantDocuments........................................................................14

CustomsandImmigration.................................................................14

LostLuggage....................................................................................14

GettingtoYourAccommodations.......................................................15

AdjustingtoYourNewHome......................................................................16

JetLag.............................................................................................16

DiscoveringYourNeighborhood,OneBlockataTime........................16

TravelWhileAbroad........................................................................16

TravelandVisitorsfromHome...........................................................17

Housing...........................................................................................17

Meals..............................................................................................18

BeFlexible.......................................................................................18

DailyLife.........................................................................................19

ContactWithHome..........................................................................20

BloggingAbroad.............................................................................20

LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies......................................................21

AcademicExpectations.....................................................................21

EarningAdelphiCredit.....................................................................21

AcademicandBehaviorCodesofConduct.........................................23

EarlyWithdrawal/DismissalPolicy....................................................23

SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity...................................................24

Relationships....................................................................................24

StudentswithDisabilities...................................................................25

GenderIssues..................................................................................26

ReturningtoAdelphi...................................................................................28

ImportantEventstoRemember...........................................................28

ProgramEvaluation..........................................................................28

UsefulWebsites..........................................................................................29

The Center for International Education gratefully acknowledges the use of the following resources in the compilation of this study abroad handbook: NAFSA’s GuidetoEducationAbroadforAdvisersandAdministrators and the Pre-DepartureStudyAbroadHandbook from the Office of Study Abroad at Tulane University.

Congratulations5

CONGRATULATIONS!Youareabouttoembarkonthejourneyofalifetime.Thepurposeofthishandbookistomakeyourstudyabroadexperienceeasierasyoutransitionintoanewcultureandlearningenvironment.

ThishandbookoutlinesAdelphiUniversitystudyabroadpolicies,recommendationsfortravel,health,andsafety,aswellaswaystoadjustandtakeadvantageofyourhostcountry.Thisexperienceisgoingtobewhatyoumakeit;attimesitmightbechallengingbutremembertobeflexibleandopenminded—ifyoudo,youwillgaininsightnotonlyintoanewculturebutalsointoyourself.

Bon Voyage!

BEFORE YOU GO, PLAN FOR YOUR RETURN…•Checkdeadlinesforregistration,financialaidapplications,residencehall

applications,etc.andarrangeforaPowerofAttorneyforissuesyoumightneeddealtwithwhileabroad.

•Youwillneedtoregisterforthenextsemester’sclassesatAdelphiwhileyouarestillabroad—talkwithyouradvisertomakesureyouknowwhichclassesyouneedandregisterontheappropriatedateontheInternet.

• Planforhousingifyouwishtoliveoncampus.ContacttheOfficeofResidentialLifeandHousingpriortoleavingyourresidencehalltodetermineifyoumayreserveaspaceforyourreturnatstudents.adelphi.edu/sa/rlh.

UPON YOUR ARRIVAL…•EmailyourcontactinformationtotheCenterforInternationalEducation(CIE)

[email protected]

•RegisterwiththeclosestU.S.Embassyattravelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui

6StudyAbroadHandbook

GETTING READY FOR YOUR TRIP ABROAD

PASSPORTSAllAdelphistudentsplanningtostudyoutsideoftheUnitedStatesforanylengthoftimewillneedavalidpassportfromtheircountryofcitizenshiptoenteraforeigncountryandtore-entertheUnitedStates.Youmustbeinpossessionofavalidpassportfortheentireperiodofyourtrip.Ifyoudonothaveapassport,applyforoneassoonaspossible.Pleasegototravel.state.govandclickon“Passport”atthetopofthepage.

Passport RenewalPassportsaregenerallyvalidfor10years.Ifyouhaveapassportthatwillexpirewhileabroadorwithinsixmonthsoftheendofyourprogram,makesuretorenewitnow;youdonotwanttoriskbeingdeniedentrancetoaforeigncountryorcomplicateyourreturntotheUnitedStates.Detailsonhowtorenewyourpassportareavailableattravel.state.gov.

Passport PhotosBeforepurchasingpassportphotos,contactyourprogramsponsortogetanaccuratecountofthenumberofphotosneeded.Inaddition,youshouldtaketwoextrapassport-sizedphotoswithyouabroad.Thiswillaidinreplacingalostorstolenpassportmorequickly.

Securing Your Passport for Overseas TravelAssoonasyoureceiveyourpassport,makesuretosignitandfillintheinformationontheinsidecover.Yourpassportisnotvalidwithoutyoursignature.Wesuggestyoumakeseveralcopiesofyourpassport.Takeonewithyouandkeepitinaseparateplacefromtheoriginal;youshouldalsoleaveonewithwhoeveristakingcareofyouraffairsintheUnitedStates.TheCIEwillkeepascanofyourpassportaswell.Ifyourpassportislostorstolen,notifythelocalauthoritiesandtheU.S.consulateimmediately.Afteranidentificationinvestigation,theconsulatewillusuallyissueyouathree-monthtemporarypassport.

Never Pack Your Passport in Your LuggageWhentravelingfromcountrytocountry,keepyourpassportwithyouatalltimes,preferablyinamoney-beltorattachedsomehowunderyourclothes.

GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad7

Onceyouhavearrivedatyourprogram“homebase,”youwillwanttolocateasafeplacetokeepyourpassport.Ifyouplantotraveloveralongweekendorsemesterbreak,remembertotakeyourpassportandcarryitonyou.

YourU.S.passport(orimmigrationdocumentsfornon-U.S.citizens)isyourofficialidentitydocumentabroadandmustbeavailabletoyouatalltimes.DonotsendthisdocumentseparatelybacktotheUnitedStatesforanyreason.

STUDENT VISAS AND RESIDENCY PERMITSAvisaislegal/officialpermissiontoresideinacountryforaspecificpurposeforaspecifiedamountoftime.Visasaregrantedbythehostcountry.Manycountriesrequireavisaorresidencypermittoresideandstudyforasemesterorayear.Youareresponsibleforobtainingavisatostudyabroadinyourhostcountryifitisrequired.Whetheryouwillneedavisadependsonthecountryandlengthoftimeyouwillresidethere.Althoughtouristvisasareusuallyavailableattheportofentry,studentvisasmustbeobtainedintheUnitedStatesfromthehostcountry’sconsulatebeforedeparture.

Itcantakebetweenoneandthreemonthstoprocureavisa,sobegintheprocessearly.Youwillneedtofollowinstructionsprovidedbyyourhostinstitutionorstudyabroadprogram.Thebestinitialsourceofinformationisatyourhostcountry’sconsularwebsite,aswellastheU.S.StateDepartmentconsularinformationsheetsavailableattravel.state.gov.

Residency PermitsInmanycountries,youwillneedtoapplyforaresidencypermitafteryouarrive.Yourprogramsponsor/directorwillprovideyouwithdetailsaboutthis,ifnecessary,inprogram-specificmaterials.

Work Abroad and Work PermitsStudentsshouldgivecarefulconsiderationtothepracticalityofworkingwhileparticipatinginastudyabroadprogram.Studentswhowillbeabroadforlessthanafullacademicyearwillfindworkingabroaddifficulttoarrange.Ingeneral,theCenterforInternationalEducationdiscouragessemesterabroadstudentsfromworkingabroad.

Full-timestudentswhoplantostaybeyondtheendoftheirprogrammayobtainaworkpermitthroughavarietyofworkpermitprograms.Studentsoftenfind


thisausefulwaytocomplementtheirstudyabroadprogramandextendtheirstay.Studentsgoingabroadwiththespecificgoalofworkingshouldworkwithapermitprogramorobtainallnecessarydocumentationbeforedepartingfortheirdestination.

ARRANGING TRAVELStudentsbooktheirownflightswhenparticipatinginmostAdelphisemesterandacademicyearstudyabroadprograms.Sincestudentsoftenwanttomakechangestotheirreturnflightsbecauseofvaryingexamschedulesandnewtravelplans,wesuggestbookingyourflightwithastudenttravelagencylikeSTATravel(statravel.com),whereyoucangetspecialticketsthatallowforadjustments(usuallyforasmallfee).TheInternationalStudentIDCard(ISIC)canalsoassistinfindingtraveldiscounts.TheISICisarecognizedproofofstudentstatusabroad,andoffersspecialdiscountsontravel,accommodations,museumfees,andmore.Formoreinformation,gotoisic.org.

PACKING YOUR LUGGAGEAirlinesarebecomingstricterandstricteraboutbaggageallowancesandweightlimits,especiallyforflightsabroad.Theallowanceforflightsabroadisusuallytwopiecesofcheckedbaggageplusonecarry-on.Checkwithyourairlineasbaggageallowances,weightlimits,andexcesschargesmayvaryperairline.

Pleaserememberthatyouwillfindfewporterstocarryyourbaggageupanddownstepsintrainstationswhenyouarriveabroad.Takenomorethanwhatyoucanhandleyourself.Weurgeyounottotakeextraboxes,trunks,orfootlockers.Ifyoudoso,bepreparedtomakeallshippingarrangements,payshippingcosts,andarrangecustomsclearance.

VOLTAGE AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Thevoltageinmuchoftheworld,includingmostofEuropeandLatinAmerica,is220–250Vinsteadofthe110VcommonintheUnitedStates.IfyoupluganAmericanapplianceintoanoutletwitha220–250Vcurrent,youwilloverheatanddestroyitandpossiblyshockyourself.Itisbesttopurchasesmallappliancesthathavedualvoltageorrunonbatteries.YouwillprobablyalsoneedtopurchaseadapterplugstomodifytheflatU.S.-styleprongsintotheshapesusedinothercountries.

GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad9

LAPTOP OR NO LAPTOP?Whilethetransportoflaptopcomputersrarelycausesproblemsatcustomsandmostcomewithinternaldualvoltagecapabilities,somearestillheavyandwillneedtobekeptsecureduringyourstay.Yourdestinationcitymayhavemanycybercafésortheuniversityitselfmayoffercomputeraccesstostudents.Checkwithyourcontactabroadandwithstudentswhohavealreadystudiedatyourhostinstitutiontodecideifyoushouldtakeyourlaptopwithyou.

PREPARING FOR YOUR RETURNAsyouplanyourtripabroad,makesuretoarrangeforyourreturntocampus.TheCenterforInternationalEducationcannotmakelogisticalarrangementsforstudentstoreturntocampus;thisisyourresponsibility.


HEALTH AND SAFETY

VACCINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONSImmunizationrequirementsandhealthconditionsvarywidelybycountry.PleasechecktheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionwebsite(cdc.gov)andtheWorldHealthOrganization(who.org)forup-to-dateinformationonthecountryandareatowhichyouwillbetraveling.Ifyourequireimmunizations,starttheprocesswellinadvance,assomerequiremultipledosesspacedseveralmonthsapart.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINESPrescriptionswrittenintheUnitedStatescannotbefilledabroad.Inaddition,notallmedicinesofferedintheUnitedStatesareavailableinothercountries.Trytorequestauthorizationfromyourdoctorandinsurancecompanytoobtainasupplysufficientforthetimeyouwillbeabroad.Prescriptionmedicationsshouldbecarriedintheiroriginal,labeledbottle.Inaddition,youshouldhavethewrittenprescriptiononhandincaseacustomsofficeraskstoseeit.

Donotplanonsendingprescriptionsthroughthemailasmanycountriesrestrict,prohibit,and/orplaceveryhighcustomsdutiesonsuchshipments,evenwhenobviouslyintendedforpersonaluse.Werecommendthatstudentswhoweareyeglassesorcontactlensestakeanextrapairaswellastheirprescription.

STUDENT HEALTHManystudyabroadprogramprovidersrequireaphysicalhealthevaluationfromahealthcareprovider;studentsshouldconsiderschedulinganappointmentbeforedeparture.

StudentsmustfilloutAdelphi’sPre-TravelStudentHealthQuestionnaireandscheduleaconsultationwiththeHealthServicesCenter.TheCIEwillthenreceiveclearanceforthestudenttogoabroad.Thegoalofthisrequirementisnottoeliminatestudentsfromprogramparticipation,buttoidentifyanddesignatreatmentplanforanymedical/psychologicalconditionsthatmayaffectthemwhileabroad.

HealthandSafety11

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE StudentsgoingabroadmustpurchaseAdelphi’sInternationalAccidentandSicknessMedicalInsurancecoverageadministeredbyCulturalInsuranceServicesInternational(CISI)forthedurationoftheirtermabroad,unlessthestudyabroadproviderhasanalternativeinsuranceinplace.CISIinsurancecardswillbeissuedbytheCIE.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET

U.S.EmbassiesandConsulatesWorldwide......................usembassy.gov

U.S.CustomsandBorderProtection...........................................cbp.gov

TransportationSecurityAdministration(TSA).............................. tsa.gov

FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)....................................... faa.gov

CentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)............................................. cdc.gov

AssociationforSafeInternationalRoadTravel.......................... asirt.org

WorldHealthOrganization(WHO).......................................... who.org

InternationalTravel...............................................travel.state.gov/travel


FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND MONEY ABROADStudentsshouldexchange$100–$200intothecurrencyofthehostcountrybeforedepartingtheUnitedStatessothattheycancoverimmediateexpensesuponarrival.Thisisespeciallytrueifstudentswillbearrivingatnightoronweekends.Someofthiscurrencyshouldbeinsmalldenominationstobeusedfortipping,meals,andotherincidentals.Inaddition,mostairportshaveATMsifyouchoosetowaituntilyouarrivetowithdrawmoney.However,ATMavailabilityisnotguaranteedandexchangekioskshaveveryhighexchangerates.

Inmanyurbanareas,itispossibletousebankcardsandcreditcardstoobtainlocalcurrencyatATMs.ThisisusuallyNOTthecaseinruralareas.Beforedeparture,studentsshouldcheckwithhomefinancialinstitutionstoseeiftheircardsandPINnumberswillworkabroad.Bycomparison,internationalbank-to-bankwiretransfersarecomplicatedtoexecuteandpersonalchecksareusuallyimpossibletocashordepositwhileabroad.Itwouldalsobeprudenttobringamajorcreditcardwithcashadvanceservice.Toavoidsuspensionofcreditcardserviceduetoanti-fraudprotocols,notifythecompanythatyouwillbeusingthecardabroad.Forcurrentexchangerates,visitxe.com.

TUITION AND FEESStudyabroadparticipantsarechargedAdelphituitionandfeesfortheirtimeabroad.OnesemesterabroadisequaltoonesemesteratAdelphi;twosemestersabroadisequaltotwosemestersatAdelphi.

StudentswillreceiveinvoicesforAdelphituitionandfeesafterregistrationandpriortothenextsemester.Studentswillneedtopaytheirbalancebeforeleavingthecountryunlessreceivingfinancialaidthatwillcoverthecost.

ROOM AND BOARDInadditiontotuitionandfeesstudentsstudyingabroadpaytheroomandboardfeesassociatedwiththeirprogram.Studentspayroomandboardtothehostinstitutionorprogramprovider,nottoAdelphiUniversity.

FinancialConsiderations13

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPSForstudentsonfinancialaid,allfederalfinancialaidexceptforwork-studyawardscanbeappliedtoallAdelphistudyabroadprograms.Inaddition,75%ofAdelphiUniversityinstitutionalaidcanbeusedforparticipationinAdelphi-sanctionedstudyabroadprograms.IfastudentisgoingononeofAdelphi’sdirectexchanges,100%ofinstitutionalaidapplies.


ARRIVING AT YOUR DESTINATION

ARRIVAL DATESPlantoarriveinyourhostcityintimetoattendorientationactivities,inadditiontoanypre-semesterlanguageandcultureprograms.Forstudentsattendinguniversitiesabroad,consultthearrivaldatesprovidedbytheinstitutionororganizationinyourpre-departurematerials.Latearrivalsarenotpermitted.

AIRPORT ARRIVAL Itiswisetofamiliarizeyourselfwiththelayoutofyourtransferanddestinationairports.TheWorldAirportGuide(worldtravelguide.net/airports)isausefulresource.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTSInyourcarry-onluggage,packyourpassportandvisa,planetickets,studyabroadacceptanceletters,pre-departurematerialsandguides,andcontactinformationforyouron-sitehosts.Youmightalsopackachangeofclothesincaseyourluggageislost.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONWhenarrivinganddepartingfromyourhostcountry,youwillberequiredtopassthroughimmigrationandcustoms.Immigrationwillcheckyourpassportandvisa(ifrequired)andcustomsmaycheckyourluggageandcarry-onbagtoensurethatyouarefollowingtheimportandexportregulationsofthecountry.Individualrulesandregulationsvaryfromcountrytocountry.YouwillalsohavetopassthroughcustomsandimmigrationwhenyoureturntotheUnitedStates.

LOST LUGGAGEAnynumberofeventscantranspiretocauseyourluggagetoarriveatadifferenttimethanyou.Itmaybewisetocarryonitemsthatwillallowyouto

ArrivingatYourDestination15

spruceupincaseyoufindyourselfinyourhostcitywithoutyourbaggage—freshundergarments,ashirt,etc.Ifyourcheckedluggagedoesnotarriveattheairport,youshouldnotifyarepresentativefromyourairline,andregisterwiththeirdepartmentoflostluggage.Ifyouhaven’tyetreceivedyourpermanentaddressinyourhostcity,youcanleaveyourstudycenterorinternationaloffice’saddresswiththeairline.

GETTING TO YOUR ACCOMMODATIONSIntheliteratureyou’llreceivefromyourhostinstitutionorprogram,youshouldreceivetheaddressofyourhostfamily,apartment,orstudentresidence.Youshouldverifythisinformation,andbringitinyourcarry-onluggageonyourflighttoyourhostcity.Asindicatedabove,familiarizeyourselfwithyourarrivalairport,andhaveaplantogetyourself—andyourstuff—toyourfinaldestination.Inmanycases,publictransportationistediousandtime-consuming.Considersplurgingonataxi,justthisonce,oridentifyoptionsthathavedoor-to-doorservice,likeacall-aheadshuttleservice.Makereservationsinadvance!Someprogramsmayprovidetransportationfromtheairporttoyourdestination.


ADJUSTING TO YOUR NEW HOME

JET LAGExpectjetlag—andalittleculturaladjustment.Getyourbodyonthenewschedulebydrinkingplentyofwater,eatingplentyofnutritiousfood,exercising,andresting.Culturaladjustmentisanaturaleffectofbeingexposedtonewlifestylesandvalues;youmayfeelabitimpatient,confused,oranxious,andmighthitemotionalhighsandlowsasyouadjust.Timeusuallytakescareofit,butifanyproblemspersist,consultyouron-siteprogramdirectororgethelpfromacounselorordoctor.

DISCOVERING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE BLOCK AT A TIMEWelcometoyournewneighborhood!Bynow,you’veputyourbagsdown,unpackedalittle,andyou’rereadytoeaseintotheday-to-daylifeofacitizeninyourhostlocation.Akeyparttounderstandingthecultureofyournewsurroundingswillbegettingtoknowyourneighborhoodandthebusinessesandparkswithinit.Themomentisprimedforyoutofindaninterestingcaféandpopinforabite.Whatdoestheclientelelooklike?Whataretheyeating,andwhen?Partofgettingusedtoyournewsituationwillbebecomingamemberofanewcommunity.Dothisbynoticingthe“who,what,when,andwhere,”andthenparticipating,becomingoneofthe“who’s.”Asyoubecomemorefamiliarwiththeareaimmediatelysurroundingyourapartmentordorm,branchoutandexpandyourbaseofknowledge.

TRAVEL WHILE ABROAD

International Student Identity Card TheInternationalStudentIdentityCard(ISIC)mayentitleyoutodiscountsforairplane,train,orbustickets,entrytocertainmuseumsandotherplacesofinterest,anddiscountsatcertainhotels.IfpurchasedintheUnitedStates,theISICwillprovidealimitedmeasureofinsurance.FormoreinformationandtopurchasetheISIC,visitisic.org.Youragemayalsoentitleyoutoreducedrates.Don’thesitatetoshowyourpassportandrequestayouth(usuallyunder26)fare.

AdjustingtoYourNewHome17

Rail PassesManyeconomyrailpassescanbepurchasedonlyintheUnitedStatesthroughtravelagenciessuchasSTATravel(statravel.com).On-site,discounttravelpassesmaybeavailableinyourcountryforstudentsorvisitors.Looktolocalguidebooksfordetailsspecifictoyourcountry.

Other TravelTravelbybusisaninexpensivewaytogetaroundinmostcitiesandmostcountries.Ontheotherhand,drivinganautomobilewhileabroadmaybeamoreexpensiveandpossiblyriskymodeoftransportation.Trafficpatternsanddrivingcustomsmaybeverydifferent,possiblyevendangerousinsomepartsoftheworld.Inaddition,insurancerequirementsorrestrictionsinsomecountriesarecostlyorprohibitive,andyourhomepolicymaynotcoveryouwhiledrivingabroad.TheCenterforInternationalEducationdoesnotrecommendrentingacarordrivingwhileparticipatinginastudyabroadprogram.Low-costairlinesarebecomingincreasinglypopularinEurope,providinganinexpensiveandquickalternativetotrainsforstudentswhodosomeadvanceplanning.

TRAVEL AND VISITORS FROM HOMETheCenterforInternationalEducationencouragesyoutotravelduringfreetime,butrecreationaltravelmustbeconfinedtoweekends,holidays,andbreaks,andmustnotinterferewithtimelycompletionofallcourseworkandassignments.Ifanyfriendsorfamilywishtovisityou,theyshouldtimetheirvisitstocoincidewithbreaks.Remember,youmustalwaysrespecttherightsandprivacyofyourroommatesorhome-stayfamilyifyouplantotravelorhavevisitors.Checkwithyourprogram-specifichandbookorprogramsponsorforanyadditionalrulesregardingtravelandvisitors.

HOUSINGInadvanceofyourstudyabroadexperience,readuponthehousingoptionyou’veselectedsoyouhaveanideaofwhattoexpect.Dependingonyourprogramandhousingchoice,youraccommodationsmaybeasignificantdistancefromyouruniversity—thisisthenormabroad.Youshouldcountonacommuteaspartofyourinternationalexperience.


MEALSOfcoursefoodvariessignificantlyfromculturetoculture,butsodootherthingsrelatedtomealssuchastimeofservice.Inmanylocations,mealsareservedinrestaurantsordormsonlybetweencertainhours—ifyoumissthetwo-hourwindowforbreakfast,lunch,ordinner,youmaybehard-pressedtofindsomethingtoeat!Ifyouhavespecificdietaryconcerns,youshouldopttoself-cater(don’tchooseamealplan)and/ordiscloseyourneedstoyourprogramprovider,hostfamily,andanyotherrelevantparties.

BE FLEXIBLEYourfirstfewweeksinyourhostcitymaybedifficult—you’llbedoingamillionthingsatonce:meetinghostfamilies,schedulingclasses,gettingusedtoanewcity,ofteninaforeignlanguage.Everydaywillbeatest—usewhatyou’velearnedintheclassroom,onunfamiliarstreets,andinclassroomsinabrandnewinstitution.

Butyouknowallthis,andit’spartofwhyyou’vedecidedtostudyabroad!Onewaytodealwitheverythingistobeflexible.Everyexperiencemayfeelnewtoyou,andnoteverythingmaygoasplanned.Trynottoisolateindividualeventsasbeingnegative,andinstead,takeitallinaspartofonelargerexperiencethatwillultimatelyhelpyougrowandbecomemoreindependent.

Somewaystohelpdealwiththistransitionareto:

Learn about Local CustomsLifestyles,practices,andexpectationswillbeverydifferentfromhome—eveninplacesthatseemonthesurfacetoberelativelysimilartotheUnitedStates.Makesureyouunderstandhowthingswork.Don’tassumethatbehavioryoutookforgrantedathomewillbeacceptedinyourhostcountry.Askaboutsafetyissuessuchaslocaltransportation,swimmingpractices,andelectricalappliances;securityissuessuchasneighborhoodsecurityandpersonalsecurityatnight;and,culturalissueslikeattitudestowardgender,friendship,anddating.

Make New FriendsItmaynotsoundlikeahealthtip,butdon’tisolateyourself.Youwillprobablyhavetomakethefirstmoveindevelopingfriendships,butrelationshipsmakethewholeexperiencemeaningful.Thefriendsthatyou’llmakethiscoming

AdjustingtoYourNewHome19

semesterwillserveasyourfamilyawayfromhomeandyoursupportsystem.Befriendinginternationalorlocalstudentswillalsobeamechanismtofindoutaboutyourhostculture.

Stay HealthyWecan’tstressthisenough!Eatwell,stayhydrated,andsleepregularly.BeingawayfromtheUnitedStateswillnotrenderyouimmunetosickness.Illnessexistsoutsideofourborders.Takethenecessaryprecautionstostayhealthy!

DAILY LIFEOnceyou’vearrived,you’llwanttobeinyourhostcity,livinglikeacitizen.Takethisopportunitytoreallygettoknowyourneighborhoodandyourcity.Mostcitiespublishanentertainmentguide.Localsreadtheseguidesandyoushouldtooinordertoplugintopopulareventsaroundtown.Listentolocalradiostations,readthelocalpaper,andinteractwithlocalstogetconnectedtolocalevents.

Tofacilitateintegration,STAYINYOURHOSTCITY!Spendyourentirefirstmonthinyourhostcity,evenontheweekends,sothatyouknowwhatitmeanstocallthisplacehome.Don’tgiveintothetemptationtotraveleveryweekend.Trustus,thereisenoughtoentertainyouinyourhostcity—getinvolved!

Plantoarriveearly(ifyourvisaallows)orleavelateifyou’dliketotravelextensively.Therearegenerallyveryfewbreaksduringthefallsemesterfortravel.Usethesummerbeforeyourstudybeginsandwinterbreak.Buyaflexibleticketsoyoucanextendyourtimeabroadifyou’dlike.

Asyou’regettingtoknowtheneighborhood,developyourownroutine.YoucanbeteveryoneinBuenosAireshastheirfavoritecaféandtheirpreferredparkbench.Identifythesethingsforyourselfaswell.Themoretimeyouspendinacertainplaceandamongregularsofacaféorrestaurant,themoreinsightyou’llgetintotheirculture—andthemorelikelyitisthatthey’llinviteyououtforacoffee!Whenyoudotravel,you’llfeelgreathavingfamiliarroutinestocomehometo.

Justlikeyou’llwanttomeetlocalsinyourcity,alsogooutofyourwaytomeetlocalstudents.Getinvolvedinuniversityactivitiesandclubs.Don’tbeashamedtospeakthelanguage.You’vestudiedforsolong—now’syourchancetouseit.Peoplewillbemorereceptiveifyouattempttospeakintheirnativetongue—


rememberthatyou’reaguestintheircountry.Thefriendshipsthatensuemaylastforalongtime.

Aswe’vestressed,thisexperiencewillchangeyou.It’sinevitable.Keepajournalofyourexperiencestotrackwhereyou’vecomefromandyouraspirationsforthefuture.You’llbeengagedinsomanyactivitiesthat,onceit’sallsaidanddone,youmaystruggletorememberthemostbasiccharacteristicsofyourlifeabroad.Writethemdown!

CONTACT WITH HOMEInternationalcommunicationiseasierthanever.Evenifyoudecidenottobringalaptop,internetcaféswillbeeverywhere.Emailwillbeatyourfingertips.MoststudentsfindthatSkype(skype.com)isthecheapestandmostefficientwaytocallhome.Somestudentspurchaseacellphoneon-site.Often,incomingcallsarefreetothereceiver,sostudentshavetheirfamilyandfriendsintheUnitedStatescallthem.

Howeveryoudecidetocommunicate,it’simportanttocontactyourfamilytoletthemknowthatyou’vearrivedsafelyandsettledintoyouraccommodation.Butduringthesemester,youshouldavoidcallinghometoooften,asfeesaddupandcommunicationmayincreasethelikelihoodofhomesickness.

BLOGGING ABROADConsiderstartingablogtokeepyourfriendsandfamilyupdated.You’llbeabletowrite,uploadphotos,andreceivecomments.Checkoutblogspot.com,wordpress.com,ortumblr.comforafreeblog.

LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies21

LEARNING ABROAD AND ACADEMIC POLICIES

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONSIt’sahugereasonwhyyou’veembarkedonthisexperience—thestudypartofstudyabroad!Classesmaybestructureddifferentlythanwhatyou’reusedtoatAdelphi.Somedifferencesthatyoumayencounterincludelargeclassestaughtbyseeminglydetachedprofessors;veryfewgradedassignments;asyllabusthatconsistsonlyofanextensivereadinglist.Thekeytobeingsuccessfulisadaptation.Findouthowlocalstudentslearnthisway,andthenadopttheirstrategies.Remember,justbecauseasystemmaybedifferentthanwhatyou’reusedtodoesnotmeanit’sofanymoreorlessvalue.

ProfessorsThestudent-professorrelationshipmayvarygreatlyfromtherelationshipsyouhavewithyourprofessorsatAdelphi.Abroad,youmayfindmanyofyourprofessorstobeunreachableorformal.ProfessorsabroadmayinstructmorecoursesthanyourprofessorsdoatAdelphi.Youmay,however,haveaccesstotutorsorseminarinstructors—manywhoaregraduateassistants—whoyoucanapproachforadvisingorquestionsaboutyourcourses.Don’thesitatetoseekassistancefromlocalclassmateswhoareaccustomedtothestyleofinstructionandtheexpectationsoftheprofessorsatyourinstitution.

EARNING ADELPHI CREDIT

Course SelectionStudyabroadstudentswillselecttheircourseswiththeassistanceoftheirfacultyadviserandtheCenterforInternationalEducation.StudentsmustsubmitaCourseApprovalFormsignedbytheirfacultyadviseranddepartmentchair.CoursesthatareapprovedassubstantiallyequivalenttoAdelphi’swillsatisfythesamecurriculumrequirementsastheAdelphicoursesatisfies.CoursesforwhichthereisnoAdelphiequivalent,butwhicharedeemedappropriateordesirabletoenhancethestudent’seducationalgoalsorspecializationmajor,musthavetheapprovalofthedepartmentchair.

Studentsshouldseekapprovalformorecoursesthantheyareintendingtotakepriortodepartingcampusinordertominimizeproblemswithchangingclasseswhileabroad.Studentschoosingtodrop/addcourseswhileabroad


mustobtainnewapprovalfromtheirfacultyadviseranddepartmentchair.Suchapprovalscouldbeconfirmedviaemail,nolaterthanthethirdweekofthehostinstitution’ssemesterorthesecondweekofthehostinstitution’ssummerterm.StudentsmustnotifytheCIEinwritingregardingproposedcoursesubstitutionsorchanges,whichwillbeupdatedintheirCourseApprovalForm.StudentswhofailtoobtainapprovalforchangesintheirstudyabroadcoursescannotbeguaranteedthattheywillreceiveacademiccreditforclassesthatarenotontheirsignedCourseApprovalForm,regardlessofwhethertheyhavecompletedthemorhavepaidforthenewcourses.

Allforeigncoursesmustbetakenforagrade,notforPass/Fail.StudentsstudyingabroadmustreceiveagradeequivalentofC–orbetterforundergraduatecourses,andequivalentofBorbetterforgraduatecourses,inordertoearnAdelphicredit.Studyabroadcourseswillbepostedonthestudent’stranscriptwiththedesignationofcountry/institutionofstudyandcreditsattained;however,theirgradeswillnotcountinthecalculationofastudent’sGPA.StudentsenrollinginanAdelphiinternship,researchproject,and/orindependentstudycourseaspartofthestudyabroadprogrammustbeapprovedbyanAdelphifacultysupervisorwhowillgradethecourse.ThisgradewillbeprocessedasanyregularAdelphicourse.

Studentswhoareabroadforasemestermustenrollinaminimumequivalentof12Adelphicredithours,oranapprovedcombinationofcourse,research,andinternshipwork.Whilestudyingabroad,studentsmustmaintainafull-timecourseloadeachterm.Thereceivingforeigninstitutionwilldeterminefullcourseloads.Failuretokeepfull-timestatusmayresultincancellationofyourtermabroadwiththesubsequentlossofacademiccredits,tuitionpayment,andfederalorotherfinancialaid.

Someinternationalinstitutionsmayrequirealanguageplacementexamination.Ifastudentisplacedinadifferentlevel(higherorlower)thantheoneindicatedonthestudyabroadCourseApprovalForm,thestudentwillbeawardedAdelphi-equivalentcreditbasedontheactualleveltakenabroad.

Gradeappealsregardingstudyabroadcourseswillbeconsideredinaccordancewiththeproceduresofthehostinstitutionortheprovider.InthecaseofanAdelphiindependentstudycourse(s)takenabroad,appealswillbeprocessedasinanyotherAdelphicourses.

LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies23

ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIOR CODES OF CONDUCTStudentsareheldtotheCodeofConductforStudentsaswellasAcademicHonestyguidelineswhileabroad.Thisisinadditiontothecodesofthehostinstitution.Adelphi’scodesmaybeviewedatacademics.adelphi.edu/policies.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL/DISMISSAL POLICYStudentswhovoluntarilyorinvoluntarilywithdrawfromtheirstudyabroadprogramwillbesubjecttobothAdelphiandthehostorganization/institutionwithdrawalpoliciesandpenalties.Studentswithdrawingfromaprogramforanyreasonwillberesponsibleforexpensesthatweremadeontheirbehalfandcoststhatarenon-refundable.Inadditionyoumaybesubjecttorefundpoliciesofthestudyabroadproviderorinstitutiontowhichyouhaveapplied.Mid-semesterwithdrawalsforanyreasonwillrequiretheUniversitytoperformarecalculationofeligibilityforfinancialaidunderthemandatedfederalformula(ReturnofTitleIVAidCalculation).Thiscalculationmaynotbeappealed.

IncaseofemergencyprogramcancellationorrepatriationdeterminedbyAdelphiorbytheDepartmentofStateadvisory,Adelphiwillundertaketoprovidecompletionofsemesterstudiesoralternativewaysforstudentstocompletetheirplannednumberofcreditsintheterminvolvedatnoadditionalcost.ShouldtheUniversitydetermineanearlyprogramtermination,Adelphiwillcoverairfarepenalties,ifany,fortheearlyreturnofparticipants.Thisdoesnotapplyifstudentsareterminatedforcauseoriftheycutshorttheirstudiesabroadontheirownforanyotherreason.


SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITYAsastudyabroadstudent,youwillneedtotaketheinitiativetomeetpeople.JustasyouhaveanestablishedcircleoffriendsintheUnitedStates,studentsabroadhaveestablishedfriendsandhabits.Don’tbeafraidtostartaconversationandpursuecontactinordertomeetnewpeople.

Womenareencouragedtoconsultculturalandtravelbooksaboutthepossibledifferencesinattitudestowardfemalesabroad.Itisimportanttobepreparedforthepossiblechangesinstyleandattitudesthatmayexist.

Remembertousecommonsensewhengivingoutyouraddressorphonenumber.Itiswisetosetuptimesandplacestomeetothersratherthangiveoutanypersonalinformation.Forthoselivingwithafamily,besuretocheckwithyourhostfamilybeforegivingouttheirphonenumber,address,orinvitingguestsover.Donothaveovernightguestswithoutcheckingwithyourroommateorhostfamilyfirst.Ingeneral,overnightguestsarenotappropriatewithahostfamily.

RELATIONSHIPSFormanyofyou,yourstaywillbethefirsttimeoutoftheUnitedStates.Youmayhavetheopportunitytomakesomeverygoodfriends.Thesetypesofstrongfriendshipsarenotonlyencouragedbutcanleadtocontinuedexchangesbetweenyouandyournewfoundfriendsafteryoureturnhome.Nevertheless,pleasekeepafewwordsofcautioninmind.

•Becarefulofpersonswantingtogettoknowyouveryquickly,astheymayhaveanulteriormotive.Meetpeopleinpublicplacesduringtheday,preferablywiththecompanyofafriendortwo.Donotgiveoutyourphonenumberoraddressfreely,asthiscanleadtoproblemsforyou,programstaff,otherparticipants,oryourhostfamily.Agreetomeetthepersonataspecifictimeandplace.

•U.S.citizenscanbeeasytoidentify.Theyoftendressdifferently,speakloudlyingroups,carrybackpacks,weartennisshoesorflip-flops,andspeakwithaU.S.accent.SomepeopleviewU.S.citizensaswealthyandmaywanttobecomefriendsinordertoobtainyourmoneyoryourpassport.Usecommonsenseandbecautious.Beawareofyoursurroundingenvironment!

SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity25

•Enteringintoarelationshipabroadshouldbeapproachedwiththesameprecautionsasathome.Itcanbeverytemptingtobecharmedbytheideaofaonce-in-a-lifetimeromance,butyoushouldconsideranyrelationshipcarefully,particularlywhenyouareabroad.Keepinmindthatinyourhostcountrytheremaybemanydifferentculturalvaluesandrulesregardingdatingandrelationships.Proceedcautiously,realizingthatyouareonlyinthecountryforashortperiodoftime.

• Proceedwithcautionwithanyrelationshipandonlyenterintoacloserelationshipafterknowingthepartnerforasustainedperiodoftime.U.S.womenareoftenstereotypedaseasysexualpartners,andeachyearwomenfindthemselvesindifficultsituationsbecausetheywerenotcautious.Donotgotothehomeorapartmentofsomeoneyoudonotknowwell,especiallyifthereisdrinkinginvolved.Mostproblemsofthiskindarealcoholrelated.Beextremelycarefulofdrinkinginbars.Therehavebeenreportedcasesofdrinksbeingdrugged,soitwouldbeagoodideatohavethedrinkopenedwhileyouarewatchingandnottoacceptadrinkbroughttothetableandpaidforby“anadmirer.”

• Pleasebeawarethatinanytypeofrelationship,whetherheterosexualorhomosexual,youcouldendupwithasexuallytransmitteddisease,AIDS,orpossibly,apregnancy.Thisisnotmeantasascaretacticbutratherforyoutorealizethatitcanandhashappened.Besurethatyouknowthepersonverywellbeforedevelopingamoreintimaterelationshipandalwaysdemandthatyoubothtakenecessaryprecautions.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESManyofthedisabilityaccommodationsorservicesthatareprovidedatU.S.universitiesmaybedifferentorunavailableabroad.Beinginanewenvironmentcanalsobestressful,andaccommodationsthatyoumaynothaveneededathomemaybecomenecessaryinanunfamiliarsetting.

Youshouldarrangeforanydisabilityaccommodationsatstudyabroadsitesbeforeyoudepart.Receivingaccommodationsonceyouareabroadwillbemoredifficultandmaynotbepossible.Youracceptanceintoaprogramisnotinfluencedbydisclosingaccommodationneeds,anditistoyouradvantagetobecertainthattheaccommodationyouneedwillbeavailable.


Youareencouragedtobegintheprocessasearlyaspossible.Thedisabilityspecialistsandstudyabroadstaffcandiscusspossiblealternativeswithyou,ifnecessary.Tomakerequestsyoucancontactyourhomeinstitution’sdisabilityservicesspecialists.Formoreinformation,contactAdelphiUniversity’sOfficeofDisabilitySupportServices(DSS)atstudents.adelphi.edu/sa/dss.TheCIEstaffwillalsoworkwithyoutoinquireaboutnecessaryarrangements.

Foradditionalresources,AdelphistudentscancontactMobilityInternationalforadditionalresourcesabroadatmiusa.org.

GENDER ISSUESBothmaleandfemalestudentsabroadwilldiscoverthatgrowingupintheUnitedStateshaspreparedthemfordifferentrolesinsocietythanthoseoftheircontemporariesinothercountriesexpect.Sinceyouwillbeviewedaccordingtothegenderexpectationsofthehostculture,youmayfeeluncomfortableattimes.Thisisparticularlytrueforfemalestudentswhomayfindthemselvesthetargetsofunwantedattention.

Trytounderstandtheroleofthesexesintheculturetowhichyouaretraveling.WhatmaybeappropriateandfriendlybehaviorintheUnitedStatesmaybringyouunwantedattentioninanotherculture.

Youmayfindthefollowingresourcesuseful:

Culture Shock! SeriesTheCulture Shock!seriesofbooksisusefultoaidinunderstandinggenderissuesinyourhostcountry.

Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel TheCanadianConsularAffairsBureauprovidesinformationaboutsecurity,packing,cultureshock,andmoreinthisarticleforwomentravelers.

JourneyWomanAnonlinetravelresourceforwomen.

SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity27

“Sexual Harassment and Prevention in College Students Studying Abroad” (SAFETI Online Newsletter) TheSAFETIOnlineNewsletteraddressesissuesofsafetyinstudyabroad.Thisarticleexploreshowwomencanminimizetheirriskofbeingsexuallyharassedwhiletravelingabroad.

Women TravelersBritain’sForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO)listsanumberoftipsforwomentravelers.TheFCOisthedepartmentoftheBritishGovernmentresponsibleforoverseasrelationsandforeignaffairs.

Women AbroadSafetytips,studentcomments,andotherresourcesfromUniversityofMichigan’sInternationalCenter.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Membershipbenefitsincludecheapergroupinsurancerates,publications,andscholarshipeligibility.Youcanapplyatyourlocalbranchandbecomeamemberatboththestateandnationallevel.

U.S. Department of State’s Tips for Traveling AbroadAdvicefromthebranchoftheU.S.governmentresponsibleforthewelfareofU.S.citizensabroad.

Transitions Abroad: The Women Travel PortalAgreatcollectionoffirsthandarticles,websites,andagenciesbythisaward-winning,respectedtravelmagazine.


RETURNING TO ADELPHI

OnceyoureturntoAdelphifromstudyingabroad,you’llprobablydiscoverthatyoulearnedjustasmuch,ifnotmore,outsidetheclassroomasyoudidinsidetheclassroom.Youmayfeellikeyou’veestablishedmanyimportantconnections,andwehopeyou’llworktokeepthoserelationsestablished.

IMPORTANT EVENTS TO REMEMBER•WelcomeBackReceptionforReturnees

•FallandSpringStudyAbroadFairs

•Pre-DepartureOrientation

PROGRAM EVALUATIONWewanttohearaboutyourexperience!Weaskthatyoutakeafewminutestofilloutaprogramevaluationform.YourfeedbackiscrucialtoourefforttoprovideAdelphistudentswithqualitystudyabroadprograms.You’retheexpertonclassquality,professors,andstudentservices.TheCIEwillsendyouanevaluationuponyourreturntocampus.

UsefulWebsites29

USEFUL WEBSITES

State Department Study Abroad website

studentsabroad.state.gov

U.S. Consular Locations and Phone Numbers

usembassy.gov

U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Announcementstravel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Registration with U.S. Embassies

travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui

Centers for Disease Control

cdc.gov

Long Island Travel Immunization Center

northshorelij.com

Hostelling International USA

hiayh.org

Free Internet Calling

skype.com


NOTES:

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