WINTERTemplatePre-Departure

Orientation2011-2012

BSU Office of Study Abroad

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01Turn in Documents in Office

• Passport copy• Participation agreement• Health Form• Transfer of credit form

(semester study abroad students)

• http://www.bridgew.edu/studyabroad/forms

• Address: Maxwell Library RM 330

• http://www.bridgew.edu/studyabroad

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02Exchanges/Affiliates

• Send us a copy of your acceptance letter

• Fill out Your Transfer of Credit Form

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03Passports and visas

• 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

country to country• Study tours—if traveling with

passport NOT from the United States, let BSU Office of Study Abroad know ASAP

• www.state.gov

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04Fee Payment

• Study Tours– Fee bills from Student Accounts

come out in May – Payable before you leave

• Exchanges– Tuition and fees payable to BSU

Student Accounts before semester starts

– Housing fees payable to host university

• Affiliates– Program fees, tuition, housing all

payable to Affiliate or 3rd party provider

– BSU does not pay affiliate

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05Meetings

• Each Study Abroad program will have program specific orientation meetings that are mandatory!

• You will receive email with information about the meetings

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06Packing

• Carry on luggage– Laptops, cameras, etc– No liquids over 3 oz. in carry on

luggage• What to pack

– Multi purpose clothing– Comfortable shoes– Different outlets?– Hand sanitizer

• 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

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07Contact and Travel Info

• Leave a copy of your travel dates, flight information and itinerary with your family

• Leave copy of the Student handbook and the BSU Study Abroad website

• Leave a copy of your passport and travel itinerary with family

• Make sure friends and family know how to contact you

• Let your bank & credit card company know you’ll be in another country

• Identify In-country contact :

– faculty leader

– program director

– international programs office

– resident director

08• Study Tours

– 3 BSU undergraduate or graduate credits

– Grades are calculated towards your GPA

– Register for the study tour online through Infobear.

Academic Credits

09Fall/AY/Semester Programs

– Students have to maintain a full time status that equals 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

– OSA registers students for Fall/AY/summer affiliate

Academic Credits

10• Experiencing Culture Shock

– Happens to everyone– Everybody may experience

different degrees of culture shock

• Intercultural Communication• Represent us well

– BSU Conduct Code

– Host university Code

– Host country laws

• Appropriate dress– Flip flops = shower shoes, not

appropriate for going out

While Abroad

11• Faculty Leader

distributes the syllabus

• 3 credits include coursework before and after dates of travel

• All activities and meetings in country are mandatory

Study Tours

12• 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.

Semester/AY In University

13• Lecture

• Courses may meet once a week

• Accessibility of faculty/professors

• Participation may not be part of your grade

• Teachers’ titles are important part when you address them

• See what other students are doing

Style of Instruction

14•Style of instruction may

be very different from BSU•Professors and

instructors interaction with students may vary by university and country

•Assessment varies by university and country – reading lists, quizzes, tests, research project.

•Grading scale varies

Style of Instruction

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•Check BSU email regularly

•Send back to BSU Study Abroad any course changes you make

•Complete new transfer credit form via email

•Before you leave your host university – make sure you request to have your transcript sent to BSU Study Abroad Office

While Abroad

16Safety

• Use COMMON SENSE• Do not be overly trusting• Do not advertise yourself as American• Let someone know where you are

going• Use alcohol responsibly• Do not use any illegal drugs or

substances.• Do not engage in un-safe behavior• Be aware of your surroundings• Do not go out alone at night• Know emergency information in-

country

17Health

• Recommended immunizations• Talk to your health care

provider• Learn more from CDC

(www.cdc.gov)• Take Rx with you

– Extra contacts, glasses

19Health Insurance Information

• CMI/Medix (www.cmi-insurance.com)– Study Tours– Exchanges– Summer programs– Undergraduate Research– International Service

Learning• All students should

maintain personal health coverage

• Carry insurance cards• If in hospital-save receipts

and you will be reimbursed

Affiliate participants provide their own

insurance

20• 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

• Language – basics are helpful– Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank

you, etc

– Numbers

Get the most out of being abroad

21• Credit/Debit cards• Cash• Traveler’s Checks• Diversify your sources of

currency• Be aware of ATM fees and

exchange rates• Plan ahead• Ask for exchange rates in your

US bank

Money

22• International phone card

and Cell phones– Usually is better to purchase

in country when you arrive

• Social Networks• Email• SKYPE and other IMs

Communication

23• Course registration

– http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/• On-campus housing

– http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/• Check BSU email for updates• 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

Planning Your Return

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Questions?

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• Dr. Mary Lou FriasBSU Health Services

• Cynthia SweeneyBSU Financial Aid

• Rita CamaraRes Life and Housing

• Kim GriffinStudent Accounts

Additional Information

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Happy Travels!

Additional Information