Name of Program STUDY ABROAD ORIENTATION Term and Year Date.

Name of ProgramSTUDY ABROAD ORIENTATION

Term and YearDate

PROGRAM STAFF

•Director’s name and contact info (on campus and abroad)

•Other instructors and contact info

ACADEMICS•STUDY Abroad: first and foremost an

academic experience

•Courses taught: (list course #s, call #s and titles)

•# of Credit hours

•Students must pay the program fee to the study abroad office. Tuition and fees are paid to the student’s account separately)

•Subject to CNU Honor Code and CNU Policies as if you were on campus

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS•Hand out syllabus, if possible•# of hours spent in class per day•Approximate # of hours required outside

of class to complete readings, papers, projects

•Assignments•Materials to bring from home•Academic resources available abroad•Deadline for papers/projects upon return

from program.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT•Office Hours of the faculty•Available time to work on coursework

during the study abroad•Accessibility to internet or computers to

complete work•Availability of faculty upon return to U.S.

ITINERARY

•Hand out program itinerary w/ dates of travel, class days, days off/free-time, group excursions, special events

IMPORTANT DATES/DEADLINES

•Payments due:•Return paperwork by:•Next on campus meeting date and

location•Departure date or Program begins:•Other

FLIGHTS•Group flight arrangements

▫Have any student not been on an airplane▫Airline, Flight number, Transfers▫Where to meet▫Luggage limits and restrictions (# of bags,

weight) Additional bags or overweight bags are at

students expense

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL• You must have a passport• Check in at least three hours before departure• Do not leave bags unattended• Carry ticket and passport on your person• Name on plane ticket must match passport• Put your itinerary in your carry-on bag with the

location of where you will be staying while abroad (used for customs).

PASSPORTS• Apply at any full service post office • On-line Resources:

▫http://travel.state.gov/passport/▫http://www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm

• Renew if passport will expire within 6 months of anticipated return date

• If you need one, apply immediately▫Allow 4-6 weeks for processing

• Keep photocopy of passport, give copy to Program Director

• Store in a safe place or keep it on you if required by law in host country

CUSTOMS• On the airplane you will be given a customs card to fill out.• Once off the plane, you enter a line to speak with a

customs agent. In your carry-on luggage you should have available:

Your program details, dates, schools, organization Your return Itinerary or Tickets Your Passport and Visa

• The Customs Agent will take your passport and may ask you questions about your travel plans. You may or may not need the program documents.

• After the Customs Agent you will collect your checked baggage and take it through security. If you are transferring to another flight you will re-check your bags.

JET LAG• During the flight:

▫Try to sleep▫Drink plenty of water▫Avoid caffeine and alcohol▫Wear comfortable clothing▫Change watch to local time at destination

• Upon arrival▫Follow local time schedule for meals and sleep ▫Moderate exercise▫Eat healthy, drink lots of fluids (water and

juices)

WEATHER

•What to expect:▫Temperatures▫Weather conditions▫Appropriate gear and attire: (ex. rubber

boots, umbrella, gloves, winter coat, sunglasses, sun hat)

WHAT TO PACK• Local culture:

▫BE SPECIFIC about clothing that is/is not appropriate (ex. No spaghetti straps, no shorts, skirts must be below the knee, need sportcoat for visits to businesses

• Program activities:▫Describe clothing that is appropriate/necessary ▫ Identify other things needed/handy for program

• Electricity▫Different voltage and plug shapes▫Leave appliances at home or get good

adapter/converter• Weather

▫Provide temperature range and typical weather for season

▫Describe appropriate clothing for climate/season

PACKING TIPS• You should be able to carry your luggage BY

YOURSELF!• Start packing several days before departure• Avoid overpacking

▫ Need less than you would at home▫ It’s okay to wear the same thing often

• Put your name and contact info on luggage tag and inside bag

• Leave some room for things you will acquire• Travel backpacks, suitcases with wheels

recommended

ACCOMMODATION

•Type of accommodation•Location of accommodation•Provide realistic expectations

MEALS

•Meals provided by program• Information re: where students will eat•Provide realistic expectations for food

provided•Estimated cost for meals not provided by

program

KEEPING IN TOUCH•Phones

▫Only international access cell phones work overseas

▫Pre-paid phone cards work well▫Calling cards—know access code for host

country •E-mail

▫Most affordable way to communicate▫ Internet cafes (cost)

•Mail▫Specify by ‘air mail’

COSTS

•List what is included in program fee• Itemize additional costs•Provide realistic estimate (range) for

additional amount needed•Have some cash set aside and a credit

card for emergencies

MONEY

•Local currency=•Current exchange rate=•Best exchange rates: ATM, credit cards•Cost of living (provide a few sample costs,

such as 1 can soda or candy bar, meal in restaurant, bus fare)

ACCESSING FUNDSHave more than one way to access funds Provide info on best method for destination

ATM/Debit card• Availability• Bank often charges fee for transaction• Know numeric PIN and account designated for int’l access

Credit Cards • Visa and Mastercard most widely accepted• High interest rates for cash advances

Traveler’s checks are not recommended• Becoming harder to use—high fees for exchange

Buy currency using cash

Make sure to contact your credit card companies and banks to let them know you will be out of the country. Give them specific dates so they know your card has not been stolen.

LEGAL MATTERS

•You are bound by the laws of the host country

•List laws and penalties in the host country that are different and relevant (ex. Pepper spray illegal in UK, illegal to photograph military installations and govt buildings, penalties for drug possession)

• In the event of legal problems, U.S. Embassy or consulate can provide assistance

PRE-DEPARTURE HEALTH PRECAUTIONS•Complete health form completely

▫Program staff can better assist, if you need medical care

▫Make arrangements for continuing care abroad•See your doctor

▫Discuss health concerns and potential impact of international travel

▫Get necessary prescriptions for duration of trip + 1 week

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS• Destination details: doctor and hospital info• Avoid street food• Make sure drinking water is potable• Bring with you:

▫Over the counter drugs and prescriptions ▫All medications IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS▫Extra glasses, contacts/cleaning solution▫Basic first aid items

SAMPLE FIRST AID KIT• Carry the following in a ziploc bag• Wound care:

▫Bandaids in assorted sizes, hand sanitizer, gauze pads, cloth tape, ace bandage

• Miscellaneous:▫Tweezers, scissors, thermometer

• Over the counter Medications:▫Topical antibiotic cream (bacitracin)▫Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory (Tylenol, Ibuprofin)▫Benadryl, Sudafed▫Antacid (Maalox, Mylanta)/H-2 Blockers (Pepcid,

Zantac)▫Anti-diarrheal (Immodium, Pepto)

STUDY ABROAD INSURANCE• Included in program fee for all CNU

programs through the ISIC card.•Card is valid for one year•Pay for minor services up front•Submit claim for reimbursement•Provides coverage for:

▫Medical care▫Emergency medical evacuation▫Repatriation of remains

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS• Remember that foreigners are more vulnerable to crime• Keep a low profile

▫ Try to blend in behavior and appearance▫ Avoid baseball caps, T-shirts with American emblems▫ Speak English quietly

• Be aware of your surroundings• Walk with purpose (check maps in private)• Ignore unwanted attention• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash/valuables• Take precautions against pick pocketing (money

belt/pouch)• Limit alcohol intake• Avoid political demonstrations• Have more than one way to access funds• Keep others informed about where you are going during

free time

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS, II• Make front and back copies of all credit cards,

debit cards, and passports you are taking abroad. ▫Leave copies with a person in the US (parent,

friend). ▫Scan copies into your email

• Notify your banks and credit card companies you will be traveling outside the US, so they do not flag your account for suspicious use overseas

SAFETY TIPS FOR DESTINATION

•List safety concerns and prevention tips

ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT• What is it?

▫Usually written or verbal criticism related to U.S. foreign policy and/or cultural influence

• How to deal with it:▫Don’t take it personally▫ Ignore unwanted attention from strangers▫Be well-informed of history and current events▫ In conversations:

Use it as an opportunity to learn more about host country

Ask questions about the person’s beliefs, national sentiment on particular issues

Share your thoughts and experiences

AGREEMENT AND WAIVER•Student agreement:

▫Outlines basic CNU expectations for participation in study abroad

▫Review along with program itinerary•Waiver of liability:

▫Identifies potential risks of participation▫Review along with Consular Information

Sheet•All participants must sign the waiver form

before the trip.

RACE AND ETHNICITY

•Discuss perceptions of different racial and ethnic groups in the host country

•Discuss treatment students can expect to receive in the host culture related to race and ethnicity

•Discuss issues of racism in the host country

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS•Give student version of alcohol policy

clarification•Abide by legal drinking age in host country•Abuse of alcohol impairs judgment,

increases risk of accident/injury•Respect host country norms re: alcohol

consumption and behavior•Subject to CNU Honor Code•Remember that violating drug laws can

have serious consequences

STUDENT CONDUCT

•List/explain program rules/expectations for behavior

•Describe culturally appropriate behavior

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

•Highlight some unique aspects of host culture

CULTURAL IMMERSION

•Provide realistic expectations re: opportunities to interact with local population

•Describe ways program facilitates cultural immersion

•Describe student role in creating cultural immersion experience

CULTURE SHOCK

• NORMAL reaction to new environment• May feel overwhelmed, lonely, homesick, dislike things about host culture• Cope by:

▫ Recognizing it▫ Talking with others in program▫ Keeping a journal▫ Concentrating on positive aspects of host culture▫ Establishing new routines▫ Not calling/e-mailing home too much

Questions?