Some simple things that you can do, and remember, that will give you the best possible start to your year abroad, and every chance of making the experience a successful one.

1. Pre Departure Briefing for students going abroad 2010/2011 Hazel Lander Welfare and Exchanges Officer Emma Marku International Support Officer

2. Looking ahead… Page 2

3. What you make of it… Page 3

4. Go prepared… Forward planning Practicalities & documentation While you’re abroad… Page 4

5. Case study Maarit Aartoaho, from Finland, is studying Social Anthropology at the University of Kent and has just returned from a year at Japan’s Waseda University. Page 5

6. Case study 2 Naqiya Ebrahim from Hong Kong, who studies Drama at the University of Kent, spent at the University of California, San Diego. Page 6

7. Part 1: Forward planning Research Mental preparation Make contacts with students who are going abroad and those students who have returned Page 7

8. Part 1: Forward planning Prepare documentation and forms ClassesMake sure you have selected your classes at the correct level and that your School is happy with your classes Page 8

9. Forward planning - summary “Studying in Japan definitely differs from studying in England. Even though scholarly success is highly appreciated in Japan, for Japanese university students, the grades do not seem to be important. Instead, the goal is to pass a course. Class attendance which is checked every lecture is high while participation in class discussion low. The courses by foreign professors tend to be more demanding than the ones by Japanese professors. With deadlines, more second chances are given to students than at Kent.” Maarit Page 9

10. Part 2: Practicalities - documentation Passport Page 10 Visa Money Insurance http://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/studentfieldwork/index.html

11. Part 2: Practicalities - health Doctors and dentists Medications Vaccinations? Additional support Page 11

12. Part 2: Practicalities - accommodation What’s included? Choice? Forms & deposits Page 12

13. Part 2: Practicalities - arrival Important documents From the airport to the university? Orientation Late check – in Get involved Page 13

14. Part 2: Practicalities - arrival “Meet people, explore your new city, go adventuring. I was extremely lucky to have a nicely balanced academic and social life at UCSD and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Get involved as much as possible. Also, remember to have fun!” - Naqiya Page 14

15. Part 3: While you’re abroad – remember… Your role as an ambassador YOUR YEAR ABROAD COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR DEGREE! Page 15

16. Part 3: While you are abroad – keep in touch Tell Hazel your address while abroad Make sure your email account is not over quota Page 16

17. Part 3: While you’re abroad – culture shock Don’t worry Key times Prepare Awareness Time Resources Get involved Page 17

18. Part 3: While you’re abroad – culture shock “Waseda students very eagerly participate in activities organized by different student unions. Almost every student belongs at least to one club. For international students, there are lots of cultural activities and even trips outside Tokyo during weekends and vacation time to explore Japanese culture.” Maarit Page 18

19. Why didn’t you tell me?- USA The “Certificate of Eligibility” that your host university sends you will dictate which visa you can apply for. You will either apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa The visa application process is set out in “Year Abroad in the US guide”, available online from the International Office website If you GPA drops below 2.7 or if you are registered for less than 12 credits this affects your current visa status If you have academic concerns you should contact your School Page 19

20. Why didn’t you tell me? - Japan You are required to take Japanese language classes while abroad due to visa requirements. They do not contribute to your final mark Once accepted you can start the visa application process. This is set out in detail in our “Year Abroad in Japan Guide” available online through the International Office website All universities offer accommodation If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Sarah Hyde (Politics) or Jan Horn (Anthropology) Page 20

21. Why didn’t you tell me?- Argentina Once accepted you should make a visa application. Information is available from the Argentina Embassy website: http://www.argentine-embassy-uk.org/ General information on studying in Argentina is available online: http://estudiarenargentina.siu.edu.ar/pages/study100.php The University will help you find accommodation and you can rent a flat or live with a host family If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Ruth Blakeley (Politics) or Dr William Rowlandson (Spanish) Page 21

22. Why didn’t you tell me?– Hong Kong Useful information for HKU and City U students:http://www3.hku.hk/oise/eng/incoming_studying.phphttp://www.cityu.edu.hk/cityu/admissions/index.htm City U and HKU students will complete the visa application process directly with the university Both universities offer accommodation for exchange students If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Pak Lee (Politics), Professor Wade Mansell (KLS), Dr Jesse O’Hanley (KBS) or Dr Ana de Medeiros (Humanities) Page 22

23. Why didn’t you tell me?- China Once accepted you should make a visa application. Information is available from the China Embassy website:http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/ If you have academic concerns you should contact Professor Wade Mansell (KLS) If you have any other concerns you can contact the International Office and we can contact SWUPL for you. Page 23

24. Why didn’t you tell me?- Peru Page 24 For any academic concerns, please contact your School The Student Academic Exchange Program currently offers pre-registration options via Internet www.pucp.edu.pe ALL STUDENTS – if you have any other concerns, please contact the International Office, and we can contact your host university

25. “Allowing myself to be open to these new environments and new experiences has shaped who I am. I have gained insight and learned about both myself and others. It is interesting to see new approaches to curriculum and teaching styles, to see the cultural and social differences, and to soak up an entirely new world. I strongly recommend it, for it will be an experience that you won’t want to end.” Naqiya Page 25 Final word

26. Page 26 http://www.kent.ac.uk/international/exchanges/outgoing/index.html