Before embarking on a study abroad, see the presentation about necessary pre-departure steps for BSU students and also the Office of Study Abroad recemmendations when abroad.

1. BSU Office of Study Abroad
WINTER
Pre-Departure Template
Orientation
2012-2013

2. Turn in Documents in Office 01
• Passport copy
• Participation agreement
• Health Form
• Acceptance letter
• Transfer of credit form
(semester study abroad
students)
http://www.bridgew.edu/study
abroad/forms
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3. Passports and visas 03
• 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
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4. Meetings 04
• 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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5. Packing 05
• 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
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additional baggage fees with the
airline

6. Contact and Travel Info 06
• Leave a copy of your passport, flight
information and itinerary with your family
• Leave copy of the Student handbook and
the BSU Study Abroad website
• Make sure friends and family know how
to contact you
• Let your bank & credit card company
know you’ll be in another country
• Register your trip with Smart Travel
Enrollment Program at
https://step.state.gov/step/
• Identify In-country contact :
– faculty leader
– program director
– international programs office
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7. Academic Credits 07
• Study Tours
– 3 BSU undergraduate or
graduate credits
– Grades are calculated
towards your GPA
– Register for the study tour
online through Infobear.

8. Academic Credits 08
Academic Year/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
– Grades do not calculate in GPA

9. While Abroad 09
• 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

10. Study Tours 10
• Faculty Leader
distributes the
syllabus
• 3 credits include
coursework before
and after dates of
travel
• All activities and
meetings in country
are mandatory

11. Semester/AY In University 11
• 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.

12. Style of Instruction 12
• 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

13. While Abroad 14
•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
•Keep in touch: OSA social
networks, newsletter, BSU
email

14. Safety 15
• 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

15. Health Insurance Information 17
• CMI/Medix (www.cmi-
insurance.com)
– Study Tours
– Exchanges
– Summer programs
– Undergraduate Research
– International Service
Learning
• All students should
maintain personal health
coverage Affiliate participants
provide their own
• Carry insurance cards insurance
• If in hospital-save receipts
and you can be reimbursed

16. Get the most out of being abroad 18
• 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

17. Money 19
• 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

18. Communication 20
• International phone card
and Cell phones
– Usually is better to purchase
in country when you arrive
• Social Networks
• Email
• SKYPE and other IMs

19. Planning Your Return 21
• Course registration
– http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/
• On-campus housing
– http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/
– Global Village: International Residential Learning
Community, coming fall 2013
• Study tours—any final projects
• Semeseter/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

20. 22
Questions?

21. Additional Information 23
• Dr. Mary Lou Frias
BSU Health Services
• Captain Michael Froio
Campus Police
• Rita Camara
Residential Life and Housing

22. Additional Information 24
Happy Travels!