Duke GEO Study Abroad Pre-departure General Information

1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Study Abroad| Pre-Departure Orientation

2. Role of the Global Ed Office
• Who is GEO?
• A continuous support
system for you
before, during, and
after your program
• The more you
communicate with
GEO, the more GEO
can help you

3. Core Expectations
• This is an academic experience
• Students studying away are still subject to Duke’s
Community Standard and Duke’s Student Sexual
Misconduct Policy
• Academic or behavioral misconduct will be reported back
to GEO and Duke
• You are an ambassador for Duke as well as for your
home culture and country

4. BEFORE YOU GO
Academics | Travel Logistics | Finances | Health Insurance

5. Academics
• Duke Administered Program (Duke In) - Students earn: Regular Duke
credits and grades in most cases, transfer credits in some, that count fully
towards curricular requirements
• Duke Approved Program - Students earn: Transfer credit only, which may
fulfill requirements for majors, minors, and areas of knowledge. The FL
mode of inquiry may be received, but ONLY with special approval. No other
modes of inquiry are possible. You will only receive credit (no grade) on
your Duke transcript as long as you make the equivalent of a C- or better in
the course
• Students on non-Duke administered programs must take the normal (not
minimum) full credit load of the study abroad program as defined by the
program or sponsoring institution. No overload or under load is permitted!
Courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
• Online courses are not permitted.

6. Academics
• Course approvals
– Check the course approval database FIRST – if a course is already approved, no
need to get it approved a second time
– If a course is not approved, complete the Transfer Credit Approval Form
http://globaled.duke.edu/about/forms-policies and submit it to Cathy Penny
(cathy.penny@duke.edu) in the Global Education Office. You must provide an official
description of each course. Such descriptions can usually be found in a program
guide, bulletin, catalogue, or syllabus. You should request syllabi from your program in
advance if possible.
• Transcripts
– Request that an official transcript of courses with final grades from the program you
attended be sent to the Global Education Office for Undergraduates.
– Only courses that have been approved will be transferred to your Duke
transcript. Your credit transfer cannot take place until your official transcript
from your study abroad program has been received.

7. International Travel
• Complete the required international travel
registry http://travel.duke.edu/. Update
information as it becomes available
• Plan to arrive in time for the beginning of the
semester. For southern hemisphere programs,
make sure any summer experiences do not
conflict with the dates of your semester
program.

8. Passports
• U.S. citizens will find all they need to
know about obtaining passports via the
U.S. State Department website
• Make sure you have a valid passport. If
it’s due to expire, begin the renewal
process immediately
– Many countries require that your
passport be valid at least SIX months
beyond the end date of your trip
• Make at least 3 copies of your passport
– Give one copy to family, one to your
program director, and keep one for
yourself (or store it online)

9. Immigration
• Students should be receiving basic information about visa
requirements from their study abroad programs. However, for
most programs, it will be your responsibility to obtain a visa.
Keep in mind that it is 100% your responsibility as a student to
know and comply with your host country’s immigration laws.
You may have to apply in person at a consulate. Plan
accordingly.
• SPECIAL ALERT! If you plan to participate abroad in
DukeEngage or another international program after your study
abroad, please pay careful attention to the logistics required
to obtain multiple visas for your international experiences. If
you notice a conflict, contact the Global Education Office.
• Start the visa process early!

10. Immigration
• When traveling from your host country to other countries,
please check with their embassies and/or consulates
about separate entry requirements.

11. Financial Aid
• Contact the Financial Aid
Office if you have any
questions
• Visit
https://financialaid.duke.edu/
current-
undergraduates/study-
abroad for study away
related financial aid
information

12. ATMs/Credit Cards
• Notify your bank and/or credit
card companies before departing
from the United States
• ATMs typically offer a decent
exchange rate
• Be aware of ATM and credit card
fees for international transactions
• If possible, bring at least one
additional credit card to be used
in the event of an emergency
• Make sure your card has a chip

13. Final Forms
• Duke students wishing to study abroad for
credit must complete final forms for study
abroad prior to departure.
• Please read all required forms carefully before
signing. Forms can be downloaded from the
MyGlobalEd online application system. The
Participation Agreement must be signed by
BOTH the student and parent/guardian. The
Participation Agreement is also available for
downloading on the GEO website
http://globaled.duke.edu/about/forms-policies.

14. Medical Self-Disclosure and
Requesting Accommodations
• If you are attending a Duke administered program,
complete the required online medical self-disclosure
questionnaire online in your MyGlobalEd application
– Report pre-existing conditions, allergies, dietary
restrictions, etc.
• If you are currently experiencing any medical and/or
mental health issues that may require special
considerations or accommodations while abroad, be
sure to reach out to GEO and/or the Duke Student
Disabilities and Access Office (SDAO) well before you
leave for your program

15. Health Insurance
• Be sure that your health insurance coverage is valid and
extends abroad
• Double check the particular details of your coverage
– Determine whether you need additional coverage in the host
country
– Know that you may be responsible for paying up-front costs for
any medical care you receive abroad, which you would later
claim for reimbursement
Consult with your program to identify
doctors and other health care
providers in your host country or city

16. International SOS (ISOS)
• Benefits include:
security/medical information,
travel advice, email alerts,
etc.
• View more about ISOS
benefits at
internationalsos.com
• Print and bring your ISOS
card with you on the
program. The card is found in
your student handbook
• ISOS is not health insurance!

17. Prescription Drugs
• Check with ISOS and/or your program to make sure any
prescriptions you take are legal in your host country
• Pack prescriptions in your carry-on bag
• Bring an adequate supply of medication for the duration of
your program, along with a doctor’s note and signed
prescriptions (which should include generic drug names)
• Bring an extra pair of glasses and/or a copy of your eye
prescription

18. Additional Resources
• Your program
director
• GEO staff
• GEO website
• The GEO
student
handbook

19. Tag and We’ll Repost

20. Questions?
Contact us at
globaled@duke.edu
or
919-684-2174