Pre d slideshow summer fall 2011 mc edits
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- 2. Agenda •Introduction •Logistical Information •Cultural Information •Refreshments •Country-SpecificBreak-Out Sessions •Completion of Forms
- 3. Education Abroad Office EricMiller, Director of Education Abroad Jenny Sax, Assistant Program Director (Europe, Africa, Middle East, Latin America) William Pruitt, Coordinator (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Asia) Matthew Creasy, Graduate Intern Shannon Dove, Administrative Support Specialist Kevin Shutta (Estonia) Sarah Schneider (Chile and Spain) Carey Bald (South Africa) Tina Miles (Italy and Sweden) Venkat Subramanyam (Dominican Republic) Caroline Ickes, Graduate Assistant (Spain, Chile and Dominican Republic) Chloe Quivers, College of Engineering Student Representative (Australia)
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- 5. The Basics •Passport •Do you have one yet?? •Do you need to renew it? •Make 2 copies of picture page •Visas •Varies for each country, but generally required for stays longer than 3 months (and some rules have changed!!) •Some countries now require student visas for summer programs as well. •You must apply for a visa yourself; the Education Abroad office can help you understand requirements, but we cannot apply for you. Look into what you need to do IMMEDIATELY! •Check requirements for your country on your country’s embassy or consulate website •Airfare •Check many different websites for the best airfare rates. •kayak.com, expedia.com, airgorilla.com statravel.com, studentuniverse.com, are some options (some airlines have unpublished student fares and you must call to get them) •Make sure that you are aware of any cancellation and itinerary change fees. •With all the concern about flu pandemics, coups, natural disasters, perhaps it would be wise to purchase travel/evacuation insurance??
- 6. Getting There, MovingAround, and Pay for It
- 7. Money and Travel Money •Traveler’s Checks/Debit Card/Credit Card •Bring some cash in local currency •Tell your credit card company where you will be! •Interest on cards? •Transaction fees? •Travel Arrangements •Cheap student flights and train travel •Eurail Pass? Low-cost European airlines? ISIC Card? •Do you need a special visa for tourist travel to a different country??? •Airport Security Measures •Make sure you know of any changes or special security requirements •Different countries often have different regulations •Airport Security Measures •Make sure you know of any changes or special security requirements •Different countries often have different regulations
- 8. Financial Aid •Complete FAFSAand Education Abroad Program Document Form ASAP. •You must also fill out a Summer Aid application through Financial Aid •Discuss your financial aid and loan options with your financial aid counselor. •If you are on a Non-VT program, the overseas international office must complete the Verification of Enrollment form and fax or scan it back to us. Then aid will be disbursed.
- 9. VT Bill You willsee an administrative fee on your bill. •Bilateral Program $300.00 •Summer Bilateral $100.00 •VT Direct $300.00 •Non-VT and ISEP $50.00
- 10. The classroom iswhere?...and I’m getting credit for this?!?!
- 11. Academic Issues Course RegistrationAbroad •Different setting, different expectations – tricky registration •Be patient and ask questions Get pre-approval for your courses—”Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere” form through your academic dean’s office •You’ll earn “T” credits – but grad schools will possibly ask for original transcripts! •If you change classes, then another form must be completed (you can list more classes on the form than you plan on taking). You must take your classes for a letter grade (not pass/fail), and get an equivalent grade of C or higher (B for graduate students) •If “pass” is one of the options for a letter grade, you need to get a letter from your coordinator explaining this and have the letter sent with your transcript.
- 12. Course Withdrawals/Resignations/Registration •Bilateral Exchange,ISEP or on Financial Aid, you DO NOT register for VT classes •We’ll register you for a special class # •If you already have classes on your schedule, we’ll drop them for you
- 13. Withdrawals/Resignations/Registration If you haven’tregistered… don’t. You’ll be taking a leave of absence simply by not signing up for classes. Note: IF YOU ARE NOT GONE FOR MORE THAN 3 CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, YOU’LL STILL BE A VT STUDENT, AND WON’T HAVE TO REAPPLY!
- 14. Transcripts and Future Registration at VT •Before leaving host campus, be sure you’ve done everything necessary for your transcript to come back to VT •Have your transcripts sent to the Education Abroad office. If you get your transcript, do not open it. It must be in a sealed envelope. •You should definitely arrange to get some extra transcripts in sealed envelopes in case you apply to grad school or if future employers request them. •While abroad, you’ll register online for your return semester. We’ll remind you, but you’re responsible. Plan ahead!
- 15. Credit Transfer •It isCRUCIAL that you save all course information, including syllabi, exams, reading lists, course descriptions, etc. •You may need this after coming back to Tech to finalize the course equivalency/ transfer process •If you are on financial aid, you need to work with the host school to get a final transcript sent to Tech within 6 months of the end of your program
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- 17. Communication •Leave your contactinfo with OIRED •Set up a communication plan •Bring all necessary numbers… •…for your family, Academic Advisor, emergency contacts, home doctor, Ed. Abroad Office •Parents/family members/significant others/friends will worry •save the gory stories for your return •contact them in case of crisis, but avoid alarming them about minor issues—everything sounds worse when you are far away
- 18. Suggestions •Phone Cards (shoparound!) •It is unlikely that your cell phone will work overseas, or it will be very expensive •Purchase a cell (mobile) phone abroad •Prepaid “top-up” cards •Reminder: you likely won’t have your own phone in your dorm, and you should not use your host family’s phone – they pay for local calls, too!
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- 20. Healthcare •You must havehealth insurance that covers you outside of the U.S. …and OIRED needs it on file! •You’ll likely have to pay up front for doctor visits, hospital, service, etc. •Check amount and nature of coverage •Prescription medications – bring label with scientific name and note from doctor •Is it legal to bring your medication to your host country??? •Avoid putting medication in plastic bags! ALWAYS use the original container! •Do you need any special immunizations and or vaccinations??? •Check out these sites: • http://www.cdc.gov/ •http://www.who.int/en/
- 21. The nuts &bolts of Safety Abroad Don’t accept rides from strangers!! Don’t Be A Fool!
- 22. Safety and Prudence •YOUDO NOT TAKE YOUR RIGHTS AS AN AMERICAN WITH YOU ABROAD!!!! •Safety – Be on alert until you feel comfortable with your area. Protect your valuable documents. •If you’re traveling – do your research! Travel with a companion. •Avoid demonstrations (strikes, protests, etc…)! •Know the laws of your host country – you will be held accountable! VT Code of Conduct Applies too!
- 23. Safety and Prudence Checkout these websites for more safety information: www.asirt.org www.studentsabroad.state.gov www.saraswish.org www.travel.state.gov
- 24. Help Us toHelp YOU •VT can help you with other personal and confidential issues/challenges before you leave… •Alcoholism and Drug Addiction •Physical and Mental Issues •Eating Disorders •Family Dynamics •Others •Women’s Issues •Health •Personal Safety •Attitudes toward women in the host culture
- 25. Packing Tips And threepairs of jeans for the plane ride home!!!
- 26. Packing Tips! •Don’t packeverything you own, expensive items, or items of sentimental value! •Do bring a rolling suitcase you can pick up easily and a small carry-on with toothbrush and change of clothes. •People in other countries tend to dress up a lot more than we do. Leave the flip-flops, college sweatshirts, baseball caps and t-shirts behind. •Do bring small (and ultimately disposable!) essentials like travel alarm clock, towel and batteries – and gifts for your host family! •And do bring a Mini Health Kit! Over-the-counter stuff you’re used to… and keep the package labels!
- 27. Food and HousingIssues
- 28. Food and HousingIssues •Living and eating abroad may not be what you’re used to… adjust your expectations accordingly •Expect different foods, meal customs, food safety concerns •And you won’t be able to prepare for most of it!... Especially interesting: •Public restrooms (the hole in the ground!) that you might have to pay to use •The (often lukewarm) push-button showers that last 10 seconds •The stuffy, close-quarters of public transportation
- 29. Final Checklist •…these areall the tips you need to head on out of here on the right foot •BRING YOUR PACKET WITH YOU •And if you still need assistance, we’re here for you!
- 30. Fun Forms •Program LiabilityAgreement (signed) •Emergency Contact and Information Release Form •Health Insurance Certification •Copy of acceptance form (can be turned in later) •Please drop them off at the front table with the OIRED staff on your way out the door!
- 31. Self Assessment: Changes inLatitude… Changes in Attitude…
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- 33. Cultural Information •Consular InformationSheets •Be sure to check www.travel.state.gov periodically •Pay close attention to Safety & Security, Medical Issues and Health Information •Culture Grams (country-specific) •Provides detailed information related to history, politics, education, language, dating, diet, holidays… •Visit www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/ for country specific background notes
- 34. What is CultureShock? CULTURE SHOCK is a term coined by the anthropologist Kalvero Oberg (He died in 1973). He was one of the first scholars to describe the more pronounced reactions to the psychological disassociation most people experience when they live in a culture that is different than their own. One must go through it in order to have the pleasure of experiencing other cultures and countries in depth.
- 35. Dealing with CultureShock •You will experience Culture Shock—it can be a good thing depending on how you react to it. •Your reactions to situations can cause more problems than the situations themselves. •Remember that the anxiety and disorientation you feel is normal. Others are experiencing the same thing. •Keep busy and do things you find enjoyable. •Be open-minded and flexible. Things are different, not wrong. •Maintain a sense of humor.
- 36. Cultural Adjustment •Cultural adjustmentand culture shock are good things •Stages of cultural adjustment (4 Stages) •“Honeymoon” phase •“Culture Shock” phase •“Adjustment” phase •“Adaptation” phase
- 37. The Stages ofCultural Adjustment
- 38. THE CULTURAL ICEBERG - art business practices literature dress/fashion architecture customs drama/acting music law religious rituals games in awareness food/cooking dancing out of awareness beliefs values superstitions attitudes body language facial expressions sex view of disease concept of beauty eye behavior patterns of visual perception group decision -making ordering of time patterns of superior/inferior rela tions notion on sin conversational practices in various social contexts nature of friendship courtship practices patterns of handling emotions arrangement of physical space relationship to animals attitudes toward death work incentivespursuit of pleasure class occupation logic and validity s elf concept concepts of past and future definition of justice kinship concept of status mobility notions of puberty and adol escence concept of cleanliness definition of sanity roles in relations to status by age etc.
- 39. Possible Symptoms ofCulture Shock •Homesickness •Compulsive eating (or drinking or shopping!) •Withdrawal/ Isolation •Unexplainable crying/ anger/ irritability/sensitivity •Boredom •Exaggerated cleanliness/obsession with hygiene •Stereotyping •Family tension or conflict •Hostility towards locals •Excessive sleep
- 40. Helpful Techniques toWork Through the “Process” of Culture Shock •Exercise (not obsessively!) •Keep a journal. •Keep in touch with family and friends. •Immerse yourself in the culture and try to make friends—not just Americans. •Join a club, volunteer somewhere or go to a religious or spiritual organization of your choice. •Analyze and assess your experiences, feelings and reactions with logic and intellect—not just emotion. •Talk to people going through the same experiences. •Do not take things personally! Be tolerant and open-minded. •Expect things and people to be different.
- 41. Reverse Culture Shock •Cominghome will be difficult •Family and friends change—they may not be interested in hearing your stories over and over again •Others who have lived or studied abroad are generally more supportive in this •Come to OIRED—We’ll listen and give suggestions for keeping your experiences vivid.
- 42. Student Advice •Students whohave studied abroad are your best resource •Come to the OIRED and look at student evaluations of their experiences •Set up an appointment to speak with one of the OIRED staff members •Contact Cranwell International Center to meet with an international student from your host country •Be an English language partner through the Langauge and Culture Institute •Remember, the more you know before you go the more prepared you will be •See “useful hints” in your packet
- 43. “The Ugly American” •Negative,but has nothing to do with physical features •You can avoid being labeled as “The Ugly American” •Be genuinely interested in your host country/people •Ask questions, attend events/festivals, read the newspaper •Don’t expect special treatment and don’t assume everyone speaks English. Learn some basic phrases. •What do we want others to think about us? •You are Ambassadors of the U.S. and Virginia Tech
- 44. Let’s play 50Questions! •Learn about your host country •Host country nationals like to know that you are informed about their country and customs •What are the laws? •When are business hours? •How do people dress? •Etc.
- 45. Resources for StudyAbroad •Books •Travel Guides •Collections •Videos •Magazines •Web Sites •Health Issues •GLBT Issues Abroad •Students with Disabilities •Students of Color
- 46. Country Specific Sessions Agenda 30 minute session with returnees and host country nationals •In group each person introduces themselves and tells what program they are attending •Returnees/host country nationals will share authentic documents/resources (show and tell) •Everyone writes down one question they want to know about that country/region. •Returnees/host country national will answer questions from their knowledge/experiences •If time permits another round of questions •At end students should share e-mail addresses, if they wish
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