1. BSU Office of Study Abroad
WINTER
Pre-Departure Template
Orientation
APRIL 2013
2. Turn in Documents in Office 01
• Passport copy
• Participation agreement
• Health Form
• Acceptance letter from
affiliate provider
• Transfer of credit form
(semester study abroad
students)
http://www.bridgew.edu/study
abroad/forms
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3. Passports and Visas 02
• Check passport expiration date!
• 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 –keep up to date with
country-specific travel info and
travel warnings
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4. Meetings 03
• Each Study Abroad program
will have program specific
meetings that are mandatory!
• You will receive email with
information about the date
and time of the meetings
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5. Packing 04
• Carry on luggage
– Laptops, cameras, etc
– No liquids over 3 oz. in carry on
luggage– in a clear plastic bag
• What to pack
– Multi purpose clothing
– Comfortable shoes
– Electrical adaptors
• What NOT to bring
– Expensive jewelry
– Unnecessary credit cards,
social security card, etc
– Excess cash
• Luggage weight – check for
additional baggage fees with the
airline
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• Check with airline for any
updated information
6. Contact and Travel Info 05
• Leave with your family:
– Copy of your passport
– Flight information & Itinerary
– Your in country contact info
– OSA contact information
• Register your trip with Smart Travel
Enrollment Program at
https://step.state.gov/step/
• Register with local in-country embassy
• Identify In-country resources:
– faculty leader
– program director
– international programs office
– resident director
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7. Academic Credits 06
• Study Tours
– 3 BSU undergraduate or
graduate credits
– Grades are factored in to
your GPA
– Register for the study tour
online through Infobear
** Enrollment open now **
8. Study Tours 07
• Faculty Leader distributes
the syllabus
• 3 credits include
coursework before and
after dates of travel
• All activities and meetings
in country are mandatory
9. Semester/Year Abroad 08
• 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.
10. Style of Instruction 09
• Lecture
• Courses may meet once
a week
• Accessibility of
faculty/professors
• Teachers’ titles are
important when you
address them (Dr.
Smith, Professor Smith)
• Observe other students’
style of study
11. Academic Credits 10
Academic Year/Semester Programs
– Students have to maintain a full time
status.
• Undergraduates: 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 factor in to GPA;
will come in as transfer credits when:
• transfer credit forms received
• transcript received
12. Transfer of Credit Process 11
Visit http://www.bridgew.edu/StudyAbroad/getting-
credit.cfm for all details on getting academic credit
13. While Abroad 12
• Experiencing Culture Shock
– Happens to everyone
– Everybody may experience different degrees of
culture shock at different times
– Take care of your mental health: stress, anxiety,
sleeplessness, depression
– Use BSU and in-country support services when
needed
• Represent us well
– BSU Conduct Code
– Host university Code
– Host country laws
• Appropriate dress
• Intercultural Communication
14. Communication While Abroad 13
•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
15. Money Matters 14
• Credit/Debit cards
• Cash
• Diversify your sources of
currency
• Be aware of ATM fees and
exchange rates
• Plan ahead
• Ask for exchange rates in
your US bank
• Let your bank/credit card
company know travel
dates and locations
16. Safety 15
• Use COMMON SENSE
• Do not be overly trusting
• Be mindful of overly advertising
yourself as American
• Let someone know where you are going
• Follow directions and safety warnings with Rx medication
• Use alcohol responsibly
• Engage in safe behavior
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Use the buddy system
• Know in-country emergency information
• Do not use any illegal drugs or
substances: BSU’s zero tolerance policy
applies abroad
17. Health Information 16
• Center for Disease Control
(www.cdc.gov)
• Students should meet with health
care provider prior to departure
• Staying healthy abroad means
being healthy physically and
mentally
• Travel clinics for recommended
immunizations
• Prescription medications
– bring extras
– bottles must match contents
18. Insurance Information 17
• CMI/Medix (www.cmi-insurance.com)
• Personal, health, and travel
insurance
– Study Tours
– Exchanges
– Summer programs
– Undergraduate Research
– International Service Learning
• All students should maintain
personal health insurance- check
with them directly for coverage
Affiliate providers offer
• Carry insurance cards
their own insurance
• Any in-country treatments—save coverage
receipts and you can be reimbursed
19. 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
– State Department website, Guide books
like Rick Steve’s and Frommer’s
• Language – basics are helpful
– Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank
you, etc
– Numbers
20. Communication 19
• International phone card
and cell phones
– Usually is better to purchase
in country when you arrive
• Social Networks
• Email
• SKYPE, ooVoo, and other
IMs
• Set realistic expectations
– Of service
– How often you will check in
with people back home
21. Planning Your Return 20
• Course registration while abroad—review course
selections with advisor via email
– http://www.bridgew.edu/Registrar/
• On-campus housing
– http://www.bridgew.edu/RLH/
– Global Village: International Residential Learning
Community, opening fall 2013
• Study tours—any final projects
• Semester/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
22. Additional Information 21
• Dr. Mary Lou Frias
BSU Health Services
• Rita Camara
Residential Life and Housing
• Lt. Ryan Tepper
Campus Police
• Study Abroad Ambassadors
