UW Stevens Point
Office of International Education
Pre-Acceptance Meeting
Changing Lives
through study abroad!
You will never be the same.
BE PREPARED !
WHAT are your
expectations?
Our goal today is to tell it like it is
and give you the chance to have
your program questions answered.
ASK, ASK, ASK!!
WHY are you going?
*Learn to respect and enjoy
different cultures?
*Become a more confident
and independent person and
a citizen of the world?
*Gain appreciation for your
family and country?
*Build your résumé?
Have you selected the right
program for your vocational and
academic goals?
How are students selected for programs?
THE application PROCESS
*Step One:
Complete Application:
Statement of Commitment,
Course History print-out (UWSP applicant)
Recommendation form/letter
Advisor’s Sheet with signature
Application Fee
*Pre-Acceptance Orientation Meeting
*Personal Interview / Application Packet Review
*Step Two:
Letter of Offer and Forms
Participant Acceptance Sheet
Required Health & Safety Information
Participant Agreement & Statement of Responsibilities
Passport Copy
Airline Ticket Purchasing Information
Payment Schedule Information
*Initial Payment of $500
*You are in, CONGRATS!
Now . . .
provide office with flight itinerary
attend further orientation sessions
complete applications for host institutions
*Attend Departure Workshop
*Have you applied for your
passport yet?
*This is your official document verifying citizenship and
required for you to leave and return from the U.S. or
cross foreign borders.
*Don’t delay, the process takes 4-6 weeks.
*Certified birth certificate name must match the name
you use or passport could take from 2-4 months to
obtain.
*Passport application materials available in IP office or
visit the web: www.travel.state.gov.
*Provide IP office with a photocopy of your passport.
Visa Requirements. Study abroad sometimes
requires special permission from the host country. This
often takes the form of a visa, which is a separate
document from your passport. UWSP OIE will contact
study groups requiring visas.
What you MUST sign and
why
To have . . .
realistic expectations
a positive commitment to
the group experience
the maturity and self
motivation to have a
positive study abroad
experience
 yourself, UWSP, and the
USA represented as
positively as possible!
*Academics Come
First!
*Attendance is a must!
*Some semester programs are only
12 WEEKS of Classes
European Style:
more independence,
fewer examinations and papers, and
it’s your responsibility to learn!
Discuss your study
abroad program
with your
Academic Advisor!
Will I be studying with
other
international students ?
Different Situations!
*Language Immersion Programs: With
other language learners
*U.S. Semester Abroad Programs: With
other U.S. students
*Direct Enrollment: With all students at
the institution.
* Where will I live?
Different Situations:
Host Families
Residential Living Halls
Apartments
ASK about the housing
arrangement for your program
during your FINAL INTERVIEW!
*You must abide by UWSP
Conduct Rules and Regulations !
The Office of International Education
reserves the right to withdraw a student from an
overseas program due to student misconduct which
affects our foreign university relationship.
You WILL be asked to sign a contract agreeing to
follow set policies and procedures.
Most student misconduct involves the
misuse of alcohol BE RESPECTFUL!
*Safety Abroad!
*The U.S. State Department decides if we stay or gomust be a travel warning
*www.state.gov
*www.cdc.gov
*In-country Contacts
*IP covers cost to move a group to safety, if in danger
*No refund if YOU decide to leave
*Be smart
*Watch your stuff
*Greatest Risk of entire trip…when you drive
your car to Chicago.
*We give you LOTS
of advice!
Like DON’T
OVERPACK!
……and you
(sometimes)
listen too!
* And Some People
Get It Right!
*Electronic issues – Don’t expect
what you have back at home!
*Computers, Access and
Cell Phones.
*WIFI?
*
*Room and Board
*Instructional Costs
*Tuition (Fee for non-residents is
only $1000)
*UW-System Mandated
Health/Travel Insurance
For all semester programs it is the responsibility of
each participant to obtain his/her own ticket.
We will help!
You can still apply your financial aid.
Airfare
*
HOW MUCH PERSONAL SPENDING
MONEY WILL I NEED?
Depends on you . . .
where you go…
if you stay on…
on exchange rates …
Average amount spent
while abroad:
* $2500 + Western Europe,
Australia, New Zealand
* $2000 + ? Eastern Europe
* $950 + ? Mexico
TALK TO STUDENTS
WHO’VE BEEN THERE!
HOW DOES FINANCIAL AID WORK
WITH STUDY ABROAD?
1.
Renew FAFSA for academic year before March 1.
2.
Review financial aid Letter of Offer via e-mail.
3.
ACCEPT the Letter of Offer electronically.
4.
Once your study abroad application is accepted,
make appointment with UWSP Financial Aid office
to request a revision that includes the study
abroad costs.
Grants and Scholarships
State Study Abroad Initiative (SSAI)
Study Abroad Scholarships:
Feb. 15 and Oct. 15
Department/College Scholarships
Community Foundations
Service Organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis,
Optimist . . .
Foreign Currency
Educate yourself in foreign currency and Exchange
Rates+-: Euros, Zloty, Australian Dollars, NZ Dollars, British
Pounds, etc.
www.oanda.com
Be ready to experience some new
cuisine !
*Check with the study
abroad office to verify
that your application
packet is COMPLETE.
*If all materials have
been received, you will
schedule your FINAL
INTERVIEW.
*Meet with our Study
Abroad Mentors and
get ready for the
Departure Workshop!
Communication and
preparation are your keys to
the palace!
Check emails!
Stop by our office often!
To find out more:
www.uwsp.edu/studyabroad