Name of Program
STUDY ABROAD ORIENTATION
Term and Year
Date
PROGRAM STAFF
• Director’s name and contact info (on campus and
abroad)
• Other instructors and contact info
ACADEMICS
• STUDY Abroad: first and foremost an academic
experience
• Courses taught: (list course #s, call #s and titles)
• # of Credit hours
• Students must pay the program fee to the study abroad
office. Tuition and fees are paid to the student’s
account separately)
• Subject to CNU Honor Code and CNU Policies as if
you were on campus
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
• Hand out syllabus, if possible
• # of hours spent in class per day
• Approximate # of hours required outside of class to
complete readings, papers, projects
• Assignments
• Materials to bring from home
• Academic resources available abroad
• Deadline for papers/projects upon return from
program.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
• Office Hours of the faculty
• Available time to work on coursework during the
study abroad
• Accessibility to internet or computers to complete
work
• Availability of faculty upon return to U.S.
ITINERARY
• Hand out program itinerary w/ dates of travel, class
days, days off/free-time, group excursions, special
events
IMPORTANT DATES/DEADLINES
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Payments due:
Return paperwork by:
Next on campus meeting date and location
Departure date or Program begins:
Other
FLIGHTS
• Group flight arrangements
▫ Have any student not been on an airplane
▫ Airline, Flight number, Transfers
▫ Where to meet
▫ Luggage limits and restrictions (# of bags, weight)
 Additional bags or overweight bags are at students expense
INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL
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You must have a passport
Check in at least three hours before departure
Do not leave bags unattended
Carry ticket and passport on your person
Name on plane ticket must match passport
Put your itinerary in your carry-on bag with the location of
where you will be staying while abroad (used for customs).
PASSPORTS
• Apply at any full service post office
• On-line Resources:
▫ http://travel.state.gov/passport/
▫ http://www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm
• Renew if passport will expire within 6 months of
anticipated return date
• If you need one, apply immediately
▫ Allow 4-6 weeks for processing
• Keep photocopy of passport, give copy to Program
Director
• Store in a safe place or keep it on you if required by law in
host country
CUSTOMS
• On the airplane you will be given a customs card to fill out.
• Once off the plane, you enter a line to speak with a customs agent. In your
carry-on luggage you should have available:
 Your program details, dates, schools, organization
 Your return Itinerary or Tickets
 Your Passport and Visa
• The Customs Agent will take your passport and may ask you questions
about your travel plans. You may or may not need the program documents.
• After the Customs Agent you will collect your checked baggage and take it
through security. If you are transferring to another flight you will re-check
your bags.
JET LAG
• During the flight:
▫ Try to sleep
▫ Drink plenty of water
▫ Avoid caffeine and alcohol
▫ Wear comfortable clothing
▫ Change watch to local time at destination
• Upon arrival
▫ Follow local time schedule for meals and sleep
▫ Moderate exercise
▫ Eat healthy, drink lots of fluids (water and juices)
WEATHER
• What to expect:
▫ Temperatures
▫ Weather conditions
▫ Appropriate gear and attire: (ex. rubber boots, umbrella,
gloves, winter coat, sunglasses, sun hat)
WHAT TO PACK
• Local culture:
▫ BE SPECIFIC about clothing that is/is not appropriate (ex.
No spaghetti straps, no shorts, skirts must be below the knee,
need sportcoat for visits to businesses
• Program activities:
▫ Describe clothing that is appropriate/necessary
▫ Identify other things needed/handy for program
• Electricity
▫ Different voltage and plug shapes
▫ Leave appliances at home or get good adapter/converter
• Weather
▫ Provide temperature range and typical weather for season
▫ Describe appropriate clothing for climate/season
PACKING TIPS
• You should be able to carry your luggage BY YOURSELF!
• Start packing several days before departure
• Avoid overpacking
▫ Need less than you would at home
▫ It’s okay to wear the same thing often
• Put your name and contact info on luggage tag and inside bag
• Leave some room for things you will acquire
• Travel backpacks, suitcases with wheels recommended
ACCOMMODATION
• Type of accommodation
• Location of accommodation
• Provide realistic expectations
MEALS
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Meals provided by program
Information re: where students will eat
Provide realistic expectations for food provided
Estimated cost for meals not provided by program
KEEPING IN TOUCH
• Phones
▫ Only international access cell phones work overseas
▫ Pre-paid phone cards work well
▫ Calling cards—know access code for host country
• E-mail
▫ Most affordable way to communicate
▫ Internet cafes (cost)
• Mail
▫ Specify by ‘air mail’
COSTS
• List what is included in program fee
• Itemize additional costs
• Provide realistic estimate (range) for additional
amount needed
• Have some cash set aside and a credit card for
emergencies
MONEY
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Local currency=
Current exchange rate=
Best exchange rates: ATM, credit cards
Cost of living (provide a few sample costs, such as 1
can soda or candy bar, meal in restaurant, bus fare)
ACCESSING FUNDS
Have more than one way to access funds Provide info on best method for
destination
ATM/Debit card
• Availability
• Bank often charges fee for transaction
• Know numeric PIN and account designated for int’l access
Credit Cards
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Visa and Mastercard most widely accepted
High interest rates for cash advances
Traveler’s checks are not recommended
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Becoming harder to use—high fees for exchange
Buy currency using cash
Make sure to contact your credit card companies and banks to let them know
you will be out of the country. Give them specific dates so they know your card
has not been stolen.
LEGAL MATTERS
• You are bound by the laws of the host country
• List laws and penalties in the host country that are
different and relevant (ex. Pepper spray illegal in UK,
illegal to photograph military installations and govt
buildings, penalties for drug possession)
• In the event of legal problems, U.S. Embassy or
consulate can provide assistance
PRE-DEPARTURE HEALTH
PRECAUTIONS
• Complete health form completely
▫ Program staff can better assist, if you need medical care
▫ Make arrangements for continuing care abroad
• See your doctor
▫ Discuss health concerns and potential impact of international
travel
▫ Get necessary prescriptions for duration of trip + 1 week
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
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Destination details: doctor and hospital info
Avoid street food
Make sure drinking water is potable
Bring with you:
▫ Over the counter drugs and prescriptions
▫ All medications IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS
▫ Extra glasses, contacts/cleaning solution
▫ Basic first aid items
SAMPLE FIRST AID KIT
• Carry the following in a ziploc bag
• Wound care:
▫ Bandaids in assorted sizes, hand sanitizer, gauze pads, cloth
tape, ace bandage
• Miscellaneous:
▫ Tweezers, scissors, thermometer
• Over the counter Medications:
▫ Topical antibiotic cream (bacitracin)
▫ Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory (Tylenol, Ibuprofin)
▫ Benadryl, Sudafed
▫ Antacid (Maalox, Mylanta)/H-2 Blockers (Pepcid, Zantac)
▫ Anti-diarrheal (Immodium, Pepto)
STUDY ABROAD INSURANCE
• Included in program fee for all CNU programs
through the ISIC card.
• Card is valid for one year
• Pay for minor services up front
• Submit claim for reimbursement
• Provides coverage for:
▫ Medical care
▫ Emergency medical evacuation
▫ Repatriation of remains
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS
• Remember that foreigners are more vulnerable to crime
• Keep a low profile
▫ Try to blend in behavior and appearance
▫ Avoid baseball caps, T-shirts with American emblems
▫ Speak English quietly
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Walk with purpose (check maps in private)
• Ignore unwanted attention
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash/valuables
• Take precautions against pick pocketing (money belt/pouch)
• Limit alcohol intake
• Avoid political demonstrations
• Have more than one way to access funds
• Keep others informed about where you are going during free time
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS, II
• Make front and back copies of all credit cards, debit
cards, and passports you are taking abroad.
▫ Leave copies with a person in the US (parent, friend).
▫ Scan copies into your email
• Notify your banks and credit card companies you will be
traveling outside the US, so they do not flag your account
for suspicious use overseas
SAFETY TIPS FOR DESTINATION
• List safety concerns and prevention tips
ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT
• What is it?
▫ Usually written or verbal criticism related to U.S. foreign
policy and/or cultural influence
• How to deal with it:
▫ Don’t take it personally
▫ Ignore unwanted attention from strangers
▫ Be well-informed of history and current events
▫ In conversations:
 Use it as an opportunity to learn more about host country
 Ask questions about the person’s beliefs, national
sentiment on particular issues
 Share your thoughts and experiences
AGREEMENT AND WAIVER
• Student agreement:
▫ Outlines basic CNU expectations for participation in
study abroad
▫ Review along with program itinerary
• Waiver of liability:
▫ Identifies potential risks of participation
▫ Review along with Consular Information Sheet
• All participants must sign the waiver form before the
trip.
RACE AND ETHNICITY
• Discuss perceptions of different racial and ethnic
groups in the host country
• Discuss treatment students can expect to receive in the
host culture related to race and ethnicity
• Discuss issues of racism in the host country
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
• Give student version of alcohol policy clarification
• Abide by legal drinking age in host country
• Abuse of alcohol impairs judgment, increases risk of
accident/injury
• Respect host country norms re: alcohol consumption
and behavior
• Subject to CNU Honor Code
• Remember that violating drug laws can have serious
consequences
STUDENT CONDUCT
• List/explain program rules/expectations for behavior
• Describe culturally appropriate behavior
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
• Highlight some unique aspects of host culture
CULTURAL IMMERSION
• Provide realistic expectations re: opportunities to
interact with local population
• Describe ways program facilitates cultural immersion
• Describe student role in creating cultural immersion
experience
CULTURE SHOCK
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NORMAL reaction to new environment
May feel overwhelmed, lonely, homesick, dislike things about host culture
Cope by:
▫ Recognizing it
▫ Talking with others in program
▫ Keeping a journal
▫ Concentrating on positive aspects of host culture
▫ Establishing new routines
▫ Not calling/e-mailing home too much
Questions?