what is a re-orientation? this is a way to join together and reflect on your experience so far,...

What is a re-orientation?

This is a way to join together and reflect on your experience so far,

where you are and where you are going, and to remind you about

your safety while living abroad.

Think of an encounter with the Italian culture (or an Italian person).

How did it cause you to reflect on your personal and cultural identity?

What were some of the differences with your home culture? Similarities?

Personal Experiences

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?To seek out a greater diversity of friends?To increase self-confidence?To learn Italian? To understand your own cultural values and biases?

To acquire skills that influence a career path?

Why did YOU come to Rome?How can your goals improve further?

I’ve Identified my goal….now what???

If you don’t set a goal, you won’t know when you’ve reached it.

Studies have proven that the most successful people have set their goals and made specific plans on reaching them, even to the point of imagining what it will feel like when they reach their goal.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. Vince Lombardi

The GROW ModelGoal – identify your goalReality – identify your reality

Options – identify your options

Will – have the will to follow the best option that will lead you to your goal

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Experience different aspects of your host culture

Volunteer – it’s not too latePractice language proficiency Conduct research Gain professional contacts in your host country… Network!

Think about marketing yourself and how you will verbalize the skills you’ve

gained abroad for your resume

New skillsWhat new skills have you learned?

What do you hope to learn?

Possible Skills gained while Studying Abroad:

− Cross-cultural communication − Analytical experience − Flexibility − Familiarity with local customs

− Ability to adapt to new surroundings − Language proficiency − Intercultural competence − Research experience − Self-reliance − Perseverance − Diversity tolerance − Assertiveness − Independence − Knowledge of history and customs

− Cross-cultural communication − Analytical experience − Flexibility − Familiarity with local customs

− Ability to adapt to new surroundings − Language proficiency − Intercultural competence − Research experience − Self-reliance − Perseverance − Diversity tolerance − Assertiveness − Independence − Knowledge of history and customs

Culture ShockFor the first three days that Kelly York was abroad, she says she was in tears most of the time. Then, she started noticing some of the charming aspects of the small Italian town where she lived. It didn't take long before she was in love with Italy. Soon afterward she hit bottom again and was sick of anything Italian. Everything annoyed her and she couldn't wait to leave. Then, sure enough, when she only had a few months left, she felt guilty because she didn't miss home and wanted to stay in Italy. "You'll either love or hate where you are," York reflects. "You'll think you're in the clear, and then you're into the next phase.“

Stages of Culture ShockRhinesmith’s Ten Stages of Adjustment1. initial anxiety2. initial elation3. initial culture shock4. superficial adjustment5. depression-frustration6. acceptance of host culture7. return anxiety8. return elation9. re-entry shock10. Reintegration

Where are you? What have you already experienced? How do you know?

Coping strategies Keep in regular touch with family and friends.

Not only can you let others know what's happening as events occur, but the interaction with folks back home prepares you for reentry.

"I shared my experiences with my family and friends all the way through my time in Australia," says Page Felini, a civil engineering major at the University of Virginia. "There wasn't that six-month gap when I got back, because they knew what I had been through.“

Get out and experience the culture. Make friends immediately--and not just with Americans. "The key to learning cultural differences is to make local friends,"

Rosenthal says. While in Hong Kong, she got away from the beaten path and saw foreign films and went to museums and festivals in order to quickly become familiar with the city and its people.

Keep a journal while you're abroad. "That helped me a lot," reflects Hoag. Though it was hard to

verbalize to others what she experienced, her journal provided a concrete way to record her observations and, as a result, to contemplate her growth.

REMEMBER:Take off your shoes and wear slippers in the home (don’t stomp when you walk)

Don’t slam the doorsDon’t talk too loudly / move furniture / wash clothes / bang pots and pans especially after 10pm

No partiesNo bottle collections

PRECAUTIONS:Close all windows, shades and lock doors whenever you leave the apartment

Don’t walk home alone at nightDon’t invite strangers into the homeDon’t drink in excess

-it makes you vulnerable!

VIOLATION OF SAI POLICIESYou will receive one official warning for excessive noise, excessive drinking and other behavioral issues.

If the behavior continues, you will be put on probation and your home University will be contacted. In more serious cases, there will be no more warnings; you will be immediately evicted and expelled.

NEXT HOUSING INSPECTION

Tuesday, MARCH 27th

Check your email for the times

SAFETY PROCEDURES

If there is a crisis:

• SAI staff will contact you immediately

• You should contact your family immediately

• SAI staff will be in contact with the U.S. Embassy and Protezione Civile for updates and proper procedures to take

Keep emergency card and ID card on you at all times

If you cannot contact SAI, contact JCU or the U.S. Embassy

Listen to local radio and television for updates

Remain calm and stay with SAI students or representatives

Follow instructions of the local government authorities

TIPS ON KEEPING A LOW PROFILEAvoid crowds and spending time in American “hangouts”.

Avoid speaking loudly in English when walking with groups of other Americans.

Avoid dressing in an overtly “American” style (e.g. baseball caps on backwards, American college sweatshirts).

Exercise care when giving information about the SAI program and its location.

Keep abreast of local news through TV, radio and newspapers.

Act in a respectful manner towards the local population, its customs, and its culture.

Please make sure that you or one of your friends fills out the travel form to let us know where you will be.

This is VERY important so that we can locate you if need be – just follow the link we sent you: http://www.saiprograms.com/travel-itinerary .

We are here for you!Feeling sick?

We’ll make you a doctor’s appointment.Remember to keep all receipts for reimbursement

Feeling homesick, sad or confused? Talk to us or see the counselor.

Roommate issues? Come to us and we’ll look for a solution

Travel advice? We’ve got some tips.

Anything else? We’ll do our best to help you out!

Share your favorite places with other SAI studentsINTERACTIVE MAPS

Send a photo and a description / quote to maps@saiprograms.com

PHOTO CONTEST

Get your photo published on the SAI website!

Send your photo to photocontest@saiprograms.com

1st Place: $40 Visa Card2nd Place: $25 Visa Card

FRIEND “SAI ROME” – rome@saiprograms.com

STAY IN TOUCH

for EVENTS, REMINDERS, etc.

SAI Events to Come…Remember to look for

event sign ups.

Bring a 10 Euro deposit to SAI office to reserve your spot!

March 10 – Vineyard and Wine TastingMarch 30 – Orvieto Day TripApril 2 – Cooking LessonApril 14 – Vineyard and Wine TastingApril 22 – Appia Antica Bike RideApril 24 – Opera Night – Barber of Seville

May 4 – Farewell Dinner

CARITAS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONThursday March 15 @9pm

DO YOU LOVE IT HERE?Stay in Rome for Summer with JCU or learn Italian at Italiaidea language school…

OR try our Florence, Siena, Sorrento, Turin, London or Milan Programs!

Speak with us about your optionsCheck with your University Enroll through SAI’s Admission officer