Pre-Departure Orientation

A Unique Student A Unique Student PopulationPopulation

National Stats Baylor Stats

In 2006◦ 21 Million College

Students◦ 223,534 students went

abroad◦ 303 million Americans◦ 20% own a passport◦ 63.7 million Americans

went overseas

In 2006◦ 11,937 Undergraduate

population◦ 669 students abroad◦ Ranked 31 in the top 40

Doctoral/Research Institutions

◦ Highest participation rate in the Big 12

Health And Safety Abroad

Personal SafetyPersonal Safety

Blending in◦American paraphernalia

College shirts/sweatshirts/American brands Cameras iPods Flip flops/pajamas in public Speaking English loudly

Personal SafetyPersonal Safety

Traveling Smart◦Aware of surroundings◦Be conscious of your belongings

Wear backpack and purses face front in public Wear purse against the wall Wallets in front pockets

◦Don’t leave cell phones out in public If stolen, report immediately

◦Overnight trains Sleep on top of luggage/personal effects Keep passport/money on your person, not in bag

Health and SafetyHealth and Safety

Handouts in your folders◦CDC◦HTH overview◦ISOS overview◦Baylor Contacts

Forms to turn in:◦Medical/Liability Release Forms and HTH

confirmation

Money MattersMoney Matters

When you depart the US, carry enough local currency for a week◦Local bank before you leave◦Or at airport

Exchange rates◦www.xe.com

Never carry large amounts of cashConcerns about traveler’s checks

◦Locations to cash can be difficult◦Cash-in rates and fees

Article in folders for those going to Europe about credit cards

Academic MattersAcademic Matters

IEX registration proceduresIEX registration procedures

While abroad: registered for Baylor equivalent courses with an IE, IF1, IS1(international exchange) section

Upon receiving your exchange school transcript, you will receive a grade for the courses listed on your equivalency

Full-time BU student while abroad:Full-time BU student while abroad:

Check your hours and registration on Bear Web

Receive invoice from Baylor for tuition only◦A few programs you will be charged for housing and/

or meals

If you must CHANGE a COURSE:If you must CHANGE a COURSE:

Request permission of:◦Dept. Chair if not pre-approved and listed on

your Form C◦ and Exchange Program Advisor

To make the change

Must stay enrolled at full-time status:◦At least the equivalent of 12 Baylor hours for

semester◦Failure to comply will have severe financial aid

repercussions.

Example of a course equivalency Example of a course equivalency request to Baylor Department Chairrequest to Baylor Department Chair

Dr. __________ My name is Katie Erickson and I am currently studying in Florence.

The semester just started and I have to make a change to my schedule. I would like to take LA IS RU 240: Greek influence on Roman Culture. Below, you will find the course description.◦ [insert course description here]

I feel that it could count as HIS 5890. [insert BU course description here]

Do you approve of this equivalency? If not, please let me know of an appropriate BU course equivalency.

Thank you. Katie Erickson BU ID #

Example E-mail to send to Study Example E-mail to send to Study Abroad Advisor about courses changesAbroad Advisor about courses changes

Hi Katie,This is Brad Smith, 888888888, and I’m currently

abroad at FUA. My schedule has changed a little since I arrived and will need to make the following changes.

Please drop GEO 1402 and add EGR 3356. The approval e-mail from the Engineering department chair is below.

Thanks,Brad

Importance of TranscriptImportance of Transcript

Which courses you completedWhat grades you made You will not be permitted to graduate until we

receive a transcript from your exchange school.May take 6-12 weeks to receive transcript and

apply grades to BU transcriptArrange for mailing to Baylor (address below)- before you leave!

Address to Send Transcript:Address to Send Transcript:

Exchange Program and Study Abroad Advisor

International Student and Scholar ServicesBaylor UniversityOne Bear Place #97381Waco, TX 76798-7381USA

Staying a second semesterStaying a second semester

It is possible to extend your stay

You will need to get permission from your host university and complete the following (1) a second Equivalent Course Approval Form and having approvals via e-mail, (2) Legal Release Form reflecting the new dates of your stay and (3) renew your HTH insurance policy for the amount of time you’re staying.

Grade and Teaching DifferencesGrade and Teaching Differences

Each school is differentEach country is differentYou will receive a grade for each course,

adjusted according to the grade scale of the country (see Australia and UK grade charts in folder)

Program director will be the one to finalize grades for non-translated transcripts

REMEMBER- the grades you receive will be calculated into your overall GPA.

Registration AbroadRegistration Abroad

You will register yourself for courses for the semester of your return

Register via Bear WebYour registration date is the first day of

undergrad registrationYOU are responsible for making sure you have

no registration holds impeding your online registration.

**Registration Abroad** **Registration Abroad** (Advising Instructions)(Advising Instructions)

If your major requires advising, remind your advisor that you will contact him or her during your semester abroad to request the lifting of your advising flag.

Remember, you will not be able to register unless your advising flag is lifted.

Find out whether you will need department permission to register for courses that require pre-requisites

File for graduation in dean’s office

Departments Requiring Advisement Departments Requiring Advisement to Registerto Register

Please refer to the following Academic Advisement web site to learn your advisor assignment;

http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=34062

Set up an advisement appointment BEFORE you go abroad.

Email reminder while abroad that you have already met, and your flag can be lifted

GameGameFind your match!

With your partner:

Share something that you’re excited for while abroad

Share something that you’ll miss from homeShare some new found facts about the country and culture you’re entering

Life Abroad

Preparing to go AbroadPreparing to go Abroad

Looking at flights◦Studentuniverse.com◦STAtravel.com◦Kayak.com◦Bookingbuddy.com

Preparing to go AbroadPreparing to go Abroad

Luggage and Packing◦Check airline regulations◦Pack light◦Clothes:

Be prepared for the different types of weather Comfortable shoes

◦Don’t take things that are irreplaceable

Preparing to go AbroadPreparing to go Abroad

Documents you should carry with you on plane:◦Flight itinerary◦Host University Acceptance Letter◦Financial Statement◦Immunization Records◦Original prescriptions for all medicines you’re

carrying◦Emergency Contact Information

Host University Contacts Baylor Contacts Personal Contacts American Embassy

Preparing to go AbroadPreparing to go Abroad

What to leave with your parents:◦Flight Itinerary◦Emergency Contact Information

Host Contacts Baylor Contacts American Embassy

◦Copy of your passport & Visa◦Copies of your credit cards/ bank card

Include the customer call numbers

While You’re Abroad

Life AbroadLife Abroad

Culture Shock!◦term used to describe the anxiety and feelings

(of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment It grows out of the difficulties in adjusting to the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. This is often combined with strong dislike about certain aspects of the new or different culture.

Life AbroadLife Abroad

How to lessen Culture Shock◦Research the culture before you depart◦Have an open mind◦Be patient◦Make the most of your time abroad

Get involved Attend cultural events Make non-American friends Journaling or blogging

Life AbroadLife Abroad

Culture Shock◦When having difficulties

Go to your host school first Contact me katie_erickson@baylor.edu Seek local friendships Use caution when venting with parents or people

back home

Life AbroadLife Abroad

Reverse Culture Shock◦Happens when you return home◦Can be more difficult than Culture Shock◦Remember that you cannot pick up where you left

offStrategies to cope

◦Volunteer with the Study Abroad Office◦Be a PAWS partner◦Photo Contest◦Share with me!◦Plan your next trip

Ask a former Study Abroad Participant and/or a current International Exchange

Student

Questions?Questions?