Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation!

Orientation Agenda• Welcome and Introduction• Power Point Presentation

– Intercultural competencies– Career Services– Study Abroad Bucket List– Culture Shock– Seek Education. Find Adventure

• Dinner• Q & A• Pre-Departure Wrap Up

Intercultural Competencies

Top 5 Goals of Billikens Abroad1. Gain a greater understanding of different

cultures

2. Travel within and around the host country

3. Growth in self-awareness

4. Growth in interpersonal skills and adaptability

5. Gain a different perspective on American culture

Intercultural Competence:What? Why? How?

What: The ability to interact and communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures

• Know: recognize & understand differences

• Accept: desire to not only understand differences, but to acknowledge, appreciate and accept differences

• Act: incorporate your skills of knowledge and acceptance throughout your interactions

Process of moving from a monocultural mindset to a global mindset

Intercultural Competence:What? Why? How?

• Fulfill Personal, Academic & Professional Goals:

• Greater understanding of different countries

• Growth in self-awareness, interpersonal skills & adaptability

• Diplomacy & Globalization: your experience is unique and carries global responsibility

• 300,000 US students study abroad (2011/12)

• 14.2% of US bachelors students study abroad during their degree program (2011/12)

Intercultural Competence:What? Why? How?

• Knowledge & immersion are not enough

• Engagement requires effort

• Interaction requires intentionality

• Observation requires reflection

Intercultural Competence:What? Why? How?

1. How do you plan to actively engage in your host culture?

2. How can you expand your cultural engagement beneath the surface of the iceberg?

3. What is your cultural lens & how will it impact your experience and immersion in your host culture?

4. How will you reflect on your experiences?

5. How will this experience enhance your personal, academic and professional goals?

Making the Most of an International Experience:

Career Considerations

Presented By: Career Services

Becky Carlson

• Quote or picture? Something captivating?

Academic Growth

• Reflection• Experience your chosen field

in a new “light”/education system

Personal Growth

• Awareness of self and others• New skills (critical thinking,

problem solving, communication)• Immersion opportunities

Professional Growth• Active involvement in

professional opportunities– Internships–Volunteer– Job shadowing–Student/community organizations

• Informational Interviewing

Things to Know

• Changing your mind• Employers/grad schools• Internships at home—still

possible?

Questions?

Career ServicesPhone: 314-977-2828Schedule: SLU AppointmentsLocation: BSC 331

Study Abroad Bucket List!

Study Abroad Bucket List!• Learn a foreign language• Increase intercultural competence

and communication skills• Learn about foreign cultures• Study a specific subject in depth• Enhance future career skills• Encounter one’s heritage• Expand your limits

Culture Shock

Culture Shock - Culture shock refers to the stresses and

strains associated with adapting to life in a new and different cultural sphere.

- Symptoms: Frustration, mental fatigue, disorientation about how to work with and relate to others, boredom, lack of motivation and physical discomfort.

Reverse Culture Shock can be worse

The W Curve of Culture Shock

Entry into Host Culture Reentry to Own Culture

Honeymoon Stage

Honeymoon at Home

Adjustment at HomeAdjustment

Recovery Stage

Recovery at Home

Crisis at Home (Reentry Shock)

Crisis Stage (Culture Shock)

Time

PositiveFeelings

NegativeFeelings

Seek Education. Find Adventure.

Forms

• Submit any outstanding forms • Complete Study Abroad file• Failure to submit required forms

may jeopardize credit transfer!

AcademicsCredits & Grades:

• Have all courses approved by your Mentor, Advisor and Dean prior to departure. If you would like to add additional classes while abroad, email them for approval.

• Forward additional approvals while abroad to the Registrar: registrar@slu.edu to add to your file.

• Grades will transfer and affect SLU GPA!!!

• You must take at least 12 credit hours during your semester abroad.

• Keep your course materials just in case you should need them.

• Check you SLU Email account in regards to registration for the following semester.

Academics

• The academic system may be very different from SLU– Academics– Calendar– Work styles– Class and tutorial formats– Faculty & Student relations– Evaluations and Assessments

• Remember, part of the study abroad experience is adapting to a new academic and cultural system.

Travel Preparations

Passport & Visa• Make three copies of your passport:– Parents– Purse/wallet– Luggage

• Keep an electronic copy of your passport & visa easily accessible through email

• If your passport gets stolen, contact the US Embassy or consulate in your country

• Who here does not have a valid passport?

Travel Preparations

• Looking for student discounts for movie, theatre tickets?

• Free entrance to museums?

• Discounts on transportation fare?

Travel Preparations

ISIC Card (International Student ID Card)• Mandatory for all students

• Provides rail, air, hotel, museum, etc. discounts

• Recognized all over the world (SLU ID will not be!)

• Provides some additional travel and emergency medical insurance benefits

Travel Preparations PACKING:• Every student says “I wish I would have packed LESS!”

• Aim for 1 piece of luggage & 1 carry on

• Know your airline’s luggage restrictions

•Only use TSA approved locks

• Mark your luggage with name & address inside and out

• Carry all of your important documents, money, credit cawith you on the plane.

• Pack a change of clothes, toiletries, & medications in your carry on. Luggage can be delayed a day or more!

•Review carry on requirements – they may change

PACKING:•How you dress will affect how others perceive and act towards you.

•Americans are more casual than many other cultures -extremely casual dress may be considered disrespectful.

•Some places have dress codes when going out to nice venues/restaurants.

•You do not need to give up your sense of identity to dress appropriately

Travel Preparations

Helpful Travel Apps

• Smart Traveler by US Department of State

• WordLens• iPronounce• Skype• Yelp• What’s App

Travel Preparations • Know how you will get to your final destination from

airport (train, taxi, metro, bus, or some combination thereof?)

• Have a written plan and bring phone numbers in case of delays or something goes wrong

• Call your family—they will be worried about you (Remember to tell them ahead of time you probably won’t be able to call for a few days)

• Email us that you have arrived: goabroad@slu.edu

• For Fall students make sure you fill our the arrival information form

Travel Preparations

Embassy:• If there is unrest in the country you’re going, contact the US Embassy.

• Make sure you know how to get in contact with the US Embassy or consulate near you.

• Register with the US Department of State before you leave the country: http://studentsabroad.state.gov

•Do not participate in anti-American demonstrations.

Communication

• Email – A great cheap way to stay in touch (University, Internet café)

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR SLU ACCOUNT

• Calling cards – Purchase in your host country

• Pre-Paid Cell phone-very common!

• Voice over Internet (i.e. Skype)

• Host Phone -Respect phone usage in your host household. Local calls are not free & calls to cell phones may be expensive.

Banks & Credit Cards• Inform your credit card company

• Do not open a bank account while abroad (except Lyon/Poitiers)

• Withdraw money from ATM. It will be in local currency.– Check with bank for additional fees

• Don’t bring all your money in cash. You can use traveler’s checks, ATM and credit cards.

• Change approx. USD$150 before leaving.

• Contact bank for sister banks

In Case of Emergency• If anything happens while you’re abroad, tell someone

• Contact us:– Office of International Services: 

Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.314.977.2318Saint Louis University Department of Public Safety & Security Services:After-hours emergencies314.977.3000

– HTH Worldwide 24/7 Emergency Assistance (Insurance Provider):1.800.257.4823 (from within the U.S.)1.610.254.8771 (from outside the U.S.)

– Office of Overseas Citizens Services (U.S. Department of State):1.888.407.4747 (from within the U.S.)1.202.501.4444 (from outside the U.S.)

– Center for Disease Control and Prevention International Traveler's Hotline:1.877.394.8747

• Tell your coordinator abroad

• You are never alone and we are here to help you

Health & Safety

HTH Insurance• http://www.hthstudents.com/videoPlay.cfm?vi=uloQJ6UOYq4

• Coverage is effective only when outside the US

• Complete the insurance form if you haven’t already, so we may enroll you in the plan.

• Logon to the website at www.hthstudents.com for full details, hospitals, English-speaking doctors, translations, etc. BEFORE you go abroad. The plan information is also on the study abroad website

Health & Safety

• If you take a prescription drug, make sure you have enough for the entire semester. If you can, get a letter from your doctor stating that you are authorized to take that medicine. This is important as some medications are nearly impossible to obtain and the formulas vary by country.

• It is not recommended to cancel your U.S. Insurance Plan while you are abroad.

Health & SafetyDrugs, Alcohol & Local Laws• Never leave food or drink unattended while abroad – may be

drugged

• Don’t go out or stay out alone

• Know your limits. Worse-case scenarios CAN happen.

• Each year, 2,500 Americans are arrested overseas. One third of the arrests are on drug-related charges.

• You are responsible for understanding and following the laws of the country you are visiting. You are subject to all laws of the host country.

• You will not receive special treatment because you are a foreigner/American.

Health & Safety• Understand the role/impact of alcohol in:• Host culture: • Norms and expectations

• Study abroad:• Increased social anxiety in foreign countries• Culture shock• Availability

• Sexual relationships• Regret, assault, sexually transmitted

disease, etc. • Know the alcohol laws of your host country and

the countries you intend to visit:• Legal drinking age, open container laws &

public intoxication, etc.(drinking on the street or public transportation)

Health & Safety• Cultures and laws vary widely in what is

acceptable and non-acceptable behavior.• Be aware of stereotypes that exist of Americans.• Dating norms and gender roles will be different.• Be alert. Avoid crowds, demonstrations, or other

situations that could put you in danger.• Keep a low profile. Try not to attract special

attention to yourself.• Do not leave your bags unattended.• Avoid places where Americans are known to

congregate and you may consider avoiding American logos on your clothing and belongings.

Health & SafetySafety Is YOUR Responsibility!• Institutions Cannot:

– Guarantee or assure your safety or eliminate all risks

– Monitor or control your daily personal decisions, choices, and activities

– Prevent you from engaging in illegal, dangerous, or unwise activities

– Assure US standards of due process apply in overseas legal proceedings

– Assume responsibility for persons or events that are not part of the program, or for situations due to lack of your disclosure

– Assure that home-country cultural values and norms will apply in host country

Study Abroad: Don’t’s

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOrQAu4o3Js

Study Abroad: Do’s

• Step out of your comfort zone• Meet people• Explore your host country• Try new foods• Learn the local language• Experience pop culture• Set goals before you go• Adapt to the new environment• Respect Host Culture

Do your Research

Where in the world are you going?

What do you know about your host countries’ culture and values?

MOST IMPORTANTLY…

• Embrace this experience.• Studying abroad opens your eyes

to a world of possibilities.• Always feel free to contact us if

you need anything at all.

Take lots of Pictures! Keep your eyes open for details regarding a study abroad photo contest!

Enjoy your experience!