Pre-Departure Orientation

A Unique Student Population National StatsBaylor 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 Safety Blending in ◦American paraphernalia  College shirts/sweatshirts/American brands  Cameras  iPods  Flip flops/pajamas in public  Speaking English loudly

Personal 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 Safety Handouts in your folders ◦ CDC ◦ HTH overview ◦ ISOS overview ◦ Baylor Contacts Forms to turn in: ◦ Medical/Liability Release Forms and HTH confirmation

Money Matters When you depart the US, carry enough local currency for a week ◦Local bank before you leave ◦Or at airport Exchange rates ◦ Never carry large amounts of cash Concerns 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 Matters

IEX 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: 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: 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 request 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 [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 to send to Study Abroad Advisor about courses changes Hi Katie, This is Brad Smith, , 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 The approval from the Engineering department chair is below. Thanks, Brad

Importance of Transcript Which courses you completed What 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 transcript Arrange for mailing to Baylor (address below)- before you leave!

Address to Send Transcript: Exchange Program and Study Abroad Advisor International Student and Scholar Services Baylor University One Bear Place #97381 Waco, TX USA

Staying 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 , (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 Differences Each school is different Each country is different You 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 Abroad You will register yourself for courses for the semester of your return Register via Bear Web Your registration date is the first day of undergrad registration YOU are responsible for making sure you have no registration holds impeding your online registration.

**Registration Abroad** (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 to Register Please refer to the following Academic Advisement web site to learn your advisor assignment; p?id= p?id=34062 Set up an advisement appointment BEFORE you go abroad. reminder while abroad that you have already met, and your flag can be lifted

Game Find your match! With your partner: Share something that you’re excited for while abroad Share something that you’ll miss from home Share some new found facts about the country and culture you’re entering

Life Abroad

Preparing to go Abroad Looking at flights ◦Studentuniverse.com ◦STAtravel.com ◦Kayak.com ◦Bookingbuddy.com

Preparing 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 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 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 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 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 Abroad Culture Shock ◦When having difficulties  Go to your host school first  Contact me  Seek local friendships  Use caution when venting with parents or people back home

Life 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 off Strategies 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?