Study Abroad Workshop for Academic Advisors Office of Education Abroad CHHS 256 edabroad@uncc.edu

Agenda What is study abroad Who we are Requirements Program Options Student Process Course Approvals Grade Processing Money Matters Future Goals Advisor Opportunities Questions

Pursuing education opportunities in a country other than one’s own. What is study abroad? Pursuing education opportunities in a country other than one’s own.

Office of Education Abroad Provide Quality international experiences Program options for ALL students All majors, minors, etc Advise Best options Differences between options Develop opportunities Faculty Led Programs Exchange Opportunities Affiliate Options Prepare Application Management Orientation Health & Safety Assistance Trouble shoot while abroad Handle issues problems Monitor globally Health Insurance Return Process grades Pre-Entry support

Office of Education Abroad Why work with our office? Processing study abroad credit Program evaluation Mitigate risk and liability to the university

Marketing and Recruiting Program Development Marketing and Recruiting Preparation Departure Returnee Phase & Feedback

Eligibility Requirements Good Academic Standing Short Term – 2.0 or higher Semester or Longer – 2.5 or higher Good Disciplinary Standing No pending charges No probation No incomplete sanctions Review disciplinary past Conditional Approvals Reviewed at application and prior to departure

Eligibility Continued When? Freshmen – Summer after first year Transfer Students - Established GPA at UNC Charlotte Conditional Approvals How many times? Maximum 3 semesters Potentially more with spring break or summer CANNOT study abroad in Final Semester Who? Open to ALL majors Open to ALL levels Language Fluency? Language NOT required Essentially we need a UNC Charlotte GPA established. For Freshmen, this is the summer after their first year. They may potentially apply for a spring break, but as the deadline is prior to the establishment of a GPA, they will be conditionally approved until we can verify their first semester GPA. How many times – we do need to consider how much credit is a factor, and this could limit summer options, we take this on a case by case basis. Note that you CANNOT study abroad in the final semester. This mainly has to do with grade processing. It is not physically possible to receive grades in time before graduation deadline, which is about a month or two after commencement. We are open to all majors. We understand that all students have restrictions or different situation and therefore we work with all students. It is myth to say that only certain majors can study abroad or to label your students us unable to study abroad due to courses, costs, etc. I saw all levels, as a freshmen could potentially do a spring break program or could still have freshmen level hours, but we would permit them to study abroad. Nearly all of our options offer course opportunities in English. Students should not feel restricted to the English speaking locales, as we could find an English opportunity in nearly all countries. However, we need to consider major, and that may be the case, that we may not be able to find an opportunity for the major in all locations.

Study Abroad Program Academics Career Goals Personal Fit Budget

Program Options Faculty Led Affiliate Exchange Options Short Term Spring Break 1 week Summer 1 – 8 weeks Structured/Planned Travel with group of peers Led by UNC Charlotte Faculty Members Major specific – no course flexibility Least independent Program Fee - Low Cost Option Short Term and Long Term Summer 2 – 12 weeks Semester Year Blend of structured programming and independence Travel with group of peers Courses taught by locals or hired faculty Largest selection of course and opportunities Alternative options Semester or Year Full immersion Most independent May be competitive Courses with locals Perspective, independence, maturity Money management Most cost effective Pay UNC Charlotte tuition and fees

Alternative Options Internships Service Learning/Volunteer Research Working for companies and organizations abroad Optional credit through provider Mostly summer opportunities Service Learning/Volunteer Mostly summer Research

Student Process Preparation Application Post Approval Returnee Attend Informational Webinar Research Options Speak with Peer Advisors Meet with Study Abroad Advisor Optional: Discuss with Academic Advisor Program Decision Application Basic personal information Agreement to policies Essays Letter of Recommendations Plan finances Financial Aid Scholarships Saving Post Approval Additional OEA Requirement Apply to university for acceptance Plan for travel Flight Itinerary Passport Visa Housing Arrangements Medical Clearance Study Abroad Fee & Insurance Advising Agreement and Course Approvals Pre-Departure Orientation Financial Aid Documentation Returnee Grades and Transcripts Complete Course Approvals Program Evaluation Processing the experience Reverse Culture Shock Get Involved

Application

Course Equivalencies and Approvals The Advising Agreement

Advising Agreement A contract to determine course and how much academic credit the student will receive while abroad Modeled after Transient Study Form Need to be completed after approval to study abroad and before departure Only those authorized by the department may sign off on departmental courses Credit hour equivalencies vary by country and institution Grades are irrelevant for equivalencies

Responsibilities Student Department Obtain Advising Agreement Via Online application List host course title and credit hours Provide syllabi/course descriptions List multiple courses Department Read each syllabus/course description Assign UNC Charlotte equivalency Approve only departmental courses Declared Majors – sign the bottom of the form

Equivalencies Basics Full time abroad varies per country and university 45 contact hours = 3 credit hours ECTS Credit Policy is 2:1 6 ECTS = 3 US Credits

Course Equivalencies & Credits ALL Courses Will: Receive a UNC Charlotte Equivalency Be Reported on the student’s official transcript University or Program City, Country Even elective work & non-major courses Receive A – F letter Grades No Pass/Fail Will be calculated into GPA

Examples

Enrollment While Abroad Semester FRST 3000 = 15 credit hours for semester FRST 6000 = 9 credit hours for semester Summer FRST 3000/6000 = 3 – 6 hours Depending on financial aid Students CANNOT graduate with this course on their transcript

Grades and Processing Grades are processed within OEA Official Transcript issued by Host Institution 1 – 6 months to receive Advising Agreement Must be complete and include all courses completed abroad 3 – 5 week processing time upon receipt of official transcript Advising Agreement must match transcript Grade report sent to Registrar Approximately 1 week to appear once sent

Money Matters Financial Aid Scholarships Yes, students may utilize financial aid Cost Estimate Sheets provided to Financial Aid Student must indicated to OEA they intend to use financial aid Scholarships NinerScholars – February 15 Summer, Fall, Spring UNC Charlotte Scholarships National Scholarships

Myths: Why Consider Study Abroad? Money Financial Aid Academic restrictions Language Barriers Why? Affordable Academics Professional Personal

Future Goals Database of Course Options Curriculum Integration Psychology Peer Advisors

Advisor Opportunities Fulbright International Education Adminstrators Program Affiliate Site Visits Office of International Programs Advisor Exchange Pilot program this spring

Questions? Elizabeth Lorenz elorenz3@uncc.edu