1. Study Abroad Workshop for Academic Advisors
Office of Education Abroad
CHHS 256

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Study Abroad Program
Academics
Career Goals
Personal Fit
Budget

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Application

15. Course Equivalencies and Approvals
The Advising Agreement

16. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Examples

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. Future Goals Database of Course Options Curriculum Integration
Psychology
Peer Advisors

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

31. Questions?
Elizabeth Lorenz