Transcript WELCOME!! Students Travelling Abroad TODAY WE WILL HELP YOU… Prepare for your program  Stay safe and maximize your experience while abroad  Know what.

WELCOME!!
Students Travelling Abroad
TODAY WE WILL HELP YOU…
Prepare for your program
 Stay safe and maximize your experience while
abroad
 Know what to expect when you return
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BEFORE YOU GO
Documents to IEGE!
 Visa
 Money Matters
 Health (Immunizations, medicine, etc.)
 Packing
 At the airport
 Research
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BEFORE YOU GO:
DOCUMENTS
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Travel and Academic Documents to IEGE
 Review
today your study abroad file for
completeness. The review will save you headaches!
BEFORE YOU GO:
VISAS
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Visa
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Required by all countries for semester study abroad.
Lengthy process—plan ahead
Make with appointment NOW with host country consulate
If application is upon entry into country, gather all required
documentation NOW.
Triple check for completeness
Visa requirements differ for citizens of different countries. Be
prepared.
BEFORE YOU GO:
MONEY MATTERS
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Create a budget for your time abroad. Stick to it.
Get to know the local currency and the currency conversion rate
Host country students are most knowledgeable about inexpensive
things to do and eat.
Inform your credit card company and bank that you will be
abroad
Pay attention to international transaction fees. Consider changing
banks to get a lower rate.
Have a few different forms of payment (Cash, ATM, credit card,
etc.) and do not have them all in one spot
Do not use a credit card to withdraw funds
Confirm with Financial Aid expected payments and availability of
funds.
PREPARING FOR A HEALTHY TRIP ABROAD
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Read about your host country as well as countries to which you
plan to travel on the Center for Disease Control CDC Website.
Take all required and recommended immunizations, vaccinations
and medicines (such as malaria pills)
Discuss with the IEGE study abroad advisor and your host
program any health issues and concerns.
Purchase personal care items upon arrival, do not carry shampoo
and toothpaste from home.
BRINGING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
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Some US approved medications are not approved in host
countries
Contact your host country program contact to confirm your
medication can be brought into the country and alternative
plans
Bring a full supply of your medications to last the duration of
your program WITH the Doctor’s prescription and original
packaging
Ask the doctor to write out the components, not the brand
name.
Different countries have different laws in terms of medicine
and prescription drugs, be aware of the local law regarding
any medicine you bring
MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH WHILE ABROAD
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Upon arrival at host institution, locate the medical clinic, a doctor,
and a dentist that you will use if you need medical or dental
assistance.
Staying healthy means getting enough sleep and eating a proper
diet.
BEFORE YOU GO:
PACKING
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Make sure your luggage is appropriate for travel.
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Check your airlines policies regarding what you can and cannot
bring in your luggage and in your carry-on.
Know the weight limit and luggage count for your airline . You
will have to pay a large fee if you exceed the limit!
Mark your luggage with a tag or ribbon so you can easily
identify it
 What
to pack in your Carry-on luggage
All travel documents you need upon arrival, to get
through customs, and to get to your accommodation.
Leave copies at home and in your suitcase.
 Passport, money, and address/directions to your
 Medicine, glasses (take extra pair in luggage)
 Phone numbers and email for contacts at host
institution, accommodations and IEGE
 Reading material, an empty water bottle, some packaged
snacks
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BEFORE YOU GO:
PACKING CONTINUED…
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Pack lightly and plan to wear layers- You can always purchase
what you need abroad, over-packing is an unnecessary burden!
Pack lightly.
Research the weather patterns in your host destination
Get to know local dress codes and dress expectations. In general,
people in other countries dress much neater and more formally
than in the US. No torn or stained clothes.
Dress appropriately and respectfully for your destination.
Pack lightly
Plug adaptors
BEFORE YOU GO:
AT THE AIRPORT
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Arrive a Minimum of three hours early at the right airport.
Have all documents, carry on, and luggage prepared
Research your airport of departure and know where you are
going
Research your airport of arrival know how you will get from there
to your accommodations.
Have directions, contacts, and a plan for getting to your
accommodation from the airport
BEFORE YOU GO:
RESEARCH YOUR HOST DESTINATION
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Buy a guide book like Lonely Planet or Rick Steve’s
Before you go, do lots of research on your host destination!
 Weather
 Cultural Norms/Things not to do
 Travel warnings, dangers, things to be aware of
 Read articles on the internet about what to expect during your
study abroad in “X” country.
WHILE YOU ARE ABROAD
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Culture “shock” and getting over it
Health and Safety
Academics
Communication
Maximizing your experience & Cultural Immersion
CULTURE SHOCK!
Arrival
First weeks
Next few weeks
Coming up for air and being part of things
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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CISI Health/Travel Insurance Plan. Read it.
Local Health Insurance
Emergency Phone Numbers
Medicine
What to do when you are sick
Research local crime, annoyances and dangers and know what to
avoid
Do not drive a car or motorbike while abroad
Do not take drugs or abuse alcohol
Take all the normal safety precautions you take at home and
apply them abroad
HEALTH AND SAFETY (CONTINUED…)
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Understanding Title IX Guidelines
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Read through the handout understand the process and your
rights and responsibilities
ACADEMICS
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Complete a BC IEGE Course Equivalency Form before you leave.
Take your academics seriously. It may be more demanding.
It is very important to learn early on host institution expectations
for exams, class attendance and academic work. Be ready to
adjust your time management and academic habits.
If you experience difficulty, reach out early on to your professors,
the host institution’s study abroad advisor, or IEGE
Enjoy your time abroad, but remember academics come first.
COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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Remember that the more time you spend communicating with
family and friends, you might as well be at home and not abroad.
Have a plan for communicating with your family and friends at
home- skype, phone calls, Whatsapp, etc.
Phone plan-pay as you go phone
IEGE. [email protected]
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME ABROAD
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Talk to locals, make new friends, don’t isolate yourself, in
“American” groups or places.
Start practicing the language
Continue an interest, explore a new hobby.
Try out new things and experiences—music, museums, hiking,
flea markets, food, holidays……..
Stay local
Take photos, draw, write, keep a journal or blog
MAKING THE MOST
 Read the local newspaper
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Join a group which has locals (yoga, choir, chess, book clubs)
Reach out to others, show empathy and interest
Find a family with which to spend time
Share yourself, your interests, your thoughts
Ask about the other’s thoughts
WHEN YOU RETURN
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Have your transcript to IEGE, 1108 Boylan Hall, Brooklyn College,
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11210.
Transcript is matched with the Course Equivalency Form and then
sent to BC Registrar for posting of Grades.
Make an appointment to visit IEGE and tell us about your
experience.
Talk about your experiences with other students
Add your experience to your resume
Help out in study abroad tabling events, orientations, Tuesday
information sessions
Questions???
NOW GO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE, IMMERSIVE,
EDUCATIONAL, AND SAFE TIME ABROAD!