PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION Fall 2016

Fun Facts

• Population ~ 17 million

• Chile has one of the longest coastlines

in the world

• Has the second largest volcano chain in

the world

• The Atacama desert is the driest desert

in the world (San Pedro de Atacama)

Speak like a local

• Chileans tend to add ‘po’ to the end of

a phrase

Ex. Es que me encanta Santiago, po.

• Bacán = Cool

• Al tiro = Immediately

Director: Mauricio Paredes Ph.D

Mauricio Paredes holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chile.

He leads the SU Santiago Center and teaches both the

Signature Seminar and, during the Santiago semester, a

deeply personal course on dictatorships. Dr. Paredes has

been the center director since the program’s inception in

2008.

Assistant Director: Paula Lopehandia

Paula Lopehandia is the Assistant Director of the SU

Santiago program. She was born in the south of Chile

though lived abroad during most of her childhood, and

therefore understands what it means to study in a

different environment. She holds an MA in Linguistics

and has experience teaching Spanish, Spanish

literature, and dance. Paula has worked with SU

Santiago since 2009.

To Do: Intent to Register Agreement*

$550 advance payment*

Conditions of Participation*

Medical Consent & Insurance

Acknowledgement*

Emergency Contact Information

Insurance & Health Acknowledgement

Passport Information

International Student ID card (ISIC)

Housing Request

Medical History online questionnaire

Request for Accommodations

online questionnaire (if applicable)

Student Advising Form (Was due April 15)

Travel Information (Once you book your flight)

Activate SU NetID (visiting students only)

Important Forms

*Due within 10 days after acceptance

Remainder due by May 1, unless

otherwise stated

• All students require a visa to study in

Chile

• Refer to the Santiago Visa Information

page under Accepted Students.

• Need to submit your application:

• Cuenca students – May 6

• Santiago students – June 8

• Visa fee: $160

• U.S. citizens do not need a visa for

Ecuador or Uruguay, but are required

to pay a $160 reciprocity fee for

Argentina.

Visas

*Non-U.S. Citizens may be required to

obtain additional visas for the Signature

Seminar (Argentina/Uruguay), personal

travel, or course/program related trips.

All students must complete the Travel Information Form

Suggested Flight (for those starting their semester in Cuenca):

• Arrive at least four hours before the flight departs.

• If you have a connecting flight be sure it arrives on the correct day, at

least 4 hours before your international flight’s departure.

Questions? Contact GT Tours:

• T. (305) 436-0933

• Email: Roxana Turnbeaugh at roxana@gttours.com

Flights

SPACE IS LIMITED - PACK LIGHTLY!

BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: Consult with both your domestic and international airline for specific baggage restrictions and fees.

• Airlines will charge for excess &

overweight baggage.

• You may need to pay to check luggage on

your flight from Quito to Cuenca.

• When you arrive it will be winter (40s-50s)

• It will get warmer (60s-70s) throughout the

semester.

What NOT to Pack:

• Everything you own

• Clothes that need to be dry cleaned

•Hair dryer/curling irons

•Documents that you do not need (Social

Security card, birth certificate, etc.)

• Items not easily replaced

•Hygiene products except for specific brands or items you might not be able to purchase abroad

Packing

Signature Seminars:

• Pack one carry-on with all of your belongings for the seminar (including valuables)

• Pack one other larger suitcase for the rest of your semester (your checked luggage)

• Checked luggage will be stored in Santiago during the Signature Seminar

Packing: Orientation & Signature Seminar

(Santiago)

• Do not ship your belongings to the center ahead of time.

• Medications CANNOT be shipped.

• Electronics & other valuables will be held at customs and taxed heavily.

• To ship care packages overseas be sure to research shipping regulations beforehand.

• Questions? Contact the U.S. Postal Service

Shipping

Before Departure:

• Discuss continued medical/immunization/mental health treatment with your doctor.

• Dental Exam

• Notify SUA’s Assistant Director of Student Services of special storage requirements for

medication

Traveling with medication:

• If you are currently taking medication, continue to take it overseas

• You CANNOT mail medication – bring enough for your entire time abroad

• Pack all your medication in your carry-on only

• Medication must be in original containers with a copy of prescription

• Compile all medical/health information and bring it with you in case of a medical emergency

Questions: Contact Assistant Director of Student Services, Bridget Hughes brhughes@syr.edu

Health Preparations

International SOS Card

International Student ID Card (ISIC)

• Included in your program fee

• Limited supplemental health, travel, and property insurance

• Over 41,000 discounts worldwide on travel, hotels, entrance

fees, restaurants, and more

• Contact the medical teams at ISOS for country-specific

information

• Referral to English-speaking doctors available 24/7

• Emergency Evacuation

• Download the free ISOS Assistance app

• NOTE: The International SOS card does not provide

medical insurance

• SU Policy Number: 11BCPA000177

Insurance AbroadInsurance Abroad

• You are responsible for ensuring you are adequately covered abroad

• Review your current insurance policy for possible coverage

• You are expected to pay up front for the cost of a doctor’s visit

ISIC Premium Plan – (included in your program fee)

• Excess insurance protection as secondary form of coverage

• Claims are first submitted to your primary insurance; any uncovered claims can then

be submitted secondarily to ISIC for review.

• Limited property & travel insurance

• For more information on insurance, visit SU Abroad website

• For more details of what ISIC Premium Plan covers, call (855) 743-6739 (U.S. & Canada)

(305) 455-1571 (outside U.S.)

Email:

• Check your SUMail account, or forward to a preferred email account

• Important communication from staff overseas will be sent to the SUMail address

Cell Phones:

• Bring your US phone for use pre- and post-semester travel

• Students will be able to purchase a tracking phone in Ecuador/Chile with a local number

• If you use your US phone, make sure that it uses a SIM and that your phone can be

unlocked (i.e., works with other carriers)

• US international plans can be expensive

Skype/Facetime:

• Use Skype for video chatting and calling

• Facetime: WiFi connection required

Texting/Calling Apps

• Many apps provide free texting and calling with WiFi (Whatsapp, Viber, etc.)

Phones/Communication

• Bring your laptop in your carry-on only.

• Internet access may be limited and not as

widely available as it is in the U.S.

• Voltage:

• US current is 110 volt/60 Hz AC

• Current in Ecuador is 110 volt/ 60 Hz AC

• Current in Chile is 220 volts/ 50 Hz AC

• If you have a single-voltage appliance

you will need a converter.

• To use US appliances, you will need a

Chilean adapter

• Property insurance

Laptops, Converters,

& Adapters

Currency:

• Ecuador - US dollars (CEDEI recommends

budgeting $10 a day)

• Chile - Chilean Pesos

Contact your bank:

• Let them know how long you will be living

abroad

• Notify them of your travel plans (while

abroad)

• Ask about affiliate banks abroad

• Ask about international fees

• Bring a small amount of local currency

(optional)

• Do NOT bring large amounts of US Dollars

• Create a budget for shopping, traveling, and

spending abroad

*see financial information section of the online

Preparing to Go guide

Money

Academics Abroad

Students are bound by Syracuse University

policies and the Code of Student Conduct

while abroad. You could be subject to

disciplinary action up to and including

removal from the program if necessary.

Advising Credit

• Talk to your advisor before you go

• Obtain prior approval for 8-10 courses

• You will have a two week window to shop for

classes in Santiago

Expectations Abroad

• Take your academic responsibilities seriously

• Regular attendance is required

•Majority of class work at end of semester, don’t fall behind

• Academic Accommodations: contact your ODS

counselor ASAP

Co-curricular Activities

• Internship and volunteer opportunities

• Join local groups and clubs

• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor via email (careers@syr.edu) for a

Skype or phone meeting to receive help with:

• Creating or updating your resume

• Searching for and applying to internships or jobs in the U.S.

• Any other topic related to your career

• You can still participate in On-Campus Interviewing (interview with companies via Skype)

Career Services Abroad

Homestays

• One student per family to facilitate

immersion.

• Do not speak in English with or in front of

your host family.

• Communicate with your host family and

practice Spanish as much as possible.

• Keep an open mind.

• Be flexible, respectful, and patient.

• Use utilities sparingly.

• If you travel, let your host family know.

• Latino families are open, warm and will treat

you like their own children.

• What you put into your homestay, is what you

will get out of it!

On-campus housing must be canceled

by July 1st

Housing

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Keep an open line of communication with the SU Abroad Center staff and your host family

about your health.

• Keep the Emergency phone number from orientation on hand

Adjusting Abroad:

• Learn the local language

• Get involved with the local community

• Be patient, adjust your expectations,

keep an open mind

• Exercise & stay active

• Rely on your support system

• Maintain a sense of humor

Cultural Adjustment Cycle:

1. Initial Euphoria

2. Resistance

3. Gradual Adaptation

4. Adjustment

Wellness Abroad

• Attitudes toward your gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, or sexual orientation may

be different than what you are used to.

• Staff are available to answer any questions you may have.

Lifestyle:

• Ecuadorians/Chileans are warm and welcoming people.

• It is common to greet people with one kiss on the right cheek.

• Different concept of personal space; people stand closer together.

• It is common for men to stare at women or cat call.

South American-Time:

• More flexible with time.

• People don’t feel as pressured or rushed, however, you should never be

late to academic or professional functions, including activities/meetings

organized by the SU Center staff.

Appearance:

• Ecuadorians/Chileans favor sophisticated, conservative European styles.

• It is important to be neatly and cleanly dressed for all occasions.

Families:

• Many families have hired help (empleadas) for household chores who

either live with the family or come to the house. If you need the person to

do something for you, ask your host parents first.

Cultural Norms of Chile/Ecuador

An extensive on-site overview of local issues & safety resources will occur during orientation. Attendance is mandatory.

General Safety:• Before departure, students should register travel with two sources:

• U.S. State Department (STEP) for U.S. citizens and ISOS MyTrips travel locator• Emergency plans in place at all centers• Call the emergency number provided at orientation immediately if you feel unsafe. • Keep track of your belongings at all times• Be aware of your surroundings• Have a plan: know how to get home at night

Personal Travel Abroad:• Complete the required travel form for local staff• Register personal trip(s) with ISOS while abroad• Students must travel with their cell phones and chargers• Check ISOS or State Department sites for up to date travel advice on travel warnings or delays

Safety

Socializing Safely: Be aware of cultural norms

• Dating

• Alcohol use: BE WISE Abroad

http://bewise.syr.edu/

• Sexual Health

• Appropriate attire

Behavioral Standards:

• Syracuse University Code of Student Conduct

http://studentconduct.syr.edu/

• SU Abroad Standards of Behavior

http://suabroad.syr.edu/who-are-

you/accepted-students/su-abroad-policies/

SU Community Abroad

Contacts before departure:

• Group flight questions/concerns: GT Tours (305) 436-0933

• Emergencies: SU Abroad 1-(800)-235-3472

• 24 hour on-call staff

While abroad:

• Students: call abroad staff at the emergency number provided at orientation

• Parents: contact SU Abroad 1-(800)-235-3472

• 24/7 on-call staff via phone only

• Email: important health and safety information from abroad staff will be sent to

your SUMail account

In Case of Emergency

Contact InformationSU Abroad

106 Walnut Place

Syracuse, NY 13244

(315) 443-3471

(800) 235-3472

suabroad@syr.edu

We wish you every success abroad!