WherewillYOUgo?
STUDY ABROAD HANDBOOK
ADELPHI.EDU/STUDYABROAD
IMPORTANT CONTACTS AT ADELPHI
Center for International Education (516)877-3487adelphi.edu/studyabroad
Public Safety (516)877-3511 administration.adelphi.edu/publicsafety
Office of Academic Services and Retention (516)877-3150 academics.adelphi.edu/asr
Office of the University Registrar (516)877-3300 ecampus.adelphi.edu/registrar
Residential Life and Housing (516)877-3650 students.adelphi.edu/sa/rlh
Student Financial Services (516)877-3080 ecampus.adelphi.edu/sfs
Health Services Center (516)877-6000 students.adelphi.edu/sa/hs
TABLE OF CONTENTSCongratulations............................................................................................5
BeforeYouGo,PlanforYourReturn....................................................5
UponYourArrival..............................................................................5
GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad...............................................................6
Passports...........................................................................................6
StudentVisasandResidencyPermits....................................................7
ArrangingTravel................................................................................8
PackingYourLuggage........................................................................8
VoltageandElectricalAppliances........................................................8
LaptoporNoLaptop?.........................................................................9
PreparingforYourReturn....................................................................9
HealthandSafety.......................................................................................10
VaccinationsandImmunizations........................................................10
PrescriptionMedicines......................................................................10
StudentHealth.................................................................................10
HealthInsuranceCoverage...............................................................11
HealthandSafetyResourcesontheInternet........................................11
FinancialConsiderations.............................................................................12
CurrencyExchangeandMoneyAbroad............................................12
TuitionandFees...............................................................................12
RoomandBoard..............................................................................12
FinancialAidandScholarships.........................................................13
ArrivingatYourDestination........................................................................14
ArrivalDates...................................................................................14
AirportArrival.................................................................................14
ImportantDocuments........................................................................14
CustomsandImmigration.................................................................14
LostLuggage....................................................................................14
GettingtoYourAccommodations.......................................................15
AdjustingtoYourNewHome......................................................................16
JetLag.............................................................................................16
DiscoveringYourNeighborhood,OneBlockataTime........................16
TravelWhileAbroad........................................................................16
TravelandVisitorsfromHome...........................................................17
Housing...........................................................................................17
Meals..............................................................................................18
BeFlexible.......................................................................................18
DailyLife.........................................................................................19
ContactWithHome..........................................................................20
BloggingAbroad.............................................................................20
LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies......................................................21
AcademicExpectations.....................................................................21
EarningAdelphiCredit.....................................................................21
AcademicandBehaviorCodesofConduct.........................................23
EarlyWithdrawal/DismissalPolicy....................................................23
SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity...................................................24
Relationships....................................................................................24
StudentswithDisabilities...................................................................25
GenderIssues..................................................................................26
ReturningtoAdelphi...................................................................................28
ImportantEventstoRemember...........................................................28
ProgramEvaluation..........................................................................28
UsefulWebsites..........................................................................................29
The Center for International Education gratefully acknowledges the use of the following resources in the compilation of this study abroad handbook: NAFSA’s GuidetoEducationAbroadforAdvisersandAdministrators and the Pre-DepartureStudyAbroadHandbook from the Office of Study Abroad at Tulane University.
Congratulations5
CONGRATULATIONS!Youareabouttoembarkonthejourneyofalifetime.Thepurposeofthishandbookistomakeyourstudyabroadexperienceeasierasyoutransitionintoanewcultureandlearningenvironment.
ThishandbookoutlinesAdelphiUniversitystudyabroadpolicies,recommendationsfortravel,health,andsafety,aswellaswaystoadjustandtakeadvantageofyourhostcountry.Thisexperienceisgoingtobewhatyoumakeit;attimesitmightbechallengingbutremembertobeflexibleandopenminded—ifyoudo,youwillgaininsightnotonlyintoanewculturebutalsointoyourself.
Bon Voyage!
BEFORE YOU GO, PLAN FOR YOUR RETURN…•Checkdeadlinesforregistration,financialaidapplications,residencehall
applications,etc.andarrangeforaPowerofAttorneyforissuesyoumightneeddealtwithwhileabroad.
•Youwillneedtoregisterforthenextsemester’sclassesatAdelphiwhileyouarestillabroad—talkwithyouradvisertomakesureyouknowwhichclassesyouneedandregisterontheappropriatedateontheInternet.
• Planforhousingifyouwishtoliveoncampus.ContacttheOfficeofResidentialLifeandHousingpriortoleavingyourresidencehalltodetermineifyoumayreserveaspaceforyourreturnatstudents.adelphi.edu/sa/rlh.
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL…•EmailyourcontactinformationtotheCenterforInternationalEducation(CIE)
•RegisterwiththeclosestU.S.Embassyattravelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui
6StudyAbroadHandbook
GETTING READY FOR YOUR TRIP ABROAD
PASSPORTSAllAdelphistudentsplanningtostudyoutsideoftheUnitedStatesforanylengthoftimewillneedavalidpassportfromtheircountryofcitizenshiptoenteraforeigncountryandtore-entertheUnitedStates.Youmustbeinpossessionofavalidpassportfortheentireperiodofyourtrip.Ifyoudonothaveapassport,applyforoneassoonaspossible.Pleasegototravel.state.govandclickon“Passport”atthetopofthepage.
Passport RenewalPassportsaregenerallyvalidfor10years.Ifyouhaveapassportthatwillexpirewhileabroadorwithinsixmonthsoftheendofyourprogram,makesuretorenewitnow;youdonotwanttoriskbeingdeniedentrancetoaforeigncountryorcomplicateyourreturntotheUnitedStates.Detailsonhowtorenewyourpassportareavailableattravel.state.gov.
Passport PhotosBeforepurchasingpassportphotos,contactyourprogramsponsortogetanaccuratecountofthenumberofphotosneeded.Inaddition,youshouldtaketwoextrapassport-sizedphotoswithyouabroad.Thiswillaidinreplacingalostorstolenpassportmorequickly.
Securing Your Passport for Overseas TravelAssoonasyoureceiveyourpassport,makesuretosignitandfillintheinformationontheinsidecover.Yourpassportisnotvalidwithoutyoursignature.Wesuggestyoumakeseveralcopiesofyourpassport.Takeonewithyouandkeepitinaseparateplacefromtheoriginal;youshouldalsoleaveonewithwhoeveristakingcareofyouraffairsintheUnitedStates.TheCIEwillkeepascanofyourpassportaswell.Ifyourpassportislostorstolen,notifythelocalauthoritiesandtheU.S.consulateimmediately.Afteranidentificationinvestigation,theconsulatewillusuallyissueyouathree-monthtemporarypassport.
Never Pack Your Passport in Your LuggageWhentravelingfromcountrytocountry,keepyourpassportwithyouatalltimes,preferablyinamoney-beltorattachedsomehowunderyourclothes.
GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad7
Onceyouhavearrivedatyourprogram“homebase,”youwillwanttolocateasafeplacetokeepyourpassport.Ifyouplantotraveloveralongweekendorsemesterbreak,remembertotakeyourpassportandcarryitonyou.
YourU.S.passport(orimmigrationdocumentsfornon-U.S.citizens)isyourofficialidentitydocumentabroadandmustbeavailabletoyouatalltimes.DonotsendthisdocumentseparatelybacktotheUnitedStatesforanyreason.
STUDENT VISAS AND RESIDENCY PERMITSAvisaislegal/officialpermissiontoresideinacountryforaspecificpurposeforaspecifiedamountoftime.Visasaregrantedbythehostcountry.Manycountriesrequireavisaorresidencypermittoresideandstudyforasemesterorayear.Youareresponsibleforobtainingavisatostudyabroadinyourhostcountryifitisrequired.Whetheryouwillneedavisadependsonthecountryandlengthoftimeyouwillresidethere.Althoughtouristvisasareusuallyavailableattheportofentry,studentvisasmustbeobtainedintheUnitedStatesfromthehostcountry’sconsulatebeforedeparture.
Itcantakebetweenoneandthreemonthstoprocureavisa,sobegintheprocessearly.Youwillneedtofollowinstructionsprovidedbyyourhostinstitutionorstudyabroadprogram.Thebestinitialsourceofinformationisatyourhostcountry’sconsularwebsite,aswellastheU.S.StateDepartmentconsularinformationsheetsavailableattravel.state.gov.
Residency PermitsInmanycountries,youwillneedtoapplyforaresidencypermitafteryouarrive.Yourprogramsponsor/directorwillprovideyouwithdetailsaboutthis,ifnecessary,inprogram-specificmaterials.
Work Abroad and Work PermitsStudentsshouldgivecarefulconsiderationtothepracticalityofworkingwhileparticipatinginastudyabroadprogram.Studentswhowillbeabroadforlessthanafullacademicyearwillfindworkingabroaddifficulttoarrange.Ingeneral,theCenterforInternationalEducationdiscouragessemesterabroadstudentsfromworkingabroad.
Full-timestudentswhoplantostaybeyondtheendoftheirprogrammayobtainaworkpermitthroughavarietyofworkpermitprograms.Studentsoftenfind
8StudyAbroadHandbook
thisausefulwaytocomplementtheirstudyabroadprogramandextendtheirstay.Studentsgoingabroadwiththespecificgoalofworkingshouldworkwithapermitprogramorobtainallnecessarydocumentationbeforedepartingfortheirdestination.
ARRANGING TRAVELStudentsbooktheirownflightswhenparticipatinginmostAdelphisemesterandacademicyearstudyabroadprograms.Sincestudentsoftenwanttomakechangestotheirreturnflightsbecauseofvaryingexamschedulesandnewtravelplans,wesuggestbookingyourflightwithastudenttravelagencylikeSTATravel(statravel.com),whereyoucangetspecialticketsthatallowforadjustments(usuallyforasmallfee).TheInternationalStudentIDCard(ISIC)canalsoassistinfindingtraveldiscounts.TheISICisarecognizedproofofstudentstatusabroad,andoffersspecialdiscountsontravel,accommodations,museumfees,andmore.Formoreinformation,gotoisic.org.
PACKING YOUR LUGGAGEAirlinesarebecomingstricterandstricteraboutbaggageallowancesandweightlimits,especiallyforflightsabroad.Theallowanceforflightsabroadisusuallytwopiecesofcheckedbaggageplusonecarry-on.Checkwithyourairlineasbaggageallowances,weightlimits,andexcesschargesmayvaryperairline.
Pleaserememberthatyouwillfindfewporterstocarryyourbaggageupanddownstepsintrainstationswhenyouarriveabroad.Takenomorethanwhatyoucanhandleyourself.Weurgeyounottotakeextraboxes,trunks,orfootlockers.Ifyoudoso,bepreparedtomakeallshippingarrangements,payshippingcosts,andarrangecustomsclearance.
VOLTAGE AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Thevoltageinmuchoftheworld,includingmostofEuropeandLatinAmerica,is220–250Vinsteadofthe110VcommonintheUnitedStates.IfyoupluganAmericanapplianceintoanoutletwitha220–250Vcurrent,youwilloverheatanddestroyitandpossiblyshockyourself.Itisbesttopurchasesmallappliancesthathavedualvoltageorrunonbatteries.YouwillprobablyalsoneedtopurchaseadapterplugstomodifytheflatU.S.-styleprongsintotheshapesusedinothercountries.
GettingReadyforYourTripAbroad9
LAPTOP OR NO LAPTOP?Whilethetransportoflaptopcomputersrarelycausesproblemsatcustomsandmostcomewithinternaldualvoltagecapabilities,somearestillheavyandwillneedtobekeptsecureduringyourstay.Yourdestinationcitymayhavemanycybercafésortheuniversityitselfmayoffercomputeraccesstostudents.Checkwithyourcontactabroadandwithstudentswhohavealreadystudiedatyourhostinstitutiontodecideifyoushouldtakeyourlaptopwithyou.
PREPARING FOR YOUR RETURNAsyouplanyourtripabroad,makesuretoarrangeforyourreturntocampus.TheCenterforInternationalEducationcannotmakelogisticalarrangementsforstudentstoreturntocampus;thisisyourresponsibility.
10StudyAbroadHandbook
HEALTH AND SAFETY
VACCINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONSImmunizationrequirementsandhealthconditionsvarywidelybycountry.PleasechecktheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionwebsite(cdc.gov)andtheWorldHealthOrganization(who.org)forup-to-dateinformationonthecountryandareatowhichyouwillbetraveling.Ifyourequireimmunizations,starttheprocesswellinadvance,assomerequiremultipledosesspacedseveralmonthsapart.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINESPrescriptionswrittenintheUnitedStatescannotbefilledabroad.Inaddition,notallmedicinesofferedintheUnitedStatesareavailableinothercountries.Trytorequestauthorizationfromyourdoctorandinsurancecompanytoobtainasupplysufficientforthetimeyouwillbeabroad.Prescriptionmedicationsshouldbecarriedintheiroriginal,labeledbottle.Inaddition,youshouldhavethewrittenprescriptiononhandincaseacustomsofficeraskstoseeit.
Donotplanonsendingprescriptionsthroughthemailasmanycountriesrestrict,prohibit,and/orplaceveryhighcustomsdutiesonsuchshipments,evenwhenobviouslyintendedforpersonaluse.Werecommendthatstudentswhoweareyeglassesorcontactlensestakeanextrapairaswellastheirprescription.
STUDENT HEALTHManystudyabroadprogramprovidersrequireaphysicalhealthevaluationfromahealthcareprovider;studentsshouldconsiderschedulinganappointmentbeforedeparture.
StudentsmustfilloutAdelphi’sPre-TravelStudentHealthQuestionnaireandscheduleaconsultationwiththeHealthServicesCenter.TheCIEwillthenreceiveclearanceforthestudenttogoabroad.Thegoalofthisrequirementisnottoeliminatestudentsfromprogramparticipation,buttoidentifyanddesignatreatmentplanforanymedical/psychologicalconditionsthatmayaffectthemwhileabroad.
HealthandSafety11
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE StudentsgoingabroadmustpurchaseAdelphi’sInternationalAccidentandSicknessMedicalInsurancecoverageadministeredbyCulturalInsuranceServicesInternational(CISI)forthedurationoftheirtermabroad,unlessthestudyabroadproviderhasanalternativeinsuranceinplace.CISIinsurancecardswillbeissuedbytheCIE.
HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
U.S.EmbassiesandConsulatesWorldwide......................usembassy.gov
U.S.CustomsandBorderProtection...........................................cbp.gov
TransportationSecurityAdministration(TSA).............................. tsa.gov
FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)....................................... faa.gov
CentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)............................................. cdc.gov
AssociationforSafeInternationalRoadTravel.......................... asirt.org
WorldHealthOrganization(WHO).......................................... who.org
InternationalTravel...............................................travel.state.gov/travel
12StudyAbroadHandbook
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND MONEY ABROADStudentsshouldexchange$100–$200intothecurrencyofthehostcountrybeforedepartingtheUnitedStatessothattheycancoverimmediateexpensesuponarrival.Thisisespeciallytrueifstudentswillbearrivingatnightoronweekends.Someofthiscurrencyshouldbeinsmalldenominationstobeusedfortipping,meals,andotherincidentals.Inaddition,mostairportshaveATMsifyouchoosetowaituntilyouarrivetowithdrawmoney.However,ATMavailabilityisnotguaranteedandexchangekioskshaveveryhighexchangerates.
Inmanyurbanareas,itispossibletousebankcardsandcreditcardstoobtainlocalcurrencyatATMs.ThisisusuallyNOTthecaseinruralareas.Beforedeparture,studentsshouldcheckwithhomefinancialinstitutionstoseeiftheircardsandPINnumberswillworkabroad.Bycomparison,internationalbank-to-bankwiretransfersarecomplicatedtoexecuteandpersonalchecksareusuallyimpossibletocashordepositwhileabroad.Itwouldalsobeprudenttobringamajorcreditcardwithcashadvanceservice.Toavoidsuspensionofcreditcardserviceduetoanti-fraudprotocols,notifythecompanythatyouwillbeusingthecardabroad.Forcurrentexchangerates,visitxe.com.
TUITION AND FEESStudyabroadparticipantsarechargedAdelphituitionandfeesfortheirtimeabroad.OnesemesterabroadisequaltoonesemesteratAdelphi;twosemestersabroadisequaltotwosemestersatAdelphi.
StudentswillreceiveinvoicesforAdelphituitionandfeesafterregistrationandpriortothenextsemester.Studentswillneedtopaytheirbalancebeforeleavingthecountryunlessreceivingfinancialaidthatwillcoverthecost.
ROOM AND BOARDInadditiontotuitionandfeesstudentsstudyingabroadpaytheroomandboardfeesassociatedwiththeirprogram.Studentspayroomandboardtothehostinstitutionorprogramprovider,nottoAdelphiUniversity.
FinancialConsiderations13
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPSForstudentsonfinancialaid,allfederalfinancialaidexceptforwork-studyawardscanbeappliedtoallAdelphistudyabroadprograms.Inaddition,75%ofAdelphiUniversityinstitutionalaidcanbeusedforparticipationinAdelphi-sanctionedstudyabroadprograms.IfastudentisgoingononeofAdelphi’sdirectexchanges,100%ofinstitutionalaidapplies.
14StudyAbroadHandbook
ARRIVING AT YOUR DESTINATION
ARRIVAL DATESPlantoarriveinyourhostcityintimetoattendorientationactivities,inadditiontoanypre-semesterlanguageandcultureprograms.Forstudentsattendinguniversitiesabroad,consultthearrivaldatesprovidedbytheinstitutionororganizationinyourpre-departurematerials.Latearrivalsarenotpermitted.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL Itiswisetofamiliarizeyourselfwiththelayoutofyourtransferanddestinationairports.TheWorldAirportGuide(worldtravelguide.net/airports)isausefulresource.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTSInyourcarry-onluggage,packyourpassportandvisa,planetickets,studyabroadacceptanceletters,pre-departurematerialsandguides,andcontactinformationforyouron-sitehosts.Youmightalsopackachangeofclothesincaseyourluggageislost.
CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONWhenarrivinganddepartingfromyourhostcountry,youwillberequiredtopassthroughimmigrationandcustoms.Immigrationwillcheckyourpassportandvisa(ifrequired)andcustomsmaycheckyourluggageandcarry-onbagtoensurethatyouarefollowingtheimportandexportregulationsofthecountry.Individualrulesandregulationsvaryfromcountrytocountry.YouwillalsohavetopassthroughcustomsandimmigrationwhenyoureturntotheUnitedStates.
LOST LUGGAGEAnynumberofeventscantranspiretocauseyourluggagetoarriveatadifferenttimethanyou.Itmaybewisetocarryonitemsthatwillallowyouto
ArrivingatYourDestination15
spruceupincaseyoufindyourselfinyourhostcitywithoutyourbaggage—freshundergarments,ashirt,etc.Ifyourcheckedluggagedoesnotarriveattheairport,youshouldnotifyarepresentativefromyourairline,andregisterwiththeirdepartmentoflostluggage.Ifyouhaven’tyetreceivedyourpermanentaddressinyourhostcity,youcanleaveyourstudycenterorinternationaloffice’saddresswiththeairline.
GETTING TO YOUR ACCOMMODATIONSIntheliteratureyou’llreceivefromyourhostinstitutionorprogram,youshouldreceivetheaddressofyourhostfamily,apartment,orstudentresidence.Youshouldverifythisinformation,andbringitinyourcarry-onluggageonyourflighttoyourhostcity.Asindicatedabove,familiarizeyourselfwithyourarrivalairport,andhaveaplantogetyourself—andyourstuff—toyourfinaldestination.Inmanycases,publictransportationistediousandtime-consuming.Considersplurgingonataxi,justthisonce,oridentifyoptionsthathavedoor-to-doorservice,likeacall-aheadshuttleservice.Makereservationsinadvance!Someprogramsmayprovidetransportationfromtheairporttoyourdestination.
16StudyAbroadHandbook
ADJUSTING TO YOUR NEW HOME
JET LAGExpectjetlag—andalittleculturaladjustment.Getyourbodyonthenewschedulebydrinkingplentyofwater,eatingplentyofnutritiousfood,exercising,andresting.Culturaladjustmentisanaturaleffectofbeingexposedtonewlifestylesandvalues;youmayfeelabitimpatient,confused,oranxious,andmighthitemotionalhighsandlowsasyouadjust.Timeusuallytakescareofit,butifanyproblemspersist,consultyouron-siteprogramdirectororgethelpfromacounselorordoctor.
DISCOVERING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE BLOCK AT A TIMEWelcometoyournewneighborhood!Bynow,you’veputyourbagsdown,unpackedalittle,andyou’rereadytoeaseintotheday-to-daylifeofacitizeninyourhostlocation.Akeyparttounderstandingthecultureofyournewsurroundingswillbegettingtoknowyourneighborhoodandthebusinessesandparkswithinit.Themomentisprimedforyoutofindaninterestingcaféandpopinforabite.Whatdoestheclientelelooklike?Whataretheyeating,andwhen?Partofgettingusedtoyournewsituationwillbebecomingamemberofanewcommunity.Dothisbynoticingthe“who,what,when,andwhere,”andthenparticipating,becomingoneofthe“who’s.”Asyoubecomemorefamiliarwiththeareaimmediatelysurroundingyourapartmentordorm,branchoutandexpandyourbaseofknowledge.
TRAVEL WHILE ABROAD
International Student Identity Card TheInternationalStudentIdentityCard(ISIC)mayentitleyoutodiscountsforairplane,train,orbustickets,entrytocertainmuseumsandotherplacesofinterest,anddiscountsatcertainhotels.IfpurchasedintheUnitedStates,theISICwillprovidealimitedmeasureofinsurance.FormoreinformationandtopurchasetheISIC,visitisic.org.Youragemayalsoentitleyoutoreducedrates.Don’thesitatetoshowyourpassportandrequestayouth(usuallyunder26)fare.
AdjustingtoYourNewHome17
Rail PassesManyeconomyrailpassescanbepurchasedonlyintheUnitedStatesthroughtravelagenciessuchasSTATravel(statravel.com).On-site,discounttravelpassesmaybeavailableinyourcountryforstudentsorvisitors.Looktolocalguidebooksfordetailsspecifictoyourcountry.
Other TravelTravelbybusisaninexpensivewaytogetaroundinmostcitiesandmostcountries.Ontheotherhand,drivinganautomobilewhileabroadmaybeamoreexpensiveandpossiblyriskymodeoftransportation.Trafficpatternsanddrivingcustomsmaybeverydifferent,possiblyevendangerousinsomepartsoftheworld.Inaddition,insurancerequirementsorrestrictionsinsomecountriesarecostlyorprohibitive,andyourhomepolicymaynotcoveryouwhiledrivingabroad.TheCenterforInternationalEducationdoesnotrecommendrentingacarordrivingwhileparticipatinginastudyabroadprogram.Low-costairlinesarebecomingincreasinglypopularinEurope,providinganinexpensiveandquickalternativetotrainsforstudentswhodosomeadvanceplanning.
TRAVEL AND VISITORS FROM HOMETheCenterforInternationalEducationencouragesyoutotravelduringfreetime,butrecreationaltravelmustbeconfinedtoweekends,holidays,andbreaks,andmustnotinterferewithtimelycompletionofallcourseworkandassignments.Ifanyfriendsorfamilywishtovisityou,theyshouldtimetheirvisitstocoincidewithbreaks.Remember,youmustalwaysrespecttherightsandprivacyofyourroommatesorhome-stayfamilyifyouplantotravelorhavevisitors.Checkwithyourprogram-specifichandbookorprogramsponsorforanyadditionalrulesregardingtravelandvisitors.
HOUSINGInadvanceofyourstudyabroadexperience,readuponthehousingoptionyou’veselectedsoyouhaveanideaofwhattoexpect.Dependingonyourprogramandhousingchoice,youraccommodationsmaybeasignificantdistancefromyouruniversity—thisisthenormabroad.Youshouldcountonacommuteaspartofyourinternationalexperience.
18StudyAbroadHandbook
MEALSOfcoursefoodvariessignificantlyfromculturetoculture,butsodootherthingsrelatedtomealssuchastimeofservice.Inmanylocations,mealsareservedinrestaurantsordormsonlybetweencertainhours—ifyoumissthetwo-hourwindowforbreakfast,lunch,ordinner,youmaybehard-pressedtofindsomethingtoeat!Ifyouhavespecificdietaryconcerns,youshouldopttoself-cater(don’tchooseamealplan)and/ordiscloseyourneedstoyourprogramprovider,hostfamily,andanyotherrelevantparties.
BE FLEXIBLEYourfirstfewweeksinyourhostcitymaybedifficult—you’llbedoingamillionthingsatonce:meetinghostfamilies,schedulingclasses,gettingusedtoanewcity,ofteninaforeignlanguage.Everydaywillbeatest—usewhatyou’velearnedintheclassroom,onunfamiliarstreets,andinclassroomsinabrandnewinstitution.
Butyouknowallthis,andit’spartofwhyyou’vedecidedtostudyabroad!Onewaytodealwitheverythingistobeflexible.Everyexperiencemayfeelnewtoyou,andnoteverythingmaygoasplanned.Trynottoisolateindividualeventsasbeingnegative,andinstead,takeitallinaspartofonelargerexperiencethatwillultimatelyhelpyougrowandbecomemoreindependent.
Somewaystohelpdealwiththistransitionareto:
Learn about Local CustomsLifestyles,practices,andexpectationswillbeverydifferentfromhome—eveninplacesthatseemonthesurfacetoberelativelysimilartotheUnitedStates.Makesureyouunderstandhowthingswork.Don’tassumethatbehavioryoutookforgrantedathomewillbeacceptedinyourhostcountry.Askaboutsafetyissuessuchaslocaltransportation,swimmingpractices,andelectricalappliances;securityissuessuchasneighborhoodsecurityandpersonalsecurityatnight;and,culturalissueslikeattitudestowardgender,friendship,anddating.
Make New FriendsItmaynotsoundlikeahealthtip,butdon’tisolateyourself.Youwillprobablyhavetomakethefirstmoveindevelopingfriendships,butrelationshipsmakethewholeexperiencemeaningful.Thefriendsthatyou’llmakethiscoming
AdjustingtoYourNewHome19
semesterwillserveasyourfamilyawayfromhomeandyoursupportsystem.Befriendinginternationalorlocalstudentswillalsobeamechanismtofindoutaboutyourhostculture.
Stay HealthyWecan’tstressthisenough!Eatwell,stayhydrated,andsleepregularly.BeingawayfromtheUnitedStateswillnotrenderyouimmunetosickness.Illnessexistsoutsideofourborders.Takethenecessaryprecautionstostayhealthy!
DAILY LIFEOnceyou’vearrived,you’llwanttobeinyourhostcity,livinglikeacitizen.Takethisopportunitytoreallygettoknowyourneighborhoodandyourcity.Mostcitiespublishanentertainmentguide.Localsreadtheseguidesandyoushouldtooinordertoplugintopopulareventsaroundtown.Listentolocalradiostations,readthelocalpaper,andinteractwithlocalstogetconnectedtolocalevents.
Tofacilitateintegration,STAYINYOURHOSTCITY!Spendyourentirefirstmonthinyourhostcity,evenontheweekends,sothatyouknowwhatitmeanstocallthisplacehome.Don’tgiveintothetemptationtotraveleveryweekend.Trustus,thereisenoughtoentertainyouinyourhostcity—getinvolved!
Plantoarriveearly(ifyourvisaallows)orleavelateifyou’dliketotravelextensively.Therearegenerallyveryfewbreaksduringthefallsemesterfortravel.Usethesummerbeforeyourstudybeginsandwinterbreak.Buyaflexibleticketsoyoucanextendyourtimeabroadifyou’dlike.
Asyou’regettingtoknowtheneighborhood,developyourownroutine.YoucanbeteveryoneinBuenosAireshastheirfavoritecaféandtheirpreferredparkbench.Identifythesethingsforyourselfaswell.Themoretimeyouspendinacertainplaceandamongregularsofacaféorrestaurant,themoreinsightyou’llgetintotheirculture—andthemorelikelyitisthatthey’llinviteyououtforacoffee!Whenyoudotravel,you’llfeelgreathavingfamiliarroutinestocomehometo.
Justlikeyou’llwanttomeetlocalsinyourcity,alsogooutofyourwaytomeetlocalstudents.Getinvolvedinuniversityactivitiesandclubs.Don’tbeashamedtospeakthelanguage.You’vestudiedforsolong—now’syourchancetouseit.Peoplewillbemorereceptiveifyouattempttospeakintheirnativetongue—
20StudyAbroadHandbook
rememberthatyou’reaguestintheircountry.Thefriendshipsthatensuemaylastforalongtime.
Aswe’vestressed,thisexperiencewillchangeyou.It’sinevitable.Keepajournalofyourexperiencestotrackwhereyou’vecomefromandyouraspirationsforthefuture.You’llbeengagedinsomanyactivitiesthat,onceit’sallsaidanddone,youmaystruggletorememberthemostbasiccharacteristicsofyourlifeabroad.Writethemdown!
CONTACT WITH HOMEInternationalcommunicationiseasierthanever.Evenifyoudecidenottobringalaptop,internetcaféswillbeeverywhere.Emailwillbeatyourfingertips.MoststudentsfindthatSkype(skype.com)isthecheapestandmostefficientwaytocallhome.Somestudentspurchaseacellphoneon-site.Often,incomingcallsarefreetothereceiver,sostudentshavetheirfamilyandfriendsintheUnitedStatescallthem.
Howeveryoudecidetocommunicate,it’simportanttocontactyourfamilytoletthemknowthatyou’vearrivedsafelyandsettledintoyouraccommodation.Butduringthesemester,youshouldavoidcallinghometoooften,asfeesaddupandcommunicationmayincreasethelikelihoodofhomesickness.
BLOGGING ABROADConsiderstartingablogtokeepyourfriendsandfamilyupdated.You’llbeabletowrite,uploadphotos,andreceivecomments.Checkoutblogspot.com,wordpress.com,ortumblr.comforafreeblog.
LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies21
LEARNING ABROAD AND ACADEMIC POLICIES
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONSIt’sahugereasonwhyyou’veembarkedonthisexperience—thestudypartofstudyabroad!Classesmaybestructureddifferentlythanwhatyou’reusedtoatAdelphi.Somedifferencesthatyoumayencounterincludelargeclassestaughtbyseeminglydetachedprofessors;veryfewgradedassignments;asyllabusthatconsistsonlyofanextensivereadinglist.Thekeytobeingsuccessfulisadaptation.Findouthowlocalstudentslearnthisway,andthenadopttheirstrategies.Remember,justbecauseasystemmaybedifferentthanwhatyou’reusedtodoesnotmeanit’sofanymoreorlessvalue.
ProfessorsThestudent-professorrelationshipmayvarygreatlyfromtherelationshipsyouhavewithyourprofessorsatAdelphi.Abroad,youmayfindmanyofyourprofessorstobeunreachableorformal.ProfessorsabroadmayinstructmorecoursesthanyourprofessorsdoatAdelphi.Youmay,however,haveaccesstotutorsorseminarinstructors—manywhoaregraduateassistants—whoyoucanapproachforadvisingorquestionsaboutyourcourses.Don’thesitatetoseekassistancefromlocalclassmateswhoareaccustomedtothestyleofinstructionandtheexpectationsoftheprofessorsatyourinstitution.
EARNING ADELPHI CREDIT
Course SelectionStudyabroadstudentswillselecttheircourseswiththeassistanceoftheirfacultyadviserandtheCenterforInternationalEducation.StudentsmustsubmitaCourseApprovalFormsignedbytheirfacultyadviseranddepartmentchair.CoursesthatareapprovedassubstantiallyequivalenttoAdelphi’swillsatisfythesamecurriculumrequirementsastheAdelphicoursesatisfies.CoursesforwhichthereisnoAdelphiequivalent,butwhicharedeemedappropriateordesirabletoenhancethestudent’seducationalgoalsorspecializationmajor,musthavetheapprovalofthedepartmentchair.
Studentsshouldseekapprovalformorecoursesthantheyareintendingtotakepriortodepartingcampusinordertominimizeproblemswithchangingclasseswhileabroad.Studentschoosingtodrop/addcourseswhileabroad
22StudyAbroadHandbook
mustobtainnewapprovalfromtheirfacultyadviseranddepartmentchair.Suchapprovalscouldbeconfirmedviaemail,nolaterthanthethirdweekofthehostinstitution’ssemesterorthesecondweekofthehostinstitution’ssummerterm.StudentsmustnotifytheCIEinwritingregardingproposedcoursesubstitutionsorchanges,whichwillbeupdatedintheirCourseApprovalForm.StudentswhofailtoobtainapprovalforchangesintheirstudyabroadcoursescannotbeguaranteedthattheywillreceiveacademiccreditforclassesthatarenotontheirsignedCourseApprovalForm,regardlessofwhethertheyhavecompletedthemorhavepaidforthenewcourses.
Allforeigncoursesmustbetakenforagrade,notforPass/Fail.StudentsstudyingabroadmustreceiveagradeequivalentofC–orbetterforundergraduatecourses,andequivalentofBorbetterforgraduatecourses,inordertoearnAdelphicredit.Studyabroadcourseswillbepostedonthestudent’stranscriptwiththedesignationofcountry/institutionofstudyandcreditsattained;however,theirgradeswillnotcountinthecalculationofastudent’sGPA.StudentsenrollinginanAdelphiinternship,researchproject,and/orindependentstudycourseaspartofthestudyabroadprogrammustbeapprovedbyanAdelphifacultysupervisorwhowillgradethecourse.ThisgradewillbeprocessedasanyregularAdelphicourse.
Studentswhoareabroadforasemestermustenrollinaminimumequivalentof12Adelphicredithours,oranapprovedcombinationofcourse,research,andinternshipwork.Whilestudyingabroad,studentsmustmaintainafull-timecourseloadeachterm.Thereceivingforeigninstitutionwilldeterminefullcourseloads.Failuretokeepfull-timestatusmayresultincancellationofyourtermabroadwiththesubsequentlossofacademiccredits,tuitionpayment,andfederalorotherfinancialaid.
Someinternationalinstitutionsmayrequirealanguageplacementexamination.Ifastudentisplacedinadifferentlevel(higherorlower)thantheoneindicatedonthestudyabroadCourseApprovalForm,thestudentwillbeawardedAdelphi-equivalentcreditbasedontheactualleveltakenabroad.
Gradeappealsregardingstudyabroadcourseswillbeconsideredinaccordancewiththeproceduresofthehostinstitutionortheprovider.InthecaseofanAdelphiindependentstudycourse(s)takenabroad,appealswillbeprocessedasinanyotherAdelphicourses.
LearningAbroadandAcademicPolicies23
ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIOR CODES OF CONDUCTStudentsareheldtotheCodeofConductforStudentsaswellasAcademicHonestyguidelineswhileabroad.Thisisinadditiontothecodesofthehostinstitution.Adelphi’scodesmaybeviewedatacademics.adelphi.edu/policies.
EARLY WITHDRAWAL/DISMISSAL POLICYStudentswhovoluntarilyorinvoluntarilywithdrawfromtheirstudyabroadprogramwillbesubjecttobothAdelphiandthehostorganization/institutionwithdrawalpoliciesandpenalties.Studentswithdrawingfromaprogramforanyreasonwillberesponsibleforexpensesthatweremadeontheirbehalfandcoststhatarenon-refundable.Inadditionyoumaybesubjecttorefundpoliciesofthestudyabroadproviderorinstitutiontowhichyouhaveapplied.Mid-semesterwithdrawalsforanyreasonwillrequiretheUniversitytoperformarecalculationofeligibilityforfinancialaidunderthemandatedfederalformula(ReturnofTitleIVAidCalculation).Thiscalculationmaynotbeappealed.
IncaseofemergencyprogramcancellationorrepatriationdeterminedbyAdelphiorbytheDepartmentofStateadvisory,Adelphiwillundertaketoprovidecompletionofsemesterstudiesoralternativewaysforstudentstocompletetheirplannednumberofcreditsintheterminvolvedatnoadditionalcost.ShouldtheUniversitydetermineanearlyprogramtermination,Adelphiwillcoverairfarepenalties,ifany,fortheearlyreturnofparticipants.Thisdoesnotapplyifstudentsareterminatedforcauseoriftheycutshorttheirstudiesabroadontheirownforanyotherreason.
24StudyAbroadHandbook
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITYAsastudyabroadstudent,youwillneedtotaketheinitiativetomeetpeople.JustasyouhaveanestablishedcircleoffriendsintheUnitedStates,studentsabroadhaveestablishedfriendsandhabits.Don’tbeafraidtostartaconversationandpursuecontactinordertomeetnewpeople.
Womenareencouragedtoconsultculturalandtravelbooksaboutthepossibledifferencesinattitudestowardfemalesabroad.Itisimportanttobepreparedforthepossiblechangesinstyleandattitudesthatmayexist.
Remembertousecommonsensewhengivingoutyouraddressorphonenumber.Itiswisetosetuptimesandplacestomeetothersratherthangiveoutanypersonalinformation.Forthoselivingwithafamily,besuretocheckwithyourhostfamilybeforegivingouttheirphonenumber,address,orinvitingguestsover.Donothaveovernightguestswithoutcheckingwithyourroommateorhostfamilyfirst.Ingeneral,overnightguestsarenotappropriatewithahostfamily.
RELATIONSHIPSFormanyofyou,yourstaywillbethefirsttimeoutoftheUnitedStates.Youmayhavetheopportunitytomakesomeverygoodfriends.Thesetypesofstrongfriendshipsarenotonlyencouragedbutcanleadtocontinuedexchangesbetweenyouandyournewfoundfriendsafteryoureturnhome.Nevertheless,pleasekeepafewwordsofcautioninmind.
•Becarefulofpersonswantingtogettoknowyouveryquickly,astheymayhaveanulteriormotive.Meetpeopleinpublicplacesduringtheday,preferablywiththecompanyofafriendortwo.Donotgiveoutyourphonenumberoraddressfreely,asthiscanleadtoproblemsforyou,programstaff,otherparticipants,oryourhostfamily.Agreetomeetthepersonataspecifictimeandplace.
•U.S.citizenscanbeeasytoidentify.Theyoftendressdifferently,speakloudlyingroups,carrybackpacks,weartennisshoesorflip-flops,andspeakwithaU.S.accent.SomepeopleviewU.S.citizensaswealthyandmaywanttobecomefriendsinordertoobtainyourmoneyoryourpassport.Usecommonsenseandbecautious.Beawareofyoursurroundingenvironment!
SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity25
•Enteringintoarelationshipabroadshouldbeapproachedwiththesameprecautionsasathome.Itcanbeverytemptingtobecharmedbytheideaofaonce-in-a-lifetimeromance,butyoushouldconsideranyrelationshipcarefully,particularlywhenyouareabroad.Keepinmindthatinyourhostcountrytheremaybemanydifferentculturalvaluesandrulesregardingdatingandrelationships.Proceedcautiously,realizingthatyouareonlyinthecountryforashortperiodoftime.
• Proceedwithcautionwithanyrelationshipandonlyenterintoacloserelationshipafterknowingthepartnerforasustainedperiodoftime.U.S.womenareoftenstereotypedaseasysexualpartners,andeachyearwomenfindthemselvesindifficultsituationsbecausetheywerenotcautious.Donotgotothehomeorapartmentofsomeoneyoudonotknowwell,especiallyifthereisdrinkinginvolved.Mostproblemsofthiskindarealcoholrelated.Beextremelycarefulofdrinkinginbars.Therehavebeenreportedcasesofdrinksbeingdrugged,soitwouldbeagoodideatohavethedrinkopenedwhileyouarewatchingandnottoacceptadrinkbroughttothetableandpaidforby“anadmirer.”
• Pleasebeawarethatinanytypeofrelationship,whetherheterosexualorhomosexual,youcouldendupwithasexuallytransmitteddisease,AIDS,orpossibly,apregnancy.Thisisnotmeantasascaretacticbutratherforyoutorealizethatitcanandhashappened.Besurethatyouknowthepersonverywellbeforedevelopingamoreintimaterelationshipandalwaysdemandthatyoubothtakenecessaryprecautions.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESManyofthedisabilityaccommodationsorservicesthatareprovidedatU.S.universitiesmaybedifferentorunavailableabroad.Beinginanewenvironmentcanalsobestressful,andaccommodationsthatyoumaynothaveneededathomemaybecomenecessaryinanunfamiliarsetting.
Youshouldarrangeforanydisabilityaccommodationsatstudyabroadsitesbeforeyoudepart.Receivingaccommodationsonceyouareabroadwillbemoredifficultandmaynotbepossible.Youracceptanceintoaprogramisnotinfluencedbydisclosingaccommodationneeds,anditistoyouradvantagetobecertainthattheaccommodationyouneedwillbeavailable.
26StudyAbroadHandbook
Youareencouragedtobegintheprocessasearlyaspossible.Thedisabilityspecialistsandstudyabroadstaffcandiscusspossiblealternativeswithyou,ifnecessary.Tomakerequestsyoucancontactyourhomeinstitution’sdisabilityservicesspecialists.Formoreinformation,contactAdelphiUniversity’sOfficeofDisabilitySupportServices(DSS)atstudents.adelphi.edu/sa/dss.TheCIEstaffwillalsoworkwithyoutoinquireaboutnecessaryarrangements.
Foradditionalresources,AdelphistudentscancontactMobilityInternationalforadditionalresourcesabroadatmiusa.org.
GENDER ISSUESBothmaleandfemalestudentsabroadwilldiscoverthatgrowingupintheUnitedStateshaspreparedthemfordifferentrolesinsocietythanthoseoftheircontemporariesinothercountriesexpect.Sinceyouwillbeviewedaccordingtothegenderexpectationsofthehostculture,youmayfeeluncomfortableattimes.Thisisparticularlytrueforfemalestudentswhomayfindthemselvesthetargetsofunwantedattention.
Trytounderstandtheroleofthesexesintheculturetowhichyouaretraveling.WhatmaybeappropriateandfriendlybehaviorintheUnitedStatesmaybringyouunwantedattentioninanotherculture.
Youmayfindthefollowingresourcesuseful:
Culture Shock! SeriesTheCulture Shock!seriesofbooksisusefultoaidinunderstandinggenderissuesinyourhostcountry.
Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel TheCanadianConsularAffairsBureauprovidesinformationaboutsecurity,packing,cultureshock,andmoreinthisarticleforwomentravelers.
JourneyWomanAnonlinetravelresourceforwomen.
SocialRelationshipsandCulturalDiversity27
“Sexual Harassment and Prevention in College Students Studying Abroad” (SAFETI Online Newsletter) TheSAFETIOnlineNewsletteraddressesissuesofsafetyinstudyabroad.Thisarticleexploreshowwomencanminimizetheirriskofbeingsexuallyharassedwhiletravelingabroad.
Women TravelersBritain’sForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO)listsanumberoftipsforwomentravelers.TheFCOisthedepartmentoftheBritishGovernmentresponsibleforoverseasrelationsandforeignaffairs.
Women AbroadSafetytips,studentcomments,andotherresourcesfromUniversityofMichigan’sInternationalCenter.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Membershipbenefitsincludecheapergroupinsurancerates,publications,andscholarshipeligibility.Youcanapplyatyourlocalbranchandbecomeamemberatboththestateandnationallevel.
U.S. Department of State’s Tips for Traveling AbroadAdvicefromthebranchoftheU.S.governmentresponsibleforthewelfareofU.S.citizensabroad.
Transitions Abroad: The Women Travel PortalAgreatcollectionoffirsthandarticles,websites,andagenciesbythisaward-winning,respectedtravelmagazine.
28StudyAbroadHandbook
RETURNING TO ADELPHI
OnceyoureturntoAdelphifromstudyingabroad,you’llprobablydiscoverthatyoulearnedjustasmuch,ifnotmore,outsidetheclassroomasyoudidinsidetheclassroom.Youmayfeellikeyou’veestablishedmanyimportantconnections,andwehopeyou’llworktokeepthoserelationsestablished.
IMPORTANT EVENTS TO REMEMBER•WelcomeBackReceptionforReturnees
•FallandSpringStudyAbroadFairs
•Pre-DepartureOrientation
PROGRAM EVALUATIONWewanttohearaboutyourexperience!Weaskthatyoutakeafewminutestofilloutaprogramevaluationform.YourfeedbackiscrucialtoourefforttoprovideAdelphistudentswithqualitystudyabroadprograms.You’retheexpertonclassquality,professors,andstudentservices.TheCIEwillsendyouanevaluationuponyourreturntocampus.
UsefulWebsites29
USEFUL WEBSITES
State Department Study Abroad website
studentsabroad.state.gov
U.S. Consular Locations and Phone Numbers
usembassy.gov
U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Announcementstravel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Registration with U.S. Embassies
travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui
Centers for Disease Control
cdc.gov
Long Island Travel Immunization Center
northshorelij.com
Hostelling International USA
hiayh.org
Free Internet Calling
skype.com
30StudyAbroadHandbook
NOTES:
Notes31
11/1
0-47
21
ADELPHI.EDU/STUDYABROAD