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Parent Guide Saftey

admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:24:22 GMT

Are you concerned about your child's safety while studying abroad?

Does your child have the proper insurance to go abroad?

Find study abroad programs in Morocco!

Study Abroad in Morocco|IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:00:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Rabat

LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French is often the language of business, government and diplomacy

POPULATION: 34 million

RELIGION: 99%, Other (Christian, Jewish)

CURRENCY: Moroccan dirham (MAD)

GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy

MAJOR EVENTS: First Moharram - Muslim New Year*

Aid Mawlid An Nabbaoui - Birthday of Prophet Mohammed*

Moroccan Labor Day - May 1

Feast of the Throne - July 30

Youth Day - Birthday of King Mohammed VI - August 21

Aid al Fitr - End of Ramadan*

Feast of Independence - November 18

Aid al Adha*

*Determined by lunar calendar; actual date may vary

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Financial Aid For Studying Abroad

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:45:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Rome

Study Abroad in Rome|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:16:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 2,550,000

REGION: Lazio

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: Italian (official)

MAJOR EVENTS: Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

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Find out more about studying in Italy.

Admin Login

admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:46:02 GMT

This login page is for IIEPassport.org admins.

Study Abroad Student Center|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:05:00 GMT

Welcome to IIEPassport's Student Center!

IIEPassport provides many resources for prospective study abroad students including a full Student Guide and detailed destination information (see Destination of the Month box, below). We invite you to explore these resources and make the most out of this life-changing experience of studying abroad.

Study Abroad in India|IIEPassport.org

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:17:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in India

FACTS

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

POPULATION: More than 1 billion

CAPITAL: Delhi

CURRENCY: Rupee

RELIGIONS: Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism

LANGUAGES: Hindi (official), English (official)

MAJOR EVENTS: Republic Day, January

Holi Festival, March

Baisakhi (New Year's Day), April

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, September

Diwali Festival, October

Id, December

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Spain

Find out more about studying in Bangalore.

Study Abroad in Spain|IIEPassport.org

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:41:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 40,397,842

CAPITAL: Madrid

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 94%, Other 6%

LANGUAGE: Castilian Spanish (national official), Catalan, Galician, Basque

MAJOR EVENTS: National Day - October 12
Religious Holidays

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Find study abroad programs in Switzerland

How China Changed Me

admin — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:32:00 GMT

Name: Yanisha Brown

Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Home Institution: University of Arkansas

Name of scholarship program: David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships for International Study

Academic Term: 2005-2006

Major: International Relations and East Asian Studies

Study Abroad Destination: Chengdu, China

What surprised you the most about China’s culture?

As an extracurricular activity, I participated in something called “The English Corner.” I would stand in the middle of the square and random students would come to practice their English with me. I could relate to that way of learning because I also sought people out to practice my Chinese, and participating in “The English Corner” helped me to meet Chinese friends. We went to the movies; I was invited to people’s houses, and it was a thrilling experience overall.

Yanisha Brown received a Boren Scholarship and studied off the beaten path in Chengdu, China to improve her Chinese language skills.

What do you wish you had known before you traveled abroad?

I’m originally from Arkansas and studied in Chengdu, China for an academic year. One of the reasons I decided on that particular area of China is because it is slightly off the beaten path. I wanted to study in a place where there would be few foreigners because I thought it would be good for language acquisition.

My life in China was very fulfilling. On a typical day, I would go to Chinese class for four hours in the morning, have lunch near campus with a friend, and in the afternoon I had my other classes. I took a Chinese government class, a Chinese culture class, and for fun I took a class on Chinese cuisine. I had really gotten used to some of the local food, and was interested in learning how to cook it since I knew I would have a hard time finding it when I got back to Arkansas.

How has the study abroad experience shaped your studies or career since returning?

My Boren term also affected my language skills in a dynamic way. Nothing can compare to the year that I spent there, particularly during my second semester when I lived with a host family. In the first semester, I lived around other Americans and Europeans and, even though my Chinese improved, it was not as good as I wanted it to be. During my second semester, although both of my host parents did speak English, I specifically asked them not to because I wanted to work on my language skills, and they graciously kept that promise.

Since the scholarship ended, I have completed my degree at the University of Arkansas and received master’s degrees from Seton Hall University in Asian studies, and diplomacy and international relations. Last summer, I completed an internship in Taiwan with the Department of State.

What is your advice for an American student planning to apply for a Boren Scholarship?

If I could give advice to applicants for the Boren Scholarship, I would tell them to be honest, and to make sure they tap into the life experiences that motivated them to study overseas. I also suggest that applicants make friends in their institutions’ international program offices, since the staff is ready to help fine tune their applications. A couple of years before I applied for the Boren Scholarship, going to China seemed like a far-fetched idea. It was a little overwhelming at times since I was the only one from my school and I was far away by myself. However, I decided that it was more important for me to learn this language and to develop into a global citizen. I definitely appreciate the Boren Scholarship for giving me that opportunity.

Name: April Dawn Smith

Hometown: Lebanon, VA

Home Institution: Emory & Henry College

Name of scholarship program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Academic Term: Fall 2009

Major: Triple Majoring in Asian Studies, Sociology, and Political Science

Study Abroad Destination: Beijing, China (Beijing University)

What surprised you the most about China’s culture?

What surprised me the most about China's culture was the large difference between life in rural areas compared to life in China's urban areas. Such disparities in culture and lifestyle exist in the U.S. as well, but not to the extreme that these differences exist in China. The difference between the culture found in rural China from the culture in Beijing and other large cities was amazing to experience.

April Dawn Smith, a student at Emory & Henry College, received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in China.

What do you wish you had known before you traveled abroad?

I wish I had known a bit more of the language and the history of China. Although it is possible to travel to China without knowing the language, I wish I had a greater understanding of Mandarin before I studied in China simply for the greater ease of access it would have afforded me with the local citizens. Also, since China is a country with a deep and rich history, I feel that I would have appreciated many of the breathtaking sites China has to offer twice as much had I known their background.

How has the study abroad experience shaped your studies or career since returning?

Studying abroad in China has given me a whole new outlook on my academic career and has ignited in me an even greater passion for learning Mandarin. Before studying abroad in China, I never realized just how much zeal I had for the field of Asian Studies. Now I plan to pursue these interests in graduate school and funnel them into my future career, hopefully one day working for the U.S. State Department.

What is your advice for an American student planning to study in China?

My advice for a student studying in China is to have an open mind and live in the moment, savoring the experience. The language barrier and cultural differences can quickly become overwhelming, but keep in mind that most other foreign students studying in China share these feelings and don’t let it detract from your experience. China is so extremely welcoming to foreign students that if you go with an open mind these issues will quickly fade and just become another aspect of your experience.

What activities do you recommend for visiting students in China?

Some of the activities I would recommend for visiting students in China are cliché, like walking on the Great Wall of China or visiting the Summer Palace (my favorite scenic attraction). But a unique activity that I would recommend for visiting students is traveling to and spending time in China's rural villages. It is easy to become consumed in China's urban life while studying in a large city like Beijing, and completely miss out on the rural aspects of the country. I know that for me visiting these rural villages in China granted me a whole new perspective on not only China, but also on life in general. Finally, I would recommend getting out of your comfort zone and just talking to the locals. Nothing will give you a more in-depth look at China's culture and customs like getting to know its citizens; not to mention that this is an absolutely fantastic way to practice your language skills.

Name: Clay Ngo

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Home Institution: San Francisco State University

Name of scholarship program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Academic Term: Fall 2008/Spring 2009

Major: Film/ Chinese language and culture

Study Abroad Destination: Beijing, China

What surprised you the most about China’s culture?

I lived in China in 2008, 30 years after their great Economic Reform of 1978. What was once an agrarian economy has transformed into a thriving market economy of rapid modernity, where Chinese culture has not gone untouched. Across every skyline, cranes poked their heads out like delicate birds taking China off to new heights, but through the cobble alleyways of Old Beijing, families were still visibly struggling— the stratification and transformation of Chinese social classes were perhaps the most surprising.

Gilman Scholar Clay Ngo volunteered with a Peking University student group, after completing a year of study in China, and traveled to JiangXi to teach English to underserved high school students

What do you wish you had known before you traveled abroad?

Aside from wishing I had packed frozen burritos, I would say that the Internet restrictions were sometimes troubling— but maybe it was a good thing to have Facebook ripped from my fingertips. If U.S. websites are an important part of your lifestyle, I would recommend securing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before you depart.

How has the study abroad experience shaped your studies or career since returning?

With the U.S. job climate currently so dismal, I am looking at jobs abroad, especially in China or Taiwan. Since I lived there for a year, I have some connections, and integrating back into Chinese society does not give me anxiety. I am sad that my career has not taken off in the U.S., but I‘m happy I have the confidence to look at the rest of the world for opportunities, especially in bustling China.

What is your advice for an American student planning to study in China?

If the Chinese language could be ingested in a pill, I wish I’d taken a healthy dose before I arrived in China. But the true magical pill comes from living in China and struggling to get by. Language is the key to adapting to new places, understanding culture, and most importantly, making friends and staying sane. I wish someone had advised me that language comes with time, and can’t be forced, no matter how many pinyin flashcards you study. Chinese vendors will become your best friends, even though they will make you bargain for your life. In the end, you’ll be all right.

What activities do you recommend for visiting students in China?

Travel. The Chinese railway system is cheap and accessible, outstretching, and outperforming the U.S. by a large margin—and it continues to grow. I took trains that traversed through mountains, over hills, and under tunnels (some lasted more than 24 hours!)— this was the best way to see China, from the West coast’s vast, lush countryside, to the East coast’s vibrant cities. Don’t forget your cup of noodles for the long trip!

Name: David Marzban

Hometown: Los Angeles (Northridge)

Home Institution: Pepperdine University

Name of scholarship program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Academic Term: 2008-2009 academic year

Major: Dual Major in International Business and Asian Studies

Study Abroad Destination: Shanghai, China

What surprised you the most about China’s culture?

The warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people surprised me most. When my class traveled to a village in the Guilin province, a family invited us over to over for dinner. With various dishes like steamed snails, water spinach, pork and beef, the family prepared such a special meal for us, it was as if we were close friends.

Majoring in International Business and Asian Studies at Pepperdine University, David Marzban received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in China.

What do you wish you had known before you traveled abroad?

I wish I had been mindful of bringing gifts that are authentic items from America. Gift-giving is a special characteristic of Chinese culture. The people were often exceptionally generous, and I, too, wanted to be an ambassador by sharing something from my country.

How has the study abroad experience shaped your studies or career since returning?

Upon returning to the United States, I adopted a dual major in International Business and Asian Studies. Last summer, I returned to Shanghai again to participate in an academic program known as the Fudan University American Scholarship Program. I hope to pursue a career that involves cross-cultural exchange in The East.

What is your advice for an American student planning to study in China?

I would encourage students to be bold and to remind themselves how fortunate they are to study in a different culture. It is a privilege to represent our schools and our country abroad; it’s healthy to remind ourselves to be grateful.

What activities do you recommend for visiting students in China?

I would definitely visit the college campuses and museums. There are many opportunities to meet students your age and to share each other’s worldviews. I experienced great personal growth by meeting students my age from China and learning about their views and lives.

Study Abroad in Switzerland|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:25:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Bern

LANGUAGE(S): German (official) 64%, French (official) 20%, Italian (official) 7%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, Albanian 1%, Portuguese 1%, Spanish 1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 1%, other 2% (2000 census)

POPULATION: 7.5 million

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 35%, Muslim 4%, Orthodox 2%, other Christian 1%, other 1%, none 11%, unspecified 4% (2000 census)

CURRENCY:Swiss Franc (CHF)

Government type:formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic

MAJOR EVENTS: Fastnacht (Carnival) - February Archipel Contemporary Music Festival - March
Fumetto Comix Festival - late March to early April
Montreux Jazz Festival - July
National Day - August 1
Samichlaus Abend (Santa Claus Night) St. Nicholas - December 6

Links -

Find study abroad programs in South Africa!

Find out more about studying in Geneva.

Study Abroad in South Africa|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:24:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITALS: Pretoria (administrative); Bloemfontein (judicial); Cape Town (legislative)

CAPITAL: Berlin

LANGUAGE: German

POPULATION: 82 million

RELIGION: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 4%, unaffiliated or other 28%

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

GOVERNMENT: Federal republic

MAJOR EVENTS: Labor Day - May 1
Unity Day - October 3
Oktoberfest - late September - early October

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Egypt!

Study Abroad in Egypt|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:19:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 77,505,756 (July 2005 est.)

CAPITAL: Cairo

CURRENCY: Egyptian pound (EGP)

RELIGIONS: Islam (predominantly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), English and French (widely understood by educated classes)

MAJOR EVENTS:
Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)
Islamic holidays and festivals

Links -

Find study abroad programs in England

Study Abroad in England|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:19:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: London

LANGUAGE: English

POPULATION: Approximately 50 million; 60.7 million total UK (July 2007 est.)

RELIGIONS: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 72%, Muslim 3%, Hindu 1%, other 2%, unspecified or none 23% (2001 census)

CURRENCY: British pound (GBP)

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Constitutional monarchy

MAJOR EVENTS: Commonwealth Day - Annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations - March

Shakespeare Season - The Royal Shakespeare Company opens its annual season - April

Brighton Festival - England's largest arts festival - May

Chelsea Flower Show - Showcase of British gardening - late May

Trooping the Colour - The Queen's official birthday parade - June

Wimbledon - Lawn tennis championship - late June to early July

International Beatles Week - Celebration of the Fab Four's music in Liverpool - August

Guy Fawkes' Night - Anniversary of the "Gunpowder Plot" - November

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The magazine is available for free download and for purchase in bulk quantities at IIEBooks.

Find out more about studying in:
Cambridge
London
Oxford

Study Abroad in China|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:18:00 GMT

IIEPassport Study Abroad in China, includes 350 programs open to U.S. students. This magazine, produced in partnership with Lonely Planet, is designed for students and features information on scholarships, advice from students who have studied in China and articles describing the efforts the U.S. and Chinese governments are making to promote exchange. We encourage campus representatives to distribute this publication.

Study Abroad in Australia|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:17:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Australia

FACTS

POPULATION: 20,090,437

CAPITAL: Canberra

CURRENCY: Australian dollar (AUD)

RELIGIONS: Predominantly Christian

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English

MAJOR EVENTS: New Year's Day, January 1

Australia Day, January 26

POPULATION: 7,000,000 (Source: GLA)

CURRENCY: British pound (GBP)

LANGUAGE: English

MAJOR EVENTS: Shrove Tuesday (day before Ash Wed.), pancake races in Covent Garden

London Marathon & FA Cup Final, May

Trooping the Colour (Queen's Birthday) & Wimbledon, June

Notting Hill Carnival, August (biggest carnival in Europe with a million people in the streets of west London)

Thames Festival, September

Guy Fawkes Night, November 5

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Granada

Find out more about studying in England.

Study Abroad in Granada|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:46:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 270,000

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: Spanish

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY: Andalusia

MAJOR EVENTS: Procession from The San Cecilio Abbey, February (San Cecilio is the local patron of Granada)

Carnival, February

Día de la Cruz (Day of the Cross), May 3

POPULATION: About 315,000

CURRENCY: Euro

LANGUAGE: German

RELIGIONS: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 4%, unaffiliated or other 28%

MAJOR EVENTS:Rosenmontag - February/March

Women's Carnival - February/March

Carnival- 42nd day before Easter

Rhine in Flames - May

Bonner Bierbörse - July

Beethovenfest - September

Pützchens Markt - September

Day of German Unity - October 3

Links

Find study abroad programs in Berlin

Find out more about studying in Germany.

Study Abroad in Berlin|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:42:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 3,400,000

FEDERAL STATE: Berlin

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: German

MAJOR EVENTS:Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), February

Festage (Festival Days - concerts & operas), April

Internationales Tanzfest Berlin (dance & choreography event), August

Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets), December

Links -

Find Study Abroad programs in Belfast

Find out more about studying in Germany

Study Abroad in Belfast|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:41:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: About 700,000

LANGUAGE: English

CURRENCY: British pound (GBP)

RELIGION: predominantly Christian

MAJOR EVENTS: Cathedral Arts Festival - May

Belfast City Carnival - June

Rose Week - July

Belfast Mela International Festival - August

Open House Festival - September

Belfast Festival at Queen's - October/November

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Athens

Find out more about studying in Ireland.

Study Abroad in Athens|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:40:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: Approximately 3,000,000 in urban area

LANGUAGE: Greek 99%, Other 1%

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

RELIGION: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1%, other less than 1%

MAJOR EVENTS: Athens in Bloom - May

Hellenic Festival - June through September

International Petra Festival - June to September

Nights Under the Full Moon - August

Links

How IIEPassport Reaches Students

Find out more about studying in Greece.

IIEPassport General Information

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:37:00 GMT

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Find Study Abroad Programs in Tanzania

Study Abroad in Arusha|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:36:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: About 271,000

LANGUAGE: English and Swahili

CURRENCY: Tanzanian shilling

RELIGION: Christianity 45%, and Islam 45%, other/unspecified 10%

MAJOR EVENTS: Annual Tourism Trade Fair - June

Annual Arusha Nane Nane Agricultural Show - August 8

Links -

Find study abroad programs in the Czech Republic.

Find out more about studying in Tanzania.

Study Abroad in the Czech Republic|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:09:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: Approximately 10 million

CAPITAL: Prague

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary democracy

CURRENCY: Czech koruna (CZK)

RELIGIONS: Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, unaffiliated 59%

LANGUAGES: Czech, Slovak

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Find Study Abroad Programs in Mexico City

Find out more about studying in Prague.

Study Abroad in Mexico City|IIEPassport.org

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:19:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: Approximately 9 million (Mexico City Proper), approximately 20 million (Greater Metropolitan Area)

LANGUAGE: Spanish only 93%, Spanish and indigenous languages 6%, indigenous only 1% (Entire country)

CURRENCY: Mexican peso (MXN)

RELIGION: Roman Catholic 91%, Protestant 5%, none 3%, other 1% (Mexico City only)

MAJOR EVENTS: Candelaria Feast - February

Mexican Constitution Day - February

Benito Juarez Anniversary - March

Labor Day (Demonstrations) - May

Santa Cruz Day - May

San Juan Day - June

Virgen del Carmen Day - July

Military Parade through Downtown and Reforma Avenue - September

San Francisco Day - October

San Judas Tadeo Day - October

Dia de los Muertos - November

Commemoration of the Mexican Revolution - November

Links

Find study abroad programs in Aix en Provence

Find out more about studying in Mexico.

Study Abroad in Aix En Provence|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:31:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 137,000

REGION: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: French

MAYOR: Maryse Joissains Masini

MAJOR EVENTS: Fete de la Federation, July 14 (1790) (Commemorates celebration on the one year anniversary after storming of the Bastille)

Aix-en-Provence Lyric Festival with the European Music Academy, July (six operas, an oratorio, symphony concerts, chamber music and recitals by young artists from the European Academy of Music)

Danse à Aix, July (ballet, modern, and jazz performances)

Links-

Find Study Abroad programs in Buenos Aires

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Study Abroad in Buenos Aires|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:02:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 12,400,000

CHIEF OF GOVERNMENT: Jorge Telerman

PROVINCE: Buenos Aires

MAJOR EVENTS: Buenos Aires Tango Festival, late February/early March

Feria del Libro, annual book fair, April

Atre BA (art fair), May

Anniversary of the death of Carlos Gardel, June 24

Links

Find study abroad programs in Beijing

Find out more about studying in Argentina.

Study Abroad in Beijing|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:02:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 14.2 million

GOVERNMENT: Communist State

LANGUAGES: Mandarin (official)

CURRENCY: yuan renminbi

RELIGION: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Muslim, Christianity

MAJOR EVENTS: February, Beijing Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

March, Longqing Gorge Lantern Festival

April, Beijing International Kite Festival

August, Beijing Music Festival

Links-

Find study abroad programs in Madrid

Find out more about studying in China.

Study Abroad in Madrid|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:01:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 3,230,000

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY: Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid

PROVINCE: Madrid

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGES: Spanish

MAYOR: Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón

MAJOR EVENTS: Carnaval, February/March

Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, May 2

Fiestas de San Isidro, May 15

Bull fights, start in February and continue through spring & summer, main event is Feria in May

Spanish National Day, October 12

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Shanghai

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Study Abroad in Shanghai|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:01:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 18,670,000

MAYOR: Han Zheng

CURRENCY: yuan (CNY)

LANGUAGE: Standard Mandarin (official), Shanghainese (vernacular)

MAJOR EVENTS: Spring Festival/Chinese New Year, Jan/Feb

Lantern Festival, February

Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, April

Dragon Boat Festival, June

International Arts Festival, Nov/Dec

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Paris

Find out more about studying in China.

Study Abroad in Paris|IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:05:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 2,150,000

REGION: Île-de-France

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: French

EVENTS: Victory Day, May 8 (1945)

Bastille Day/National Day, July 14 (1789)

Remembrance Day, November 11

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Vienna

Find out more about studying in France.

College Consortium for International Studies

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:22:00 GMT

Study Abroad in Vienna|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:43:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1,600,000

MAYOR: Michael Häupl

CURRENCY: German (official)

RELIGION: Euro

LANGUAGE: Roman Catholic, Protestant

MAJOR EVENTS: Vienna City Marathon, May

Life Ball, May (This spectacular annual event raises money to fight AIDS.)

Donauinselfest, June (The annual Danube Island Festival is Europe’s largest open-air festival and features various genres of popular music performed on 19 stages.)

Wiesen, June-August (This summer festival in a small town just south of Vienna features concerts by world-class jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop and reggae musicians.)

Viennale Film Festival, October

Christkindlmärkte, November-December (From the end of November through Christmas day, markets on nearly every corner in Vienna celebrate the holiday season.)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Valparaíso

Find out more about studying in Austria.

Study Abroad in Valparaiso|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:40:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 280,000

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official)

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

CURRENCY: Peso

MAJOR EVENTS: Saint Peter's and Paul's Feast Day, June

Regatta Off Valparaíso, October

Valparaiso Film Festival, November

Santuario de la Virgen de lo Vasquez (religious pilgrimage), December

Pyrotechnic Festival, New Year's Eve

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Torino

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Study Abroad in Torino|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:37:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1 million

MAYOR: Sergio Chiamparino

CURRENCY: euro

RELIGION: Catholic

LANGUAGE: Italian

MAJOR EVENTS: Turin Marathon, April

Festa di San Giovanni, June

Collengno Pellerossa Festival, July

Extra Torino Festival, July

Settembre Musica, September

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Tokyo

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Study Abroad in Tokyo|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:26:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 12,000,000+

CURRENCY: Yen

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Sicily

FACTS

POPULATION: 5 million

LANGUAGE: Italian

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

RELIGION: Mainly Roman Catholic

MAJOR EVENTS: Byzantine Epiphany Celebrations - January 6

Almond Blossom Festival - February 1-15

Sagra della Ricotta (Ricotta Festival), coincides with Saint Mark's Day and Liberation Day - April 25

Artichoke Festival - April 25

Sicilian Carriage Festival - May 1-3

Primavera Barocca (Baroque Spring Festival) - May

Arab Horse Race (Arab-Style Palio) - June

Taormina Film Festival - July

Maritime Festival - August

Couscous Festival - September 25-30

Festival of Holy Music - October, November

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Sevilla

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Study Abroad in Sevilla|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:04:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 700,000

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY: Andalucía

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

MAYOR: Alfredo Sánchez Monteseirín

LANGUAGE: Spanish

MAJOR EVENTS: Semana Santa (Holy Week), week before Easter

La Feria de Abril or April Festival

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Santiago

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Study Abroad in Santiago|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:58:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 5 million+

CURRENCY: peso

GOVERNMENT: Republic

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official)

RELIGION: Catholic

MAJOR EVENTS: January, Saint Sebastian Feast Day. The faithful venerate this patron saint of archers en masse in Yumbel.

April, Maraton Internacional de Santiago. One of South America's noted marathons.

July, Feast Day of the Virgen del Carmen. Folkloric street processions and dancing mark the feast day of this patron saint of the state and military.

September, Fiestas Patrias. A celebration of Chile's independence from Spain.

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Find study abroad programs in San Sebastián

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Study Abroad in San_Sebastian|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:51:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 180,000+

CURRENCY: Euro

LANGUAGE: Spanish

MAJOR EVENTS: San Sebastian Feast Day, January

Annual Human Rights Film Festival, February

Sagardo Eguna (Cider Day; historic local festival), May

Euskal Jaiak Festival/Regatta, September

Exponieve (skiing festival), November

Links -

Find study abroad programs in San José

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Study Abroad in San_Jose|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:43:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 2,500,000

PROVINCE: San José

CURRENCY: Costa Rican colon (CRC)

LANGUAGES: Spanish (official), English

MAYOR: Johnny Araya Monge

MAJOR EVENTS: Festival de Arte - biannual showcase featuring theatre, music, dance and film, March

Día de San José - celebrate city's patron saint, March 19

University Week - cultural celebrations at the University of Costa Rica, May

Religious holidays

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Salamanca

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Study Abroad in Salamanca|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:40:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 180,000

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY: Castilla y León

PROVINCE: Salamanca

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGES: Spanish

MAYOR: Julián Lanzarote

MAJOR EVENTS: Carnaval, February/March

Semana Santa (Holy Week), week before Easter

Feast Day for St. John of Sahagún, June

Links -

Find study abroad programs in the Czech Republic

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Study Abroad in Prague|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:11:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1,200,000

LANGUAGE: Czech

CURRENCY: Czech koruna (CZK)

Mayor: Mr. Pavel Bem

EVENTS: Three King's Day, January 6

Anniversary of Jan Palach's death: January 19 (student who immolated himself in protest against Communism in 1969)

Easter Monday

One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, April

Labor Day & Majales: May 1

Liberation Day: May 8-9

Prague Spring International Music Festival, May

Prague Writers' Festival, June

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Oxford

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Study Abroad in Oxford|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:47:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 115,000+

CURRENCY: Pound Sterling (GBP)

LANGUAGE: England

MAJOR EVENTS: Oxford vs. Cambridge University Boat Race, March

Cowley Road Carnival, June

British F1 Grand Prix, July

St. Giles Fair, September

Oxford Round Table Fireworks Displays, November

Links

Find study abroad programs in Milan

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Study Abroad in Milan|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:39:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1.4 million

REGION: Lombardy

MAYOR: Letizia Moratti

LANGUAGE: Italian

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

MAJOR EVENTS:Carnavale Ambrosiano, February

Milan Moda Donna (haute couture fashion show), February

Festa del Naviglio (festival in the illuminated Naviglio canals featuring dancing, folk music, street performers, crafts, sports, antiques markets and torchlight processions), June

Fiera di Chiaravalle (renowned fair featuring dancing, music and outdoor art exhibitions), October

Festa di Sant'Ambrogio (the favorite holiday for Milan locals, celebrated with antique stalls and a fair around the streets of Sant'Ambrogio), December

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Lima

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Study Abroad in Lima|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:04:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 8,000,000

CURRENCY: Nuevo sol (PEN)

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official), Quechua (official)

MAYOR: Luis Castañeda Lossio

MAJOR EVENTS: Independence Day, July 28 (1821)

Fiesta de la Vendimia de Surco, March (celebrates the grape harvest at this annual wine festival south of the city in Santiago de Surco)

The Lord of the Miracles, October religious procession (also launches bullfight season)

Other religious holidays

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Find study abroad programs in Guadalajara

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Study Abroad in Guadalajara|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:01:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1,665,800

STATE: Jalisco

CURRENCY: Peso

LANGUAGE: Spanish

MAJOR EVENTS: September, Encuentro Internacional Del Mariachi

October, October Festival (a month-long party featuring cultural and artistic events, carnival rides, handicrafts, and local foods as well as tequila products)

October, Marathon Internacional de Guadalajara

November, Feria Maestros del Arte: an annual exhibition of Mexican folk art started in 2002.

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Grenoble

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Study Abroad in Grenoble|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:58:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 400,000

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: French

MAYOR: Michel Destot

RELIGION: Rhône-Alpes

MAJOR EVENTS: Fête de la Fédération, July 14 (1790)

Open Air Short Films Festival, July

Berlioz Festival, August

38e Rugissants Festival, November (music festival)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Geneva

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Study Abroad in Geneva|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:50:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 185,526 (city proper) 433,692 (urban area)

REGION: West Switzerland

LANGUAGE: French is the primary language in Geneva, but German and Italian are also official Swiss languages, and English is widely spoken

RELIGION: Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish

CURRENCY: Swiss Franc (but the Euro is also widely accepted)

MAJOR EVENTS: Paléo Festival Nyon (music festival), July

Eté Musicale (Musical Summer), July to September

Swiss National Day, August 1

Fête de Genève (street festival), August

Cinéma Tout Ecran (film festival), October

Fête de l'Escalade (independence celebration), December 11

Links

Find study abroad programs in Florence

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Study Abroad in Florence|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:34:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 400,000

REGION: Tuscany

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: Italian (official)

MAJOR EVENTS: Explosion of the Cart, Easter Saturday fireworks in front of the Duomo

Feast of St. John the Baptist (patron saint of the city), 24 June

Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

Gioco del Calcio Storico, June (football in 16th century costumes)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Elba

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Study Abroad in Elba|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:28:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Lucca

FACTS

ELBA POPULATION: 30,000

LUCCA POPULATION: 79,783

LANGUAGE: Italian

CURRENCY: Euro

RELIGION: Catholic

ELBA MAJOR EVENTS: Porto Azzurro Carnival, February

Quarrymen's Festival, May

Elba Cup, July

Grape Festival, September

LUCCA MAJOR EVENTS: Festa St. Zita, April

Lucca Summer Festival, July

Ancient Palio della Balestra and Historical Procession, July

Murabilia (botanical show), September

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Find study abroad programs in Dublin

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Study Abroad in Dublin|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:16:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 500,000

PROVINCE: Leinster

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

LANGUAGE: English (official), Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge)

MAJOR EVENTS: St. Patrick's Day, March

Bloomsday, June 16 (celebrates works of James Joyce)

Dublin Theatre Festival, October

Religious Holidays throughout the year

Links -

Find Study Abroad Programs in Cape Town

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Study Abroad in Cape Town|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:41:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: About 3.5 million

LANGUAGE: Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa (3 official languages)

CURRENCY: Rand (ZAR)

RELIGION: Zion Christian, Pentecostal/Charismatic, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Muslim, other indigenous beliefs and animist

MAJOR EVENTS: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts - February

Cape Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour - March

Cape Town International Jazz Festival - early April

Cape Gourmet Festival - May

International Kite Festival - September

Rothmans Week Sailing Regatta - December

Links -
Explore Other Featured Cities

Find out more about studying in Cape Town Cape Town.

Study Abroad in Bilbao|IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:50:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Bilbao

FACTS

POPULATION: 350,000

CURRENCY: Euro

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official), English

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary Monarchy

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic

MAJOR EVENTS: St. Agueda's Day, February

Carnaval, April

Festividad de La Magdalena, July

O Grove Seafood Festival, October

Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day), November

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Barcelona

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Study Abroad in Barcelona|IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:23:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 1,670,000

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY: Catalonia

PROVINCE: Barcelona

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:01:00 GMT

Find study abroad programs in Sweden

FACTS

POPULATION: 9,031,088

CAPITAL: Stockholm

GOVERNMENT TYPE: constitutional monarchy

CURRENCY: Swedish krona (SEK)

RELIGIONS: Lutheran 87%, other 13%

LANGUAGES: Swedish (official), English

MAJOR EVENTS: April: Walpurgis Night (Spring festival featuring bonfires and song. Strong student traditions surround the Walpurgis Night)

June: Midsummer's Eve (Originally a pagan festival, celebrated today with maypoles and feasting)

June: The Hultsfred Festival (Sweden's largest rock music event)

July: Stockholm Jazz Festival

November: Advent

December: Lucia Day (Swedish festival of lights, celebrating the life of St. Lucia).

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Scotland

Study Abroad in Scotland|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:55:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Edinburgh

LANGUAGE: English, Gaelic

POPULATION: 5.1 million

RELIGION(S): Presbyterian Church of Scotland, other Presbyterian Churches, Anglican, Catholic

CURRENCY: Pound Sterling

MAJOR EVENTS: Edinburgh Festival - August; Hogmanay - January

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Russia

Study Abroad in Russia|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:53:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 142,893,540

CAPITAL: Moscow

CURRENCY: Russian ruble (RUR)

RELIGIONS: Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2%

LANGUAGE: Russian, many minority languages

MAJOR EVENTS: Victory Day, May 9th

Russia Day, 12 June (1991)

Easter (Spring)

Christmas (January 7th)

Russian Winter Festival (late December)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Portugal

Study Abroad in Portugal|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:50:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Lisbon

LANGUAGES: Portuguese

POPULATION: 10,642,836 (July 2007 est.)

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic (90.4%), Protestant (4%), Other (5.6%)

CURRENCY: Portuguese Escudo (PTE), Euro (EUR)

MAJOR EVENTS
Freedom Day (commemorating 1974 Carnation Revolution that ended fascist regime and started Democracy) - April 25
Portuguese National Day (1580) - June 10
Our Lady of Nazaré Festival (singing, dancing, bullfights, carrying image of Our Lady to the sea) - September
Republic Day (celebrating the end of the Monarchy and the beginning of the Portuguese Republic) - October 5
Independence Restoration Day - December 1 (celebrating the reinstatement of sovereignty after the era of Spanish rule 1580-1640)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Poland

Study Abroad in Poland|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:47:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 38,518,247

GOVERNMENT TYPE: republic

CAPITAL: Warsaw

CURRENCY: zloty (PLN)

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

LANGUAGE: Polish

MAJOR EVENTS:
June - July, Kraków Jewish Culture Festival

August, Summer Jazz Festival

August, International Highland Folk Festival

August, International Students' Festival of Folklore

September, Biskupin Archaeological Festival

October, Wratislavia Cantans International Festival (music celebration including chamber music concerts, recitals, presentations, art exhibitions, and more)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in the Netherlands!

Study Abroad in Netherlands|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:26:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 16.5 million

CAPITAL: Amsterdam

GOVERNMENT TYPE: constitutional monarchy

CURRENCY: euro

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 6%, none 41%, other 2%

LANGUAGES: Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

MAJOR EVENTS:
Amsterdam Art Week, March

Queen's Day Festival, April

Carnival, April

Amsterdam Roots Festival, June

North Sea Jazz Festival, July

Bock Beer Festival, October

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Italy

Study Abroad in Italy|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:09:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Rome

LANGUAGE: Italian (official), German (Trentino-Alto Adige region), French (Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Trieste-Gorizia area)

POPULATION: Approximately 58 million

RELIGION: Roman Catholic 90%; other 10% (includes Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities)

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

GOVERNMENT: Republic

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Ireland

Study Abroad in Ireland|IIEPassport.org

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:06:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 4,234,925

CAPITAL: Dublin

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5%

LANGUAGE: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
note: English is the predominant second language

MAJOR EVENTS: Dublin International Film Festival, February

Six Nations Rugby Internationals, February-March

St. Patrick's Day, 17 March

POPULATION: 5,450,661

CAPITAL: Copenhagen

CURRENCY:Danish krone (DKK)

RELIGIONS: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%

LANGUAGE: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language

MAJOR EVENTS: National holiday - none designated

Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day

Religious holidays

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Find study abroad programs in Austria!

Study Abroad in Austria|IIEPassport.org

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:57:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Vienna

LANGUAGES: German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census)

POPULATION: 8,199,780 (approx)

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)

CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Federal Republic

Links

Find study abroad programs in Venezuela

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Study Abroad in Venezuela|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:08:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Caracus

LANGUAGES: Spanish (official), numerous Indigenous dialects

POPULATION: 26,023,528 (July 2007)

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic (96%), Protestant (2%), Other (2%)

CURRENCY: Bolivar (VEB)

MAJOR EVENTS: Carnaval - Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Peru

Study Abroad in Peru|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:04:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Lima

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and many languages of the Amazon region

POPULATION: 29 million

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 81%, other 3%, unspecified or none 16%

CURRENCY: nuevo sol (PEN))

Government Type: Constitutional republic

MAJOR EVENTS: Marinera Dance Festival - January

Qoyllur Rit'I (Local Festival in Cusco Region) - May or June

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) - June

Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul - June 29

Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Independence Day) - July 28-29

Feast of Saint Rose of Lima - August 30

Battle of Angamos - October 8

Immaculate Conception - December 8

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Mexico

Find out more about studying in Lima.

Study Abroad in Mexico|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:01:00 GMT

FACTS

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Federal Republic

POPULATION: 109 million

CAPITAL: Mexico City

CURRENCY: Mexican peso

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic, Protestant

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official), regional indigenous languages

MAJOR EVENTS: January, Reyes Magos. Celebrates the day the Three Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem to deliver gifts to the baby Jesus.

March, Carnaval. Mexico's pre-Lenten costumed revelry, centered around the coastal city of Veracruz, rivals its better-known counterparts in Rio or New Orleans.

April, Semana Santa. This last week of Lent includes the religious holidays of Palm Sunday and Good Friday, and serves as Mexico's "spring break."

July, Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen. An annual blending of Catholic religion and Andean pre-Columbian festivities, featuring costumed dancers.

September, Día de la Independencia. Hidalgo's call for insurrection against Spain in 1810 led to Mexican independence after a decade-long war. His words are repeated each year in this national day of independence.

November, Día de los Muertos. A ritual during which Mexicans lovingly and joyfully remember their deceased loved ones and celebrate the continuation of life.

December, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. Mexico widely celebrates the appearance of the Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on the hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City.

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Ecuador

Find out more about studying in Guadalajara.

Study Abroad in Ecuador|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:58:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Quito

LANGUAGES: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quichua, Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua)

POPULATION: Approximately 14 million

RELIGION: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Currency: US dollar (USD)

Government Type: Democratic Republic

MAJOR EVENTS: Carnival - February-March

Amazon & Galapagos Day - Amazon River discovery anniversary - February

Riobamba (Chimborazo) - Folk dances, parades, fairs, bullfights - April

Saint Peter's and Paul's Festivities - Fireworks, music, bonfires, feasts - June

Guayaquil (Guayas) - City's founding celebrations - July

Fiesta Civica Nacional - Independence Day - August

Cuenca Independence Day - Parades, artisan fairs, cultural events - November

Quito (Pichincha) - Quito's Spanish foundation anniversary - December

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Costa Rica

Study Abroad in Costa_Rica|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:55:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 4,075,261

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

POPULATION: 40,301,927 (est. July 2007)

CAPITAL: Buenos Aires

CURRENCY: Argentine peso (ARS)

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

LANGUAGE: Spanish

MAJOR EVENTS: World Tango Festival, January

Carnival, March

Arte Buenos Aires, May

Festival Internacional de Buenos (celebration of theater, dance, music, visual arts), September

Día de la Raza (Day of the Race, a celebration of modern Latin America and of Columbus Day and his controversial "discovery" of the Western Hemisphere), October 12

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Vietnam!

Find out more about studying in Buenos Aires.

Study Abroad in Vietnam|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:36:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 84,402,966

CAPITAL: Hanoi

CURRENCY: dong (VND)

RELIGIONS: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8%

LANGUAGE: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

MAJOR EVENTS: Tet - Late January/early February

Liberation of Saigon - April 30

Wandering Souls Day - August

Ho Chi Minh's Birthday - May 19

Independence Day - September 2 (1945)

Links

Find study abroad programs in Thailand!

Study Abroad in Thailand|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:33:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Bangkok

LANGUAGE(S):Thai, English (most popular foreign language), ethnic and regional dialects

POPULATION: 65,444,371

RELIGIONS: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1%

CURRENCY: baht (THB)

MAJOR EVENTS: Birthday of the King - December 5
Birthday of the Queen - August 12
Songkran Holiday (Thai New Year) - April

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Singapore!

Study Abroad in Singapore|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:30:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Singapore

LANGUAGE(S): Mandarin 35%, other Chinese dialects 24%, English 23%, Malay 14%, Tamil 3%, other 1%

POPULATION: 4.6 million permanent residents; 1 million foreign workers and professionals

RELIGIONS: Buddhist 42%, Muslim 15%, Taoist 8%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 5%, other Christian 10%, other 1%, none 15%

CURRENCY: Singapore dollar (SGD)

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary republic

MAJOR EVENTS: Chinese New Year - January/February*

Good Friday (Christianity) - March/April*

Vesak Day (Buddhism)*

Labor Day - May 1

National Day - August 9

Hari Raya Puasa (Islam)*

Deepavali (Hinduism) - October/November*

Christmas Day (Christianity) - December 25

Hari Raya Haji (Islam)*

*Determined by lunar calendar; date varies

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Korea!

Study Abroad in Korea

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:24:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 48,846,823

CAPITAL: Seoul

CURRENCY: South Korean won (KRW)

RELIGIONS: no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%, other 1%

LANGUAGE: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school

MAJOR EVENTS: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Links -

Find study abroad programs in New Zealand

Study Abroad in New Zealand

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:20:30 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 4,182,000

CAPITAL: Wellington

CURRENCY: New Zealand dollar (NZD) approximately U.S.$0.73 as of 1 May 2007

RELIGIONS: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26%

LANGUAGES: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)

MAJOR EVENTS: Wine Festival, Marlborough - February

Pasifika Celebration of Polynesian culture, Auckland - March

Savour New Zealand, Christchurch - April

New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival, Christchurch - April

Auckland Cup, Auckland - December

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Japan!

Find out more about studying in Auckland.

Study Abroad in Japan|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:15:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Tokyo

LANGUAGE: Japanese

POPULATION: Approximately 127 million

RELIGIONS: Shinto and Buddhism 84%, other 16%

CURRENCY: Yen (JPY)

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government

MAJOR EVENTS:
O-shogatsu - New Year's Day - January 1 to 3

Hana matsuri - Buddha's birthday festival - April 8

Midori-no-hi - Golden Week - April 29-May 5

Kempo-kinembi - Constitution Day - May 3

Taiiku-no-hi - Health-Sports Day - 2nd Monday in October

Kinro-kansha-no-hi - Thanksgiving Day - November 23

Tenno-tanjobi - Emperor Akihito's birthday - December 23

Omisoka - New Year's Eve - December 31

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Hong Kong!

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Study Abroad in Hong_Kong|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:43:00 GMT

FACTS

POPULATION: 6,980,412

GOVERNMENT TYPE: limited democracy

CURRENCY: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

RELIGIONS: Local faiths including Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism 90%, Christian, 10%

LANGUAGES: Cantonese (official), English (official), other Chinese dialects

MAJOR EVENTS:
Chinese New Year, January/February

Tin Hau Festival (Queen of Heaven Festival), April

Cheung Chau Bun Festival (annual event at the Pak Tai Temple on Cheung Chau Island featuring street processions and a carnival atmosphere), May

Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival, June

Mid-Autumn (Lantern) Festival, October

Links -

Find study abroad programs in Tanzania!

Study Abroad in Tanzania|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:03:00 GMT

FACTS

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

POPULATION: 39 million

CAPITAL: Dodoma (political), Dar es Salaam (commercial)

CURRENCY: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

RELIGIONS: Christian (30%), Muslim (35%), indigenous beliefs (35%)

LANGUAGE: Swahili (official), English (official language of commerce, administration and education)

MAJOR EVENTS: Union Day (commemorates the 1964 unification of Zanzibar and Tanganyika), April

Zanzibar Cultural Festival (features traditional and contemporary dance, music, arts and crafts), July

Peasants' Day (celebrates the 1954 founding of the Tanganyika African National Union), August

Dar es Salaam Music and Dance Festival, September

Links -

Find study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic

Study Abroad in the Dominican Republic|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:02:00 GMT

FACTS

CAPITAL: Santo Domingo

LANGUAGE: Spanish

POPULATION: 9 million

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

CURRENCY: Dominican Peso (DOP)

MAJOR EVENTS:

Procession of Our Lady of Altagracia - January

Carnaval - February

Latin Music Festival/Presidente Festival - June

Merengue Festival - July

Festival of the Bulls - August

Dominican Republic Jazz Festival - October

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Study Abroad in Jamaica|IIEPassport.org

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:01:00 GMT

POPULATION: 21,029,853

CAPITAL: Accra

CURRENCY: cedi

RELIGIONS: Traditional religions 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 12%

LANGUAGE: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

MAJOR EVENTS: Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Religious holidays

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How do I stay healthy?

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:14:21 GMT

Before you go abroad make sure to have your regular physical and dental checkups. If you take prescription medications regularly, bring a supply to last throughout your time abroad, if practical. It might be wise to also have a letter from your home physician or pharmacist describing your medicines, their dosage, a generic name for them and describing the condition being treated. Make sure all drugs are in the original pharmacy containers and are clearly labeled. You should carry copies of the prescriptions to avoid problems with Customs. If you are diabetic or have another medical condition in which a syringe is needed to administer medication, bring a supply of disposable syringes. For the flight to your program site, put any prescription medication, eyeglasses, and contact lenses in your carry-on bag. Don't take the risk of these items being misrouted or lost with your checked luggage.

Immunizations may be required by certain countries. Even if they are not required, consult your doctor, local travel clinic or county health department to see if they are recommended. It may also be wise for you to have your basic childhood immunizations (tetanus, polio, diphtheria, etc.) updated. If you will be traveling to a developing country, then typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, cholera and yellow fever are frequently recommended immunizations. Don't forget anti-malarial medicine if traveling to malarial areas.

Try to get information about the health care system of where you will be studying so you are prepared and take a medical kit along with basic first aid items. Be aware of issues you might face regarding a new diet, water that may be unhealthy, and other such concerns. Be prepared for basic ailments such as diarrhea with standard over the counter medications or potentially prescription strength options.

The rules for staying safe and healthy abroad are typically very similar to those at home. Avoid drug use or excessive alcohol consumption. Be aware of the dangers of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in certain countries where HIV is a widespread health problem. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Don't wander alone at night or in unfamiliar areas. Be careful when dealing with unfamiliar traffic patterns and situations. Don't attract unnecessary attention to yourself. Protect your passport. Our Student Guide has many more helpful suggestions, but these are some of the basics.

Return to FAQs Page

The contents of this handbook are intended for the use of students, advisers, and administrators. The contents of this handbook are the property of EducationDynamics and author Bill Hoffa, and are protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America.

Hot Study Abroad Programs

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:19:37 GMT

The following programs are either brand new or have recently added a completely new feature. Be one of the first to explore the world through these hot programs and check them out below!

New Program!

Program Name: London Milan 2010: The Dual City Summer Sessions for Design in Europe

Provider: London Milan Courses from Central Saint Martins, Naba & Domus Academy.

City and Country: London, England and Milan, Italy

Duration: London: Monday 5th July to Thursday 15th July 2010 Milan: Tuesday 20th July to Friday 30th July 2010

Description:

London Milan 2010: The Dual City Summer Sessions for Design in Europe

London: Monday 5th July to Thursday 15th July 2010
Milan: Tuesday 20th July to Friday 30th July 2010

Students and new designers from around the world are again being invited to enrol on to the London Milan Summer Session for four weeks of design tuition and experimentation across three world-renowned institutions. Now in its fifth successful year, this unique collaboration between Central Saint Martins in London and Domus Academy and NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan enables students to study in two of Europe's most inspiring cities taking complementary courses in the fields of Fashion Design and Styling, Interior Design and Product Design. Last year over 200 students from 40 different countries joined these dynamic short courses and came away with fresh ideas, new creative energies and new friends.

Our Courses are in English and suitable for all ages (18+) and abilities

Our starter courses run 5 - 30 July 2010 and are hands-on practical courses suitable for beginners and portfolio builders, perfect for anyone planning on applying for further studies or trying something new. Each subject area requires studying in London and Milan.

London: 5-15 July 2010 and Milan: 20-30 July 2010

Fashion Design for Beginners
Fashion Styling for Beginners
Interior Design for Beginners
Product Design for Beginners

All other courses assume previous degree-level education (at least two-years completed) in the subject and are aimed at people wishing to refresh existing skills, learn a new approach to current work or simply a chance to network with like-minded people. Courses in Cultural Tours and Cool Hunting are open to people at all levels of ability. You can attend a course in London or Milan, or take a course in each city in either a complimentary subject or subjects that are completely different.

London: 5-15 July 2010
Cool Hunting
Cultural Tour of the Best in Design
Creating a Fashion Collection
Interior Design for Retail
Design for Consumer Electronics

Milan: 20-30 July 2010
Cool Hunting
Cultural Tour of the Best in Design
Creating a Fashion Collection
Interior Design for Hotels
Global Wellness Design

The Colleges

Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London
From the iconic design of London's red Routemaster buses and the chopper bike to exquisite fashion at Dior and Chloé, Central Saint Martins' alumni have made a profound impact on our lives. CSM staff and students continue to build on past successes by pushing the boundaries of the education and practice of art and design. In 2009 Central Saint Martins welcomed over 5,000 students on to more than 400 art, design and performance summer courses, in addition to 6,000 term time short course students and 4,500 undergraduates and postgraduates. Central Saint Martins is the complete arts college, providing unrivalled opportunities to enable students to realise their potential and make a significant contribution to the 21st century.

Domus Academy, Milan
Founded in Milan, Italy in 1982 as an open project constructed around Italian experiences in Design and Fashion, Domus Academy has developed two major areas of specialisation, each enriched by exchange and synergies with the other: on the one hand, the institution has established itself as an international centre for postgraduate training; on the other, it has become an important landmark for research and consulting for themes including innovation and design. Training is conducted through nine, one-year master courses in Milan, realised with the collaboration and support of premiere companies. The school's master degrees are recognised by the University of Wales and valued at a total of 180 credits. An extensive range of intensive short courses, preparatory programmes and semester abroad programmes are also available.

NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti), Milan
NABA, a renowned academy of fine arts and design, was formed in 1980 by a group of artists, with the intention of challenging the rigid academic traditions of the time by introducing new visions and languages closer to contemporary artistic practice and the creative professions. NABA training programs are based on a cross-disciplinary method aimed at developing artistic-professional skills and profiles in the fields of art, design, fashion, media and graphic design. NABA is an international institution, which integrates students of 48 different nationalities in its educational programs and promotes intensive educational exchanges with Art and Design universities in Europe, USA, Latin America and Asia. NABA is committed to promoting critical thinking, effective communication skills and competence in new technologies in an open and tolerant environment, with the participation of inspiring faculty and lecturers from leading national and international practices. NABA extensive campus is located in the Navigli (canals) area, one of the liveliest districts of the city.

More information and bookings

Secure online booking and further details available at www.london-milan-courses.com

Email enquiries to either:

London@london-milan-courses.com
>NabaMilan@london-milan-courses.com (for the Milan beginner courses)
DomusMilan@london-milan-courses.com (for all other Milan courses)

or call the Short Course office at Central Saint Martins on +44 (0)207 514 7015 Monday to Friday 9.30 -17.30.

IIEPassport Study Abroad Directories

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:18:00 GMT

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It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad resources

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:18:35 GMT

Resources for Studying and Working Abroad, and International Careers

By William Nolting
University of Michigan International Center
http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/swt/
2008-2009

** = Best bets to start with, essential resources
* = Good for further exploration

Worldwide Study and Internships Abroad

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Study Abroad

Work & Volunteering Abroad

International Careers

Travel Abroad Resources

Key Publishers

Worldwide Study and Internships Abroad
** Abroad View. A non-profit organization that provides college students with opportunities for discourse and initiatives that encourage intercultural and global citizenship development. Its key activities are maintaining www.abroadview.org, a comprehensive global education resource for students, and producing Abroad View Magazine, a biannual magazine that features first-hand reports by students on their experiences abroad. Abroad View is the student magazine of The Forum on Education Abroad and it is distributed for free upon request to study abroad offices (order form available online).

* Advisery List of International Educational Travel & Exchange Programs. Annual. $17.50. Council on Standards for International Educational Travel, 212 S Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314; Ph: 703-739-9050, Fax: 703-739-9035; web: www.csiet.org. Lists programs for high school students that adhere to CSIET's standards.

** Directory of International Internships: A World of Opportunities edited by Charles A. Gliozzo and Kelly Bishop. 2003. 5th edition. 176 pp. $27 (student rate) or $34 from Media Center, Michigan State University, PO Box 710, East Lansing, MI 48824-0710; Ph: 517-353-9229, Fax: 517-432-2650.
Order online at www.msuvmall.msu.edu/imc(search using "internships"). A comprehensive directory of both academic and non-academic internships located abroad. Profiles more than 500 internship programs offered by 165 organizations. Cross-indexes for both subject & location.

** Glimpse magazine. Free online at www.glimpseabroad.org, with subscription information for hardcopy magazine ($24.95 for four issues). Non-profit quarterly features first-hand reports by students on their experiences abroad. Associated with the National Geographic Society.

** IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad/IIEPassport: Short-Term Study Abroad . (Annual. Marie O'Sullivan, ed. Institute of International Education (see Key Publishers). 960 pp. (AYA)/806 pp. (STSA), $49.95 each plus $7.95 shipping. Free online at www.iiepassport.org. These are the most comprehensive and authoritative directories of study abroad programs, listing over 4,100 programs offered during fall and spring semesters (AYA) and more than 3,600 offered summer or short-term (STSA). A special options index lists internships, practical training, volunteering, and student teaching programs. Also indexed for subjects, cost, and more. Available at college study abroad offices. Includes the highly-recommended It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad, edited by William Hoffa.

* Maximizing Study Abroad: A Student's Guide to Strategies for Language and Culture Learning and Use by Paige, Cohen, Kappler, Chi and Lassegard. 2002. 237 pp. $12 from University of Minnesota's CARLA, www.carla.acad.umn.edu. For students who want to make the most of their study abroad experience, this flexible and user-friendly guide helps students identify and use a wide variety of language- and culture-learning strategies.

* Mobility International. Free online at www.miusa.org. Organization's website provides a comprehensive guide to international exchange, study, and volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities.

* Peterson's Study Abroad. Peterson's. Annual. 640 pp. $29.95 plus shipping from Peterson's (see Key Publishers). Detailed information on nearly 1,500 semester and academic year study abroad programs worldwide for college students, but no index for finding internships.

** Peterson's Short-Term Study Abroad. Peterson's. Annual. 500 pp. $29.95 plus shipping from Peterson's. Detailed information on over 1,300 summer and short-term (up to 12 weeks) study abroad programs worldwide, but no index for finding internships.

** StudyAbroad.com. Free online at www.studyabroad.com. Website is searchable for study, internships, volunteering and teaching abroad.

** Transitions Abroad Free online at www.TransitionsAbroad.com. This is the only US-based magazine that offers first-hand reports with lots of practical advice on all varieties of education abroad experiences, from studying to working, volunteering and traveling abroad.

** University of Michigan International Center's Overseas Opportunities Office (website), web: http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/swt/, by William Nolting. Comprehensive collection of articles along with hundreds of selected annotated websites and books for study, scholarships and financial aid, internships, volunteering, teaching, and working abroad, plus international careers.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Study Abroad
* Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad 2006-08 edited by Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber. 2006. 388 pp. $45 plus $5 shipping from Reference Service Press, www.rspfunding.com. Lists nearly 1,000 funding sources available to support research, professional development, teaching assignments, or creative activities. Indexes for level of study, location, and subject. Relatively few listings are for undergraduates.

** Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad 2006-2008 edited by Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber. 2006. 398 pp. $39.50 plus $5 shipping from Reference Service Press, www.rspfunding.com. Lists almost 1,000 funding sources available to support formal educational programs such as study abroad, training, internships, workshops, or seminars. Useful for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs; some listings for professionals. Indexes for level of study, location, and subject. This is the most up-to-date and comprehensive print directory of scholarships for study abroad currently available.

** IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding, www.StudyAbroadFunding.org Institute of International Education (see Key Publishers). IIE offers this new online database of scholarships. IIE also administers a number of study abroad scholarship programs. See www.iie.org for applications for scholarships available to undergraduates, including Gilman, Freeman-Asia, and NSEP. IIE also administers the Fulbright scholarships for graduating seniors and graduates.

* Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Information available free from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, 1 Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston IL 60201-3698; tel: 847-866-3000; fax: 847-328-8554; www.rotary.org. This is one of the largest scholarships for study abroad available to undergraduates, graduating seniors and graduate students. Note that application is possible only through the Rotary Club in one's hometown or college town. Deadlines, set locally, range from March through July in the year prior to the study abroad year.

* Student Guide to Federal Financial Aid, US Department of Education, annual. Available free from: US Department of Education, PO Box 44, Washington DC 20044, or online at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/guide. Financial aid is the main source of funding for most study abroad students who have financial need. Be sure to consult with your own university's financial aid and study abroad offices!

Work & Volunteering Abroad
* Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Third World and US Volunteer Opportunities edited by Paul Backhurst. 2005 (11th edition). 128 pp. $11.95 from Food First Books; foodfirst@foodfirst.org, www.foodfirst.org. Order online. Thoroughly researched guide to voluntary service, study, and alternative travel overseas and in the US with organizations which "address the political and economic causes of poverty."

** Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething's Guide to Seeking Adventure by Collen Kinder. 2005. 240 pp. $12.95 from Running Press-see author's website at www.delayingtherealworld.com. Recent Yale graduate scouts out experiences that will not only satisfy your free spirit, but also pay the bills, make the world a better place, and maybe even catapult you into a future career! Inspiring book covers options both abroad and in the US. ** How to Get a Job in Europe: The Insider's Guide by Cheryl Matherly and Robert Sanborn. 2003 (5th edition). 494pp. $22.95 plus $3 shipping from Planning Communications, http://jobfindersonline.com. Names and addresses of over 2,000 companies in 39 countries, suggestions on how to conduct an international job hunt, and listings of work abroad programs. Improved over previous editions, this is now the most helpful book for Americans interested in working in Europe.

** How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Abroad by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher. 2002. 467 pp. $17. Penguin-Putnam, www.volunteerinternational.org. Searchable database of volunteer-abroad programs. IVPA's members are encouraged to follow IVPA's principles of good practice, listed on the website.

** Teaching English Abroad: Teach Your Way Around the World. By Susan Griffith. 2007 (8th edition). 574 pp. Vacation Work (UK). $21.95 from Globe Pequot Press. This outstanding volume gives in-depth information on everything from preparation (including TEFL courses) to the job search. Country-by country coverage worldwide. Many first-hand reports from teachers. Extensive directories of schools with full contact information including email addresses and websites.

** Volunteer: A Traveler's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World. . Charlotte Hindle, ed. 2007. 271 pp. $19.95 from Lonely Planet, www.lonelyplanet.com. New guide from a major budget guidebook publisher provides up-to-date advice along with information on 190 organizations.

** Work Abroad: the Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas. Edited by Clay Hubbs, with Susan Griffith and William Nolting. 2003. 192 pp. $19.95 from Transitions Abroad. Comprehensive book from an American perspective with informative articles and hundreds of contacts and websites essential for success in the international workplace. Includes chapters on international careers, internships, volunteering and short-term jobs abroad, and teaching abroad. Order at www.WorkingTraveler.com.

** Work Your Way Around The World by Susan Griffith. 2007 (13th edition). 608 pp. Vacation Work (UK). $21.95 from Globe Pequot Press. The only guide to looking for short-term jobs while abroad. Extensive country-by-country narratives include first-hand reports.

International Careers
* Best Resumes and CVs For International Jobs: Your Passport to the Global Job Market by Ron Krannich and Wendy S. Enelow. 2002. $24.95 from Impact Publications, www.impactpublications.com (see Key Publishers). Includes over 100 examples of professionally produced international resumes and CVs for a variety of occupations and experience levels.

** The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas (formerly The Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas) by Jean-Marc Hachey. 2004 (4th edition). 1085 pp. (includes CD-ROM with an additional 500 pages; online version available). $49.95 US or $59.95 CDN from Intercultural Systems/Systemes Interculturels (ISSI) Inc, tel: 416-925-0479, www.WorkingOverseas.com. This is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date guides available for work abroad and international careers. No other guide reviews as many resources or provides as much in-depth advice. Topics range from resumes and job search to specific regions and types of work. Profiles organizations based in Canada and the US, but omits information on US government agencies.

** Careers in International Affairs edited by Maria Pinto Carland and Lisa A. Gihring. 2003. (7th edition). 371 pp. $24.95 from Georgetown University Press, 800-246-9606, www.press.georgetown.edu. A comprehensive overview of international career fields. Surveys major organizations in all international sectors and includes insightful first-hand essays by practitioners. From the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, this book is highly recommended as the best introduction for those serious about entering an international career.

* The Directory of Websites for International Jobs by Ron and Caryl Krannich. 2002. 147 pp. $19.95 from Impact Publications, www.impactpublications.com. Identifies more than 1,400 web sites for launching a global job search. The authors, renowned for their extensive career publications, also cover strategies for organizing an effective online job search.

** The Global Citizen: A Guide to Creating an International Life and Career by Elizabeth Kruempelmann. 2002. 384 pp. $16.95 from Ten Speed Press, www.tenspeed.com. Interesting book covers a broad spectrum of overseas options, from getting started ("Uncovering Your Global Passion") to examples of work abroad programs, to advice for professionals living abroad.

* International Job Finder: Where the Jobs are Worldwide. by Daniel Lauber with Kraig Rice. 2002. 345 pp. $19.95 plus $5.50 s/h from Planning/Communications, 7215 Oak Ave., River Forest, IL 60305; orders toll-free 888-366-5200; dl@jobfindersonline.com, http://jobfindersonline.com. Provides information on over 1200 resources - web and print - for an international job search, including: specialty and trade periodicals, job hotlines, Internet job and resume databases, job placement services, avoiding job scams, directories, and salary surveys.

** International Jobs: Where They Are and How to Get Them. By Nina Segal and Eric Kocher. 2003 (6th edition). 336 pp. $19.95 from Basic Books. Overview of international career fields and how to prepare for them, by authors associated with Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

* Jobs for Travel Lovers: Opportunities at Home and Abroad by Ronald and Caryl Krannich. 2006. 291 pp. $19.95 from Impact Publications, web: www.impactpublications.com. The latest information for those who want to work the world before settling down, including but going far beyond the travel industry, including chapters on government, education, teaching abroad, non-governmental organizations and business. Explores motivations; 50 myths about jobs involving travel; includes internet sites, teaching abroad, and internships.

* Journey to Become a Diplomat (with a Guide to Careers in World Affairs). By George Cunningham. 2005. $19.95 from Foreign Policy Association, www.fpa.org, or tel: 800-477-5836. First section of this book recounts one man's travels in Africa and how this shaped his future as a diplomat. The second section focuses on the major organizations that offer employment in diplomacy and international affairs. Click on "Bookstore" for this publication, and on "Job Board" for free online listings of internships and jobs in international affairs.

Travel Abroad Resources
** Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tel: 800-311-3435 (toll-free), www.cdc.gov/travel. This federal agency provides information on health conditions and recommendations for immunizations and tips on staying healthy in countries worldwide. Be sure to consult with your university's health service.

* Currency Converter - Oanda, www.oanda.com/convert/classic.The Oanda converter allows for factoring-in different rates typical of credit-card and cash exchanges.

* Electronic Embassy, www.embassy.org, website only, connects to the websites of the US-based embassies of foreign countries, which provide valuable information about visa requirements and cultural and travel information.

* Hostelling International - USA, www.hiusa.org Hostels are the cheapest and friendliest accommodations worldwide. HI-USA is the American branch of this nonprofit international organization. You can book hostels worldwide from their website.

* International Association for Medical Assistance for Travelers, 1623 Military Rd #279, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-1745; tel: 716-754-4883; www.iamat.org. Provides information on English-speaking doctors abroad.

** ISIC International Student ID Cards. STA Travel (see below) issues the US version of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). It is good for discounts abroad, can be used as a phone card with voicemail, and comes with an emergency assistance hotline and a barebones health insurance policy. Purchase at www.statravel.com (click on "Deals and Discounts").

** Let's Go travel guidebooks (published by St Martin's Press), available in most bookstores or from: www.letsgo.com. Travel guidebook series for low-cost student travel, authored by Harvard students.

** Lonely Planet travel guidebooks, available in most bookstores or from Lonely Planet Publications, www.lonelyplanet.com. Travel guidebook series for low-cost travel to every world region.

* Mobility International USA (MIUSA), PO Box 10767, Eugene OR 97440, tel: 541-343-1284 (voice/TDD); fax: 541-343-6812; e-mail: info@miusa.org; web: www.miusa.org. MIUSA provides publications and videos on including persons with disabilities in international exchange and travel programs.

* Rail Europe, www.raileurope.com. Website of a major US provider of Eurail passes has information about point-to-point tickets and rail schedules, in addition to information about Eurail and regional or country railpasses.

* Rough Guide travel guidebooks, available from most bookstores or from Rough Guides, www.travelroughguides.com. Travel guidebook series for low-cost travel.

** STA Travel, tel: 800-781-4040 (to find nearest office); www.statravel.com. This travel agency specializes in low-cost student tickets, railpasses and other items for student travel, and issues the US version of the ISIC international student ID card.

** US Department of State, www.state.gov. Essential help from the US government, for everything from travel safety advisories to crisis assistance for US citizens abroad, as well as contact information for all US embassies and consulates abroad. Also lists foreign embassies and consulates in the US. Frequently-consulted parts of this very comprehensive website include the following:

International Travel for US Citizens,
http://travel.state.gov/travel
** Travel Warnings and Information,
http://travel.state.gov/travel(click on Tips for Traveling Abroad, then Registration with Embassies) - register your travel itinerary while abroad
Travel Tips for Students,
http://travel.state.gov/travel (click on Living Abroad, then Study Abroad)
Online US Embassies, Consulates, and other Missions,
http://usembassy.state.gov
Important Telephone Numbers (for crises involving US citizens abroad, call 888-407-4747 tollfree within the US, or from overseas: 202-501-4444),
http://travel.state.gov/about
Passport services (How to apply for a US Passport),
http://travel.state.gov/passport
Foreign Entry Requirements (for US citizens traveling abroad as tourists) - see Travel Advisories (=Consular Information Sheets).
Foreign Consular Offices in the US (where to apply for visas for other countries) - see Travel Advisories (=Consular Information Sheets).
Health Issues Abroad,
http://travel.state.gov/travel (click on Tips for Traveling Abroad, then Health Issues)
Safety Issues Abroad
http://travel.state.gov/travel (click on Tips for Traveling Abroad, then Safety Issues)
Background Notes (country information),
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn

Key Publishers
Globe Pequot Press, 246 Goose Lane, PO Box 480, Guilford CT 06437, tel: 888-249-7586, www.globe-pequot-com. US distributor for books published by Vacation Work (UK), www.vacationwork.co.uk .

Impact Publications, 9104-N Manassas Dr., Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211; tel: 800-361-1055, 703-361-7300, fax: 703-335-9486; email: info@impactpublications.com, www.impactpublications.com. The best one-stop source for international career books published by Impact and many other publishers.

Institute of International Education (IIE), www.iie.org, www.iiepassport.org and www.iiebooks.org/edab.html. Publisher of authoritative directories which list programs for studying, internships, and volunteering abroad. Also publishes a website, www.StudyAbroadFunding.org, that lists scholarships for studying abroad. IIE's publications are available both as books and (free) online. IIE administers several scholarship programs, including Gilman, Freeman-Asia, NSEP, and Fulbright .

Reference Service Press,, 5000 Windplay Dr, Suite 4, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762; tel: 916-939-9620, fax: 916-939-9626; email: webagent@rspfunding.com, www.rspfunding.com. Publisher of numerous directories for scholarships and financial aid.

It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad part1

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:10:38 GMT

Part I: Why Think About Studying Abroad?

Personal Growth

New Perspective on World Affairs

Career Enhancement

What Are Your Reasons? What Are Your Goals?

Study abroad can be an enriching and eye-opening adventure, where learning extends to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if you want to gain in-depth knowledge of another culture's customs, people, and language. In addition, you will find that living and studying or working in another country can develop important transnational competencies that can be of interest to future employers.

Personal Growth
Students who return from a study abroad program often see it as an experience which matured them personally and intellectually. They praise being exposed to new ways of thinking and living, which encourages growth and independence. For many students, going abroad to study is the first time they have really been away from 'home,' from familiar surroundings of the USA, as well as from friends and family. This is seldom an easy experience, but it is universally praised as worthwhile, often even life-transforming. After immersing themselves in a new culture, mastering the challenges of learning in a new and different academic environment, and experiencing the many highs and lows of being a 'foreigner,' students typically return home with increased self-confidence and justifiable pride in what they have achieved.

New Perspective on World Affairs
Study abroad can broaden your intellectual horizons and deepen your knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues. It is almost certain that you will return from your sojourn abroad with a more informed and accurate perspective on world affairs. You will also have first-hand knowledge of how another culture approaches the tasks and challenges of everyday life, a sense of how 'global' the international culture has become, and an appreciation of the importance of international cooperation.

You will probably also gain a broader understanding of, and appreciation for, the United States, its way of life, and its role in international affairs. Through your professors, the other students in your program, and people you meet, you'll learn how others view the United States and its world role. If you live in a country where English is not the native language, or is spoken only by some, you will learn the practical importance of learning another language and using it.

Career Enhancement
But study abroad does more than promote academic enrichment and personal growth. It also can enhance your employment prospects, especially in the fields of business, international affairs, and government service. Employers increasingly seek graduates who have studied abroad. They know that students who have successfully completed a study abroad program are likely to possess international knowledge and often second-language skills. Such students are also likely to have other transnational competencies that graduate and professional schools and employers value just as highly: cross-cultural communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of and familiarity with local customs and cultural contexts, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal constructively with differences. (See Towards Transnational Competence, IIE 1997.)

What Are Your Reasons? What Are Your Goals?
After considering these potential benefits, you must still ask yourself why you, yourself, want to study abroad. Take some time to think about your reasons, for they will become your goals and your personal measures of success. Perhaps you want to learn a second language, or perfect one you already know. You might want to learn about another culture, diversify your studies, or prepare for graduate school. Maybe you want to travel and meet new people. Whatever your reasons are, write them down and share them with your professors, family, friends and, most importantly, with your study abroad adviser.

There are a host of valid reasons for wanting to experience foreign study. Whatever your reasons, they should be positive ones. Study abroad should not be seen as an escape route from problems at home or on campus. Adjusting to life and learning in a foreign environment will have its stressful moments, and the more you are able to focus on your goals, the more you're likely to benefit from the experience.

The next section, Selecting the Right Program for You, is a step-by-step guide that will help you choose the program that is right for you.

> > > Continue to Part II

IIEPassport Newsletter January

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:09:19 GMT

Subscribe to Newsletter

IIEPassport Marketing Information

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:02:57 GMT

Web Advertising Options

Free Listing Information

How IIEPassport Reaches Students

About Us

Adviser Center

Study Abroad Destinations

Study Abroad Subject List|IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:33:00 GMT

Study Abroad Subjects

How IIEPassport Reaches Students

Study Abroad City List |IIEPassport.org

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:25:00 GMT

Our city portal features will help you explore your different options for studying abroad around the world. Each city portal helps you learn what studying abroad in that city is really like, what universities are there, as well as providing a detailed list of all the study abroad programs available in that city.

Travel Health

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:03:28 GMT

Now there is an easy way to help your students plan for their study abroad health needs: http://www.internationalvaccines.com/

Should they visit a Travel Clinic?
Are they aware of the health risks they may face at their specific destinations?
Do they know if they will require specific vaccinations?
Are they aware of how to protect themselves from food and water-borne diseases?
Are they equipped to handle medical emergencies or injuries while traveling?

InternationalVaccines.com is designed to assist US students and travelers in determining what precautions and vaccinations may be considered when studying or traveling outside the United States. Provided as an educational public health service by sanofi pasteur, InternationalVaccines.com offers a Travel Vaccine Clinic Locator, Pre- and Post-Travel Health Tips, and Additional Travel Health Resource Links.

Consider including the following link on your institution's website to provide students and parents access to the information they need before they embark on an international trip:

Travel Health Clinic Locator: http://www.internationalvaccines.com/

IIEPassport Web Advertising Options

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:53:00 GMT

Web Advertising Options

Free Listing Information

About Us

Adviser Center

World University Rankings

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:12:22 GMT

Does your child have the proper insurance to go abroad?

update

Study Abroad Articles for Students Studying Abroad

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:04:09 GMT

IIEPassport also provides quality articles about the study abroad experience. New articles will be added continually, so be sure to check back often!

Helpful Hints For Studying Abroad
Before departing for their destinations abroad, students planning to study overseas encounter many clerical tasks involved with the preparations of their travels.
Studying Abroad a Great Experience
Studying abroad is something that I have wanted to do my whole life and I finally get to do it!
Students Experience Culture Shock In Reverse After Returning Home
Each semester many students who studied abroad return home with reverse culture shock.
Weak Dollar Hurts Students Abroad
The falling exchange rate of the US dollar makes it increasingly difficult for College students studying abroad.
Study Abroad Safety Tips for Female Students
Studying abroad is often associated with excitement, personal growth, and cultural awareness. But students should be aware that in some study abroad destinations, keeping safety in mind is just as important.
Study Abroad Students Receive the Experience of a Lifetime
For some college students, being on campus provides the home-away-from-home atmosphere that helps them with experiencing new beginnings, but some students need to cross the borders to fully experience what life has to offer.
Travel Health - Plan or Your Study Abroad Health Needs
In order to stay healthy during your study abroad experience, you'll need to take a few precautions before you ever set foot on a plane.
What Type of Plane Tickets Should I Buy?
In the real world - the one you'll be forced to enter after college, that terrifying landscape of smelly office microwaves and two measly weeks of paid vacation every year - you'll never have the option of staying abroad as long as you'd like so you'll probably want to take advantage of the opportunity to do so now.
World University Rankings
For the third year in a row, the educational magazine Times Higher Education Supplement and the consulting firm Qacquarelli Symonds have published the World University Rankings study that classifies world universities according to indicators such as peer reviewing, teacher-to-student ratio, internationalization rates and number of research citations.
5 Steps to Thinking Local
Let's face it: we North Americans are pretty...how to put it...picky? We're used to things the way we like them.
The Benefit of Learning Spanish in its Cultural Context
Spanish is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity.
How to Score a Great Internship Abroad
First things first, getting a job is a job in itself. It takes time and effort to find a situation that works best for your personality and needs (location, salary, schedule, etc).
5 Points to Understanding Internships Abroad
For all interns out there who are fearful of fax machines and tired of dealing with stubborn copiers, I have good news: the American internship model is slowly changing. However, the change isn't necessarily occurring within American borders.
Job Strategies While Studying Abroad
The new world economy demands that we have international experience as part of our training, and studying abroad is a powerful way to acquire these credentials. You should start thinking about your career before you leave home.
Staying in Touch While You're Studying Abroad
If you're considering studying abroad, no doubt it's occurred to you that you might occasionally (or often) talk with the people you know and love back home.
Financial Aid for Studying Abroad
You may be surprised at how cost-effective a semester or year abroad can be.
Using Your International Experience to Get a Job - Résumé and Interviewing Tips
You've probably heard from someone along the way that studying abroad will help you get a job later.
Study Abroad to Get a Job??
What are the main reasons that you've typically heard people use to encourage you to study abroad?
Try Something New Every Day!
No matter what kind of study abroad program you choose -- from spending a semester at a foreign outpost of your home school to enrolling in a private university and taking classes with the local students -- you will, as soon as you arrive, realize that you're not in Kansas anymore.
Preparing to Study Abroad - The Logistics of Packing, Researching, and Planning
The hardest part of the study abroad experience -- more difficult than any potential culture-shock, more taxing than any amount of time you'll spend away from that new girlfriend or boyfriend you've recently fallen so deeply in love with -- is preparing for it.
Choosing the Perfect Program
Choosing the right study abroad program is almost as big a decision as deciding to study abroad in the first place.
The Four F's: Overcoming Barriers to Study Abroad
The 4 F's of Studying Abroad were first conceived by Dr. Marjorie Ganz, Director of the Study Abroad & International Exchange Program at Spelman College.
How to Manage Your Time, Money, and Yourself While Abroad
In order to manage your time, you need to prioritize.
Maximizing Your Study Abroad Experience: The Three E's
Interested in Studying Abroad? Why would you not be? And we are here to help.
Maximizing Your Study Abroad Experience: While You're There
So you've selected a study abroad program, applied and been accepted.
The IIEPassport Student Guide to Studying Abroad
It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad

Study Abroad and the Weak Dollar

During the past year, the U.S. dollar has declined nearly twenty percent against the euro.

Leaving the Cultural Nest

We tend to think of studying abroad as just another option; one program out there among many for students

Five Benefits of Studying Abroad
Have you ever considered what it would be like to live and study in another country?
Studying Abroad for Adults
Many traditionally-aged students at colleges and universities consider studying abroad for a semester or for a whole year.

Studying Abroad for Adults

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:55:46 GMT

Five Benefits of Studying Abroad

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:53:47 GMT

Why should I think about studying abroad?

Leaving the Cultural Nest

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:28:36 GMT

By Patrick Collins

We tend to think of studying abroad as just another option; one program out there among many for students. And on the surface it's just that: a potential experience we can partake in if personally interested, but not deserving of much thought otherwise. Studying abroad is certainly not mandatory (though a decent argument could be made for its inclusion in many undergraduate and graduate programs), but given its exceedingly low participation rate in the U.S. one might wonder if it's even given proper consideration as an excellent opportunity for growth and learning on most college campuses.

Students in the U.S. have admittedly been studying abroad in record numbers lately. In fact, the number of college students who studied abroad during the '06-'07 academic year was 150% higher than a decade earlier. But the largest group of students who go for an experience abroad do so for eight weeks or less; hardly enough time to get anything beyond a superficial feel for a new culture. And recent increases notwithstanding, the rate of participation remains dismal: research suggests that only between two and three percent of all U.S. students study abroad at some point during their academic careers.

So why does the chance to experience something as new and stimulating as a foreign culture while working towards graduation and acquiring valuable personal experience - perhaps even learning a new language - get lost on most U.S. students?

Is it the expense? Perhaps. But all things considered, the only truly unavoidable extra cost involved in studying abroad boils down to a plane ticket. Yes; the dollar is weaker compared to just a few years ago. Yes; many countries have a higher cost of living than the U.S. And yes; universities usually raise tuition for foreign students. However, with ample availability of financial aid and scholarships (many of which are specifically awarded to study abroad students), the high number of college students that don't seem to have a problem with incurring extra costs by studying away from their homes and their home states, and the fact that at best only three in 100 students choose to study outside the U.S., the money excuse somehow just doesn't seem to explain it. More likely, what lies at the heart of American students' disinterest in studying abroad is an ideological, not a financial, limitation.

Studying abroad is simply not part of the culture among U.S. college students, just as traveling abroad is not all that common among U.S. citizens in general (it's believed that more than 70% of Americans don't own a passport). This is because among prosperous nations, the United States represents one of the most insular of societies. And while love and appreciation for one's country is one thing, it's quite another to fail to acknowledge the undeniable benefits of getting out of one's limited cultural confines, experiencing something that's never been encountered before, learning to adapt to changing circumstances, and expanding one's understanding of self, the world and life itself in the process.

What can study abroad do for me?
As students we owe it to ourselves to take a few moments out of our hectic schedules and really consider the opportunities studying abroad presents us with. Because let's face it: once we're done with our studies we won't be so lucky as to have the experience of living and learning in a new culture handed to us on a silver platter. Traveling and living abroad will certainly be possible, but in all likelihood it won't be nearly as easy as it is now. (If you disagree, take a walk over to your study abroad office and see how many programs in how many countries are all set up and eagerly awaiting your participation.)

First of all, a study abroad experience promises to enhance our academic career. Traveling to a new country with the explicit intention of furthering our education has the proven potential to spark renewed interest in our studies and discover new directions and passions. By widening our circle of experience beyond our home school, we become involved in a more dynamic learning experience and open ourselves to a wider set of influences and possibilities. If we choose to study in a country with a foreign language, our educational experience will be enriched even further.

Secondly, studying abroad is good for our future employment potential. The fact that we displayed enough motivation and courage to leave behind the unfamiliar and face the unknown already speaks volumes on its own. Putting it this way may seem like exaggerated glorification, but the fact is most people never end up summoning the nerve to venture beyond familiar boundaries - or worse, never even consider the possibility. Those who rise to the challenge, without a doubt, stand out and generate interest among employers.

Thirdly, time spent abroad (the more the better) will help us gain a clearer understanding of our own cultural approach as well as a respect for alternate approaches to life. Only the direct experience of living in a foreign culture, where mindsets and lifestyles differ from those in our native environment, can lead to the full appreciation that no country or culture has the final word on the "right way to be." This realization helps us see that every culture has something valuable and worthwhile to offer (as well as its negative aspects), putting us on equal footing with people from backgrounds different than our own and improving our ability to communicate and exchange ideas and sentiments with them.

Finally, studying abroad offers its most valuable benefit by providing us with an opportunity to engage in real personal development. As hinted at in the preceding paragraph, living in a new culture will invariably change the way we see the world, expanding our awareness in ways unachievable when we choose not to venture beyond our familiar cultural nest. Time abroad results in added maturity, understanding and tolerance. It affords us greater insight into our world and, ultimately, ourselves. These benefits are truly priceless and remain with us for a lifetime.

Author Bio
Patrick Collins works for UniSpain, a Spain-based language course booking agency that offers discounted rates on Spanish courses at universities and language schools throughout Spain.

Study Abroad and the Weak Dollar

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:13:04 GMT

By Sara E. Savage

During the past year, the U.S. dollar has declined nearly twenty percent against the euro. On April 23, 2008, one euro was equal to $1.60, an all-time low for the dollar. Currency exchange rates affect the cost of study abroad, and students feel the impact when the dollar falls. While most study abroad program costs have remained the same, exchange rates have increased the cost of airfare and living expenses. As the average study abroad student has a smaller budget than many tourists, accessing the exchange rate should factor into their decision when choosing a study abroad destination.

Advice for Students

When beginning the study abroad search, students should compare study abroad program prices based on services and location. Some programs include more services and benefits than others. The sooner students begin planning for a study abroad experience, the better.

Advisers have long been trying to get students to consider a wider range of study abroad destinations. The current exchange rate situation may be a positive development from this perspective. If you want to go somewhere where you can speak French, but you don't think you can afford life in France, consider a French-speaking country in Africa, like Senegal, which has a fascinating culture and an acclaimed international music scene. Instead of living in Paris, where tuition fees and the cost-of-living are through the roof, think about a smaller city right outside Paris, like Amiens or Chartres. You can still travel to the famous city and immerse yourself in French culture (probably more than you could in Paris), but you will save a bundle. Students should also be strategic when considering housing. Try living with roommates in a local apartment to subsidize your costs. Or, if the program offers it, you can live with a host family, which also enables you to absorbing more of the country's language and culture.

You may have always dreamed of visiting Europe, but as exciting as Europe can be, less well-worn study abroad paths may be just as captivating to the imagination. Costa Rica can be a living classroom for biology or environmental studies students. China is an international business destination that requires less overhead than London. Egypt and Jordan can be fascinating for the politically minded and those with an interest in the Middle East. Even lesser-known jewels of Europe can help keep money in the bank. Prague in the Czech Republic and St. Petersburg in Russia are as steeped in the history of Europe as they come. Art and literary traditions abound far from Paris and Florence, and if you're dying to go to the Louvre, you might be surprised to find that the Hermitage in St. Petersburg is an equally rich feast for the eyes.

Being a smart traveler will also help keep expenses down. Before you leave, find out whether your credit card charges fees for purchases made overseas. Also, don't order foreign currency from U.S. banks before departing, as it can involve high fees. Instead, wait to exchange money once you reach your destination. Most importantly, keep close track of expenses and be sure you understand the exchange rate. An excellent way in which to limit your spending and make studying abroad more affordable is to exchange money as you go, instead of exchanging all your money when you first arrive.

Numerous financial aid options are available to help students afford studying abroad, including scholarships, grants, fellowships and loans. When planning to study abroad, students should apply well in advance for as many scholarships as possible in order to increase their chances of landing some aid. Be sure to discuss funding opportunities with your study abroad adviser and check with professors to find out if there is departmental money available. Federal aid may also be available, but students should beware of private bank loans because of issues including trustworthiness and high interest rates. For detailed information on funding your study abroad experience, visit StudyAbroadFunding.org.

Studying Abroad for Adults

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:13:05 GMT

Many traditionally-aged students at colleges and universities consider studying abroad for a semester or for a whole year. They're attracted to the adventure, the opportunity to sharpen their foreign language skills, the chance to add something noteworthy to their resumes, and more. But are traditionally-aged students the only ones who can study abroad, or is it something that working-age adults can do also?

It turns out that not only can working-age adults study abroad, but there are even programs designed specifically for those who are older than the usual college undergraduate. There are two ways you can go about finding them. If you're enrolled at a university or online college, contact their international programs office and ask what study abroad opportunities they may offer that can earn you credit. If your work and family circumstances permit, there should be no reason you're not eligible for the same programs as your younger classmates just because of age. Another way is to look online for programs that aren't affiliated with a specific institution. Many of those cater specifically to working-age adults, and will be accustomed to finding ways to accommodate their unique needs and concerns.

One common problem is that for many adults, work and family circumstances aren't very flexible. But even then there's still hope for the intrepid adult who wants that international experience. One issue that often comes up when talking about studying abroad for adults is what if that adult is also a parent? In that case there are two choices, leave the children with a trusted friend or family member, such as their other parent, or take them with you. And why not take them along? After all, much of the educational value in a few months or year abroad happens outside the classroom, and this part of the experience is one that can also benefit the kids. Yes, there are logistical challenges that must be met, with such matters as childcare, schooling, and the like, but the operator of your study abroad program should at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Employment is another challenge. Many people would be reluctant to quit their jobs to spend a few months abroad, only to return to financial and professional uncertainty. One possible approach to this situation is to turn it on its head. Rather than look for an educational experience in another country, look for foreign employment. Then, while working abroad, you can keep up with your studies by enrolling at a university in the country where you are staying, or you can take advantage of convenient e-learning programs offered by a growing number of universities back in the U.S.

If after careful consideration you decide that the challenges really will keep you from a study abroad experience that's a semester or year in length, consider a program with a shorter duration. Often study abroad programs for adults will offer experiences that are one or two weeks long, making them a sort of educational vacation in an exotic locale. This sort of program is a compromise, yes, but sometimes a compromise that is possible is better than an unworkable ideal.

So if you're a working-age adult who is interested in a study abroad experience, be encouraged. Yes, it can be more difficult to arrange that experience for those with adult responsibilities, but as with so many of life's challenges, the will to find a solution is often the key to success.

Five Benefits of Studying Abroad

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:55:42 GMT

Have you ever considered what it would be like to live and study in another country? Study abroad programs give students in high school and college the opportunity to do just that. Here are five reasons that you might want to consider a study abroad program if your school offers one, or to get your school to offer one if they don't yet do so!

1. Practice a foreign language

Have you been studying a foreign language in your high school, university, or college courses? If so, you know how hard it can be to get to the point where you're really fluent in it. Experts say that the best way to become a truly proficient speaker of a foreign language is immersion, which is when you're constantly surrounded by people using that language all the time. Studying abroad gives you a chance to get that immersion experience without sacrificing time spent on your other studies.

2. Make friends for life

When you spend a semester or year in a foreign country, you'll meet new people who may have a different perspective than you do. This can lead to friendships that can last a lifetime. And if the friends you've met can come to visit you when you return home, you can share your country with them the way they shared theirs with you. And thanks to online social networks, it's easier than ever to stay in touch once your semester or year is over.

3. Add something incredible to your resume

Employers like to see that you've acquired the right skills, but they also like to see that you're the sort of person who can take on a challenge. When your resume shows that you spent time studying abroad, they'll see that you're not afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. And in an age of globalization, where more and more companies do business internationally, experience in another country can be what sets you apart from your peers. Can you afford not to consider it?

4. Discover whether living abroad is for you

The U.S. Department of State estimates that 6.6 million Americans live in another country. Only twelve of the fifty states have more people than that! By taking the opportunity to study abroad, you can find out whether living and working abroad permanently might be something that you'd find exciting once you graduate. You may find that you can accelerate your career this way, as people with traditional and online degrees from American universities are often in high demand. And if you want to continue your education while in another country, no problem, you can take advantage of the increasing number of online programs offered by American universities if you don't like your local choices.

5. Have unbelievable amounts of fun!

Spending time in a new place, learning new skills, and meeting new people are all useful, sure, but don't forget that doing this is an adventure! You only live once, why not make the most of it by spending a semester or year studying abroad? It just might turn out to be one of the most fun and rewarding things you ever do!

IIEPassport Student Guide

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:39:42 GMT

IIEPassport Student Guide: FAQs

How do I select the right program?

How do I research my options?

How do I pay for this?

What if I have a disability?

What if I want to work or volunteer?

What do I need to do before I leave home?

How do I prepare to handle things back home while I'm away?

How do I handle money abroad?

How do I stay healthy?

How do I prepare to return to campus before I leave?

What will my arrival be like?

What do I need to know about my course work and credit?

How do I adjust to a new culture?

What can I expect when I return?

Sponsored Link:
Telestial - Wireless Solutions for Travelers

Visit the full IIEPassport Student Guide for more information on studying abroad.

It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad part5

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:35:56 GMT

PART V: Reentry

Clearing Customs on Return

Reverse Culture Shock

Campus Reentry

Evaluate Your Program

Build on Your Experience

Career Planning

Introduction
Just as living abroad required you to make a number of adjustments, so does coming home. After all, you're not the same person you were when you went abroad. After spending anywhere from a month to a year living in a different culture, you have absorbed new knowledge and attitudes that have changed you intellectually and personally. While you're trying to find your new niche at home, you may wonder how to build on your study abroad experience. Like many returning students, you may want to immediately start planning to go abroad again.

Clearing Customs on Return
When you come back to the United States, you must pass through US Customs, where you will be asked to declare the value of items that you purchased abroad that you are bringing back with you. Certain items are illegal to bring into the United States, and some require that you pay an import tax or duty. Depending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600. The duty rates for products purchased above your personal exemption vary by country.

There is a pamphlet available with complete information on Customs and duties, Know Before You Go, available free from:
US Customs Service
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229
Telephone: 202-354-1000
Website: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg

There are also a number of booklets available at a small cost offering travel advice, and tips for returning residents from:
Federal Citizen Information Center
Phone: 888-878-3256
Website: www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Reverse Culture Shock
As odd as it may sound, you should prepare yourself for a period of cultural adjustment - or reverse culture shock - when you come back to the United States. Returning travelers experience the same physical and emotional upheavals as in the early stages of life abroad. This includes jet lag, as your body adjusts to the change in time zones.

In fact, many returning students are surprised to find that adjusting to life "back home" is more difficult than the adjustment they made to life in a foreign country. Why is this? While students understand that study abroad is a life-changing experience, many of them are not immediately aware of how they changed or how their experience abroad has caused them to look at life in the United States through different lenses. You may also experience a sense of loss after leaving your new friends and the life that you led while abroad.

After your return, you may feel out of sync with friends and family, who may express only a polite interest in the experiences that you found fascinating. You might experience boredom and a lack of direction. You may also return to find that problems that were on hold while you were abroad - personal issues or career questions - are still waiting for you.

Some returning students experience particular difficulty reintegrating into the structure and expectations of academic studies. For that reason, it is advisable to allow some time between returning home and starting classes, if this is feasible.

Campus Reentry
Many US colleges and universities offer reentry workshops to help students integrate their study abroad experience with their continued life and studies. Such workshops also allow students to talk about their experiences with people they know will appreciate them: other student travelers. They will encourage you to start new friendships with other students who have recently returned from abroad, as well as keep in touch with friends you made abroad.

Evaluate Your Program
Your home school may require you to complete a written evaluation of your studies abroad program. This can be a valuable experience for you, as it provides an opportunity to consider the pros and cons of the program you selected and reflect on what it meant to you. It may be even more valuable for future participants. Your evaluation will be made available to students who are considering studying abroad, as well as faculty and administration. A copy will also be sent to your study abroad program, so program sponsors can learn what works and what needs improvement from the point of view of as many participants as possible.

Build On Your Experience
Even after you have readjusted to life and studies at home, you may want to build on your study abroad experience. Here are some options: Become a peer counselor for students who are considering study abroad, and help them make good planning choices. Volunteer as a "past participant" at orientations your study abroad adviser may be organizing for the next group of outbound students. Polish the language you learned by taking advanced language classes or joining a language club. Become involved with an international student as a roommate or tutor. Join an international organization. Pursue other opportunities to study, work, or travel abroad.

Career Planning
Your study abroad experience may propel you to begin searching for an international career as soon as you return home. The following will help you in this: Consult publications on working abroad, and pay attention to immigration policies in the countries that interest you. While you are abroad, make a list of contact information for anyone you meet who works in an area you're interested in. Once home, write to them to let them know that you are interested in returning abroad to work after you graduate. Prepare a resume, with the help of your university career center. Be sure to include your study abroad experience, language skills, and cross-cultural adaptation skills. Attend job-hunters' workshops that are relevant to your career goals. Find out if agencies and companies with offices abroad recruit on your campus. Investigate jobs in the United States that have an international focus. Look into teaching English as a Second Language abroad. Find out if you need a graduate degree to get as a Second Language abroad. Find out if you need a graduate degree to get the job you want. If so, which colleges offer that degree?

> > > Continue to Resources

It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad part3

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:34:42 GMT

Part III: Before You Leave Home

Pre-Departure Orientation

Making Travel & Housing Arrangements

Preparation for Handling Business at Home While Overseas

Planning for Overseas Health

Pre-Arrangements for Return to Home and to Campus

Once you have been accepted into a study abroad program, you must next pay serious attention to the details of preparing to go abroad. Just as you did when you chose what to study and where, give yourself plenty of time to make all of the many necessary pre-departure arrangements.

The better prepared you are for your study abroad experience-the more you know about what to expect and what is expected of you-the more meaningful your experience will be. It should go without saying that you should try to learn as much as you can about your host country-its language, history and culture as well as its current social and political conditions. There are many ways to do this: take courses, read books and magazine articles, surf the web, talk with people from there and who've been there, etc. As Socrates said, "The innocent eye sees nothing."

This section will advise you on a host of essential matters which must be taken care of before you leave. Note: Some of the following information might also be provided by your campus, or the host program, or overseas institution.

Pre-Departure Orientation
If your home school is the program sponsor, you will probably have a pre-departure orientation on campus. If not, then you should at least receive orientation information through the mail, on the phone or via the internet.

Orientations and orientation materials usually cover the following topics:

Travel documents (passport, visa, etc.)
Travel arrangements (international transportation, etc.)
Housing information (living arrangements, roommates, etc.)
Health and safety issues (what to do, what not to do)
Financial matters (payments schedules, financial aid, etc.)
Communication with family and friends (how to establish, etc.)
Host culture information (history, customs, laws, politics, etc.)
Knowledge of home culture (what others will see in your 'Americanness')

The summary below may or may not repeat what you otherwise will be told:

Travel Documents. When traveling outside the United States, you need to carry a passport, the only form of identification recognized everywhere which verifies your citizenship. Some countries will also require an additional entry document called a visa. Passports are issued by your country of citizenship, while visas - usually a stamp on a page of the passport, though they can be a separate certificate - are issued by the country to be visited.

Passport. Apply early for a passport. The normal processing time is four to six weeks - even longer during the peak travel season (March to August). If you have never had a passport, you may apply to a passport agent at a US Department of State agency. You can also make application through selected post offices or clerks of any federal, state or county courthouse. If you have a passport already but it will expire during the time you are abroad, apply for a new one before you leave. You must apply in person unless you are renewing a passport obtained after you were eighteen.

Here is a list of what you must present along with your application form:

Proof of US citizenship (an official birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a previous US passport)
Two recent identical color photographs (2"x2") with a white background
Form of current identification with your signature and photograph (i.e., a driver's license)
$100.00 fee if you are sixteen years or older, $85.00 if you are younger, $75.00 for renewals

Make several photocopies of your passport. Leave a copy at home with your family and carry a copy with you at all times when you are overseas. Be sure to keep an additional copy with your belongings. If you should lose your passport, the copies may speed up the process of replacing it. If this happens, immediately notify the nearest US embassy or consulate.

You can get more information about passports on line at: http://travel.state.gov/passport or by calling National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

Visa. Some countries require that US citizens have a visa, depending on the length and purpose of their stay. A visa is an official document giving permission to enter a country and is granted by the government of the country you wish to enter. It may be in the form of a stamp imprinted on a page in your passport or it might be an official document which includes a photograph.

Visa requirements vary from country to country. Information relating to all visas may be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate of the country or countries in which you will study and/or travel. An on-line source is http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html. If you are planning to study in a country for an extended period of time, you may need a student visa or residency permit. In most cases, you will need to get the visa before leaving the United States. Check with your program sponsor to see what the requirements are. They may need to provide special letters or documents that must accompany your visa application. Note: You may also need passport-size photos. It's a good idea to have extra copies of these photos for this purpose and other situations.

International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Next to your passport and visa, if needed, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can be among the most valuable travel documents for you to have. It verifies your student status and it is widely recognized throughout the world. With the card, you are eligible to qualify for discounts ranging from lower airfares, cheaper insurance coverage to reduced or free admission to museums, theaters, concerts and cultural sites around the world.

The ISIC also provides supplemental health insurance coverage. This plan covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas and repatriation of remains in case of death. Most private health care plans do not incorporate this kind of coverage. This is why many program sponsors are either providing a special overseas insurance plan or requiring the card.

Not only do you receive the medical coverage and discounts while overseas, but you also have access to a toll-free help line for assistance with medical, legal, or financial emergencies. In addition, you can use the card in the United States for special student discounts on airlines, lodging, international phone calls and international money transfers. The card comes with a detailed hand book that provides information on all its uses.

The card is issued by STA Travel. It is available at all STA Travel Offices and is also sold at many US colleges and universities. Check with your study abroad office to see if it is sold there. You can also order it from:
STA Travel
Phone within the US: 800-781-4040
Outside the US: +1-480-592-0870
Website: www.statravel.com

Or check the STA Travel website for offices throughout the US and worldwide.

Making Travel and Housing Arrangements
Many study abroad programs take care of participants' international travel and housing arrangements. If this is not the case with your program, then it will be your responsibility to arrange for travel to your program site and/or find your own accommodations. You may also want to consider making plans for your own transportation and housing if you decide to do additional traveling at the end of your program.

Housing. If housing is not provided for you by your study abroad program, give yourself plenty of time to arrange for it. Since student housing is at a premium in most countries, ask for housing recommendations from a representative from your program. If you are enrolling directly in a foreign university, contact the university to see if there is a student housing office which can assist you in your search for accommodation.

Air Transportation. Some program sponsors include group flights to and from the program site. Others require you to make your own arrangements. If you do need to arrange your own transportation, be sure to do so well in advance of leaving, especially if you plan to travel during the summer or any other period when air travel is heavy. Make sure you know what arrangements have been made for the arrival of students in your host country before finalizing your flight reservations. Often a designated meeting place and time are established so that program staff can greet students upon their arrival. Many countries list a round-trip ticket as one of their entry requirements.

Even though you may not know when you want to return home and you may have to pay a surcharge to change your return ticket, it is still cheaper to buy the round-trip ticket instead of buying two one-way tickets. Shop carefully to find a flight that best suits your needs. Compare the price of open-ended tickets, in which you return at any point within a specified length of time, with the price of a ticket bearing a stated return date. If you are planning to travel on your own after your program ends, you might want to investigate "open jaw" fares, which let you return from a different location from your point of arrival.

STA Travel is an excellent source of information about student travel. With your International Student Identity Card, you can sometimes get up to 50% off of commercial airfares through STA Travel. More information about STA Travel and its travel services is available on-line at: www.statravel.com.

Free travel literature is usually available from the government tourist office, consulate or embassy of the country or countries to which you travel. You can also learn more about discount airfares from the following websites:
www.budgettravel.com
www.routesinternational.com (provides links to airlines)
www.travelocity.com among many, many others

If you lose your airline ticket, contact the airline, travel agency, or other agency from which you purchased the ticket. If you bought your ticket from an airline, you will have to fill out a claim for a lost ticket and buy a new ticket. You'll be refunded the cost of the replacement ticket, minus a fee. The fee varies with each airline. It takes about six to twelve months to get your refund.

Don't buy a one-way ticket, even if you don't know when you want to return home. Most foreign countries require visitors to have a round-trip ticket before they are allowed to enter.

Rail Passes. In many countries, rail travel is probably the most widely used mode of transportation. Buying a rail pass in the United States prior to your departure can greatly reduce your costs. Rail passes, such as the Britrail Pass or Eurail Pass, can be obtained from most travel agents. These passes usually offer unlimited travel for a specific amount of time. Just as there are special airfares for students, there are also special rail passes for students. Website: www.raileurope.com.

Travel by Car. If you are planning to travel by car, be aware that renting a car abroad and filling it with gasoline can be quite expensive. Just as in the United States, each country requires you to have a valid driver's license. Some countries will recognize your current US driver's license. Others may require you to obtain an International Driver's Permit. Contact your local AAA (American Automobile Association) Office or AAA's main office:
AAA National Headquarters
8111 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Website: www.csaa.com

Remember also that other countries have different "rules of the road." Prior to departure, you may also wish get some information on international road travel. One source is:
The Association for Safe International Road Travel
11769 Gainsborough Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: 301-983-5252
Email: asirt@erols.com
Website: www.asirt.org

Make sure that you also check to see if your US automobile insurance covers you and rental cars overseas.

Travel Light. Aim to travel light. Keep in mind that, for most international flights, you are allowed to check only two pieces of luggage. Some airlines have restrictions for the weight of each piece of luggage; check before you pack. If your program is a study-tour, you will have to carry whatever you bring, so restrict yourself to one or two moderate-sized bags and a small carry-on bag in which to keep valuables, passport, and camera equipment.

Insure your baggage and personal effects for the full period abroad. If you bring a camera, buy a lead-lined film bag. Contrary to posted airport claims, some X-ray devices ruin film.

Youth Hostels. When traveling on weekends, during school breaks or at the end of your study abroad experience, you may want to consider staying in a youth hostel. Hostels are much cheaper than hotels and can range from dormitory-style room to private rooms. They may have restrictions. For example, they may impose curfews, require you to bring your own bedding or limit your stay to a certain number of nights.

In order to stay in hostels, you may be required to have an International Youth Hostel Pass, another form to obtain before your departure. The pass and a handbook with locations and contact information are available from:

Hosteling International/American Youth Hostels
National Office
8401 Colesville Road
Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-495-1240
Fax: 301-495-6697
E-mail: hostels@hiusa.org
Website: www.hiayh.org

Many countries also have student hostels, which are restricted to use by university students. These usually offer more conveniences than youth hostels, such as food service, and are a great way to meet other international students. You may need to have a valid International Student Identity Card to prove your student status. Lastly, some independent hostels exist that are open to students as well as to other travelers.

Other Accommodations. Other options for accommodations when you travel are bed-and-breakfasts, pensions, and budget hotels. Talk to your travel adviser before departure about budget accommodations at your travel destinations. You can also browse the travel section of a local bookstore for travel guidebooks aimed at college students.

Visit Travel Websites. You can find out more about travel abroad online.

For information on cheap accommodations, visit:
www.hostels.com
www.travlang.com/hotels

For information on discounted travel by plane, train, bus, and ferry, visit:
www.umabroad.umn.edu
www.statravel.com
www.routesinternational.com (links to airlines, trains, ferries, and buses)
www.etn.nl (European Travel Networks discounts in 185 countries)
www.budgettravel.com

Preparation for Handling Business at Home While Overseas
While you are overseas, you will need to take care of certain civil, financial and legal matters in the United States. Advance planning in these areas will make life easier.

Power of Attorney. Giving a family member or trusted friend power of attorney, while you are abroad, is a good idea. Power of attorney gives that designated person the power to act on your behalf in case a legal document requires your signature while you are away. This is especially important if you receive financial aid. Checks that you receive to cover educational costs must be endorsed by you before they can be deposited. It may also be helpful when completing and signing other financial aid forms, such as your FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid), that must be taken care of while you are gone. Check with the student legal services office on your campus to obtain this document. You can also give someone power of attorney by simply writing what duties that person will be allowed to perform on your behalf and having the paper notarized.

Absentee Voting. If elections are going to take place in the United States while you are overseas, you can still take part in the election process by sending in an absentee ballot from anywhere in the world. You can register to vote before you leave home, or online at www.overseasvotefoundation.org.

Filing Income Tax. If you currently pay income tax and will be out of the United States during spring semester, you can request an extension of the deadline for filing federal, state and local tax returns. If you choose to file from abroad, then you can request your family or friends to send you the necessary paperwork. You can also find out if the closest American embassy or consulate has forms. The embassy and consulate staff may also be able to find someone to help you complete the forms.

US Customs and Duties. If you plan on taking expensive items, such as cameras, Walkmans, CD players, personal computers, etc., you should consider registering them with US Customs before you leave. That way those items won't be subject to duty when you return. Save receipts for major purchases made overseas, as you may be able to get reimbursed for the taxes (VAT) paid. You are allowed to bring up to $800.00 of gifts and souvenirs duty free. Above that amount, you will be charged an import duty equivalent to ten percent of the value of the items. A good publication to get before you leave is Know Before You Go which can be obtained from the US Customs Service (see Part V).

Pre-Arranging Money Matters. The major costs of your study abroad program (tuition and fees, housing, sometimes food and occasionally international airfare) are usually billed and paid prior to departure to the sponsoring institution. Be sure you know exactly what is covered and what is not covered in those costs so that you are prepared to cover all other expenses. It is a good idea to make a weekly budget and then live by it so you don't run out of money and have no quick way to replace it.

Currency Exchange. Traveling with large amounts of cash is not recommended. You should consider using several different forms of payment for your expenses. Traveler's checks, credit cards, ATM cards and cash can all be used effectively depending on the country.

You can obtain traveler's checks in US dollars and some foreign currencies at most banks and travel agencies. Some of the companies that offer traveler's checks are American Express, Citicorp, Thomas Cook, etc. It is best to get the checks in $100.00, $50.00, and $20.00 denominations. That way you can regulate the amount of money you want rather than changing huge denomination checks. Traveler's checks can be replaced if lost so it is important to keep the serial number list separate from the actual checks.

It is always good to have some local currency when you arrive on site. Exchange some US dollars upon arrival at the international arrival airport where the exchange rates and fees are better than at the departing US airport. Later on in your experience, it is recommended that you exchange your money at the major national banks throughout the world. Railroad stations in Europe are also recommended spots. The banks and their ATM machines usually offer the fairest exchange rate but you will pay a commission fee each time.

Credit and Bank Cards. Credit cards can be used to get foreign currency at a good rate of exchange and are invaluable if an emergency arises. They are widely accepted in most places in most countries, although some countries will only allow cash for financial transactions. The three main cards are American Express, Visa and MasterCard, althoughAmerican Express is less common in most student settings. A debit/check card is also recommended. Check before you leave to be sure that your PIN can be used overseas. If not, then you will need to get a new one.

Setting up Communications with Family and Friends. You and your family and friends need to decide what the best means of communication will be - mail, telephone, or e-mail. Each has its own merits as well as some disadvantages.

Mail. Sending letters back and forth can take a long time, usually more than a week for an airmail letter to leave the States, arrive at the host country and then to reach you at the local site. International postage is more expensive than domestic postage; but if you keep it to letters or postcards, it won't cost too much. Mailing packages by surface mail is less expensive than by air mail, but allow a lot of time. Don't forget your address book! Your family and friends will love getting postcards from you. And you will be delighted to go to your mailbox to find a letter or package from home. Finally, your letters home make a wonderful collection of memories for you when you return.

Make a photocopy of your address book and keep it separate from the original. That way if you lose your address book, you'll still be able to keep in touch with people.

Telephone and Fax. There's nothing quite like calling home to talk with your family and friends or receiving a phone call from them. However, it can be quite expensive for both sides. You can now dial an international call directly from the United States for less than an operator-assisted call. Check out the special deals always being offered by the long-distance carriers. Dialing direct from overseas to your home is also possible, especially with a phone card. Again, check the US long-distance carriers about getting a phone card before you leave. When calling, don't forget the time difference! A time that might be convenient for you may not be convenient for your family and friends.

AT&T Direct Service, Sprint, and MCI, as well as many other telephone companies, offer easy and sometimes inexpensive ways to call home. Check with your service for a list of access numbers for nearly every country. All you have to do is call the access number for the country you are calling from, then dial the phone number you're calling and your calling card number. Typically there will be an English-speaking operator, so you don't need to worry if your command of the local language is still rudimentary.

Remember to remind the people at home that you may not have a phone immediately available. As a result you may not be able to phone them as soon as you arrive. Agree on a time by which you definitely will have called home.

Phone Tips. If you need to make more than one call, don't hang up after each one. Press # and you can avoid separate access charges for each call. If you press a wrong number, don't hang up, press the * key - this will allow you to start over.

Remember the time difference between your country and the part of the United States you want to call. As in the United States, shield the phone keypad when entering your calling card number so no one can see it and use it. In countries where touch-tone service is not available, your long distance company may have voice-activated service and dialing.

Faxing mail and other documents home is a good alternative, as long as there is easy access to a fax machine at each end. Faxing is cheaper than long distance phone charges, but far more expensive than e-mail. Faxing gets around time zone disparities, meaning that what is sent can be read at the other end whenever it is convenient, which may not be when it arrives.

E-mail. E-mail has become the main mode of communication, both domestically and internationally. It eliminates the time difference inconvenience and it is much less expensive than phoning. E-mail is great to have as it saves time when dealing with practical matters such as getting new course approvals for a switched class or for relaying campus information to students. It also means immediate contact when an emergency arises. However, you must avoid the temptation to sit at your computer all day instead of exploring daily life in your host country. Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Don't let your real experience become a virtual study abroad.

Planning for Overseas Health
Your health and safety during your study abroad experience will depend on the choices you make and precautions that you take prior, during, and following your time overseas. However, there are no guarantees or absolutes with regard to health and safety in any setting, especially an international one. Before your departure, make sure that you are in good health, get any immunizations that are required and learn as much as you can about the health and safety conditions in your host country. Many study abroad program sponsors will require you to submit medical forms about your physical and mental health. You will also be asked to show proof of health and accident insurance or you may be asked to purchase a special policy that covers these areas overseas. More discussion of these topics should be a part of your on-site orientation.

Regular Checkups. Be sure to have a physical and dental checkup before you go, especially if you will be gone at a time when you would normally schedule these appointments and/or you will be studying in a developing country. This will give you an opportunity to talk with your health care professionals about any general health precautions you should take.

Pre-existing Conditions. If you have an ongoing medical problem, such as allergies or diabetes, you need to take special precautions in preparing for and managing your condition overseas. How will the stresses of the environment and the study abroad experience impact your health? If you have a disability, how will your needs be met?

Prescriptions. If you take prescription medications regularly, bring a supply to last throughout your time abroad, if practical. Foreign drugs are not necessarily closely related to those standard in the United States, even if they have the same chemical formula. They may be marketed under different names and may not be available in the strengths you desire. It might be wise to also have a letter from your home physician or pharmacist describing your medicines, their dosage, a generic name for them and describing the condition being treated. This letter could be helpful in an emergency.

Make sure all drugs are in the original pharmacy containers and are clearly labeled. You should carry copies of the prescriptions to avoid problems with Customs. In the case of narcotic medicines, it may not be prudent to carry additional supplies because of possible Customs difficulties. In that case, bring a prescription with the drug's generic name.

If you are diabetic or have another medical condition in which a syringe is needed to administer medication, bring a supply of disposable syringes. These are not available in all countries, and are essential to protect yourself against HIV, hepatitis, and other communicable illnesses. Even if you don't routinely inject medication, it's a good idea to bring a few disposable syringes if you will be studying in a country where they are not available, in the event that you need an injection. Some countries, however, restrict the import of syringes - as well as certain medications and contraceptives. Before departure, find out if this applies to your host country.

For certain conditions such as diabetes, asthma, mild epilepsy, or allergy to penicillin, it would be wise to wear a tag or a bracelet or carry a card to identify the condition so that you can be treated properly. Take an extra pair of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses if you wear them. Bring along extra contact lens solution, too.

For the flight to your program site, put any prescription medication, eyeglasses, and contact lenses in your carry-on bag. Don't take the risk of these items being misrouted or lost with your checked luggage.

World and Regional Health Conditions. Some health problems, such as diarrhea, are worldwide, whereas, some diseases like malaria are found only in certain regions. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the US Department of State's Overseas Citizens Emergency Center can give you detailed information about particular regions you plan to visit on study abroad:
Centers for Disease Control
Phone: 404-639-3311
Website: www.cdc.gov

Overseas Citizens Emergency Center
Phone: 202-647-5225
Website: http://travel.state.gov

Additional information about health issues abroad is available from:
American College Health Association
PO Box 28937
Baltimore, MD 21240-8937
Phone: 410-859-1500
Fax: 410-859-1510
Website: www.acha.org

Many travelers experience some form of diarrhea while adjusting to local food and water. In many cases, it is mild but ask your doctor to recommend an anti-diarrhea medication so you can take it with you. If you are going to a country in a tropical region where there may be bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases, be sure you get some anti-malarial medication. Your doctor may recommend that you start taking it before you leave the United States. One can also contract hepatitis or cholera in countries where the drinking water is untreated. Students must take preventative measures and receive treatment if necessary.

Sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes, pose health risks in any country. The HIV virus, from which AIDS is contracted, can be transmitted sexually but also through contaminated hypodermic needles and blood supplies. If you are going to a country where AIDS is prevalent, find out what you should do in an emergency if you require an injection or a blood transfusion.

Immunizations. While some countries require immunizations for a visa or entry, others do not. These requirements can change according to the health conditions of a particular country. Therefore, it is important to check on a regular basis to see if your host country has requirements. Check also to see if your country requires an AIDS test for entry or the residency permit. Even if immunizations are not required, you still may want to get them. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor, local travel clinic or county health department. If you will travel to other countries, don't forget to check their immunization requirements, as well.

You may be required to present an official record of immunizations. An "International Certificate of Vaccinations" is the most common form used. It is issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services and is approved by the World Health Organization. You can get the form from your local Department of Health, travel clinic, passport offices and from many physicians and travel agencies. It must be filled out and dated by the person who provides the immunization. Your campus health service may be able to provide the form and the necessary immunizations.

It may be also wise for you to have your basic childhood immunizations (tetanus, polio, diphtheria, etc.) updated. If you will be traveling to a developing country, then typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, cholera and yellow fever are frequently recommended immunizations. Don't forget anti-malarial medicine if traveling to malarial areas.

Substance Abuse. Substance abuse is viewed differently around the world. Sometimes students who are away from their home campuses and the US laws regarding the use of alcohol, fall into patterns of alcohol abuse. They may misinterpret how alcohol is used in their new culture. It may be less expensive to buy; there may be a lower drinking age or maybe the laws against drunkenness are less stringent. Your program sponsors will most likely discuss this topic during your orientation to explain the program's regulations concerning alcohol consumption as well as the consequences for abuse. If you currently attend a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous, check on meeting availability and schedules in your host country. (For Alcoholics Anonymous contact Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Phone: 212-870-3400, Web: www.aa.org).

Drug abuse can lead to immeasurable health risks as well as serious cultural and legal consequences. Risks are magnified tenfold by impure drugs, shady and often criminal contacts, and rigid legal systems that impose severe penalties. The US government has no jurisdiction and very little influence over the judicial systems in other countries.

An excellent resource on detailed health information entitled "Health Information for International Travel" is available for a fee from:
Public Health Foundation
Publication Sales
P.O. Box 753
Waldorf, MD 20604
Phone: 877-252-1200
Website: bookstore.phf.org/cat28.htm
-or-
Centers for Disease Control Phone: 1-877-394-8747 Website: www.cdc.gov

Emotional and Mental Health. Emotionally and mentally, international living can be stressful. Most travelers will experience a degree of culture shock during the normal adjustment period (see Part IV). Culture shock causes feelings of disorientation and unease which can be intensified for students dealing with ongoing unresolved emotional or medical issues. It is thus very important that students with such problems discuss these with their study abroad advisers, mental health providers, or other trained medical personnel before leaving. Once on site, there may be program staff available to help you through the adjustment cycle, but this is seldom guaranteed. Check with your program to see what psychological counseling is available, should you need it. Remember, study abroad is hard work and not therapy.

Nutrition. Be aware that you will probably experience a change in your diet and eating habits. You may start eating a healthier diet, as people in most countries don't eat as much processed food nor drink as many caffeinated and sweetened beverages as Americans do. It is customary in many countries to eat more grains, fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, etc. Before you leave, try to learn more about the foods eaten and the eating habits of your host country. These are an integral part of the culture.

Health Records. It's a good idea to bring a copy of your medical and dental records with you. If you have any ongoing medical or dental problems, bring a letter from your doctor or dentist explaining how they are being treated. Don't forget the telephone and fax numbers of your doctor and dentist, in case you need to contact them.

Medical Kit. Be prepared for minor health problems with a home medical kit. This should include:

antibacterial cream
painkillers
bandages, gauze, and adhesive tape
sterile cleansers
anti-diarrhea medicine
insect repellent (for any warm climate)
sunscreen

Medical and Accident Insurance. It is extremely important for you to have adequate insurance before departing. This coverage should also include medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and life insurance. If you are currently included on your family's insurance policy, you must make sure that the coverage meets your program's insurance requirements and is valid overseas for the duration of the program. Students with an International Student Identity Card receive basic medical/accident insurance coverage for their travel outside the continental United States, for the period that the ISIC is valid (see Part III). But such coverage may not be adequate to meet every contingency, so you should check to see what additional protection you might need.

Medical Care Abroad. Try to get some information about the health-care system in the region to which you're going. If you need medical care, what will the facilities be like? How do you pay for it? What legal right do you have to medical services? How are patients treated in your host country? (In some countries, doctors welcome questions from patients, while in others, patients are merely expected to follow doctors' orders.) You can get a list of English-speaking doctors worldwide by contacting:

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT)
1623 Military Rd #279
Niagara Falls, NY 14304-1745
Phone: 716-754-4883
E-mail: info@iamt.org
Website: www.iamat.org

Family Emergencies. Discuss with your family what you will do in the event of a family emergency, illness or death. It is much easier to have these conversations around the kitchen table prior to departure than in an intercontinental phone call in the midst of a crisis.

Planning To Be Safe. Remember there are no guarantees concerning personal safety anywhere in the world. Personal safety requires that you pay careful attention to your surroundings and act accordingly. The US Department of State issues several kinds of public announcements for travelers going abroad. Travel Warnings advise US citizens of countries or parts of countries to avoid. Public Announcements warn about terrorist activity and other short-term threats. Consular Information Sheets have information for every country in the world about the crime risk and any areas of unrest, as well as issues such as visa requirements and the quality of medical care available. Contact the State Department at 202-647-4000, or visit their website at travel.state.gov.

Get as much information as possible about the safety of your study abroad program before departure. Ask your program sponsor or a representative from your host school:

What can you do to enhance your safety in the neighborhood in which you'll be living?
If you're staying in a dormitory, what kind of security is provided?
If you're living with a host family, have they been thoroughly investigated by the program? Have they hosted US or other international students before?
If there are program-related excursions, what kind of safety provisions have been made for them?
Who is available on-site in case of an emergency?

For more safe travel tips, request the pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" from:
US Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20420
Phone: 202-512-1800
Website: travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_pub_safetrip.html

Pre-arrangements for Return to Home and to Campus
Planning for departure also involves some planning for return to your home institution.

Pre-Registration.
An important element to think about before you leave the country is which courses you will need to take on your return. Many colleges and universities allow their study abroad students to pre-register for the courses they will take upon their return. Students usually complete the paperwork prior to leaving and are then actually registered for their class either by the study abroad office staff or by the students' academic adviser. Make sure that you understand the procedure at your school so that you will get registered in the appropriate manner.

Housing. Depending on whether you plan to live in on-campus housing or off-campus in an apartment when you return, you need to make your housing arrangements before you go. Some study abroad offices will send on-campus housing forms to you overseas to be completed or this may be done prior to departure. Check to see what the procedure is. If you are going to live in an apartment, you may even need to sign a lease and pay a deposit. You may even need to find someone to sublet your apartment during the time you will be overseas.

Transfer of Credit. If you are participating in a program that is not sponsored by your institution, there may be additional forms to complete. You may be required to take a leave of absence or you may need to actually withdraw from your school for the time period of your overseas study. Submitting readmission papers may be required. Will you get home institution credit or transfer credit for your course work? Your transition back into campus life at your school will be much easier if all paperwork is completed and procedures followed before your departure.

> > > Continue to Part IV

It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad part4

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:32:54 GMT

PART IV: Living Abroad

Arrival & Orientation

On-Site Orientation

Course Work & Credit

Cultural Adjustment & Exploration

Introduction
Knowing what you might expect when you first arrive in your host country can ease your transition to living abroad and help you make the most of the experience from the start. While what follows provides information and advice on how to avoid potential problems that could occur overseas, it is not meant to suggest that the experience before you - living and learning on foreign soil, in a culture not your own - is something you should fear. Indeed, it should be one of the most enriching, fulfilling, interesting, and educational experiences of your entire life. This is what it has been, in any case, for nearly all students who have undertaken it.

Learning About Your Host Country and Educational System. The internet has become a valuable resource for learning about all aspects of other countries. Talk with faculty and study abroad returnees who have lived in your host country as well as international students from there. Get a personal perspective from them. Visit libraries and bookstores and contact the embassy, consulate or tourist office to get materials. Don't forget student-intended travel guides such as Let's Go and Lonely Planet Guide series. Read the international news section of your local newspaper or in internationally-oriented papers like the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Christian Science Monitor. Watch newscasts and public television shows that talk about how the people live.

Another important aspect to learn about is the educational system you will be part of when you are overseas, especially if you will be studying at a foreign university. How do the faculty teach? How do the host country students learn? Will you be expected to be in class every day? What will be expected of you academically? Knowing the answers to these questions early on will allow you to set your own academic goals.

Preparing To Be 'The American' Abroad. As you deepen your learning about your new culture, you should also be aware that in a foreign environment you will occasionally be put in the position of being a spokesperson about the United States and American culture. News accounts of happenings in the US or foreign policy that moves around the world will cause some of your foreign friends and contacts to ask you searching questions. Are you sure you know enough about your own country? Returned study abroad students often remark on how they sometimes had a difficult time explaining the history, politics, and culture of the United States when pressed by their friends, much less in an academic classroom. They say they wish they had done some boning up on American history and looked at their own cultural values more critically before they went abroad. What are the American values? Will you be able to describe the characteristics of the American people to someone overseas-our social structures, our political system? Be prepared with some answers!

Arrival and Orientation
Immigration and Customs. When your plane lands in your host country, immigration officials will ask you the purpose of your visit and how long you propose to stay in their country. They will examine your passport, as well as visa and immunization certificates if they are required. They may or may not then stamp your passport, and you are free to enter the country. Depending on local practice, as well sometimes as the season and time of your arrival, this procedure can range from being quick and cursory to laborious and time-consuming. Even though you will be eager to exit the airport and start your study abroad adventure, it is important to be patient and respond very politely to any questions.

After Immigration, comes Customs. You will be asked to declare (perhaps in writing) if you are carrying certain items in your luggage. Be sure to declare any restricted items, as luggage may be opened and checked. Always be respectful and polite. Never make jokes about bombs or illegal drugs. This kind of behavior can get you detained by the police.

Student travelers are sometimes viewed suspiciously by Immigration and Customs officials. It helps to dress neatly and be well-groomed.

Jet Lag. In the first few days after your arrival, you are likely to experience physical changes as a result of taking a long flight and traveling through a number of time zones. You will probably be sleeping and waking at the 'wrong' times, feel tired, and have less patience than usual. This will pass within a few days, once your internal clock has adjusted to the time change. Another tip: upon arrival, get some exercise and do your best to wait to go to sleep until it is bedtime in the new time zone. This disorientation can be minimized some by avoiding alcohol and caffeinated products prior to and during your flight, and drinking plenty of other fluids. You may also want to set your watch to the time zone to which you are flying as soon as you get on the plane. Still, for most persons, some degree of short-term jet lag is inevitable.

On-Site Orientation
Many study abroad programs arrange for a representative to meet arriving students at the airport and transport them to the program site. Others will give directions, but ask you to find your way. If you are directly enrolling into a foreign university, there may or may not be someone to greet you and provide campus and local orientation. If your program does not offer on-site orientation, or if you will be directly enrolled in a foreign school, you will need to orient yourself to your new environment. Use the topics listed below as an overview of what you need to know:

The purpose of on-site orientation is two-fold:

To review what you learned from your pre-departure preparations
To provide you with current site-specific information and perspectives about your surroundings which may not be possible at a distance and beforehand

It is likely to cover the following areas:

Introduction to the program - Your registration for course work will be confirmed. You'll learn about the program rules and academic requirements, and you will be given information on social and cultural events and opportunities.
Health information - You'll be told about any special health precautions to take in the local environment.
Safety information - How to lessen the chance of becoming the victim of a crime or an accident while you are abroad and how to behave so as to maximize your personal safety vis-a-vis crime and violence.
Personal conduct - How to behave in ways appropriate to your status as a guest in your new environment. You cannot use the excuse of being "foreign" if you disobey the civil and criminal laws of the country.
Notifying local authorities - Your program representative should help you register with the local authorities, if this is required, and with the US embassy or consulate so that you can be located in case of an emergency.
Housing - You may be taken to your dorm or apartment or introduced to your host family.
Language Training - Some programs offer basic training in the host language as part of orientation. Introduction to the local culture: lectures, tours, meetings, etc. on the local culture.
Communications - You'll be told about the options for keeping in touch with your family and friends at home.
Independent travel - Your program representative may be able to provide information on methods of travel, how to arrange it, and any safety factors involved.
Training - Most of what you need to be aware of will be provided, but the settling-in process must be lived through on an individual basis.

Coursework & Credit
As discussed in the first sections of this handbook, getting your planned course work approved by an academic or study abroad adviser before you go abroad is the best way to ensure that you get full academic credit for it. But this is not always possible, and even when classes are pre-approved, things may not work out as planned.

Q: What if one or more of your pre-approved classes isn't available, or you change your mind?
A: Contact your adviser at your home university immediately to ask for approval of substitution courses.

Q: What if you didn't know in advance what courses were available?
A: As soon as you know which courses you can enroll in, let your adviser know and request approval of the courses you've selected.

Q: What if you attend a US college that approves study abroad courses only after students return?
A: Be sure to bring back information about all courses you took, including syllabi, reading lists, class notes, papers, tests, and portfolios. (This is a good idea for anyone who studies abroad, in case questions arise about how to evaluate a class or determine a grade.)

Cultural Adjustment & Exploration
Living and learning overseas successfully usually means adjustment to a different lifestyle, food, climate, and time zone, often accompanied by the necessity of learning to communicate in a foreign language. This process is never easy and can include mood swings alternating between heady exhilaration and mild depression. In the early weeks, you will probably feel excited about your new experiences and environment. Soon, you may find the excitement of new surroundings and sensations increasingly replaced by frustration with how different things are from home.

Culture Shock. This frustration and confusion is usually called 'culture shock.' Variations of culture shock can affect even experienced travelers and is considered a natural (and perhaps even essential) part of adjusting to a foreign culture. Symptoms can include depression, sleeping difficulties, homesickness, trouble concentrating, an urge to isolate yourself, and irritation with your host culture.

Even if you are used to being away from your family, you may still have problems. After all, you are now away from everything that's familiar. There are numerous ways to combat your feelings of disorientation until they pass (as they usually do):

Learn as much as possible from local residents about their culture.
Keep in touch with other American students. If you are directly enrolled in a foreign university, find out if there is a local hangout for American students. It can sometimes be helpful to meet with them and share experiences. Avoid letting these become gripe sessions, however.
Keep yourself busy doing things you enjoy. When you have free time, visit museums, go to movies, and tour local sites of interest.
Keep in touch with your family and friends at home. Letters, phone calls, or e-mail contact will make you feel less isolated.
Try to keep your long-range goals in mind. Experiencing a new culture will inevitably involve some frustration and feelings of loneliness as you leave the familiar and incorporate the new, but they don't last forever.
Don't overdo any of the preceding suggestions or you risk never making the adjustments to your new environment which are requisite to your purposes for being overseas.
In sum, since there is almost no way to avoid culture shock completely, you should try to accept it as something everyone goes through. Keep in mind that students returning from study abroad often describe working their way through culture shock as a necessary maturing experience, something that provided insight into their own cultural assumptions.
You can ease your transition by recognizing the factors that cause culture shock and taking steps to minimize them.

For most students, the symptoms of culture shock wane after the first few weeks or months, as they begin to understand their host culture better. However, if you find that feelings of irritability and depression linger, you may need help from a doctor or counselor. Your program director or the international students office at your host university should be able to direct you to counseling or support organizations.

Fitting In and Being Accepted. Your study abroad experience will be heightened if you try as much as possible to become part of the local social environment. In the beginning, it is perhaps wise to behave like a guest, as indeed you are. For a while you may even be accorded a special status, that of a well-meaning (but not-quite-with-it!) outsider. But as time goes on, you will want to be able to behave in ways similar to that of the local students and citizens - and others will begin to expect such behavior of you. This means learning what behavior is and isn't appropriate in this new setting, and acting accordingly. Observe local students in your dormitory, on campus, on the street. If you live with a host family, see how family members dress and interact with one other and others. It's fine to ask questions about local customs and ways of behaving. In fact, people will appreciate that you are trying to learn about their culture and lifestyle, and are likely to help you adjust.

In some countries more than others, there is an unflattering stereotype of an American tourist, one who throws money around, drinks too much, is loud and rude, expects all foreigners to speak English, thinks the United States is better than any other country, and is always in a hurry. There are other countries in which all Americans are seen as happy, cheerful, carefree, and above all rich. Locals in your host country may assume parts or all of this to be true about you, simply because you are from the United States. Remember that their images of what 'Americans' are like are based on the other Americans they have seen, if not in person, then indirectly through our movies and media. Such is the nature of stereotyping. The challenge is to go beyond misleading images and false impressions, so that you and they can be yourselves, and mutual understanding can deepen over time.

Learning and Respecting Local Customs. 'When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do' is not legal counsel, but rather seasoned advice to newcomers. Certain ways of acting in a country not your own affront local custom and show ignorance or disrespect, or both to local citizens. In many countries, for example, women traditionally cover certain parts of the body, such as the head, arms, and legs. In others, it is frowned on for couples to hold hands or display other types of physical affection in public. Most countries have customs associated with religion and sacred places. In certain Islamic societies, non-Muslims may not enter sacred sites. In Thailand, Buddhist monks must carry out an elaborate purification ritual if a woman touches them, including sitting next to them on a bus!

Understanding local customs will help you feel a part of the new culture and avoid potentially embarrassing situations. Especially if you are not fluent in the local language, your body language is often what expresses you. Saying hello or goodbye via a simple hand gesture is, for example, done quite differently from place to place, even within Europe. When to shake hands or kiss is signaled between people in different ways from country to country. How close to sit or stand when talking also varies greatly. These are just a few of the many simple habits for you to learn and then follow in order not to give unintended offense.

ProQuest Information and Learning Company's Culture Grams offer many insights on customs and lifestyles of individual countries. Phone 800-521-3042, or visit their website atwww.culturegrams.com.

Women Abroad. Appropriate behavior for young women varies from country to country, and even within countries. Some countries have well-defined gender roles. Others restrict certain activities for women, such as driving and meeting with men who are not relatives. You may find that behavior and dress that are acceptable in major cities are inappropriate in rural areas. Sometimes, though, just the opposite is true, and behavior is more relaxed outside of metropolitan areas.

Observe how local women your age act and dress and try to do likewise. In spite of your efforts, however, you may find that you are harassed. In some countries, women are routinely whistled at, pinched, and even grabbed-especially foreign women. This may be because, in some countries, the cultural stereotype of western women is that they are promiscuous. You can minimize unwanted attention by taking the following steps:

Dress modestly. Avoid sleeveless tops and short skirts, even in hot climates. Try to dress in the same style as the local women. Avoid making eye contact with men in the street. What may seem to you like simple friendliness might be interpreted as flirtation to a man from a country where women keep their eyes down. Watch the local women; see how they avoid and turn away unwanted attention, and mimic their behavior. Take a friend with you when you go out at night or to an unfamiliar area. In some countries, young unmarried women never go out alone. Arrange a public meeting place when you get together with people you don't know well.

Sexual Orientation. It is advisable to do some reading before departure regarding culture-specific norms of friendship and dating for relationships between people of any sexual orientation in the country where you are headed. Knowing about the culture-specific norms of friendship and dating for relationships between people of any sexual orientation in the country where you are headed is especially essential. Laws regarding same-sex relationships differ from country to country so you should inform yourself about those before your program begins.

Issues regarding sexual orientation are often included in materials prepared by study abroad offices and program providers. Check to see what information is available regarding GLBT issues from the programs in which you are interested. Travel guides, web resources, and your institutional GLBT office can provide additional valuable information.

For a bibliography regarding sexual orientation issues in countries outside the US, check the following Web site maintained by NAFSA: Association of International Educator's LesBiGay Special Interest Group: www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay.

Staying Healthy
You have the best odds of staying healthy abroad if you come prepared, are careful about what you eat and drink, and don't engage in risky behavior that can jeopardize your health.

Food. The food in your host country is almost guaranteed to be different from what you're used to. In many places, the local diet may be based on meat, entirely vegetarian, very spicy, or just "odd" by US standards-for example, the main staple may be rice or manioc root. While your stomach is still adjusting, you may wish to include some familiar foods in your diet. Look around for a western-style supermarket, and purchase some of the foods that you would eat at home. You are likely to find restaurants that serve familiar foods in major cities and tourist areas. You can probably also find US fast food chains, for those times when you feel you need to have a burger or pizza. The point is that gradual adjustment and adaptation to the local diet makes social and usually nutritional sense.

The old adage for eating abroad is "Peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it." Ask your program director, your host family, or local students if you need to take these precautions in your host country. If you do, peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them; anything that can't be peeled should be cooked thoroughly. This means no green salads. In areas where sanitation is poor, avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese made from unpasteurized milk. In some areas, it is unhealthy to eat food sold from stalls on the street. In others, "street food" is fresh and high quality. Consult friends from your host country before you sample food sold from stalls.

Can You Drink the Water? Find out before you go whether the local tap water is drinkable. (In most Western European countries, it is.) If it isn't, drink bottled water. As an alternative, you can boil tap water for ten minutes, and then let it cool; it will then be safe for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth. In restaurants, order bottled water if tap water is unhealthy, and don't request ice - it is usually made from tap water. If you are going to be hiking in a remote area where bottled water may not be available, bring a high-quality water filter or iodine tablets to purify water.

Diarrhea. No matter how careful you are about what you eat and drink, you can still contract diarrhea. Travelers commonly experience this temporarily debilitating illness after a few days in a new country. In most cases, it lasts no longer than about five days, and the only treatment required is to replace lost fluids by drinking bottled water, fruit juice, or carbonated drinks. If diarrhea persists or is severe, contact a doctor.

Exercise. Regular exercise will help fight the culture shock blues and speed you through your initial jet lag. Throughout your time abroad, you'll feel more energetic and less stressed if you jog, swim, play tennis, or even go for a walk three or four times a week.

Alcohol Consumption. If you drink, drink sparingly. The customs regarding drinking wine and beer may be different in your host country than in the United States. The minimum drinking age may be lower, and it may be customary to drink wine or beer with meals. The result for some students is a problem with alcohol.

Drug Use. Illegal, addictive drug use is of course never good for one's health. Aside from the legal consequences, drug use can contribute to feelings of isolation and frustration. Further, anti-narcotics laws are strictly enforced in many foreign countries, whether a student is caught with a small amount of a drug for personal use or with a large quantity for sale to others. Young people, including Americans, are often targeted by police, especially in countries where the US has complained about local enforcement of drug laws. According to the US State Department, one-third of US citizens arrested abroad are charged with possessing or using drugs. Worldwide, an average prison sentence for narcotics possession is seven years. In some countries, the sentence for certain drug charges is death. Never transport or deliver a package for anyone. If the package turns out to contain drugs, you can be arrested even if you were ignorant of its contents. To be safe, stay away from illegal drugs or anyone who uses or sells them.

AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. In some countries, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is a widespread health problem. Take the same steps to avoid this disease as you would at home. Use a condom if you are sexually active. (It may be a good idea to bring condoms with you, because the quality of condoms in some countries is unreliable.) Never share needles or use a needle that has been used before. This applies not only to injecting drugs, but ear or body piercing, tattoos, and acupuncture. Other sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and herpes, are also present worldwide. Use the necessary precautions to avoid these diseases.

Get up-to-date travel health adviseries from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/travel.

Travel Health Online offers links to physicians, US Department of State publications, and other health information. Contact them at www.tripprep.com.

Staying Safe. Dangers exist at study abroad locations, just as they do on or near US college campuses. Problems can occur if and when students fail to take the same precautions abroad as they would at home. The best way to maximize your safety while studying abroad is to be aware of conditions that affect safety in your host country and any countries you plan to travel to; then adjust your behavior so that you take normal safety measures.

If you are enrolled in a study abroad program, listen carefully to the director when you are told about safety conditions and concerns in your host country. You can also receive general information by following the international news in newspapers and on all-news television channels such as CNN, though this is often sensationalized and does not accord with local accounts. Safety information on all countries is available from knowledgeable sources on campus, including the study abroad office, and from the US Department of State.

The most important factor in your safety abroad is likely to be your behavior. It's wise to do the following:

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't wander through unfamiliar areas alone, and always remain alert.
Don't go out alone at night. Even when you're with friends, stick to well-lit streets where there are a lot of people.
Don't flash jewelry, expensive cameras, or electronic equipment.
Use caution when walking or jogging. Remember that in some countries, drivers use the left side of the road. In certain areas, drivers may not expect anyone to be running along the road.
When crossing streets, keep in mind that pedestrians may not be given the right of way.
Be careful with alcohol. If you drink, make sure it is only with people you know and trust, and designate one person to remain sober. As in the United States, never drink and drive. (Drunk driving laws abroad are sometimes much more severe than those in the United States.)
Don't attract attention to yourself with provocative or expensive clothing or boisterous conversation in public. Observe local students' behavior, and try to mimic it.
Use only official taxis. Unless meters are used, agree on the fare before you get in.
Before you travel from your program site, find out what methods of transportation are safest and whether any roads should be avoided.
Read the local papers to find out where high crime areas are and whether civil unrest is brewing.
Stay away from demonstrations or any kind of civil disturbances. Even innocent bystanders can be hurt or arrested.
Protect your passport. Keep it with you, in a front pocket or your purse. Be careful when displaying it.
In general, avoid being engulfed in a crowd. This is the preferred environment of pickpockets.
Accidents can happen anywhere. If driving, know what local traffic laws are and follow them. Always use a seat-belt. Make sure you understand local road signs and signals.
Remain alert when walking. Before crossing streets, remember to look both ways; in some countries, traffic will be coming from the opposite direction from what you would expect.

Obeying the Law
Whether at your program site or elsewhere, when you visit another country, you are that country's guest and are expected to follow its laws. They may be very different from those of the United States, which is why it is so important to find out what they are. Then be sure to follow them carefully - even if you feel they are repressive, irrational, or antiquated. Don't make the mistake of assuming that other countries will excuse illegal acts simply because you are a foreigner or a student. Even "minor" infractions, such as exchanging money on the black market or making purchases for foreign friends in hard-currency shops that are off limits for natives, can lead to severe penalties. Breaking a law will, at a minimum, get you dismissed from your study abroad program and possibly deported from your host country.

Try to understand the cultural context of these laws and regulations. If you disagree with them, it's fine to discuss your feelings with other North American participants in your program. You may also want to write about objectionable conditions in your journal. However, be careful about discussing your feelings with your host family or local students, until you know their views and the cultural context better. They may well be embarrassed to hear their country criticized. They may risk trouble by talking about issues that may not be discussed openly in their society. If you object so strongly to local laws or customs that you don't think you can follow them, it may be advisable to choose a different country. Talk to your study abroad adviser in the early stages of your planning.

US notions regarding freedom of speech and expression have no parallel in many countries. It is important to realize that civil rights protections and US legal procedures don't apply in other countries. People who are arrested are typically held without bail until their trial. Prison conditions in many countries can be wretched, and the US idea of "innocent until proven guilty" may not apply.

US embassies and consulates are able to offer only limited assistance to US visitors who break laws. If you are arrested, they can contact your family and provide you with a list of local attorneys. They can visit you in prison to see that you are being treated humanely. They cannot, however, provide free legal assistance or money for bail. Most importantly, they cannot get you out of jail.

Money Matters
Buying and Using the National Currency. To live in a foreign country, you will need to learn how to use a new currency. Start by learning the exchange rate between US dollars and the local currency before you leave home. Then try to think in the local currency. Prior to departure, you can find out what the latest exchange rate is in your host country and other countries you plan to visit by contacting www.xe.com/ucc or any of many currency exchange websites. Remember that there will be daily fluctuations.

US dollars can be exchanged abroad for the local currency at banks and exchange bureaus. Exchange rates vary slightly or significantly, from place to place and over time. In Europe, you can get acceptable exchange rates at railroad stations, and in some Asian countries, hotels may offer the best rate. Shop around for the best rate in your area. Don't be tempted by people who offer to exchange money on the street, or "black market." This is illegal in most countries.

If the US dollar is strong, you can save money by exchanging all your money at once. As you near the end of your time abroad, remember to exchange only as much money as you'll need. In some countries, hard currency restrictions limit the amount of foreign currency that can be changed back into US dollars, particularly if the original exchange receipts have been misplaced.

Exchange enough money at the airport exchange bureau to get you through the first few days. The exchange rate may be less advantageous than at a bank, but the convenience is well worth it.

ATMs Abroad. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are available in an ever-growing number of locations throughout the world, especially throughout Europe, connecting US ATMs with those abroad. If your bank is part of an international network (check on this in advance) you can use your ATM card to obtain cash in the local currency from your bank account in the United States. Generally, the exchange rate is favorable because it's the same one the banks get when exchanging money.

In order to use ATMs abroad, your PIN code must be no longer than four digits. Be sure to memorize the numbers as well as the letters-some ATMs abroad have number pads without letters. Ask your bank for a worldwide directory of its ATMs. If your ATM card is part of the Cirrus network, you can find the location of these ATMs abroad by calling 800-424-7787. You can also get information on whether your host country has ATMs on your network by contacting: www.mastercard.com or www.visa.com.

Traveler's Checks. Traveler's checks are the safest way to carry money abroad. If they are lost or stolen, they can be replaced. Make sure you record the check numbers, and keep them separate from the checks. You can purchase traveler's checks in US dollars, which are accepted in many countries worldwide. Traveler's checks are also available in other major currencies, such as Euros and Japanese Yen. Most banks and many travel agencies sell traveler's checks; they generally cost about one percent of the total amount you buy.

Money in an Emergency. If you run out of money or an emergency comes up while you're abroad, there are several options for getting money from home.

Wiring Money. Cash or traveler's checks can be wired to you through companies such as Western Union or an American Express office (located in major cities). This service is fast but expensive.

Postal Money Orders. A family member or friend can buy a money order from a US post office and send it to you. You'll be paid the amount of the money order at your local post office. Postal money orders have the advantage of being inexpensive, but the disadvantage of being slow: they take as long to get to you as an airmail letter.

Credit Cards. Credit cards are good for emergencies or major travel expenses. They also offer good rates of exchange. Before you go, find out what privileges cardholders with your credit card have when abroad.

Personal Checks. Some study abroad programs have an arrangement with a local bank to cash their students' checks. If yours does not, you are unlikely to be able to cash checks abroad. The exception is if you establish a bank account abroad, which may be a good idea if your program is for an academic or calendar year. In addition, some credit cards offer check-cashing privileges. At American Express offices abroad, for example, you can cash a US check for up to $1,000 if you are an American Express cardholder.

Lost or Stolen Money. RRecord the toll-free service numbers for your credit card company, bank, and the company that issued your traveler's checks. If you lose any of them, or they are stolen, you can immediately contact the issuing company for instructions on how to get them replaced. Choose a credit card company that has offices in your host country, so you can get a replacement locally if necessary.

To keep your money as safe as possible, take the following precautions: Exchange money only in banks or other authorized exchange bureaus. Never exchange it on the black market. Carry only as much money as you need for a day. Use the same precautions when using ATMs (automated teller machines) as you would at home. The safest units to use are those inside banks or other buildings. Don't leave your purse unattended, even for a moment. Tuck it firmly under your arm; if it has a long strap, wear it across your chest rather than let it dangle off your shoulder. In some areas, a waist pouch or money belt may be the safest way to carry money, especially if it is worn under your clothing.

Other Tips
Keeping in Touch. Communicating with people at home during your stay abroad can help put your parents' minds at ease. Staying in touch will also give you an opportunity to fill in your friends about what you're experiencing, keeping you connected to familiar circumstances and giving you a chance to begin telling your story.

Independent Travel. Visiting other areas of your host country and surrounding countries can help you understand other cultures. It's also just plain fun. But remember that permission from your college and parents for you to live and learn overseas, and the financial backing for this sojourn, was based on the assumption that course work taken as part of your US degree studies is your central purpose. Travel away from your program site should be reserved for occasional weekend getaways, longer trips during program breaks, or extensive travel after your program ends. Such travel doesn't have to be a budget-buster if you do some advance planning for getting where you want to go and finding lodging while there. Most returned students say that getting to know one region really well is much more worthwhile than the superficial tourism that results from trying to see too many places in too short a period of time. You are young, and you are likely to be back, so it is best to resist temptations to race all over, merely accumulating fleeting glimpses and souvenirs to show off when you get back home.

Before You Return Home. Before you pack your bags, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure your return to the United States and your home campus goes smoothly.

Staying in Touch with Your New Friends. Get the addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of people you want to keep in touch with. Maintaining friendships made abroad will ease your transition to life in the United States. And if you plan to return to your host country for graduate study or to work, you will want to be able to contact the people you know there.

Requesting a Transcript. Before you depart, make sure your transcript will be sent to your home university registrar. If the school you attended doesn't issue transcripts, request an official report listing the courses you took, your record of attendance, and an evaluation of your work.

> > > Continue to Part V

It's Your World: Student's Guide to Education Abroad part2

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:27:57 GMT

PART II: Selecting the Right Program for You

Your Study Abroad Office

Field of Study

Academic Credit

Grades

Language Requirements

How To Research Study Abroad Opportunities

Financial Aid

Diversity

Students with Disabilities

How To Research Internship, Volunteer & Work Abroad Opportunities

Introduction
Choosing a study abroad program that is the "right fit" for you is the best way to achieve your personal and academic goals for study abroad, as well as assist you with your long-range career plans. Therefore, it is important to plan carefully. However, when selecting the program, you are likely to get the most from involved careful planning. Hundreds of opportunities exist, more than ever before. They differ in location, duration, curriculum, degrees of cultural immersion, language, cost, and many, many other ways. Because there is so much to consider, it's smart to begin planning a full year before you want to depart. In some cases colleges and universities expect you to declare your intent to study abroad a full year in advance.

Start by realistically assessing your academic and personal preparation and objectives:

What do you want or need to study?
Do you need to earn credit while abroad, or would a work abroad program not for credit be possible?
Are you fluent enough in a foreign language to take classes in it, or will it be necessary for you to take some or all of your coursework in English?
How much time can you afford to spend abroad, in terms of academic time and economic resources?
Where do you want to go? Why?
How structured or open of a program are you looking for?
Do you want to live in a dorm with other Americans, stay with a local family, or have some other housing option?
How much money can you spend on tuition and fees? On housing and food? On international transportation?
Will you need to apply for financial aid? Is it available?

This section provides information that will help you answer these questions.

Getting the most from any study abroad program requires open-mindedness, flexibility, dedication, independence, and above all, a spirit of adventure. Some programs, however, require more of these characteristics than others. Also keep in mind your adventure quotient when considering programs. Challenge yourself, but be realistic.

Your Study Abroad Office
Find out if your campus has a study abroad office. (It probably does if it sends more than just a few students abroad to study.) Study abroad advisers are experienced guides, especially in knowing what your campus supports and encourages. They can assist you in exploring all reasonable alternatives and help you sharpen your objectives for a foreign study program. He or she will help determine whether the courses you are considering will mesh with your educational goals - and whether you will receive academic credit for them. If your school doesn't have a study abroad adviser, consult the office of the academic dean, the office of academic advising, or a faculty member who is knowledgeable about foreign study programs. As described below, access to study abroad resources via written materials and the internet is easy.

Field of Study
What do you want to study? The largest percentage of US students abroad take some courses in their major, while others take a broader selection. The most prevalent course work available overseas is in social sciences and humanities areas, followed by business and management; third in popularity are foreign languages. But programs exist in nearly every subject, from art to zoology. There are courses in animation, classical studies, chemistry, development studies, historical preservation, literature, marine biology, mathematics, the performing arts, physics, social anthropology, TEFL/TESL (Teaching English as a Foreign (or Second) Language), and women's studies. You can learn or polish a foreign language, including Aramaic, French, Kannada, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Xhosa. And you can study the people and culture of another country or region.

IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad, published by EducationDynamics and the Institute of International Education, are comprehensive reference directories to international study for US students. The books are updated annually, and contain information on thousands of program offerings. Programs are indexed by field of study - as well as cost ranges, sponsoring institutions, consortia, and special options - making these directories easy to use. All of the programs listed in these directories are also included in a very useful web directory, www.IIEPassport.org.

Peterson's also publishes a large program guide and has a website listing programs. In addition, there are various other websites, such as www.StudyAbroad.com, which list programs and have hyperlinks to program web pages.

Explore a New Subject. You might like to take an opportunity to explore an entirely new subject. Some students go abroad to take courses that aren't available at their home campuses. Others want to pursue subjects that can offer a richer experience when they study in another country - political issues of the Middle East, for example, or the marine biology of Jamaica. If you are considering this option, find out how it will affect your graduation plans. Will you be able to meet your graduation and major departmental requirements? Will you need to spend an additional semester or year on campus?

Foreign Language Courses. Many students take part in study abroad to learn a new language or to perfect their skills in a language that is their major or minor. Living in a foreign country can make learning the local language much easier, thanks to abundant opportunities to hear it and practice speaking it. In addition, you may want to study a language or a dialect that is rarely taught in the US.

If you are interested in foreign language study, make sure any programs you consider are taught at your level of proficiency. Check program facilities: Is there a language lab? Is it well-equipped? Will you have access to a multimedia center or library? Will the credits be accepted by the appropriate language department at your home university?

Academic Credit
It is as important to make sure you are able to earn the maximum academic credit for your program abroad as it is to decide what or where to study. With the ever-increasing cost of a college education, no one wants to discover upon return home that credit for a semester or academic year spent studying abroad will not be accepted. Even if the program is offered by your home university, having the credit accepted and counted toward graduation is seldom automatic.

It is essential to get approval in advance - and in writing. This may be routinely done on your campus or you may need to take an active role in getting approval for your study abroad program. Most colleges and universities only accept credit from programs that they authorize in advance. In fact, if you're receiving financial aid of any kind, pre-approval is required.

Find out if your campus has a procedure (or a requirement) for arranging pre-approval of the academic work you intend to take abroad. A study abroad adviser is the best source of help in this process. If your school doesn't have one, check with your registrar, faculty adviser, dean or admissions officer. These are the questions to ask:

What can I earn credit for? This varies from institution to institution and obviously depends on the level and quality of your overseas courses. Once pre-approval is given, this should make it clear if your overseas course work counts toward your academic major, or minor; or toward curricular electives; or simply as general degree credit. Be sure to find out before you leave where your credits fit in your domestic requirements for graduation. Ask if your school requires that you take a minimum course load in order to qualify for credit - it usually does.

What kind of documentation do I need to have a course approved? If you plan to enroll in a program offered by your home university, the description in the course catalog will probably be all your adviser (or registrar or dean) needs to approve it. If, however, you are considering a program offered by another US university, you may need more in order to earn "transfer credit" - credit transferred from another school to your home university.

Your study abroad adviser may request all or some of the following before you are approved for participation:

The number of contact hours of the program: hours spent in lectures, labs, field work, etc.
The course format
Course outline and reading list
Information on the level of the course
The academic credentials of the teaching faculty
Method of course assessment (exams, essays, projects, etc.)
The grading system (ABCDEF, numerical scale etc.) and the lowest passing grade
After you return, you may be asked to furnish your course notes, exams, papers, etc., before credit is granted or a course is certified as meeting a particular graduation requirement.

Who issues the transcript? The US university that sponsors the program? A foreign university? You and your adviser need to know this. The same information will be needed if you are considering a program sponsored by an agency or a foreign university.

Is the program abroad offered by a US-accredited institution? Is the institution accredited to offer academic degrees in its own country? Your home university may require either US or foreign accreditation in order for credit to be accepted. Find out your university's policies BEFORE you apply to a program.

How much credit can I earn? This will depend on your school policies and those of the host institution. Mostly, a 'full load' of courses passed overseas translates into the same number of credits which could be earned at home during the same time period. But not always, so get this clear in advance. Also, find out what minimum grade you need to earn in order to receive credit from your home school - usually, a C or higher is required. If your college requires that you achieve a grade of C or above, you may not be able to take overseas courses on a pass/fail basis because in many systems the lowest passing grade is a D. Therefore, ask if your school will award credit for courses taken pass/fail.

Amount of credit will also depend on whether the study abroad program is on a quarter or semester basis. If your home school offers classes by semester, and the overseas program is on a quarter system, ask your adviser how transfer credit is calculated.

In addition, universities may (or may not) grant credit for independent study, internships and other experiential study, as well as dissertation credit for graduate students who do research abroad. If you are interested in these types of credit, discuss the possibilities and the requirements with your academic adviser and the registrar.

In sum, be sure you know how much credit will be awarded for all overseas study and whether there are any tuition fees that must be paid to your home institution in addition to the fees for the study abroad program.

Grades
Foreign universities may give a number grade rather than a letter, or even give comments in place of a grade. In addition, grading in some overseas universities can be much stricter than in the US Transferring of grades to an American system can be complicated. Therefore, some colleges show only the courses and the credits you take, without recording the grades on the transcript. In other cases, grades earned abroad are listed on the home transcript but not included in the grade point average (GPA). Be sure to ask whether your home institution figures grades earned abroad in your grade point average, as this might affect which courses you decided to take.

Note: Most graduate schools, medical schools, and law schools will ask to see the original transcript from your international program. These institutions may convert the grades from abroad and include them in your GPA, even if your home institution does not.

Language Requirements
An important factor when considering a study abroad program is its language of instruction. Do you need to know the local language in order to begin (or complete) the program? If so, how well? In some programs, some courses are offered in the native language, and others in English. For a number of overseas study programs, a specified degree of fluency in the host language is required for entry. Others require that you be willing to study the local language, perhaps at the beginning level. This, of course, is not an issue in English-speaking countries, or with programs in other countries that teach courses for foreigners in English.

You can evaluate your language skills either by taking a language proficiency or placement exam or by taking an appropriate foreign language class. Sometimes testing is done on the home campus, and sometimes programs themselves will test applicants (or accepted students, after arrival, to judge the level of their placement). How well can you understand and communicate in a foreign language? It is wise to be completely realistic about your level of competency. Being able to carry on a simple conversation in another language is no guarantee that you can do academic work in it. On the other hand, opportunities to make quantum leaps forward in your language proficiency are one of the reasons for studying overseas. You might be amazed at how much you will learn once you are surrounded by a language other than English and have ample opportunities to speak, read, and write it.

Many study abroad programs sponsored by American colleges and universities are conducted in cooperation with a foreign university or offer special courses taught by foreign faculty. In such arrangements, courses are typically taught in the language of the host country, and generally require a minimum of two years of college study or the equivalent in that language. Some American colleges and universities offer language immersion programs to prepare their students for this course work.

A second choice is to enroll directly in a foreign university, where courses are usually taught in the host country language - or in an institute set up to meet the needs of foreign and visiting (non-matriculated) students. In either instance, you will need to be sufficiently fluent in the local language in order to be able to comprehend lectures - including academic and technical terminology - and read scholarly books and other publications. Most foreign universities and institutes require US students to take a language proficiency exam before admission. If your language skills need some brushing up, many foreign universities offer visiting students special courses in the language, and others on the native culture and history. Note: Direct enrollment typically means more effort on your part to ensure your home college/university approval of credit and financial aid transfer.

A number of study abroad programs offer some classes in English and some in the local language. With these, you'll be able to understand and participate in classes while you polish your foreign language skills.

Consider a program that offers all course work in English, plus a foreign language class (which is typically taught in the language being studied). This is an option within many study abroad programs, including short-term overseas programs, often held in the summer or a winter interim. But review the course offerings carefully, as such programs typically offer only a limited selection of courses. Whatever your foreign language skills, you're likely to have a better understanding and appreciation of your host country if you make an effort to learn the local language. Learning a foreign language in a country in which it's spoken is an entirely different experience from learning it at home. Because you are surrounded by the language in everyday life, what you learn in the classroom can be practiced everywhere you go. Even if you acquire only "survival" language skills, the people you meet will appreciate your efforts. This is likely to open up even more opportunities to practice your proficiency.

Knowing a foreign language can be a passport to many different countries beyond the obvious. French, for instance, is spoken not only in France, but Morocco, some West African countries, the Caribbean, and the Canadian province of Quebec. Portuguese is the native tongue of Portugal, but also spoken as the primary language of gigantic Brazil. And Spanish, of course, is spoken in Spain and almost all of Central and South America, and in numerous countries around the world.

Timing & Duration
When would overseas study be best for you? How much flexibility is there in your academic schedule? How long a sojourn can you afford with your economic resources, even with financial assistance? These are major considerations you need to think about before choosing a program. In the past, most undergraduates who went abroad typically did so during their junior year for the entire year. The majority were foreign language majors, or studied in English-speaking countries. Today, many options exist for study abroad across the curriculum; for participating in programs which vary in duration from a few weeks to a calendar year; and for studying abroad at almost any point during undergraduate degree studies (or after one has graduated). All of these options exist - at least in theory. In practice, your college or university may have rules and requirements which restrict your choices a little or a lot.

Timing. When is the best time to study abroad? That depends on you and your degree program. Study and living abroad can give you new insight into your academic goals, so taking part in this experience early in your undergraduate education - typically at some point in the sophomore year - can help provide academic direction. If, however, you have strong academic interests that you would like to explore beyond the boundaries of your home campus, study abroad might be more appropriate in your junior or senior year. Be aware that some universities don't allow senior year study abroad, and some allow it only in the first semester of the year. Be sure to check with your campus study abroad office regarding institutional policies.

Duration. How much time do you want to spend studying abroad? Study abroad advisers, from long experience listening to returned students, generally counsel that the longer the program and the more immersed in the local culture you are, the greater the long-range benefit.

Academic or Semester: About half of all US students currently studying abroad are participating in semester or academic year abroad programs. Such programs, because of their length and opportunities for true immersion in a foreign culture, are likely to make the strongest and most long-lasting impact both academically and in terms of cross-cultural understanding and career preparation. It takes time to adjust to a new living and learning environment, and many would say that the best learning takes place after such adjustment has taken place. But there are other issues to consider. Do you have the discipline to pursue your studies for a semester or year away from home? Can you afford to spend that much time away from your academic program? If the answer to either of these is "no," there are still plenty of study abroad options available to you. About half of all US students now studying abroad do so on short-term programs; that is, programs shorter than an academic semester. Shorter programs, if well-planned, can offer a more intensive and focused experience - and may be the only realistic alternative in terms of the demands of your degree studies and economic resources.

Summer study programs range in length from two weeks to three months, with the largest number offered for one to two months. You can combine academic course work with program-related travel, or course work can be followed by vacation travel. Sometimes the program is entirely travel (in which case earning credit may not be possible). Such programs are sponsored both by American higher educational institutions, as well as by overseas universities, agencies, and organizations. So-called 'vacation' study programs are enormous in number and variety. Such programs are offered all over the world. You can study business law in Australia, fashion design in London, US-Mexico relations in Mexico, and international finance in Tokyo. Programs range from two- or four-week courses to those that last two or three months. Courses of study vary from those with a strong focus on academics, with the addition of a few field trips, to a study tour, in which travel and learning are combined. Vacation and summer study programs are sponsored by US colleges and universities and foreign higher educational institutions. Many specialized institutes abroad focus on the art, language, and culture of their home countries and offer short-term programs to US nationals.

Interim study programs are held in the period between semesters, especially for universities on the 4-1-4 calendar, or between academic quarters for those operating on the quarter system.

Pre-freshman year programs are available for students who feel they need a breathing period between completing high school and beginning college.

Follow-up or Lab programs, led by the instructor, are held to supplement what was learned in class with first-hand, on-site, exposure to what was studied.

Some language study programs are sponsored by language-teaching institutes, e.g., Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institute.

Also available are study tour' programs in which a US professor leads a traveling group of students, alums, or others within one country or to several countries, for credit or just the educational exposure.

Location
Europe or Elsewhere Throughout the World? Where is the best place for you to study? The answer obviously depends on many different personal, curricular, and institutional considerations. Think this through carefully, as no given place is likely to answer all your needs, and yet each place has something unique to offer. Western Europe is the traditional destination for American students going abroad, and now accounts for about two-thirds of all students. One of the reasons students head for Western European countries is because there are so many well-established program sites. Yet programs now beckon from all over the globe.

But, in increasing numbers, students are also deciding to consider other regions, sometimes based on course work, sometimes on language, cultural, or career interests. Excellent programs are available in the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, South America, the Caribbean and the islands of the South Pacific. In fact, almost (but not quite) everywhere! You can study volcanology in Costa Rica, political change in South Africa, Buddhism in Tibet, or indigenous music in Zambia. Nothing can compare with learning a foreign language in a country where it's spoken, whether that means learning Spanish in Spain or Wolof in Senegal.

Living and learning in a culture that is dramatically different from one's own can provide an incomparable learning experience, challenging customary assumptions about one's own society and values and providing a unique perspective on the larger world. The fact that nearly three-quarters of the world's population live in 'developing' nations is bound to have a significant effect on the course of history. From an economic standpoint, it is worth noting that US trade with developing countries now approaches 40 percent of all US imports and exports. In today's economically interdependent world, knowledge of developing nations may prove to be a tremendous career asset. One legacy of colonialism in these culturally diverse and economically emerging countries is that the language of instruction in higher education is often English, Spanish or French rather than the native language. This does not apply, however, to countries like China, which has an extensive scientific and technical literature of its own, and which draws large numbers of students to study its literature, languages and cultures.

In Search of Roots. Some students go abroad in search not of the new, but of what they hope and assume will accord with their own family background, whether ethnic, religious, or national. Students from Arabic-speaking families thus sometimes wish to study in the Middle East, Hispanic students might select any of the countries where Spanish is spoken, Jewish students might opt for Israel, African-American students might be interested in one of the many programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asian-American students may look to programs in the Orient. If this is part of your motivation, you are likely to find rewarding connections to your background. But be prepared to find that, no matter how fluently you speak the local language or how closely you resemble the local people, you will first of all be treated as 'an American' by the local population.

Big City vs. Small Town. Do you want to study in a big city? A small town? A rural area? A large city offers a wide array of social choices and many cultural opportunities, but it can also be expensive, impersonal, and more cosmopolitan than national in its identity. Aix-en-Provence is perhaps a more 'French' city than Paris, Tampere a more 'Finnish' city than Helsinki, for instance. On the other hand, a provincial town or rural area can offer a traditional way of life and more contact with local residents, but its narrower lifestyle may be too confining for some.

One Place or Many? Do you want to spend most of your time in one place, or travel to several places? Would you like full-immersion in one culture or comparative glimpses of many, in pursuit of common themes or issues - e.g., environmental pollution, national health care systems, the treatment of minorities, etc.? While the majority of study abroad programs are based primarily in one location, with occasional excursions to other nearby cities, a few programs involve some or even considerable travel. A program of studying wildlife ecology in Kenya, for example, will probably include a number of excursions from the classroom to game reserves. Other programs use travel as a means of comparing and contrasting differences. One program on Ecuadorian ecology takes students from the capital city of Quito to a small village, through the Amazon rain forest, and to the Galapagos Islands. Another looks at issues affecting women in England, the Netherlands, and Germany. Yet another contrasts business management assumptions and policies in Korea, China, and Japan.

Enrollment Options
Approximately 72% of US undergraduates who end up studying abroad enroll in a study abroad program specially organized for students like them. The sponsor may be a US college or university (the student's own, another, or a consortium) with which it has reached an agreement. Or the sponsor could be a domestic organization other than a college or university, or an overseas university or organization, often as part of its program for other international students. However, depending on your own institution's policies with regard to transfer credit from other domestic or overseas institutions, a host of other options may exist for you. The below list moves from options centered in your own institution to options more centered in overseas institutions.

Enroll in a Program Designed and Overseen by US Colleges or Universities for American Students. The most popular choices of study abroad programs include those sponsored by a student's own institution, by another US college or university, or by a consortium, or group, of US colleges or universities. Such arrangements make possible hundreds of academic year, semester, quarter, and vacation study program opportunities.

Programs sponsored by US colleges allow students to study in a foreign environment while remaining within an US academic framework. Even if the actual course work is taken at a foreign university, academic credit is arranged through the sponsoring US institution. In many cases, special courses in the language and culture of the host country are offered, and the language requirements may be relaxed. The sponsoring college usually also makes housing and round-trip travel arrangements for students, and may arrange cultural excursions.

Programs offered by US institutions basically fall into two main categories, though many variations exist within each:

The "island" program: All courses are arranged for a group of US students and taught by home campus faculty members familiar with the host culture or by foreign faculty hired by the US school. Costs are often about the same as study on the home campus, and financial aid that you receive from your institution or from the government can typically be used. Some of these programs offer intensive language study for language majors. Generally, though, these programs are taught in English, except for foreign language classes, which are taught in the language studied. This is a good option for students who don't speak the local language. It may also be a good choice if this will be your first time overseas. Be aware, however, that no overseas program can provide academic and social services identical to what you are accustomed to at home.
Hybrid programs: Study in a foreign institution, combined with courses arranged for the group by the sponsoring US institution: These programs generally require some knowledge of the host country language. Nnetheless, special university courses for US or other foreign students usually have less demanding language requirements than regular university courses. And some programs offer a choice of foreign institutions, depending on the level of the student's language skills. One benefit of this type of program is that it lets you study at a foreign institution while meeting requirements for your US degree. Many of these programs also offer academic support services similar to those found on a US campus.

Enroll in a Program Sponsored by an Organization Other than a US College or University. Some not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in the US and overseas also sponsor study abroad programs. Of these, some have agreements with colleges and universities allowing students to be registered on their home campuses. Others indicate that academic credit is available or transferable, but students must arrange or verify the credit themselves. If you are considering one of these programs, be sure to investigate your school's credit transfer policy, as well as the policy of the program you are considering.

Enroll in a Program for International Students at a Foreign University. Some universities abroad offer language and culture programs to foreigners. These enable US students (considered 'international students' while overseas) to interact with students from several other countries. Some programs sponsored by foreign universities are especially designed to meet the needs of English-speaking students, with courses offered in English as well as the host country language. In addition, in the 1990s, as academic mobility and exchange in Europe increased, a number of English-language programs were designed for students from other countries. Some of these are available to US students as well.

If you want to enroll in this kind of program, be sure to discuss credit transfer with your adviser. In some cases, foreign schools arrange to transfer credit through an accredited US college. But credit doesn't transfer automatically from foreign universities, and in some cases is not transferable.

Enroll in a Foreign University Via a US College or University. It is also possible to enroll in foreign universities directly by applying through US programs set-up for this purpose - e.g., Arcadia University's Center for Study Abroad or Butler University's Institute for Study Abroad. This intermediation can solve the credit transfer problem, as the overseas course work is placed on an American college transcript. Such a process can increase overall costs, but, in return, may also provide orientation, accommodations, excursions, and on-site support services not otherwise available to occasional or special students.

Enroll Directly in a Foreign University as a 'Special' Student. Many universities around the world are open to students from other countries who qualify for admission as 'special' or occasional students. This is similar to taking regular classes in the United States as a non-admitted or part-time student. Credit does not transfer automatically from foreign universities and in some cases is not transferable. Taking classes taught by foreign teachers, alongside students from the host country, can be very exciting and challenging. But it requires an extra measure of enterprise and resourcefulness on your part, since it's up to you to make the arrangements and do the course work without support services from an US institution. You also must be fluent in the language of instruction to consider this option. And there can be difficulty with credit transfer as well with the transferability of your US financial assistance.

In many foreign countries, students can receive a secondary school education that is more advanced and intensive than what US high school's or preparatory academies offer, with students graduating at the age of 19 or older, then sometimes waiting another year or so before beginning their university education. These students may have the same academic preparation as an American student who has completed two or more years of college. For this reason, even foreign universities that accept American undergraduates into degree programs may do so only after they have completed their sophomore year.

If you are interested in this option, addresses of most foreign institutions can be found in "The Europa World of Learning" or the "International Handbook of Universities," reference directories on higher education worldwide that can be found in many US college and university libraries. To ensure a response, enclose an International Reply coupon (available from any Post Office) with your inquiry. An easier way to find out whether you should even consider applying for admission to an overseas institution is to do a web search and pursue your interest through foreign university web pages. Again, your study abroad adviser may also provide guidance.

Other Study Abroad Opportunities. There are yet additional options for acquiring overseas education. You can:

Attend a branch campus of a US college or international university abroad.
Set up an Independent project to be carried out overseas. Some, but certainly not all, US colleges and universities offer independent study arrangements in which qualified students carry out pre-approved research or in-depth study projects in a selected field or on a special topic. It is your responsibility to complete the study or conduct the research, typically evaluated by a faculty adviser when you return home.
Pursue course work, language learning, research, or an internship overseas after graduation, with no expectation of credit, but increasing your credentials and career pursuits.

Housing Options
Your living situation will have a significant impact on your study abroad experience. Housing can be as grand as a manor house, as rugged as a tent in a rain forest, or as standard-issue as a university residence hall.

Many study abroad programs provide student housing. Some arrange home-stays, in which you live with a local family. Others provide housing in dormitories or apartments, where your roommates could be students from the host country, from other foreign countries, or from the United States. For short-term programs or those that require extensive travel, students may be housed in hotels, pensions, or student hostels.

Some programs offer a choice of housing arrangements. In most cases, however, the choices are few, as student housing is difficult to find almost everywhere. Dormitory space is often so limited that many foreign universities have strict quotas for the number of rooms allotted to international students.

Be sure to find out whether programs you are interested in arrange housing for participants; not all do. If it's up to you to find your own housing, ask if the sponsoring institution will assist you. Request an estimate of costs for accommodations, food, travel and essential living expenses.

Living in Dorms or Apartments. Most students live in dorms or apartments while studying abroad. Some single rooms may be available, but two or more students to a dorm or apartment are more common. Depending on the program you select, you may have a choice of the nationality of students you room with.

Living with other US students. Surrounded by experiences that are new, some US students are most comfortable living with students from their own country. However, if cultural immersion, cross-cultural learning, and/or an intensive experience of the host culture are high on your list of goals, you may wish to live with students from the host country.

Living with students from the host country or other foreign countries. You may opt for this if you consider your living situation to be part of your overseas learning experience. If you want to live with local students, be aware that, in some countries, local students live in dorms only for their first year, then move to apartments.

Many universities abroad put all foreign students - including those from the US - in a special dorm for foreigners. While, you are unlikely to meet host country students in these dorms, you will be surrounded by other students sharing the experience of being new to a country.

Homestays. Homestays usually provide the greatest immersion in the host language and culture, giving you the opportunity to experience how local people really live. This is especially true if you live with a family that treats you like one of the family, getting to know you and offering help if you need it.

In some cases, however, the host is simply someone with an extra room to rent out, and your relationship is strictly that of landlord/tenant, with little or no social interaction. In many cases, you will not know the name or address of your home-stay until you arrive at the program. This is a major difference between college-level study abroad programs and high school exchanges.

Smoking is somewhat more common abroad than in the US. If a nonsmoking environment is important to you, find out if anyone smokes in homestays you are considering, or ask for a nonsmoking roommate in dorms and apartments. But be prepared to learn to live in an environment where people smoke.

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, or if you have other special dietary needs, check to see if these can be accommodated. Vegetarian menus are not common outside of the United States, especially in Europe. If you are living with a host family, it may be perceived as rude for you to refuse the meals they serve.

In many cases, it may be a hardship for the family to provide separate meals for you. Please be clear about your needs before the program places you in a home-stay situation as it may not always be possible to accommodate your special requests. And be prepared to compromise with regard to your dietary choices. Remember, you are the guest. You may also have to bear the extra costs of special meals yourself.

Housing Specifics
Get as much information as possible about housing. This can help you decide whether a program is for you, or at least prepare you for what to expect.

For programs in any country, ask:

What kind of furnishings does a dorm or apartment have?
Is there a desk or table for you to work at?
Is the kitchen equipped with cooking utensils?
Does a dorm provide sheets, blankets, pillows etc.?
If not, is there a service available to rent linens?
Are there laundry facilities?
If so, are these automatic washers or laundry tubs?
Is there a limit on how often you can use them?
What is the cost?
Will you have access to a phone in your residence?

If you're planning to study in a developing country, ask your program representative:

Is there drinking water available?
Is there hot water for showers?
Is electricity always available?

Last, remember to confirm all housing arrangements well ahead of your departure.

How To Research Study Abroad Opportunities
Once you've considered fully what kind of program is right for you, you're ready to research what's available to fit your complex needs and interests, resources, and time. Most students begin by investigating those programs directly sponsored by their own campus. Some schools indeed limit their students to their own programs, providing information only about these programs (and, sometimes, affiliated programs) and erecting a host of academic and/or economic disincentives meant to discourage students from participating in programs sponsored by other institutions. Others have lists of programs pre-approved for transfer of credit, which may or may not qualify for institutional financial aid. Yet others have an open policy, allowing students to choose from the hundreds and hundreds of available programs which are open to any qualified student. If your school doesn't sponsor study abroad programs (or doesn't offer the 'right' program for you) or you want to look beyond your home campus course offerings, there is a wealth of information available today, from many different sources, on programs of all types.

Campus Advisers. If your school has a study abroad office, talk to a study abroad adviser about how and where to research programs. If your campus does not have a study abroad office, ask your academic adviser for help in researching your options. He or she may be knowledgeable about international study, or may be able to refer you to faculty members who are. You should also talk to your school registrar or someone in the admissions office about your school's policies on study abroad, especially if you are considering a program that is not sponsored by your school. Also, if you'd like credit in your major for study abroad, be sure to see an adviser in your major department.

Campus Study Abroad Library. Many US colleges and universities have a study abroad library, or a section of the college library that is devoted to study abroad. A good study abroad library will have reference books containing thousands of listings of study abroad programs, as well as catalogs of study abroad programs from other US institutions, and foreign university catalogs - the best reference guide is IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad, published by the Institute of International Education and EducationDynamics. Ask an adviser if there are brochures for individual programs, or videos, slides, CD-Roms, or photos of programs and program sites. Your campus study abroad library may also carry the magazine Transitions Abroad, with articles about study, work, and travel abroad written by recently returned student participants (also see the magazine's website, www.transitionsabroad.com). In addition, many study abroad libraries have written evaluations of programs from recent participants. This kind of unbiased first-hand information usually cannot be found elsewhere.

Searching The Internet, the World Wide Web, and Education Databases. In recent years access to information of all sorts on international education, via new telecommunications technologies, has burgeoned. No longer are you limited to what your particular campus has on its library shelves or what you can write for to be sent to you. Volumes of valuable information on nearly every aspect of study abroad is now immediate from any personal computer or campus network. Using this technology to find Web-pages, you can gather information on hundreds of programs and foreign universities; on financial aid: scholarships, fellowships, and grants specifically geared to study abroad; on internships and volunteer opportunities; on international travel; on particular countries or specific fields; on getting your passport and visa requirements; on health and safety conditions; and on international currency exchange rates and banking. Information alone will not be sufficient, so it should be gathered, studied, and discussed with your campus advisers and fellow students.

A few of the best sites to start with are:

www.IIEPassport.org, Institute of International Education and EducationDynamics: includes IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad, in database format, as well as scholarship information.
www.StudyAbroadFunding.org, offers detailed information on scholarships, fellowships, and grants for studying abroad.
www.StudyAbroad.com, providing online directories of programs and destination information plus links to leading providers.
www.nafsa.org, (click on "Yellow Pages") the site of NAFSA: Association of International Educators; has links to the best websites for study, work and travel abroad.
www.transitionsabroad.com, contains articles about study, work, and travel abroad written by recently returned student participants.

Talking With Returned Students. If you are interested in a particular program, talking to students who have recently taken part in it is often the best way to find out what it's really like. Be aware, however, that no two students on the same program ever have precisely the same experience or response, and you may have different goals and interests. You might ask: Did the course load leave time for socializing or traveling? Is an ability to get along with others essential on this program? Is the optional safari - or scuba diving expedition or trek to see ancient ruins - worth the extra time and money? and the like. Your campus may organize group sessions with these students, or give you contact information for them so you can talk to them individually.

If it's not possible to talk to students who've been on programs that interest you, talking to students who have taken part in any study abroad program will be useful, since you'll hear about what it's like to live and study in a foreign country. Many campuses use returned study abroad students as 'peer counselors.' If yours does, make sure you tap into their seasoned perspectives. Of course, it's best if you can find students who studied in the country or region you're considering. If you're considering studying abroad through a program not sponsored by your school, ask the program for telephone numbers or e-mail addresses of students who have attended that program. These may be carefully selected individuals. Still, be wary of a program that refuses to let you contact previous participants.

Talking with program representatives can provide invaluable insight and information which is direct and personalized. Many campuses arrange for occasional campus visits by such people. Some also set up annual Study Abroad Fairs, at which representatives from many different study abroad programs, as well as from organizations sponsoring internships and voluntary work programs, are present throughout a given day or evening, to talk with interested students. There may also be students present who have participated in particular programs. If such opportunities present themselves (on your own or a nearby campus), you should definitely take advantage of being able to collect current materials, ask questions, and gain insights from persons who know their program from direct experience.

Even the best reference book or catalog has only general information about programs, and brochures may focus more on the local attractions and nightlife than on academics. After you've identified programs that interest you, check the programs' websites, e-mail, call or write the sponsoring institutions for detailed information and application forms. And it's always best to call a program and speak with its advisers to discuss questions that remain unclear after you've read program booklets. Many programs, especially larger and more established ones, allow the 800 number or e-mail address to be used for the purpose of providing you with additional information, answering your and your parent's questions on a one-to-one basis - and, when you are ready, taking an application.

Costs. In order to encourage students to study abroad, most US institutions do their best to try to keep the expenses of overseas study comparable to the cost of the same period of study at the home campus. How much will studying abroad actually cost you (and your parents), especially in relation to what study at home costs? There is no simple answer to this major question, other than that participation in any given program can add up to somewhat less or much more, depending on a host of factors - some of which are controlled by your institution (e.g., its tuition policy, whether it sponsors its own programs, whether financial aid travels, etc.); some of which are matters over which American institutions may have no control (e.g., international currency exchange rates, overseas costs of living, university tuition costs, etc.). In short, the absolute, overall cost of an overseas study experience is something apart from how affordable it is to any given participant.

Variables. Many US sponsors of study abroad programs bundle the program's major costs into one comprehensive fee. This usually includes tuition, housing, meals, and international airfare, and may also include medical and accident insurance, excursions, books, rail passes, and other program-related expenses. Others may include some, but not necessarily all of these items. Since all are likely to be relevant to figuring out overall costs, it is your and your parents' responsibility to ask enough questions until you have complete figures and can decide if the bottom line is clear, and affordable. It is equally important to have an idea of the many variables which can affect overall costs.

Costs vary by:
Location. Programs in western European countries tend to be more expensive than those in most other parts of the world. But relatively expensive programs sometime exist in countries where the cost of living is relatively low, and conversely, depending on the nature of the living and learning experience. The cost of living in countries in which the US Dollar is weak relative to the local currency is (usually) higher than in countries where the US Dollar is strong. Because it costs more to live in most cosmopolitan areas than in the hinterlands, programs based in cities typically cost more.

Sponsor. In general, programs sponsored by private colleges or organizations are more expensive than those offered by public institutions. If you are interested in a program in a specific location or at a particular foreign university, check to see if more than one sponsor offers it. In some cities, a number of institutions sponsor similar study abroad programs, at a variety of prices.

Program Type. Island programs, where everything is specially arranged for the US group, are usually more expensive than immersion or direct enrollment programs. Because special or US style services cost more, this is reflected in the program fee. These can include on-site support services, special language-training courses, cross-cultural orientation, social activities, and excursions to sites of interest. The extra expense may be well worth it if this is your first time abroad or you think you would get more out of a program that offers those services. But you can save money by choosing a program that doesn't include them. Remember, however, that you will then have to be more independent when it comes to problem-solving.

Duration. While some of the costs of participating in a program are the same, regardless of how long the overseas sojourn is (e.g., airfare), other costs vary according to how long one is away, e.g., room and board, tuition, etc. Thus, the longer the program, the more expensive it is, in absolute terms. On the other hand, there are also 'economies of scale,' so that the per week/per credit cost of a summer program may be proportionally greater than the per week/per credit costs of a semester program, etc.

Home Campus Tuition Policy. Tuition fees at foreign universities, which are usually state supported, are often much lower than those charged by US institutions. Some countries, however, charge separate fees to foreign students that are considerably higher than those charged to local students. If you choose a program sponsored by your own school or another US school, you may find that you're paying full home-campus tuition even if the school you'll be attending abroad charges much lower tuition. The higher cost to you is for the home-campus credit as well as for the home-campus study abroad advising and other administrative and support services.

Financial Aid Availability. In addition, there are a number of other expenses which may or may not be included in the stated bottom line 'program fee' - and some of which are not part of the 'program' per se, but are nevertheless related to the overall costs of the experience of living and learning in another country.
These can include:

General-

Academic fees
Application fee (Q. refundable or nonrefundable?)
Administrative fee
Tuition and other academic fees
Books and other supplies
Use of labs and libraries
Computers: Internet use fees, access to e-mail

Room and Board (Q. Are room and board included during vacations and holidays?)-

Accommodations/Food
Housing or key deposits
Residence permits
Food (Q: Does this include three meals a day? Seven days a week, or weekdays only?)

Transportation-

Round-trip transportation from the United States to the host country
Transportation between point of international entry and program site, if not included in the round-trip transportation fee
Commuting costs to and from campus
Program-related travel
Optional travel

Travel Documents-

Passport fee
Visa, if required
Immunizations, if required
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

Insurance-

Health and accident insurance
Traveler's insurance, for lost or stolen personal items

Miscellaneous-

Admission to cultural sites and events
Gifts
Fluctuating exchange rates
Postage and phone calls

Personal-

Laundry
Dry cleaning
Personal care products
In addition, don't forget to budget money for clothing appropriate to the climate and luggage or a backpack.

Always contact the sponsor directly for the most current information on costs. Exchange rates fluctuate, and the mix of services provided for the program fee can change, so the cost listed in last year's catalog or study abroad guide may no longer be accurate.

Financial Aid
Is Financial Aid Available for Study Abroad? If you are currently receiving financial aid for your college education, in many cases you can use it to study abroad. This can be the case with aid from an institution, a foundation, the state or federal government, or other private or public sources. Talk to your study abroad adviser, financial aid officer, or bursar about what can and can't be applied to a program of study abroad.
The Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1992 mandated that a student can receive financial aid for study abroad if the student is enrolled in a program approved by the home institution. Moreover, the student would be eligible to receive "grants, loans, or work assistance without regard to whether the study abroad program is required as a part of the student's degree."

What Types of Financial Aid are Available? Federal and state governments, foundations, and private and public organizations are primary sources of financial aid. Be sure to check with your financial aid director, study abroad adviser or bursar about whether your financial aid can apply to study abroad.

If you are planning to attend an overseas study program sponsored by another institution, the home institution, through a written agreement between the schools, might allow you to use your financial aid. But students should realize that policies vary among institutions of higher education and therefore, should check with their study abroad advisers and financial aid administrators regarding enrollments with another institution.

Note the following types of financial aid:

Federal Aid. Federal aid can consist of loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study.

Loans. The Federal Direct Ford Student Loan or the Federal Stafford Guaranteed Student Loan is available to students who demonstrate need. The Federal government pays interest on subsidized loans as long as the student is enrolled half-time and demonstrates financial need through the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Repayment begins after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time.

These loans can also be unsubsidized and are available to students regardless of need; interest is charged to the students while in school. A student may choose to make the interest-only payments on the unsubsidized loan or allow the interest to be added to the loan principal and then pay both principal and interest after leaving school.

Federal PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent students under the Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). These loans are made either by the school (direct loan) or through a private lender. Parents are responsible for all interest charges. Repayment begins 60 days after loan disbursements.

Grants and Scholarships. Federal Pell Grants are awarded to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. Part-time enrollment reduces eligibility.

Federal Supplemental Educational Grants (SEOG) are awarded to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. Must be enrolled at least half-time.

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) and the Fulbright Program funded by the Federal government have grants and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students for study and research overseas.

The Freeman-ASIA Program, an IIE-administered program generously supported by the Freeman Foundation, is to increase the number of American undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia.

The Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship Program, sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, offers scholarships for students who have been traditionally under-represented in education abroad.

Students should be aware that government organizations in other countries such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offer funding opportunities.

State Aid. A few states offer assistance to students to attend college which comes from sources other than Federal funding. This aid can be applied to study abroad. It can be need-based or merit based. These include grants or loans but may include tuition waivers, work programs, or other types of aid. The HEA of 1998 stated in the Special Leverage Educational Assistance Partnership Program that "incentive grants are available to States from the Federal government to assist eligible students enrolled in study abroad programs that were approved for credit by the home institution."

Institutional Aid. Some financial aid is funded by the student's home institution, not based on public monies. These scholarships can be based on need and/or on merit. Institutional aid can come from a variety of sources, which includes alumni, faculty, endowments, etc. Some aid can be specified for overseas study but other scholarships can be restricted to the campus, state, or for domestic programs, etc.

If you are planning to attend an overseas study program sponsored by another institution, your home institution, through a written agreement between the schools, might allow you to use your financial aid. But students should realize that policies vary among institutions of higher education and therefore, should check with their study abroad advisers and financial aid administrators regarding enrollments with another institution.

Private and Public Organizations. Other than governmental and institutional aid, private organizations, foundations, corporations, and civic groups are additional sources of aid for study abroad. For example, the Coca-Cola Foundation, Amoco, Chrysler Corporation, etc., have given funds for overseas study. The Rotary Foundation, which has a private, sponsored International scholarship program provides funds for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational students. Some private and public organizations will give overseas study funding for students in a particular major or area of study. Private organizations and associations related to your area of study or destination are worth consulting, as are ethnic and service organizations in your home town. The League of United Latin American Citizens, Alliance Francaise, Dante Alighieri, Goethe groups, etc., are examples of other sources of funding for overseas study and research.

Program Sponsors. . Institutions and organizations like the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), Syracuse University, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), etc., offer need and merit scholarships for their own sponsored programs. This is, effectively, a form of discounting. Check IIEPassport: Academic Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad published by the Institute of International Education and EducationDynamics for study abroad programs which offer scholarships or work-study assistance.

Underrepresented Students (Minorities, Students with Disabilities, and Non-Traditional Students). Various types of financial aid might apply to assist underrepresented students enrolling in overseas study programs. Special grants or scholarships are specified for this purpose. The Robert Bailey Minority scholarships sponsored by the Council of Educational Exchange (CIEE) is a prime example.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, study abroad and financial aid offices are required to offer the same services to non-disabled and disabled students.

How Do I Make Arrangements to Have Financial Aid Applied to a Study Abroad Program? Upon application to a study abroad program, you should also contact the financial aid office to see if there are special application processes or policies required in receiving financial aid for overseas study. For example, the study abroad office may provide the financial aid office with costs or a budget for your study abroad program that will facilitate the disbursement of aid when you leave the country. You may also need to check with the bursar's office on how they can contact you or to make financial aid disbursement arrangements. If you have previous loans, you should check wih the registrar's office regarding deferment procedures while you're enrolled overseas. Be sure to check with all four offices, weeks before your plans are finalized. Keep records of all forms submitted and submission dates as well as all personal contacts made (individuals and dates of those contacts). Those records will help you avoid confusion as well as clarify issues that might arise.

Could Financial Aid for Study Abroad Affect Funding for Next Semester's Aid? There is a possibility that funding for future semesters might be affected resulting from financial aid given for a semester's study abroad program as your eligibility for certain types of aid might have expired. The financial aid office will be monitoring your progress toward your degree as to whether you have exceeded your eligibility requirements. The best advice is to check with a Financial Aid adviser about your funding.

How Many Credits Do I Need to Receive Financial Aid (Including Loans) for Study Abroad? Credit level required for direct subsidized/unsubsidized loan eligibility for all semesters is half-time time. For undergraduates, half-time requires enrollment in at least 6 credit hours. For scholarships and grants, you need to maintain the enrollment level required for each aid program listed on your financial aid award letter.

Is Power of Attorney Useful if I am Overseas? If you are overseas, power of attorney gives the designated person (family member or trusted friend); the power to act in your behalf if a legal document requires a signature. If you are receiving federal financial aid, you must endorse the check before it can be deposited. A power of attorney can facilitate the process of receiving funds.

What Sources are Available to Obtain Further Information on Financial Aid and Funding for Study Abroad? The following on-line and publication sources are very useful for students who wish further information. On-Line Information:

www.StudyAbroadFunding.org This exciting new resource provides listings of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants for US students interested in pursuing education and research opportunities abroad.
www.finaid.org The Financial Aid Page: links to scholarship searches and comprehensive listing of financial aid information.
www.ed.gov A more comprehensive federal site.
studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html The Student Guide: Department of Education publishes a guide each year on the eligibility requirements on various federal aid programs.
www.fastweb.com Fast Web. This service provides a free customized list of financial aid sources including private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.
www.collegeboard.com College Board scholarship search, and www.wellsfargo.com/student/undergrad/education scholarship search are other pertinent engines for grant information.
www.collegenet.com/mach25 Another ready guide to a scholarship search.
www.petersons.com Has references to study abroad which the student might find useful.
www.nafsa.org/students.sec/financial_aid_for_study A resource specifically for undergraduate students.
www.umabroad.umn.edu/financial/scholarships/ (University of Minnesota), www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants (Michigan State University), and www.studyabroad.com/os/finaid.html All three of these websites have information on scholarships and grants for study abroad.

Of course, be sure to also check your school's web site for information about their financial aid and study abroad programs.

Publications:

A Student's Guide to Scholarships, Grants, and Funding Publications in International Education and Other Disciplines, Michigan State University, Rm 12, Office of International Studies and Programs, East Lansing, Michigan (3rd edition) Contains 228 pages of annotated bibliographical information on references and websites.

Other useful sources include:

Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad, 2006-2008 (Reference Service Press, 2005), Gail Ann Schlachter and David R Weber
Directory of Financial Aid for Women, 2007-2009; Financial Aid for African Americans, 2006-2008 (Reference Service Press)

Diversity
It is an historical fact that the diversity of student backgrounds represented in US higher education has not been reflected fully in the profiles of students studying abroad. American students of rich ethnic or racial heritage, for instance, have not studied abroad in the same proportions as so-called 'traditional' students. Often the reason is strictly economic, but there are other factors as well. Also underrepresented in study abroad participation over the years have been white males, older students, community college students, as well as students majoring in academic and pre-professional areas - such as science, engineering, business, education, architecture, etc. with rigid curricular sequences. Though students from these underrepresented groups still represent only a small percentage of US undergraduates who study abroad, their numbers have increased dramatically in recent years. Today members of all such groups participate in study abroad, going to every region of the world, and many overseas programs and universities make special efforts to ensure that they feel welcome on their programs and in their classrooms.

Minority Students.
If you have a strong ethnic or racial minority background, the key to your successful study abroad experience lies in making an informed choice on what you will find overseas, based on full and accurate information. In these regards, the quality of advising available to you on your home campus may or may not be adequate. Your most important questions are likely to concern how you will be received in a foreign country. However encouraging, and informed your study abroad adviser is, probably your best resource will be other students of color or ethnic minorities who have studied abroad. Returned students report a variety of experiences with racial or ethnic prejudice overseas, just as they have a variety of experiences in this country. Some have found that local people were 'only' curious about their race and ethnicity, which, while occasionally annoying, was not a problem that interfered with their primary reasons for living and learning in another country. There said they were willing, when asked, to answer questions, for instances, about their hair, religion, historically black institutions, and many other topics, as long as the questions were asked with genuine curiosity and did not reflect racist attitudes.

Other returnees report having been elated to find that, for the first time in their lives, their skin color or ethnic heritage was not an issue, although there was still the matter of being a foreigner in that particular country. Still others found some active prejudice in their new host country and had to deal with this however possible. No matter the new social climate, however, the majority of returning minority students felt that the overall experience was so important to their education (in the broadest sense) and their development as individuals that almost all argued that the fear of discrimination should not keep someone at home.

Picking the Right Country and Program. The unfortunate fact is that nearly every country discriminates against some group of people although the targets vary from country to country and even within different regions of a country. It is here that the study abroad adviser can play an invaluable role. Ask your adviser to identify countries that have a good track record with minorities, remembering that all minority students are not treated the same way in each country. An African American student will not necessarily have the same experience in Spain or the Dominican Republic that a Hispanic student will.

A student must also be open to the experience and avoid saying the American way is better; it is, after all, only different. It is also the case that certain cities and certain campuses and programs in a given country may be more supportive and tolerant than others.

Talk seriously with your adviser about what you are really looking for and what you are willing to experience - how far outside of your comfort zone do you want to step. Your adviser can probably identify countries as well as programs where minority students have had positive experiences. Countries with wide ethnic diversity like Brazil, Costa Rica, South Africa, and England or those, such as Thailand, in which religious and cultural beliefs encourage tolerance of all peoples, may be good choices. However, you should not necessarily automatically rule out those places which are more homogeneous or less tolerant. The real issue is making an informed choice.

Many students select places in spite of knowing that they are likely to encounter some overt or subtle discrimination there. If you are prepared for whatever attitudes exist, you will usually be able to handle it more constructively. The same is true for your parents, who most likely grew up in times less tolerant than today and, as a result, are afraid to send their children into a situation where they could encounter discrimination. You and your study abroad adviser or perhaps the parents of another returned minority student will need to work with your parents so that they will become comfortable with your choice. There are networks of individuals who can help you and your parents will have a better experience.

Your study abroad adviser should be able to tell you about programs that have offered highly positive experiences to minority participants, and - just as important-those that haven't. In addition, she or he may be able to put you in touch with other minority students who have studied abroad. You can also access the website of the Council on International Educational Exchange for a list of study abroad advisers who can link you up with past minority participants willing to speak with their peers about work, study and volunteer abroad programs in the country where they spent time. This information is available at http://www.secussa.nafsa.org/underrepresentation/welcome.htm, and is part of the Committee on Underrepresentation in Education Abroad, cosponsored By NAFSA: Association of International Educators. If requested, the North American Office of Lancaster University can provide minority students and their parents with the names and contact numbers for past minority students and their parents. Many programs use returning students, including minorities, as ambassadors, giving out their names as contacts for their programs.

Exploring Your Heritage. Some minority students may wish to study in a country primarily to explore their cultural roots, whether racial, ethnic, or religious. If this applies to you, consult a study abroad adviser about appropriate programs. While most students who choose a country as part of "heritage-seeking" find it a rewarding experience, nearly all report that they were perceived as primarily 'American' by their hosts-a perception which can be devastating if a student is not prepared for this type of seeming rejection in a region previously thought to be "homeland." Being seen primarily as an 'American,' in spite of one's family roots, often occurs not only in African countries for African American students, but also in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Israel, and even Mexico for students with this heritage. Hispanic students who do not speak fluent Spanish or Asian Americans who cannot speak Japanese or Chinese with some fluency may have a harder time on this type of "heritage" study than other students who expect to be seen as a foreigner and not a long lost relative.

Another issue associated with heritage study abroad is that first generation American parents sometimes want their children to rediscover family 'roots' via study abroad, while their daughters or sons may want to go somewhere else entirely. Your study abroad adviser or your academic adviser may be able to help convince such parents otherwise. It is often necessary to use all your "assets" in order to get permission and support to go abroad, no matter what the destination. Some American colleges initiate contact with parents in order to play a supportive and informing role in this decision. One of the reasons for parental hesitancy is often that student is the main English-speaker for the family and is needed to take grandmother to the doctor and provide a bridge to the English speaking world. Nonetheless, the family can be reassured by help from the study abroad adviser.

If you are concerned about being the only non-white student in a study abroad group or perhaps the only 1 or 2 in a group of 100+, look into programs that are sponsored by institutions with sizable minority populations. Traditionally black colleges, such as Spelman and Lincoln, or colleges with a substantial Hispanic student body, such as Pitzer or Scripps, may sponsor study abroad programs, or can direct you to the sponsors of programs that their students use on a regular basis. You could also try to convince friends of color to study abroad with you, but remember that one of the primary goals of study abroad is to make friends in your host country.

There are several special sources of financial aid earmarked for minority students. If you attend a College Fund/UNCF institution or Howard or Hampton, you are eligible for the Luard Fellowship of The English Speaking Union in New York City. This award covers the full cost of an academic year abroad at a British university of your choice. Students can apply in the fall of their sophomore year for their junior year. Three or four grants are given per year. See your study abroad adviser if you attend an eligible school. Lancaster University provides two Fylde College Scholarships each year for minority students. These grants can be used to cover the cost of food and other expenses.

The Robert Bailey Scholarships are distributed each semester by Council/CIEE to minority students on their own programs. The application dates are in November and April. The grants are approximately $500 - $1000. The College Fund/UNCF runs a program with the Department of Education and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation called "The Institute for International Public Policy." This is a multiple year commitment for a summer institute after the sophomore year, half the costs of study abroad in the junior year, a Woodrow Wilson junior institute in the summer after the junior year, special language training after the senior year or an internship overseas and then a fellowship to cover much of the cost of an MA degree in International Studies at an APSIA institution, like Georgetown, SAIS, Tufts, or Princeton. Applications for this grant are available to sophomores with a 3.25 in the winter of the sophomore year who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic American or Native American. Twenty scholarships are given each year. Minority students have also done extremely well in the National Security Education Program Fellowship competitions (NSEP). African American, Hispanic American and Asian American students have done extremely well in this competition for fellowships to non-traditional study abroad destinations in diverse disciplines, including science and engineering, social sciences and business. See campus NSEP representative for information. Deadline is typically in early February.

Specialized Financial Aid. Ask your study abroad adviser or financial-aid officer for assistance in locating grants or loans to study abroad. Some foundations offer special minority scholarships that may be used for study abroad. The federal government has aid targeted to "nontraditional" students - those who are underrepresented in study abroad programs. Some study abroad sponsors, in addition to offering scholarships and work-study, offer special grants or are willing to waive fees for minority students in an effort to attract a diverse student group, including students who might not qualify for other types of aid.

A good source for financial aid for Hispanic students is Hispanic Yearbook-Anuario Hispano, published by TIYM Publishing Co. You can get more information online at http://hispanicyearbook.com/. This guide lists Hispanic organizations, publications, radio and TV stations, though not specifically for grant-giving purposes. Complete contents available online, or you may order a copy by contacting TIYM.

Students With Disabilities
Finding a Program Which can Accommodate Your Needs. If you are a US student with a disability, you need to know that studying abroad remains an option worth exploring. Whether you have a physical or mobility, learning or psychiatric disability, visual or hearing impairment, a wide range of international opportunities may be still be open to you. The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 has sensitized study abroad offices, international exchange programs, and voluntary service projects regarding the need to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who choose to study outside of the United States. Be sure that your adviser and program provider know what accommodations you will need early in the planning process. You may be asked to provide documentation specifying the nature of your disability. Obviously, there are some limiting factors.

Although programs and universities abroad are becoming more aware of the inclusion of students with disabilities, the extent to which accommodations can be provided depends on the nature of the accommodation needs, the general situation in that particular country regarding accessibility and available services, and the creativity and flexibility of the student and staff/faculty in planning for the experience abroad. Programs will try to provide accommodations as necessary, such as more exam time for a student with a learning disability, materials in alternative formats or readers for someone who is blind, interpreters for a deaf participant, or an accessible homestay for a person who uses a wheelchair. Some schools abroad also can arrange contact between students with disabilities from the US and the host country.

Mobility International USA/The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange. If you have a disability and would like to study abroad, your adviser may recommend, in addition to exploring your own institution's program, that you contact Mobility International USA (MIUSA). MIUSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities in international exchange, leadership development, disability rights training and community service and, in collaboration with the United States Information Agency, coordinates the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange.

The Clearinghouse works with international exchange organizations to increase the inclusion of students with disabilities in their international programs and advises on ways for making their programs accessible. It provides free information and referral to individuals with disabilities who would like to study, volunteer, or work abroad. MIUSA and the Clearinghouse also publish a semi-annual journal, books, videos and brochures with useful information for those with disabilities who are planning international opportunities. Contact MIUSA and the Clearinghouse at:
Mobility International USA/National Clearinghouse On Disability and Exchange
132 East Broadway, Ste 343
Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: 541-343-1284 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 541-343-6812
E-mail: clearinghouse@miusa.org
Website: www.miusa.org

An excellent reference for students with disabilities who want to study in Europe or Canada is Studying Abroad: A Guide to Accessible University Programs and Facilities for Students with Disabilities. This is available from:
University of New Orleans Training, Resource and Assistive-Technology Center
PO Box 1051
New Orleans, LA 70148
Phone: 504-280-5700
Fax: 504-280-5707
E-mail: ggaglian@uno.edu

Voluntary Service Projects. International voluntary service projects are open to qualified students with disabilities. Examples of voluntary service projects could include building homes for families, establishing art and recreation programs for children, or planting gardens in urban areas. In some areas, if you wish you can participate in projects assisting people with disabilities in the host country. For example, you might choose to teach sign language to children who are hearing impaired.

Travel. US airlines are required to accommodate travelers with Disabilities. A publication called New Horizons for Air Travel with a Disability will tell you about your rights. This is available free of charge by contacting:
Department of Transportation Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: 800-778-4838 (voice) or 800-455-9880 (TTY)
Email: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
Web: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/horizons.htm

On foreign carriers, accessibility varies. If you plan to travel on a non-US airline, find out what their policy is regarding Individuals with disabilities and let them know what you need well In advance of departure. General travel and accessibility Information is available from:
Society for the Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH)
347 Fifth Avenue, Ste 605
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-447-7284
Fax: 212-725-8523
Email: sathtravel@aol.com
Web: www.sath.org

Organizations for those with Disabilities in the Host Country. Once you've chosen a country, contact organizations there for people with disabilities. They can tell you what conditions are like in their country for people with disabilities. They can also provide practical information, such as a list of housing that is accessible or recommendations for sign language interpreters. The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange can assist in connecting you with these organizations (see contact information listed above).

How to Research Internship, Volunteer and Work Abroad Opportunities Work abroad: The other way to get an education abroad.
An increasing number of US students are interested in hands-on experience abroad, either as a way to immerse themselves in the local culture or to prepare for an international career. You can get this experience through:

An internship
Participation in a voluntary service project
Paid work abroad programs
Teaching English abroad
For credit or not for credit? A work experience can be offered as an integral part of a study abroad program, in which case academic credit may be built in (if the program is offered by your own college) or may be transferred towards your degree. Study abroad programs that offer work experiences - usually unpaid - charge tuition and give academic credit. Financial aid may be available.

Alternatively, some work abroad programs are not part of a formal study abroad program, so credit is less likely to be granted for them unless you make special arrangements beforehand. Financial aid is usually not available for non-academic programs.

If you're interested in receiving academic credit for a work abroad experience, consult a study abroad adviser for your school's policy on how to get credit for internships and voluntary service projects (sometimes termed experiential learning). Some schools require that a student have an adviser who evaluates their activities abroad. Students keep journals or write reports, and may be interviewed by their adviser after returning home.

Paid or unpaid? If you prefer to work abroad in a paid job, be aware that you'll need a work permit. Special officially-recognized work exchange programs, listed in the Paid Work Abroad Programs section below, make this relatively easy to arrange in many countries. Working abroad without a work permit could subject you to deportation or heavy fines!

Internships. Internships provide direct experience in the student's major field of study, giving students an opportunity to try out a career. They vary in length from a few months to one year.

These programs are often for students who have completed at least two years of college. Internship placements are developed in close consultation with program administrators or faculty advisers and are tailored to suit each individual student's needs. Interns may be placed abroad at museums, schools, government offices, international organizations, or corporations.

There are three main types of internships:
Study-internship programs are sponsored by colleges or universities. Many US undergraduates interested in internships opt for these, which offer the largest number and greatest variety of placements abroad. Like other study abroad programs, study-internships charge tuition and give academic credit. Because of the growing popularity of internship programs and the special arrangements they involve, you must apply for a position and begin making arrangements well in advance. You'll also need to be flexible, since programs usually cannot guarantee placement with a specific company or organization. As with other types of programs, be sure to find out about costs, credit, and housing. If you are receiving financial aid, check to make sure you can use it during an intern ship. IIE's website and its books, IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad, are the best places to find listings of study-internship programs.
Paid internships are offered through official work exchange programs. A few officially-recognized work-exchange programs can provide placements and work permits for paid internships abroad. See the section on paid work abroad programs (p xxxix) for a list of them.
Internships are also available with an international organization, corporation, or government. Individual international organizations and corporations such as CNN often accept unpaid interns. "International" internships may be located abroad, or may be with international offices based in the US The US Department of State, the diplomatic branch of the US government, offers a large internship program with a formal application process; deadline for their summer internships is November 1!
Outstanding listings of international internships can be found in: The Directory of International Internships, published by Michigan State University's Career Services and Placement Office, and Directory of Websites for International Jobs, published by Impact Publications (see Resources following this guide).
Initiative is an important quality for a successful internship. You may have to demonstrate that you can handle responsibility before you're assigned to interesting projects.
Guide to Internships Abroad. IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad have indexed listings for internships and voluntary service projects (called "volunteer/service"), practical training, teaching, or research. Look in the books' indexes under "Special Options." Or use these as search terms in IIE's outstanding website, www.IIEPassport.org.

Voluntary Service Projects. International voluntary service projects offer opportunities to young people from all over the world to live and work together with local people in community development. Not only do you help others, you experience the local lifestyle and learn firsthand about the political and social issues of a region. This could involve building a school in rural Senegal, planting trees in Brazil, or taking care of children in a Russian orphanage. Voluntary service projects are a good opportunity for students interested in a career in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or working with developing countries. Voluntary service projects may be sponsored by NGOs, religious organizations, or government organizations such as the Peace Corps.

Often, no special skills are required. Hundreds of short-term voluntary service projects (also known as "workcamps") take place during the summer for two- or three-week periods, but it is also possible to participate in semester or academic-year programs. For graduates, paid long-term volunteering for a period of two years through programs such as the Peace Corps may be an option. Many short-term projects are offered in Europe (and worldwide), with longer-term projects usually taking place in developing countries.

Some study abroad programs incorporate a service project - you pay tuition for a program of coursework combined with volunteering, and get academic credit. IIEPassport: Academic Year Abroad and IIEPassport: Short Term Study Abroad are good sources for finding "service-learning" study abroad programs.

For other short-term, nonacademic volunteer service projects, the work is usually unpaid but volunteers may receive room and board. Nearly all programs charge fees (from $200 upwards) to partially cover the costs of placing, training, and on-site support of volunteers.

To learn the highs and lows of voluntary service projects that interest you, talk to former participants. Most organizations will provide contact information on students and others who have participated in their programs. A good book on the benefits and challenges of volunteering abroad is How to Serve & Learn Abroad Effectively: Students Tell Students, available from:
International Partnership for Service-Learning
815 Second Ave, Ste 315
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-986-0989
Fax: 212-986-5039
Email: info@ipsl.org
Web: www.ipsl.org

An excellent list of resources, containing information on both short- and long-term programs for volunteering abroad, may be found in the following section, "Resources for Studying and Working Abroad, and International Careers."

To register for short-term volunteer service programs, contact:
VFP (Volunteers for Peace)
1034 Tiffany Rd
Belmont, VT 05730-0202
Phone: 802-259-2759
Fax: 802-259-2922
Email: vfp@vfp.org
Web: www.vfp.org, or the CIEE (see next section)

The Peace Corps, a US government-sponsored program offered in over 90 countries, is one of the largest and best-paying volunteer programs, if you are ready to make a two-year commitment and are qualified. Contact:
Peace Corps
Paul D Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20526
Phone: 800-424-8580
Web: www.peacecorps.gov

Paid Work Abroad Exchange Programs. These programs offer work permits and placements into short-term paid jobs, or on-site assistance in finding them. Programs are usually for a period of a summer or semester, though some offer permits for up to 18 months. Work exchange programs operate on the basis of official reciprocal exchange agreements between the US and foreign governments.

Some of these programs assist with work permits and the on-site job search, while others offer placements. Fees range between $200-1,000. Most participants are able to earn enough to cover their expenses while abroad.

Types of paid jobs available run the gamut from internships to typical summer jobs such as temping and restaurant work. But you're less likely to find paid work in governmental or non-profit sectors and in non-applied fields such as the fine arts or social sciences. Also, work in less-developed countries, if it can be found at all, will pay at local wage rates - a fraction of wages in the US!

AIESEC (from the French acronym for the International Association of Students in Economics & Business Management) is an international student-run organization which offers approximately 5,000 paid internships each year in business and other fields in over 80 countries. Application for AIESEC internships is usually possible only through campus chapters. Contact:
AIESEC-USA
127 West 26th St, 10th Fl
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-757-3774
Fax: 212-757-4062
E-mail: aiesec@aiesecus.org
Web: www.aiesecus.org/

AIPT (Association for International Practical Training) / IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience). IAESTE offers engineering & science internships in over 60 countries for students (apply by early December). The Student Exchanges Program offers work permits in numerous countries for students who find their own internships. The Career Development program provides work permits for up to 18 months in Austria (11 month limit), Britain (12 month limit), Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Slovak Republic, Sweden, and Switzerland for university graduates who find their own placements. Contact:
AIPT/IAESTE
10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Ste 250
Columbia, MD 21044-3519
Phone: 410-997-3069
Fax: 410-997-5186
E-mail: iaeste@aipt.org
Web: www.aipt.org

American-Scandinavian Foundation. This non-profit organization offers internship placements in Scandinavian countries for students of technical subjects as well as positions in Finland for teaching English or farming. ASF can also assist with short-term work permits in Scandinavian countries for those who have job offers. Contact:
American-Scandinavian Foundation
58 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-879-9779
Fax: 212-686-2115
Email: info@amscan.org
Web: www.amscan.org

BUNAC: Working Adventure Worldwide. Non-profit organization, BUNAC offers a range of working holidays including a summer camp counseling program, flexible work and travel programs to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and South Africa and volunteering/teaching placements. These are open to 18 year olds and over in the UK and the US. Programs last from five weeks to two years. Contact:
BUNAC: Work, Volunteer and Teach Abroad Programs
PO Box 430
Southbury, CT 06488
Phone: 800-GO-BUNAC or 203-264-0901
Fax: 203-264-0251
Email: info@bunacusa.org
Web: www.bunac.org

CCUSA. This non-profit organization offers several programs for students and non-students with placements in summer camps and with seasonal employers in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, Europe, Brazil, and Russia. Contact:
Outbound Program
2330 Marinship Way, Ste 250
Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: 1-800-999-2267
Fax: 415-339-2744
Email: outbound@campcounselors.com
Web: http://www.ccusa.com

CDS International. A non-profit organization that offers paid internship programs in Germany for students, graduates and professionals for periods ranging from a summer to a year. CDS can also assist with work permits in Germany for those who have job offers. Contact:
CDS International
871 United Nations Plaza, 15th Fl
New York, NY 10017-1814
Phone: 212-497-3500
Fax: 212-497-3535
Email: info@cdsintl.org
Web: www.cdsintl.org

CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). The non-profit Council Work Abroad program, one of the largest work abroad programs (with over 2,000 US participants annually), offers short-term work permits and job search support for France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand. The Council also offers a Teach in China program and International Volunteer Projects in around 30 countries. Contact:
CIEE
300 Fore St
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 888-COUNCIL or 617-247-0350
Fax: 617-247-2911
Email: contact@ciee.org
Web: www.ciee.org

InterExchange. A non-profit organization which offers a variety of placements for students and non-students. Apply four months in advance of desired departure date: English Teaching in Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland; internships in Germany for marketing, trade and tourism, museums, and business; farm work in Norway; au pair (child care) placements in Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Contact:
InterExchange
161 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-924-0446
Fax: 212-924-0575
Email: info@interexchange.org
Web: www.interexchange.org

International Cooperative Education Program. This program provides around 450 paid summer internships in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Japan, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil or Chile for students and recent graduates who have studied the appropriate language: German, French, Italian, Finnish, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish or Portuguese. Apply by January. Contact:
International Cooperative Education Program
15 Spiros Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: 650-323-4944
Fax: 650-323-1104
Email: icemenlo@aol.com
Web: www.icemenlo.com

Teaching English Abroad. English has become the language of choice for much of the world when it comes to business, technology, diplomacy and higher education. Because of this, teaching English abroad is an accessible and popular option for paid long-term working abroad - especially for college graduates (a few programs, including ones designed for student teaching, are open to current students). The need for teachers of English is greatest in regions outside of Western Europe.

Several of the programs already mentioned above offer placements for teaching English abroad-AIESEC, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the CIEE Teach in China program, InterExchange, and the Peace Corps.

Examples of other major programs for teaching English abroad include:

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships. One-year positions available in Belgium & Luxembourg, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea and Turkey. Bachelor's degree required; strong preference is given to majors in appropriate foreign language who intend to be future teachers. Application deadline is in mid-September a year before the position starts. Contact:
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships
US Student Programs Division
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017-3580
Phone: 212-984-5330

JET Program. Sponsored by the Japanese government, this program offers placements for teaching English in junior or senior high schools in Japan for one year. Several thousand positions available each year. Bachelor's degree and US citizenship required. Application deadline is in early December. Also, for those with at least intermediate command of Japanese, Coordinator of International Relations positions are available. Contact:
Office of the JET Program
Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Toll-free: 800-INFO-JET
Phone: 202-238-6773
Fax: 202-265-9484
Web: www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JETProgram/homepage.html

How to find out more about working abroad and international careers. The magazine Transitions Abroad is the only US publication which regularly publishes first-hand reports about work abroad - see if your college's study abroad office carries it. For listings of many more work abroad programs than we have room for here, along with some of the best articles from Transitions Abroad, get their book, Work Abroad: The Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas, Clay Hubbs, editor, 2002. Contact:
Transitions Abroad
PO Box 745
Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: 802-442-4827
Fax: 802-442-4827
Email: editor@transitionsabroad.com
Web: www.transitionsabroad.com

For books about long-term international careers, we especially recommend the Directory of Websites for International Jobs, by Ron and Caryl Krannich, 2002, Impact Publications, and ,International Jobs: 6th Edition, by Eric Kocher and Nina Segal, 2003, Basic Books. These and many other international job resources can be ordered from:
Impact Publications
9104 Manassas Dr, Ste N
Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211
Phone: 800-361-1055
Fax: 703-335-9486
Email: query@impactpublications.com
Web: www.impactpublications.com

Websites for Work Abroad and International Careers. These are good sites to start with, and are far better than a random search of the web. Each site provide links to many, many more sites and programs specifically about working abroad:
www.iie.org, Institute of International Education
www.StudyAbroad.com, StudyAbroad.com
www.transitionsabroad.com, Transitions Abroad magazine
www.cie.uci.edu/~cie, University of California-Irvine, International Opportunities Program
www.internationalcenter.umich.edu, University of Michigan, International Center
www.international.umn.edu, University of Minnesota, International Study and Travel Center (ISTC)
internationaleducation.wlu.edu, Washington and Lee University, Office of International Education

> > > Continue to Part III

Copyright © 2008. EducationDynamics All rights reserved. Updated and reprinted with permission for inclusion in the IIEPassport Study Abroad Directories.

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Whenever EducationDynamics handles your personal information, we take steps to ensure that your information is treated securely and in accordance with the relevant User Agreement and this Policy. Your information is stored on our servers located in the United States. We use procedural and mechanical safeguards to protect your personal information against loss or theft as well as unauthorized access and disclosure to protect your privacy, including encryption. Unfortunately, however, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. We cannot, therefore, warrant or ensure the security of any information you transmit to us or from our online products or services, and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we make our best effort to ensure its security on our systems.

If you are a registered user of the Site, your registration/account information may be password protected so that only you have access to this personal information. We recommend that you do not disclose your password to anyone. EducationDynamics will never ask you for your password in an unsolicited phone call or unsolicited email. If you choose to share your user name and password or your personal information with third parties, you are responsible for all actions taken with your account and therefore you should review that third party's privacy policy. If you lose control of your password, you may lose substantial control over your personal information and may be subject to legally binding actions taken on your behalf. Therefore, if your password has been compromised for any reason, you should immediately change your password.

Additional Information

Any questions regarding this statement should be directed to info@IIEPassport.org.

This Policy, and the relevant User Agreement, are the sole authorized statements of EducationDynamics's practices with respect to the online collection of personally identifiable information and the usage of such information. Any summaries of this Policy generated by third party software or otherwise shall have no legal effect, are in no way binding upon EducationDynamics, shall not be relied upon in substitute for this Policy, and neither supersede nor modify this Policy.

EducationDynamics reserves the right to transfer any and all information that we collect from visitors, or that we otherwise collect concerning or in connection with the Site, to a third party in the event of a sale or other transfer of assets or of any portion of our business.

Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your passwords and/or account information. Please be careful and responsible.

The terms of this Privacy Policy are enforced by Dozier Internet Law, P.C.: http://www.cybertriallawyer.com/

Contact details

If you would like to contact us for information on any of our services, information on our privacy policy, or for any reason relating to our site, we can be reached at the following:

Contact Name: EducationDynamics
Address: 1350 Edgemont Avenue, Suite 1100, Chester, PA 19013 USA
PH: 1-484-766-2930
FAX: 1-610-499-9205
E-mail: info@IIEPassport,org
URL: www.EducationDynamics.com/

EducationDynamics reserves the right to modify or supplement this Privacy Policy statement at any time.

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