A Parent's Guide to the Study Abroad Experience

Why Study Abroad?

Study abroad is a unique experience that encourages lifelong learning, fosters growth and maturity, and provides students with greater cultural awareness. Students will gain many practical benefits, as well as personally rewarding life experience.

Top reasons for students to study abroad:

• Gain first-hand experience with different customs and cultures
• Increase personal confidence and independence through navigating a new environment
• Add a valuable element to a professional resume in a competitive work force
• Improve communication skills, including possible second language acquisition
• Earn units towards graduation

A student's decision to study abroad is both exciting and emotional. As part of the application process, students are asked to draw some conclusions about how the program will apply to their major or career goals and to explore some of the cultural and social adjustments they can expect while abroad.

Program Costs

Program fees include housing (may vary depending upon type selected), orientation, field trips, insurance, and group airport transfer. Some fees are separate and these include: CSUF tuition, roundtrip airfare, passport or visa fees, food other than meals indicated, and student spending money. Additionally, a refundable security deposit is due at the time of the final payment.

Financial Aid may be available to those who meet the criteria. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office (UH-146) at (657) 278-3125 to discuss their eligibility. A list of scholarships for study abroad participants can also be found on the CSUF Study Abroad website at http://www.fullerton.edu/studyabroad/finances/scholarships.html.

Students may also seek additional funding from their own department/college or third-party scholarship organizations, i.e. Gilman (http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/GIlman-Scholarship-Program)

Accommodations

Housing options differ per program with options including shared dorms, apartments, or homestays with a host family. Generally, homestays include some meals and some programs include optional meal plans. However, many students enjoy budgeting, shopping and preparing meals as part of exploring the local culture. Students are given access to cooking facilities if available in their accommodations. Most apartments or dormitory accommodations will also provide students with bedding and occasional cleaning service.

Health and Safety

Each program includes health insurance or the option to purchase health insurance for the program dates. If the individual program selected does not already include health insurance, Study Abroad Medical Insurance must be obtained through Wells Fargo CSU Healthlink. Information and enrollment options can be found at https://wfis.wellsfargo.com/CSU/ or by calling (800)853-5899. The deluxe plan is recommended. A confirmation letter as proof of insurance coverage will be required as part of the program application if separate insurance is recommended.

In the event that the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning which advises U.S. citizens not to travel to a designated country or the student's program itinerary, the University will take the following actions:

• If the program has not yet started, the University will make suitable alternative arrangements or cancel the program. A refund of all fees paid will be issued.
• If the program has already begun, the University will suspend the program and fly the students home with a refund of all recoverable fees.

For security reasons, it is recommended that each student register his/her travel plans with the U.S. State Department before leaving. This may be done online at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

Mental Health Awareness While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is an exciting experience that requires adaptability and emotional maturity. It is important for students to understand the cultural differences and range of emotions they will experience before studying abroad. Information on program resources is presented at pre-departure meetings for each program.

Optional/Additional Tours and Excursions

In addition to required coursework, most programs include the option of joining overnight trips to outside cities, sights, and popular attractions. These optional tours are not included in the program fees and are not mandatory, but are a great and affordable addition for students to see more of their host country and surrounding areas. Tour fees typically include roundtrip transportation, overnight accommodations in tourist-class hotels, some meals, and entrance to guided tours of museums and other attractions.

Technology and Communication

Postal mail, phone, internet, and email are all great means to communicate with students abroad. Many students will buy calling cards or pre-paid mobile phones and schedule convenient calling times. Another popular option is Skype, a free video chat and phone service via the internet. Wireless internet is typically available wherever programs are housed as well as various public places.

Academic Concerns

Each program includes a required course(s), specially designed to instruct students on the social, historical, and cultural approach to the contemporary society of their host country. This course often includes lectures by local faculty and related field trips to popular attractions. In addition, traveling CSUF faculty teach various courses within their fields of research. The courses offered allow students to gain 3-6 units of upper division General Education course work.

Documents Needed for Travel

The documents needed for travel vary depending on the location of the program. For each program, a list of required documents will be provided, with ample time to acquire the necessary paperwork. A good tip is to make a photocopy of these documents and store them separately in case of an emergency. The two most common forms of documentation needed to study abroad are:

• Passport
  A valid passport is required for all travel outside of the United States. Passports and passport photos may be obtained at a local post office. For more information regarding the application and renewal process, visit www.travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at (877)487-2778.
• Visa
  A visa is a permit from an international country that allows visitors to enter and leave their borders. A visa may be required for a chosen program or by any country a student plans to visit independently. Visas often list planned travel dates and have an expiration date. For more information about visas and how to apply, look online at www.travel.state.gov.

Additional steps may need to be taken if a student holds a passport for a different country.

Currency Exchange

Students should consider using several different forms of payment while traveling abroad. Carrying a large amount of cash is not recommended, as cash is difficult and costly to exchange. Credit cards and ATM cards are accepted almost everywhere and traveler's checks may only be accepted in a very limited selection of locations. Pre-paid cards are recommended as an alternative.

Often, banks will put a hold on credit card or checking accounts if they are used abroad in order to prevent identity theft and fraud. It is very important for students to notify their bank of any potential countries they plan to visit during the duration of their study abroad program to prevent account freezes.

If possible, students should obtain a small amount of foreign currency before leaving the U.S. Exchanging currency in airports or train stations is often done at a much higher rate.

Packing Tips

Below are some tips that students are provided with during their pre-departure orientation meetings.

• Check the allotted number of bags and weight for international flights. Most airlines allow a checked bag to weigh up to 50 lbs. before additional fees are incurred.
• Mark and label each piece of luggage with a name and destination addresses. Tie a bright colored ribbon or string on all checked luggage for quicker identification.
• Look up typical weather forecasts in the program country during the travel period in order to pack appropriate clothing.
• Pack only what is necessary. Most students find they pack too much clothing. Be conscious of whether luggage will need to be carried for any length of time or distance, as well as available space in program accommodations.
• Leave extra room in a piece of luggage or bring an empty backpack, which can be used for souvenirs.
• Always keep valuables and personal items in a carry-on bag. This includes any forms of identification.
• Research which electrical appliances to include. American electrical voltages are different and not all appliances will operate in foreign countries. For example, many hair dryers or electric shavers often have problems. However, cameras, MP3 players and laptops have few issues. Check with the manufacturer to obtain insurance on costly electronics while traveling abroad.
• Remember to pack any prescribed medication as well as a small amount of typical over-the-counter pain relievers and cough/cold medicine.
• Include basic toiletries. Although these items may be purchased abroad, American brands are more expensive or hard to find.
• Pack a towel, as most accommodations will not provide one.
• A guide or language book.
• Do not pack anything that is irreplaceable if lost or stolen.

Pre-departure Meetings

Each program has a mandatory pre-departure meeting scheduled several weeks before the start date. Typically the instructor, a college representative, and a program provider representative are available to answer questions at the meeting. Parents, guardians, family members and significant others who have questions are welcome to attend. Information about their meeting is emailed to students after the application review process.