What Memories Will You Make?

1. What Memories Will You Make?

2. BOBCATS ABROAD o Your Rights, Responsibilities, and Safety While Abroad • Health • Safety • Culture • Tips for Travelers

3. Personal Responsibility Know Your Host Country Know Your Own Country Know Yourself and Your Surroundings Log on to the US State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/ for information on: Worldwide Caution Public Announcements Travel Tips Consular Information Sheets Also check out The Center for Global Education’s Risk Factors and Strategies to Reduce Risk: www.studentsabroad.com/riskfactors.html

4. Tips to Increase Your Personal Safety • Don’t wear expensive jewelry. • Don’t drive while abroad. • Don’t dress like an American. • Do walk with a purpose. • Do purchase a money belt. • Do diversify your money.

5. Health Promotion • Alcohol and Drugs • Safe Sex • Sexual Assault

6. Mental Wellness Abroad • Signs and symptoms of culture shock • Coping strategies • Resources • Talk to your faculty director • if you are struggling • Re-entry shock

7. Staying Healthy Overseas • Tips for staying healthy overseas • Pack a first-aid kit. • Resources: • Vaccinations and Prescriptions for travel destinations: The Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ • International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers: http://www.iamat.org/ • World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/

8. HTH Insurance Ohio University requires you to have insurance through HTH, which provides comprehensive medical coverage. You can extend coverage beyond your program dates. Call HTH collect from a landline for assistance.

9. Office of Judiciaries While abroad, you are bound to: • The Ohio University Student Code of Conduct • All laws of the host country • Program rules and regulations • The Conditions of Participation

10. Safety and Your Study Abroad Program • The OEA receives daily news and security updates from the State Department. • The OEA communicates regularly with overseas partners and faculty directors. • We have emergency response guidelines and procedures in place. • You can reach someone at Ohio University 24 hours a day through OUPD. • The OEA is happy to address any concerns you may have.

11. Emergencies Abroad • Distinguish between minor and major emergencies. • Lost passport vs. car accident • Urgency– can it wait? • Stay calm and keep your perspective • Utilize local resources first • Faculty director = 1st point of contact

12. Your Allies in an Emergency People: • Faculty director / program director • Law enforcement/government agents • Office of Education Abroad Staff/OUPD • Parents, guardians, or family Places: • Hospitals, Medical clinics • Various transportation facilities (airport, train station, etc.) • Police station/U.S. Embassy Things: • Emergency contact card • HTH Health Insurance card • Passport/Identification • Credit card, cash &/or traveler’s checks

13. Eco-Friendly Study Abroad • Conserve resources. (water, electricity) • Consider carbon offsets (http://www.terrapass.com) • Learn about environmental issues. • Support eco-friendly tourism. • Support local shops, restaurants and hotels instead of chains. • Take note of sustainability practices abroad.

14. Political Discussions & Anti-Americanism Abroad • Politics + alcohol = trouble • Avoid - or if that fails - defuse confrontations • Avoid political rallies and protests

16. How the U.S. Embassy can help Register online with the U.S. Embassy in your host country. This will make it easier to contact you in case of an emergency. • When registering online remember to include the Office of Education Abroad under “Permission to Disclose”, so that we can be informed and assist if necessary. • Services provided by US Embassies: • Issue emergency passports • Locate US citizens abroad • Emergency evacuation • Lender of last resort for American citizens in financial crisis • Visit arrested US citizens in jail to monitor treatment • Repatriation of remains

17. Important Paperwork All forms must be filled out and returned to your faculty director or program coordinator. Forms may vary depending on your program - study abroad, exchange, affiliate, non-OU. Paperwork required from all participants: • Copy of your passport • Copy of your flight itinerary • Confirmation of registration with US Embassy, and HTH Health Insurance enrollment Participants on non-OU programs should also submit: • Foreign Study Checklist • Verification of Overseas Enrollment (VOE), submitted from abroad

18. Your Identity Abroad

19. Your Identity Abroad How you identify yourself may be different than how others identify you – especially while abroad. • Race / Ethnicity – Your racial majority/minority status may change in your host country. • Gender – Gender roles can be very different abroad. • Sexual Orientation – You may have a different level of comfort expressing your sexuality while abroad depending on the openness of the host country. • Religion – Religion plays a much different role in other cultures. • Nationality & Political views – Americans are sometimes viewed as one homogenous group.

20. Most Important Factor that Influenced Treatment in Host Culture Adapted from Diversity Issues in Study Abroad – Brown University

21. Cross-Cultural Communication

22. DID YOU KNOW?! • In Spain it is normal to start dinner as late as 10 or 11pm. • In France it is rude to not wish someone • “Bon appétit” when they sit down to eat. • In Ecuador drawing a circle or two in the air with the index finger means “I’ll be back.” • In Austria punctuality is a big deal. A five minute train delay will be announced at the platforms with an apology.

23. The Iceberg Analogy On the Surface Obvious cultural differences: emotional load is low Just Under the Surface Unspoken cultural rules: emotional load is high Deep Culture Unconscious cultural rules: emotional load most intense

24. Managing Expectations • Academic • Classroom culture, expectations, and grading may be different. Often, you are expected to be very independent. • Cultural • You’re not in Kansas anymore! Keep an open mind to differences and observe what is going on around you to learn. • Personal • Understand you may have feelings of homesickness or “culture shock” and that these feelings are normal. • Language • It may be difficult to communicate at first; be patient. Your skills will greatly improve with time.

25. Tips for Travelers

26. What to Pack? • Take only what you can carry! • Travel light – check with your airline to see what is allowed for carry-on and checked luggage and weight limits. Where to Start? • Make a list… • Consider how long you’ll be gone. Consider the culture. • Consider the climate. TAKE ONLY THE NECESSITIES!

27. What to Pack? • Dress in layers. • Coordinate outfits around a central color so you can mix & match. • Take things you wouldn’t mind tossing at the end of your trip to make room for souvenirs etc. Remember… • To bring comfortable shoes. • To be prepared for more formal occasions. • Shorts, sweats and flip flops are not as common abroad and can make you stand out.

28. Side Notes on Packing • Most products are available abroad. • Bring pre-filled prescriptions. • Pack all liquids/gels in Ziploc bags in case anything leaks or breaks • You can buy items like shampoo, toothpaste, or drinks when you get to your destination • Have extra copies of all important paperwork such as passport and flight itinerary. • Check out the rules for liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on at www.tsa.gov

29. More on Packing • Be smart with laptops & iPods • They can make you stand out • They can attract thieves • For expensive items & things you absolutely cannot live without, pack them in your carry-on… • LOST OR STOLEN LUGGAGE IS A REALITY!

30. Paying by credit card may not beas common abroad as in the U.S. MasterCard and Visa are most popular American Express and Discover not accepted everywhere. Check for the cirrus or star logos Money Tips • ATMs: transaction fees in host country • Inform your bank before you go!

31. Money Tips Cash • Carry just enough. • Easiest way to pay. • Know exchange rates. • Convert your money: airports, banks, large hotels, travel agencies, railroad stations, and more.

32. Airfare • Check airline prices right away! • Student rate travel sites to check: • STAtravel.com • Studentuniverse.com • Search engines offering cheaper flights: • Kayak.com • Cheaptickets.com • Edreams.com • Look for discount airlines: • Europe: Ryanair & Easyjet • South America: Mexicana & LAN Airlines

33. Transportation Research the different types of public transportation in your host country: Trains Buses Metro Find out where, how and when you can buy tickets If you take a Taxi, make sure it is officially licensed!

34. Homestay • Contact your family before you arrive • Bring a meaningful gift. • Something from your culture or country • OU branded souvenir • Be courteous and respectful of their rules (watch length of showers, light use). • Be adventurous - try new things! • Use the local language. If you’re unsure of something, ask your family. • If your homestay becomes uncomfortable, speak to the host university’s International Office or your faculty director.

35. Keeping in Touch Can you use your cell phone abroad? Check with your provider Search online for information on prepaid cell phones and calling cards Consider purchasing a cell phone in host country Payphones The old fashioned option but in some places it may be the only one Internet cafes Pay for internet access

36. Keeping In Touch If you have computer access: Skype - Create an account. Buy a webcam and headset. Make free calls to other Skype users Instant messaging - MSN, Yahoo Messenger, icq Various other FREE online phone services: eg www.freecall.com You can also use Skype and your computer to make cheap calls to landlines

37. Electronics Abroad Adapters Used for the actual sockets you will plug into Several types - region specific Google “electricity around the world” to find the type that’s right for your country Usually sold in multi-country packs Order online or buy in stores like Radio Shack, Target, Walmart, or travel specialty stores Ecuador is the same as the U.S. Universal Europe • France Eastern Europe Great Britain and Ireland South Africa

38. Electronics Abroad Converters (voltage) Check the voltage of your country before you go Buy the correct converter in US Consider what you will use the converter for – iron, hair dryer, etc. Consider buying hairdryer in host country

39. Helpful Hints • Dress appropriately for the attractions you want to see. (temples, cathedrals, etc.) • Be familiar with taboos, inappropriate behavior and gestures in your host country (do some online research) • Keep a journal to record little things you might forget, like the names of restaurants orfunny stories. • Carry extra change. Not • all countries offer free • public restrooms. • Stay flexible!!! Some of • the most memorable • events are unplanned.

40. Travel. Experience. Share. Become an Office of Education Abroad FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT Enter your pictures into the OEA photo contest Pick up a flyer to find out how!

41. Thanks for Coming! If you have any questions, feel free to ask today, or anytime by contacting the Office of Education Abroad in 185 Lindley Hall. Additional flyers on health and safety available here. Have a wonderful trip, be safe, and make wonderful memories! PLEASE FILL OUT THE EVALUATION!