Pre Departure Briefing For Students Going Abroad 2010

Pre Departure Briefing for students going abroad

2010/2011

Hazel LanderWelfare and Exchanges Officer

Emma MarkuInternational Support Officer

Looking ahead…

What you make of it…

Go prepared…

• Forward planning

• Practicalities & documentation

• While you’re abroad…

Case study

Maarit Aartoaho, from Finland, is studying Social Anthropology at the University of Kent and has just returned from a year at Japan’s Waseda University.

Case study 2

Naqiya Ebrahim from Hong Kong, who studies Drama at the University of Kent, spent at the University of California, San Diego.

Part 1: Forward planning

• Research

• Mental preparation

• Make contacts with students who are going abroad and those students who have returned

Part 1: Forward planning

• Prepare documentation and forms

• ClassesMake sure you have selected your classes at the correct level and that your School is happy with your classes

Forward planning - summary

“Studying in Japan definitely differs from studying in England. Even though scholarly success is highly appreciated in Japan, for Japanese university students, the grades do not seem to be important. Instead, the goal is to pass a course. Class attendance which is checked every lecture is high while participation in class discussion low. The courses by foreign professors tend to be more demanding than the ones by Japanese professors. With deadlines, more second chances are given to students than at Kent.”

Maarit

Part 2: Practicalities - documentation

• Passport

• Visa • Money • Insurance

http://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/studentfieldwork/index.html

http://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/studentfieldwork/index.html

Part 2: Practicalities - health

• Doctors and dentists

• Medications

• Vaccinations?

• Additional support

Part 2: Practicalities - accommodation

• What’s included?

• Choice?

• Forms & deposits

Part 2: Practicalities - arrival

• Important documents

• From the airport to the university?

• Orientation

• Late check – in

• Get involved

Part 2: Practicalities - arrival

“Meet people, explore your new city, go adventuring. I was extremely lucky to have a nicely balanced academic and social life at UCSD and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Get involved as much as possible. Also, remember to have fun!” - Naqiya

Part 3: While you’re abroad – remember…

• Your role as an ambassador

• YOUR YEAR ABROAD COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR DEGREE!

Part 3: While you are abroad – keep in touch

• Tell Hazel your address while abroad

• Make sure your email account is not over quota

Part 3: While you’re abroad – culture shock

• Don’t worry

• Key times

• Prepare

• Awareness

• Time

• Resources

• Get involved

Part 3: While you’re abroad – culture shock

“Waseda students very eagerly participate in activities organized by different student unions. Almost every student belongs at least to one club. For international students, there are lots of cultural activities and even trips outside Tokyo during weekends and vacation time to explore Japanese culture.”

Maarit

Why didn’t you tell me?- USA

• The “Certificate of Eligibility” that your host university sends you will dictate which visa you can apply for. You will either apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa

• The visa application process is set out in “Year Abroad in the US guide”, available online from the International Office website

• If you GPA drops below 2.7 or if you are registered for less than 12 credits this affects your current visa status

• If you have academic concerns you should contact your School

Why didn’t you tell me? - Japan

• You are required to take Japanese language classes while abroad due to visa requirements. They do not contribute to your final mark

• Once accepted you can start the visa application process. This is set out in detail in our “Year Abroad in Japan Guide” available online through the International Office website

• All universities offer accommodation

• If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Sarah Hyde (Politics) or Jan Horn (Anthropology)

Why didn’t you tell me?- Argentina

• Once accepted you should make a visa application. Information is available from the Argentina Embassy website: http://www.argentine-embassy-uk.org/

• General information on studying in Argentina is available online: http://estudiarenargentina.siu.edu.ar/pages/study100.php

• The University will help you find accommodation and you can rent a flat or live with a host family

• If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Ruth Blakeley (Politics) or Dr William Rowlandson (Spanish)

Why didn’t you tell me?– Hong Kong

• Useful information for HKU and City U students:http://www3.hku.hk/oise/eng/incoming_studying.phphttp://www.cityu.edu.hk/cityu/admissions/index.htm

• City U and HKU students will complete the visa application process directly with the university

• Both universities offer accommodation for exchange students

• If you have academic concerns you should contact Dr Pak Lee (Politics), Professor Wade Mansell (KLS), Dr Jesse O’Hanley (KBS) or Dr Ana de Medeiros (Humanities)

http://www3.hku.hk/oise/eng/incoming_studying.php

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/cityu/admissions/index.htm

Why didn’t you tell me?- China

• Once accepted you should make a visa application. Information is available from the China Embassy website:http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/

• If you have academic concerns you should contact Professor Wade Mansell (KLS)

• If you have any other concerns you can contact the International Office and we can contact SWUPL for you.

http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/

Why didn’t you tell me?- Peru

• For any academic concerns, please contact your School

• The Student Academic Exchange Program currently offers pre-registration options via Internet

www.pucp.edu.pe

• ALL STUDENTS – if you have any other concerns, please contact the International Office, and we can contact your host university

http://www.pucp.edu.pe/

“Allowing myself to be open to these new environments and new experiences has shaped who I am. I have gained insight and learned about both myself and others. It is interesting to see new approaches to curriculum and teaching styles, to see the cultural and social differences, and to soak up an entirely new world. I strongly recommend it, for it will be an experience that you won’t want to end.” Naqiya

Final word

http://www.kent.ac.uk/international/exchanges/outgoing/index.html

Pre Departure Briefing For Students Going Abroad 2010

Education

Transcript of Pre Departure Briefing For Students Going Abroad 2010