WINTER Template Pre-Departure Orientation APRIL 2013 BSU Office of Study Abroad.
Santa Clara University Abroad Orientation Basics 2012-13
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Transcript of Santa Clara University Abroad Orientation Basics 2012-13
Santa Clara University
AbroadOrientation Basics 2012-13Susan M. Popko,Associate Provost for International Programs
Overview SCU Goals for intercultural learning Documents Being an American Abroad Health & Safety Legal Crossing Cultures
Passports, Visas & Registering with US Embassies Abroad Passports required/valid 6 mos. beyond
return to US Visa = A stamp inside your passport Processing times for passports and visas All students must register with the US
embassy abroad through the STEP program To register in STEP, link through SCU:
http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm
Check-In: Issues with passports and visas?
SCU Goals for Intercultural Learning - One Develop an understanding of the history
and contemporary situation of the country which you visit
Seek ways to live like a local Understand the impact that your
presence has on the local community Seek opportunities for reciprocity – what
does the local community who is hosting you tell you that they need?
SCU Goals for Intercultural Learning - Two Engage with the local culture through
living in a homestay; volunteering; participating in an academic internship; joining a local club; studying the local language
Connect your experience abroad with your academic and personal experience at SCU.
Being An American Abroad
Not all of you may identify as being “American” but may still be considered to be American by citizens of the country you are visitingNot all of you may “look like an American” by others’ standards but may still be considered to be American by citizens of the country you are visitingWhat does “Being American” mean, anyway?
How Do I Appear “American” Appearance
What you look like physically and what you wear
Behaviors What you do and how you act
Language What you say and how you say it
Before You Go: Understanding What “American” Means to Others
Read about and be aware of the political context of the country you are visiting, particularly how U.S. politics impacts that context
Read about and be aware of political issues in the U.S.
Health & Safety Essentials:US Department of State (DOS) Country Specific Information Travel Alerts
-Worldwide Caution Travel Warnings Great links!
http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm
Health & Safety Essentials: Before You Go Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Travelers’ Health: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm
Immunizations Prescriptions Special Needs
Know Your Country: Health & Safety What are the modes of daily transportation? What precautions should you take while
commuting from class to your residence? How do you take a taxi, e.g., hail from the curb,
call, find in a taxi queue? How do locals handle computers, cell phones,
cameras in public? How will you manage drinking water while abroad? What is the cultural practice of eating meat
(vegetarians, vegans)? Are there foods of which you should be aware not
to eat?
Staying Healthy On-Site Wash your hands frequently Carry soap papers and hand sanitizer Take a multi-vitamin Drink a lot of water “Peel it, boil it, or forget it” - refer to DOS
Travel, CDC and country guides for your specific destination
Drink bottled water or other drinks Be aware that most students do become ill at
some point
Immunizations & Medications
Follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/safety/required-travel-preparation.cfm
Plan ahead – it make take six months to be fully immunized
Plan for how you will take regular medications abroad – some countries limit the quantity of medications that may be brought into the country from acne medicine to birth control. Check with the embassy of your country and limits and talk with your doctor about taking or filling your prescriptions abroad
Emergency Evacuation Insurance All SCU students studying through an
approved University program abroad are covered by the University’s emergency evacuation insurance.
Sexual Harassment Expectations of gender and sexuality differ
significantly in other cultures Legal definition of “sexual harassment” is
entirely absent from many cultures American women are often perceived as
“loose”; you need to expect that is how you may be perceived initially and be aware of what you communicate through your dress and behavior
Local women often experience what in the US context would be considered harassment – observe how they respond
Local cultures may not recognize gay or lesbian people
If you experience harassment tell your director
Theft and Scams Avoid places where foreigners may be
targets Be aware of pairs or groups of thieves
working together Be aware in crowded places, e.g., airports,
bus stations, metro, concerts, etc. Do not take valuables that you cannot
stand to lose Do not “flaunt” your cell phone, camera
etc. on the street 1-5 SCU students are robbed each
semester abroad
Legal Issues Students must abide by the local law of
the country The US government, the State of
California, SCU do not have legal standing to intervene if you break the law
Most legal incident involving students abroad happen when alcohol is involved
Quiz: Know Your Country! Who is the current political leader of
your country? What is the political and economic
system in place? Name your country’s signature food(s). What percentage of students graduate
from high school in your country? What percentage attend university?
Quiz: Know Your Country! Name the countries which border your
country. Name the three largest cities.
Quiz: Know Your Country! List two authors or artists from your
country and the works for which they are known?
Say “hello” and “thank you” in the local language?
Personal, Cultural, Universal? Culture is only one dimension of human
behavior and it is therefore important to see it in relation to the other two dimensions: the universal and the personal.
Because of universal behavior, not everything about people in a new culture is going to be different; some of what you already know about human behavior is going to apply in your host country.
Because of personal behavior, not everything you learn about your host culture is going to apply in equal measure, or at all, to every individual in that culture.
Personal, Cultural, Universal Personal - the ways in which each one
of us is different from everyone else, including those in our group.
Cultural - what a particular group of people have in common with each other and how they are different from every other group
Universal – the ways in which all people in all groups are the same
Which Statements Are Personal, Cultural or Universal? Sleeping with a bedroom window open. Running from a dangerous animal. Considering snakes to be "evil." Men opening doors for women. Respecting older people. Liking spicy food. Preferring playing soccer to reading a book. Eating regularly. Eating with knife, fork, and spoon. Being wary of strangers Calling a waiter with a hissing sound. Regretting being the cause of an accident. Feeling sad at the death of your mother. Wearing white mourning robes for 30 days after the death of your
mother. Not liking to wear mourning clothes for 30 days after the death of
your mother.
Crossing Cultures: The Stages of Cultural Adjustment 1. Euphoria 2. Irritability & Hostility 3. Gradual Adjustment 4. Adaptation & Biculturalism 5. Re-entry
Responses to Culture Shock Contextualize your feelings in terms of
CS Inquire about aspects of culture that
seem different or difficult Seek cultural patterns Avoid other Americans in a constant
state of CS Make friends with host country nationals Resist the temptation to withdraw Keep a journal, blog, etc.
Crossing Cultures Successfully What is “immersion”, anyway? Long-term
adoption of daily living like a local How would a local student live? How can I participate in the local
culture? What is the intersection between my
own identity and local norms? How do I navigate the experience of
being both a guest and a resident?
“It’s Going to be Different”: Develop a Plan Classes – with Americans? With local
students? Housing – with host family? Pursue an academic internship Volunteer Commit to a Language Partner Join a club or community organization Play a sport/instrument Be flexible