Handbook

Preparing for your Trip Abroad

As the time to leave for your study abroad experience draws closer and the enormity of what you are about to do finally hits you, you may find yourself beginning to panic. You may ask yourself if you are really ready to live in a foreign culture, away from the life you know and your friends and family. A thousand questions may start to plague you. What do I do if I get sick? Or arrested? Do I have all the necessary documents to pass through customs? How will I get along with people and make friends? Perhaps you will question your decision and doubt your preparedness.

The following section is geared specifically to help you get prepared, in the comfort of your own home, for your study abroad program. By carefully reading this portion of the handbook and by following the suggestions and tips, you will be well on your way to an increased understanding of what you are about to experience. You will start to become acquainted with your host country and will overcome some of the doubts you may have about leaving the familiar, safe surroundings of your home culture.

Practical Preparation

Even before you begin to think about packing or buying your plane ticket, there are a number of things you need to take care of here to maintain your student status, apply financial aid to the costs of your study abroad program, legally leave the country and generally experience the joy of bureaucratic run around.

Apply for a passport

If you haven't already applied for a passport, you should do so immediately. The passport is your official identification as a citizen of the United States. Passport applications can take anywhere from two to eight weeks to process. A passport is valid for five years for individuals under 18 years of age, and is valid for ten years for individuals 18 years of age and older, from the date of issue unless specifically limited to a shorter period of time by the Secretary of State. A new passport will be required for travel after expiration of the five or ten year period.

Before applying for a student visa (which is required for some study abroad programs) you will need to know your passport number. Both of these procedures take time; so don't wait until the last minute to apply. Do it today!

Passport applications are available at the U.S. Post Office, 511 E. Walnut, (573) 876-7800, selection #5 (passport information number), or on the web. You must submit the application and required materials in person to a passport clerk. A clerk is available at the Columbia post office Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You must present the following with your passport application:

• Completed Passport Application Form
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (previous passport, certified copy of birth certificate)
• Two Photographs (taken within past 6 months, 2x2 in, color or b/w).
• Proof of identity (previous passport, certificate of naturalization, valid Driver's license, government or military ID).
• Passport fee of $85.00. Cash, check (one $55 check made out to the Department of State and one $30 made out to Postmaster) or money orders are accepted.

Don't forget to provide your Social security number - If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty!

When you receive your passport:

• Sign it in ink, and fill in the address and notification data in pencil
• Guard it as you would any other valuable.
• Make several copies of the official page to make it easier to replace if it's lost or stolen
  • Give one to the International Center to put in your file
  • Keep one with you in a separate but safe place from your passport
  • Leave one with a friend or family member

Loss or theft of a valid passport should be reported immediately to Passport Services, Department of State, Washington D.C. 20524, or the nearest passport agency. If the loss occurs while abroad, you should notify the nearest U.S. Consulate. Theft of a passport also should be reported to the local police.

Ask your parents or designated emergency contact to obtain a passport, just in case they need to go abroad to help you in an emergency.

International Student Identity Card

All Study Abroad participants will be given an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The card entitles you to a number of discounts on travel, accommodations, museums etc. - especially in Europe.

The ISIC also offers a limited health insurance policy that covers you while you are abroad. The coverage is meant to be supplemental and you should NOT count on it as your primary coverage while abroad. Two areas of coverage on the card that are not part of many "normal" health insurance policies are medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. The ISIC card also provides access to a translation and interpretation service, and this service can help you obtain medical treatment even if you cannot pay for this treatment up front. From outside of the U.S., call collect: (715) 342-4104. IMPORTANT: Carry this phone number with your ISIC card, since it is not listed on the card itself.

Student Visa (For programs that require a student visa)

A visa is official permission to visit a country and is granted by the government of that country. The format varies considerably; from a simple stamp imprinted upon one of the pages in your passport at the time you enter the country to an official document with your photograph attached. Some countries require advance processing of visas while other countries require no advance processing whatsoever for brief visits, usually up to three months. Some countries, which do not require a visa for a short term visit, might require a student visa for foreign students. An American who plans to go abroad should check the visa requirements for the countries s/he plans to visit by contacting the nearest consulate for that country. Single copies of "Visa Requirements of Foreign Governments" (Publication M 264), a publication which lists the entry requirements for U.S. Citizens traveling to most foreign countries are available free from the Office of Passport Services, Department of State, Room 306, 1425 K Street NW, Washington DC 20524. This is also available through the Department of State website.

Some visas are free and some are not. The process may take several weeks for each visa, so start early.

Registration For Your Study Abroad Program

You will need to be formally registered for your study abroad program just as you would for any course at MU. If you are on an MU Study Abroad Program, you will need to make sure that the following forms are completed by the deadline set by your MU Study Abroad Program Coordinator. Students on MU Partner Programs and Non-MU Programs should check with their program sponsor for registration requirements and procedures.

1. Complete the "Course Proposal to Study Abroad" form. This form asks you to provide a list of courses you would like to take (or those predetermined by the program) while abroad. Together with your MU Academic Advisor you will then predetermine how the courses you selected should apply to your MU degree program. The courses you take could satisfy specific major of minor requirements, general education requirements, or simply count as elective credit, depending on your department and/or college. This course list will be tentative at best, because you may not know what courses are actually available until you arrive at your host university. Why go through all of that effort then? Well, there are a number of reasons:

1. First of all, this makes you take a good look at the kinds of courses available at your host university and think about what kind of academic work you want to pursue while abroad. This will help you once you actually choose your courses for real because you will already be familiar with the catalogues.
2. It requires you to speak with your MU Academic Advisor, therefore making her/him aware of your study abroad plans (your Advisor's signature is required on the form).
3. A signature is required from your dean's office. This will ensure that all of your paperwork is up-to-date and that you are eligible to study abroad. Remember that you have to declare a major and/or emphasis area before leaving or else you will be blocked from registration the semester you return to MU.

2. Pay Study Abroad Administrative Fee ($500, $350, or $75 depending on your program) at the Cashier's Office and submit Program Acceptance & Conditions of Participation Form to the International Center (with "paid" stamp from the Cashier's Office).

3. The International Center, in conjunction with the Registration and Cashier's Offices will register you into your study abroad program for the appropriate semester or semesters. (MU will register you for study abroad. If you are on a direct enrollment program, you will register for specific courses after you arrive at the host university). A bill and a schedule will be sent to your local or permanent address.

Registration For The Semester You Return To MU

You are responsible for pre-registering yourself for the semester that you will return to MU. Either designate someone you trust to register you or register yourself on the phone or through MyZou. More information is available on the University Registrar website.

Paying Your Bill

Once you are registered, a bill for the coming semester will automatically be generated. Look at your program's promotional brochure, and/or see your MU Study Abroad Advisor more information about what you will be charged. It is your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements to pay your bills, just as you normally would at MU.

For yearlong programs: Remember that you may be charged educational fees for the second semester when we register you during the early registration period for winter semester (usually some time in November). Be sure that Jesse Hall has an up to date billing address for you to ensure that the statement will be sent to the correct address. Also, warn your parents, or whoever will be receiving the bill, that it will be coming.

If you are participating in an MU reciprocal exchange program, you will pay a $500 Study Abroad Administrative fee upon acceptance into your program. Once you are registered for your program, you will then be charged for 13 credits of MU Educational fees, Non-Resident Tuition fees (if applicable), Instructional Technology fees, Student Activity fees, and Health Center fee on your MU student account. If you are participating in MU non-exchange study abroad program, you will pay a $350 Study Abroad Administrative fee upon acceptance into your program. Once you are registered for your program, you will then be charged for 13 credits of MU Educational fees, Instructional Technology fees, and any program fees associated with the program on your MU student account. In most cases, your airfare, housing and other personal expenses will be your responsibility and you will be paying those directly to the relevant person or agency.

Students participating on MU Partner Programs will be billed Educational fees and Instructional Technology fees and for 13 MU credits each semester, or 6 MU credits for the summer, according to the regular MU billing schedule, plus an administrative fee of $350 for the academic year or semester, or $75 for the summer. The MU Educational fees are paid directly to MU, which will then forward the fees to the MU Partner Program on your behalf. Students must pay any costs above the cost of the MU educational fees directly to the MU Partner Program. For example, $8,500 (MU Partner Program cost) - $2,529.80 (MU educational fees paid directly to MU) = $5,970.20 (amount owed to the MU Partner Program Sponsor).

Financial Aid

If you plan to apply financial aid to the costs of your study abroad program, you must work with Susie Facklam in the Financial Aid office (11 Jesse Hall, 573-882-7506). She has all of the necessary paperwork that must be filled out on the Financial Aid web page. You must fill out these forms by the appropriate deadline in order to assure that you will continue to receive your aid while you are abroad. If you begin this process early enough, it may be possible for financial aid to re evaluate your need and make you eligible for additional loans or grants. Don't put this off or you'll be out of luck!

Health Insurance

It is very important that you maintain health insurance coverage while you are abroad. MU students are required to carry the MU Student Health Insurance or equivalent while they are abroad. The "Health Insurance Information Sheet," included in your acceptance materials, explains the issues in some detail. By maintaining continuous coverage at home, you can be sure that you will be covered for any continuing medical expenses resulting from illnesses or accidents during your time abroad. It is your responsibility to make sure your current policy will cover you while abroad. Some policies will only cover emergency situations, which could result in huge medical bills. Information on health insurance policies especially for study abroad participants is available in the Resource Room in the International Center.

Keep in mind that should medical attention be required abroad, it may be necessary for you to have sufficient cash on hand to make payment at the time of treatment since the foreign physician and/or hospital may not be able to process medical bills through an American insurance company. In such cases, be sure to obtain a receipt to submit with your insurance claim for reimbursement upon return to the U.S. Get a copy of your medical record from the physician or hospital before returning to the U.S. It might also be helpful if you were to carry a few blank claim forms with you in case they should be needed while you are abroad.

Mental and Psychological Preparation

Equally important to a successful study abroad experience is being prepared mentally and psychologically. Things are not going to be the same as they are in the United States. This may sound like an obvious statement, but the truth is, many students go overseas expecting only superficial differences (clothing, language, cuisine) and fail to realize that their host country will most assuredly be different fundamentally as well. Do not be dismayed; there are many ways to ensure a successful transition from your home culture to your host culture.

One way, which has proven successful in making people feel more secure about their preparedness, is to research the country they will be living in. We have compiled a list of thirty basic questions you can ask about your host country and culture. They are designed to help you become more aware of facts and behaviors found in your host country and to lay the groundwork for comparative thinking between host and home cultures. This is not intended to be an inclusive list and you will probably think of more questions as you attempt to answer these. Nevertheless, when you have the answers to the following thirty, you can consider yourself well beyond the beginner stage.

We suggest that you go through the list and try to answer as many of the questions as you can. Next, try to find the answers to the rest by reading about the country, browsing the Internet, or by talking to someone here who is from your host country. There are dozens of international student organizations at MU whose members could be a great resource for finding out information about your new home. Take the questions you have remaining with you abroad and utilize the relationships you form with your host country's nationals to help you find the answers. People will most likely be flattered by your interest and will be eager to help you fill in the gaps.

• How many people who are prominent in the affairs (politics, athletics, religion, the arts, etc.) of your host country can you name?
• Who are the country's national heroes and heroines?
• Can you recognize the national anthem?
• Are other languages spoken besides the dominant language? What are the social and political implications of language usage? What is the language of instruction in the schools? At what level are foreign languages introduced?
• What is the predominant religion? Is it a state religion? Have you read any of its sacred writings? How do members of the predominant religion feel about other religions?
• What is the attitude toward- drinking? Smoking cigarettes? Gambling?
• Is the price for merchandise fixed or are customers expected to bargain? How is the bargaining conducted?
• How do people organize their daily activities? What is the normal meal schedule? Is there a daytime rest period? What is the customary time for visiting friends?
• What foods are most popular and how are they prepared?
• What is the usual dress for women? For men? Are slacks or shorts worn? If so, on what occasions? Do teenagers wear jeans?
• If you are invited to dinner, should you arrive early? On time? Late? If late, how late? Does the same timing hold true in terms of arrival at school? At work?
• On what occasions will you present (or accept) gifts from people in the country? What kind of gifts would you exchange?
• How do people greet one another? Shake hands? Embrace or kiss? How do they leave one another? What does any variation from the usual greeting or leaving signify?
• What kinds of non-verbal behavior are acceptable between sexes? Same sex; i.e., touching?
• What are U.S. relations like in the past and present with your host country and the surrounding regions? Be able to provide a valid opinion of the U.S.'s actions or positions.
• What are the important holidays? How is each observed?
• What sports are popular? Do they involve gambling? If so, which ones?
• How will your financial position and living conditions compare with those of the majority of people living in this country?
• What things are taboo in this society?
• Is military training compulsory?
• Are the largest circulation newspapers generally friendly in their attitude toward the United States? Give examples.
• Are there special privileges of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status?
• How many people have emigrated from this country to the United States? Other countries? Are many doing so at present?
• What kind of health services are available? Where are they located? How are the health services funded?
• Where are the important universities of the country? If university education is sought abroad, to what countries and universities do students generally go? What percentage of university students has the opportunity to study abroad?
• What are a few of the country's major literary contributions? Authors?
• What are the differences/ similarities between your home and host culture as to public/private institutions such as banks, libraries, post offices, media, schools, day care, hospitals?
• What are the favorite leisure and recreational activities of adults or teenagers?
• Where can medicines be purchased? What are the common local remedies?
• What kind of local public transportation is available? Do all classes of people use it? Do many people have cars? Who has the right-of-way? Pedestrians? Animals?

Finding the answers to these questions will give you a good insight into the culture of your host society. With that in mind, now is a good time to discuss the meaning and relevant aspects of the term "culture".