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A Student
Guide to Living Abroad
Table of Contents
Cultural Adjustment
Signs of culture shock
The cultural adjustment cycle
Strategies for coping with
cultural adjustment
Keeping a Journal
Sources for further study on
cultural adjustment
Cultural Identity
and the World Citizen
Housing
Abroad
Homestays
How do I find out about the
family rules
Living in an apartment
Living in a dormitory
Preparing to Come
Home
Re-entry
or Coming “Home” Again
Top Ten Reentry Challenges
Strategies for cultural
re-adjustment
Appendix
Self-Orientation Pre-Departure
Guide
Living Abroad and
Cultural Adjustment
The best and fastest way to learn
about a language and a culture is total
immersion. But the fastest way can often be the
most painful. "Cultural adjustment" can cause
much discomfort. Those who stay the longest and
engage most fully will experience the most
discomfort. Then again -- nothing ventured,
nothing gained.
Consider your situation:
-
If you’re in a country where
a different language is spoken, you may at
best have the communication ability of a
four-year-old.
-
You’ll be far from your home,
family, and familiar surroundings.
-
The food is different, the
habits are different, the rules are
different.
-
And – you’ll be exhausted at
first.
The result is known as "culture
shock," or more appropriately, "cultural
adjustment."
Culture shock is the unpleasant
disorientation which afflicts everyone who
enters a strange world. Culture shock is what
happens when your expectations don’t match up
with reality.
It’s often true that the more
eager you are to enter the host culture the more
severe the adjustment may be. Tourists who come
only to gaze, taste, and move on are insulated
from the shock.
Stereotyping is Normal
The human tendency to simplify
and organize information into neat categories is
quite normal, but the results are damaging if
stereotypes become the only definition of what
we see and experience. Stereotyping works
both ways. Just as we have simple ideas
about people and places we've never seen, others
will have the same about us. If all people know
of the USA comes from re-runs of unrealistic TV
shows or the actions of our government, they
will have strange ideas about life in the U.S.
Stereotypes can be negative or
positive. For example, North Americans are often
characterized as highly independent,
competitive, practical, and generous.
These can viewed as positive
traits. However, they can also be viewed from a
negatively - that North Americans are only
concerned about themselves or money, are
incapable of appreciating the intangibles in
life, and are naive.
A
Note to Women
Women might not have the same
status or role in your host country that they
enjoy here. You could find yourself in
situations that cause feelings of anxiety,
confusion, fear, powerlessness or anger. Past
students have found that many host country
nationals have a distorted and stereotyped image
of American women from ads, TV, and movies.
A
Note to Underrepresented Students
-
Students who are members of
minority groups (ethnic minorities,
participants with disabilities, religious
minorities, GLBT students) might face
particular challenges in the host country
setting.
-
African-American students in
St. Petersburg and white students in the
Dominican Republic might find that the host
country nationals hold misconceptions about
their ethnic groups.
-
Non-visible minorities, such
as Japanese-American students in Japan,
might find that people are disappointed if
they are not “Japanese” enough.
-
The student who can be openly
gay at home will feel pressure to modify
his/her behavior in a culture where
homosexuality is either not accepted or is
against the law.
-
Students with physical
disabilities or learning disorders may find
that the host culture or educational system
has little experience accommodating their
special needs.
In all of these cases there are
strategies to help overcome the sense of
dislocation. The first step, of course, is to
recognize that these things may happen.
Signs
of Culture Shock
Experiencing the stress of
cultural adjustment is a normal part of living
in a new environment. The best defense is to
recognize the symptoms.
-
Be prepared to have a touch
of the flu or a miserable cold in the first
few weeks--accept it.
-
or what it is, the result of
a big change in climate, diet, and routine.
-
Be prepared to have some
moments of sadness and disappointment.
-
You'll probably miss the
oddest things about American life, like
hamburgers or buying a tube of toothpaste at
midnight.
-
Be prepared for some anxiety
as you discover the new rules and habits of
this new place.
-
You may forget you left the
USA to learn and adapt, and which means
losing a bit of your American identity.
Americans generally react to
culture shock by following several common
patterns. Look for these signs during your study
abroad experience:
The FUGITIVE avoids contact and
spends lots of time in his/her room. Focus is on
study, reading, sleep, and constant
letter-writing or surfing the computer. Blames
the foreign culture a bit, but mostly
him/herself. Ashamed to feel homesick after
having dreamt of a great experience abroad.
The CHAUVINIST talks endlessly to
anyone who will listen, underlining the contrast
between the U.S. and abroad and the superiority
of “home.”
The CRITIC makes no comparisons, but
casts blame on all sides. The weather is
intolerable, the prices exorbitant, the people
weird. The academic program is trivial, the
teachers are dull, and the students are
infantile. Nothing is right.
The NATIVE cuts down the U.S. and
wants to melt into the crowd. A loner, s/he
shuts off all contact with other Americans and
feels tempted never to return to the States,
that land without culture or refinement.
The Cultural Adjustment Cycle
The timing of the cultural
adjustment cycle varies by person, the length of
time abroad, and how involved you get in the
culture. Some never go through the cycle because
they don’t fully engage in the host culture. The
experts say that the same thing happens to
everyone: Peace Corps volunteers, diplomats,
missionaries, soldiers, and foreign students. It
happens because it’s never easy to live in a new
environment.
Below are the general stages
that many people go through adjusting to another
culture and then returning home (refer to the
section on "Re-entry or Coming Home Again").
1.
PRE-DEPARTURE ANTICIPATION:
While planning and packing, you may feel
exhilarated and nervous; you might lose interest
in current activities. You may have some
insomnia.
2. POST-ARRIVAL EXHILARATION:
You may have a heightened sense
of enthusiasm; changes in routine are exciting.
Some insomnia and stomach queasiness is normal.
3. EARLY SOJOURN FRUSTRATION:
You might feel impatient or disenchanted with
life in your host country or you might feel
restless and irritable. You might rely on
familiar activities and foreign friends and
start to question your own values and those of
your host country. Some minor health problems
are normal.
4.
MID-SOJOURN DISCOURAGEMENT:
You may be quite homesick,
discouraged, or disoriented and feel hostility
towards local people and customs. Colds and
headaches are common.
5. LATE SOJOURN ASSIMILATION AND
INTEGRATION:
You begin to reconcile who you
are within the local culture and to recognize
changes in yourself, including changes in your
values. You experience renewed interest in the
host culture and have a more constructive
attitude. You feel adapted to the host culture
and in equilibrium with the host country. Your
health is normal.
Strategies
for coping with cultural adjustment
-
Keep a journal.
This helps you keep a sense of perspective
and offers an opportunity to vent feelings.
Read more on the next page.
-
Get your personal life in
focus.
If you are leaving a lover behind, you may
limit your experience because you are
concentrating on a person far away.
Similarly, if you attach yourself too
strongly to your American group, you can
also limit your experience.
-
Find a few supportive people.
Don't feel shy about asking for help. Talk
to your program coordinator or teachers;
they will know what you are going through -
they have probably been there themselves.
-
Keep active
- resist the temptation to
withdraw. Keep regular hours. Always go to
class. Plan to eat, sleep, and study at
about the same time every day. Get some
exercise!
-
Explore.
Find a map, strike out on your own, and
explore the territory. Observe people
closely to pick up subtle nuances about the
culture.
-
Visitors from home.
Time will be your most precious possession.
If parents or friends are planning to visit
you, encourage them to wait until a
scheduled break or the end of the program.
-
Evaluate your goals.
Remind yourself of the goals you set for the
experience. If they were unrealistic, admit
it. Was it really possible to become
bilingual in four months? If you’re not too
hard on yourself when you make mistakes and
are willing to look silly from time to time,
you will learn more.
-
Hobbies and outside
activities.
Engage in hobbies or activities that
interest you. Playing chess in France,
joining a rowing team in Italy, playing
rugby in South Africa, or joining a tea
ceremony club in Japan. All of these
activities will help you better “see” the
host culture.
-
Have some fun!
Find a place that is
comfortable. Spend some time there. Try to
do some things that you enjoy every week.
-
Remember, this is temporary.
Keep reminding yourself that
you will get through this. The satisfaction
that you have adjusted to the new culture
will be its own reward.
-
And…..above all,
-
Keep your sense of humor!
This is the most important
piece of advice that we can give you. If you
can do this you can handle almost anything.
Keeping
a Journal
Think of a journal as a
scrapbook, the written and visual record of your
experience abroad that you will have for years
to come. There are so many ways to keep a
journal. Don’t worry about your writing. You can
start now — before you leave — and continue
after your return. No one we know has regretted
keeping a journal — however, many
regret not doing it.
Reasons for keeping a journal
• to record your goals and
personal agenda for your sojourn abroad.
• to keep addresses and
references you collect.
• as a diary to record travel and
daily routines.
• as a vehicle for thinking
through observation, reflection and analysis.
• to assist in the cultural
adaptation process.
• to record your feelings when
you come home.
Hints on journal writing
Remember discussing “modes of
discourse” in your writing classes? Here are
some you can use:
• description (picture, show,
list, define),
• narration (tell a story, report
an action),
• exposition (analyze, explain,
interpret), or
• argumentation (argue, test,
evaluate.)
You can also:
• write as you would in a letter
to a close friend,
• provide a context for the
stories you relate,
• use and translate foreign
words you learn,
• tell stories; quote from
the people you meet.
Some questions to consider
The
following questions will help you reflect on the
process of effectively moving across cultures.
Before leaving
• Why did I select this program?
• What do I want to get out of
this experience?
• How can I make friends in the
host culture?
• If I expect to improve my
language skills, will I have to avoid other
English speakers?
• Am I concerned about missing
friends, family?
• How do I plan to stay in touch
with them?
• How would I describe the U.S?
Americans? Myself as an American?
While in the host country
• What are my initial reactions?
• Are my reactions different from
those of my traveling companion(s)?
• What type of experience do I
feel engages me most? Isolates me most?
• What interaction was the most
confusing in the past week? The most stressful?
The most fun?
• How effectively did I deal with
those situations?
• Who was most helpful to me this
past week?
• What am I doing to meet people?
• Am I viewed as an individual,
as an American, as a foreigner?
• Have my goals changed?
Upon returning
• What did I learn about the host
culture? About myself?
• How can I apply what I learned
to my life now?
• Who will listen to my stories?
How can I get more involved in international
activities?
• Do I think of America any
differently now that I have returned?
• What advice would I give to
those who are leaving tomorrow for my host
culture?
**adapted from the work of
Barbara Kappler, University of Minnesota and
from the website of the
International Centre, Queen’s
University,
Kingston, Ontario
Sources for Further Study on
Cultural Adjustment
The Silent
Language, The Hidden Dimension, Beyond Culture,
and The Dance of Life,
Edward T. Hall, Intercultural Press, 1959-83. An
important collection of cross-cultural works.
The Whole
World Guide to Culture Learning,
J. Daniel Hess, Intercultural
Press, 1994.
Survival Kit for Overseas Living
by Robert L. Kohls, Intercultural
Press, 1996.
Cross-Cultural Dialogues,
Intercultural Press, 1994.
The Art of
Crossing Cultures,
Craig Storti, Intercultural Press, 1990.
American Cultural Patterns: A
Cross-Cultural Perspective,
Edward C. Stewart and Milton J.
Bennett, 1991.
Students
Abroad: Strangers at Home,
Martin, Kauffmann, and Weaver, Intercultural
Press, 1992.
Subject: India, a Semester Abroad,
Jennifer Ladd, Intercultural Press, 1990.
Intercultural
Communication: a reader,
Samovar, Porter Wadsworth, 1998.
On Being
Foreign, Culture Shock in Short Fiction,
Lewis, Jungman, Intercultural Press, 1996.
Minority
Experience of Study Abroad
by the Brown University Office of
International Programs, 1991.
Are You
Two...Together?: A Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide
to Europe,
Lindsay Van Gelder and Pamela Brandt, Random
House, 1991.
Citizen
Diplomacy: Responding to Questions About
America,
Brigham Young University’s David
M. Kennedy Center for International Studies,
1995.
Distant Mirrors: America as a
Foreign Culture,
Philip R. DeVita and James Armstrong, Wadswoth,
1993.
Culture
Shock: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette,
Sally Taylor, Graphic Arts, 1997.
Resources For Women:
The Handbook
for Women Abroad.
Kenyon College, 1991.
Traveler's
Tales: A Woman's World,
Marybeth Bond, Traveller's Tales, Inc., 1995.
More Women
Travel: Adventures and Advice from More than 60
Countries,
M. Davies and N. Jansz, Rough Guide Series,
1995.
Wall to Wall:
From Beijing to Berlin,
Mary Morris, Penguin Books, 1991.
Nothing to Declare,
Mary Morris, Penguin Books, 1991.
Solo Woman Traveler,
Transitions Abroad Publishing 1996.
Cultural Identity
and the World Citizen
You probably have a variety of
expectations about your upcoming study abroad
experience. For many, one outcome is knowledge
gained about yourself, your cultural identity,
and the transformation towards becoming a world
citizen.
You will, of course, leave your
own culture. In learning about your host
country's customs, worldviews, religions,
communication styles, etc., you will also find
yourself examining your own beliefs and values.
You will begin to see
how you came to be who you are.
You will be a stranger in a
strange land. While you will lose a bit of your
Americanness, you will never become
totally Japanese, French, or Costa Rican. Yet as
you learn, you will adapt by combining elements
of both cultures into your own value set. The
experience you have depends on many factors,
including the cultural identity you bring to
your experience. The way you look, speak, and
dress; your religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, or whether you are physically
challenged - all influence how you will approach
the experience and how host nationals will react
to you.
Besides getting the opportunity
to learn about yourself and your host culture,
living in a foreign culture and being an
outsider gives you a great opportunity to learn
what it’s like to be different from the majority
culture. If you have never had the experience of
being part of a minority, you may gain greater
understanding of peoples in the U.S. who are in
this situation. These can be very powerful
lessons.
From former study abroad
students...I've grown
so much as a person. It challenged me to view
issues from a global perspective. It also
increased my confidence significantly. I
extended myself in every possibly way. I
struggled. But my reward was personal growth and
tolerance that I am still building on back in
the States.
It definitely broadened my
horizons I believe I've changed my outlook on
life, the world, and different cultures. I'm now
much more open to accepting new ways of doing
things. I matured a lot, having to adjust and
adapt on my own with the problem of
communication always there. I learned what
"living in the third world" really means, what
people hope for, are afraid of, and angry about.
I think study abroad should be required.
We hope you will learn a lot
about yourself, your host country and its
peoples, and the U.S. in all of its wonderful
diversity. We hope, too, that the knowledge you
bring home as a world citizen will help you
contribute to a country and a world in which we
are all free to be different... where others,
because they are different, are valued
and celebrated.
Reading
List on Cultural Identity
We recommend the following books
for their insights into the impact of the
multicultural experience and on one’s cultural
identity.
How the
Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,
Julia Alvarez, Algonquin Books, 1991.This
fictional work tells the story of the Garcia
family, which leaves the Dominican Republic for
political reasons. It’s told from the
perspective of the four Garcia daughters whose
spend their formative years both in the U.S. and
the Dominican Republic.
A
Romantic Education,
Patricia Hampl, Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1992.Ms. Hampl writes about growing up
in Minnesota as the granddaughter of
Czechoslovakian immigrants. Later she travels
many times to Prague, both before and after the
Velvet Revolution.
Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a
Sansei,
David Mura, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1991. David
Mura writes about his experiences during a year
in Japan as a young writer on a grant. He is a
Sansei (third generation
Japanese-American) who had no particular
previous interest in Japan. During his stay, he
is able to think about his Japanese-American
ancestry in many new ways.
My Place,
Sally Morgan, Seaver Books, 1987.Ms. Morgan
writes about growing up in Perth, Australia and
realizing that she is part aboriginal, a fact
kept from her for many years. When she discovers
her background, she begins to make contact with
her relatives to search for her roots.
Housing
Abroad
Homestays
Homestays are a great way to see
the everyday lives of people in your host
country. Living as part of a family is not
always easy. You must be ready to sacrifice some
freedom and possibly change some habits. Since
you are the newcomer, you will be expected to
adjust to the family’s lifestyle. Be prepared to
be flexible and observant.
What will my homestay be like?
-
Not all families fit the
traditional definition .You might live with
a single person, a retired couple, a
widow(er), or a single parent.
-
Your family may be "typical"
of the host culture or not - there is
diversity within every culture.
-
Families have different
interaction styles and expectations about
their relationship with you. Some want to
integrate you completely into their lives;
you may remain close to them forever. Others
will look upon you as a boarder.
-
You can usually specify what
type of family you would prefer. No
guarantees can be made that you will be
matched with the “perfect” family.
Should
I bring a gift?
It’s always a good idea to bring
a hospitality gift. Your gift does not need to
be expensive. The gesture is more important than
the value. Gifts that have a special meaning to
you are especially nice. Some suggestions are:
-
Chocolates
-
Calendars or books with
scenes from home
-
Items with university logos
-
Special edition U.S. stamps
or coins
-
American cookbooks
-
Scenic potholders, aprons,
mugs, or glasses
-
Lapel pins
-
Regional American food items
-
Placemats with regional
prints
-
U.S. souvenirs (from
Disneyland, sports teams)
-
Cassettes or CD's of American
music
-
Pen-and-ink drawings or nice
photos of places in the U.S.
-
Handmade crafts
What do I do when I first meet my
family?
You can expect things to be a
bit awkward at first.. Before you leave for your
program, practice having a conversation with the
family in their language. A nice icebreaker is
showing them pictures from home. They are
interested in knowing where you are from and
about the rest of your family. You’ll feel
comfortable because you'll be on familiar
ground.
How do I find out about the
family rules?
-
When in doubt, ask! Polite
questions to your family about what is
expected of you often can circumvent
misunderstandings.
-
You can also ask the on-site
program staff for advice, keeping in mind
that every family has its own way of doing
things.
-
It is important for you to be
a good observer. If the family always keeps
interior doors closed, do the same. If they
take their shoes off upon entering the home,
follow their lead.
You will certainly want to
find out what the family expects of you in the
following areas:
Meals
- If meals are included, be sure to be on time
or to give the family plenty o f notice if you
will miss one. If you have any dietary
restrictions, tell the family as early as
possible. Otherwise, try everything – no matter
how different. It’s nice to compliment the cook
and express appreciation for the meal. If you
really do not like a dish, politely tell your
host or you might be served that dish on a
regular basis. If the dish is a staple of your
host family's diet, you and your host will need
to come to an agreement about how to handle the
problem. Find out whether or not your host
expects you to help with food preparation or
clean up. Also, ask whether you will have free
access to the kitchen. You may want to take some
of your favorite recipes so you can prepare a
special meal for them.
Bathing
- Hot water can be an
expensive and scarce commodity. Find out when
and how often it is appropriate to bathe or
shower.
Laundry
- You may have to do your own laundry, or your
host may do it for you. It is quite likely that
a washer or dryer might not be available or that
they are different from what you are used to.
Heat and
Light - Americans
consume more of these resources on a daily basis
than anyone else. Be prepared for less central
heating and air-conditioning. Turn off lights
whenever you leave the room.
Telephone
- In most countries people are charged for every
call made from their home phones, even local
calls. Find out if it is okay for you to use the
phone and how you should reimburse the family
for calls. If you will be using the phone for
international calls, it would be best to either
arrange for the other person to call you at a
designated time or to use a public or cell
phone. In many countries phones are not used for
chatting – it’s too expensive.
Neatness
- The concept of
neatness varies by family and by culture.
Observe the home and try to be at least as neat
as the rest of the family. As a guest, you
should be respectful of the family’s
environment.
Curfew - In some cultures and in some
families, you may be asked to be home by a
certain hour at night. Even if this is not the
case, keep your family apprised of your
whereabouts and expected time of return.
Guests - Your family has agreed to host you,
but is not expected to house your guests. Some
families may offer to do so; if they do, make
sure they are really comfortable with this. You
don't want to jeopardize your good relationship
with the family over a misunderstanding.
Remember
-- time spent with your host
family can be very memorable and rewarding. Like
any relationship, it takes time to develop and
must be nurtured. Some misunderstandings should
be expected, but usually you and the family will
be able to laugh at them later! The trick is to
learn from them. If, for some reason, you and
your family just don't get along, talk to
on-site staff about moving.
Living
in an Apartment
If your program provides
accommodations in apartments, you will receive
help figuring out the ins and outs of renting an
apartment in your host city. Here are some
things to think about in advance.
Security Deposits - You may be required to
pay deposits. Inventory the apartment with the
landlord before moving in to establish the
condition of the furniture, appliances,
flooring, etc.
Understand your Lease - You will be fully
responsible for observing all rules in your
lease and respecting the rights of other tenants
in the building.
Know Apartment Protocol in Your Host City - You should keep the apartment clean and in good
condition and should not disturb the neighbors,
especially at night. In some places there are
laws allowing neighbors to call the police for
excessive noise after a certain hour.
Telephones - In most countries phone bills
are not itemized. If you have a telephone and
roommates, develop a system to log phone calls.
Landlord Rights - Finally, be aware that
owners often have the right to enter apartments.
They do this to ensure compliance with the terms
of the lease and to show the apartment to future
potential renters.
If possible, ask a program staff
member or a resident of the country where you
are staying to read the fine print in your lease
before you sign it.
Living in a Dormitory
Student residence halls vary
widely around the world, both in the amenities
they offer and in the way residents behave. Some
are places where people socialize quite a bit.
Others are simply places where people live and
study; socializing takes place elsewhere. Talk
to program alumni to find out what to expect at
your host university.
Meals - Most dorms don’t include
meals in the package. There may be cafeterias on
campus where you can eat inexpensively or there
may be kitchens that you share in the dorm.
Resist the temptation to retreat
to your room. Get out and mix with your dorm
mates, even if you’re not a very outgoing
person. They may not seek you out, but they will
be curious to meet you nonetheless. In many
countries host-country students live relatively
close to the university they attend. Don’t be
disappointed if your new friends leave the dorm
for the weekend. Plan around this and find ways
to keep busy when the dorm and campus are quiet.
Preparing to come
Home
RE-ENTRY
OR COMING "HOME" AGAIN
Earlier
information talked about the practical
manifestations of culture shock and some of the
ways you might combat it. Consider the
theoretical aspects of culture shock. You no
doubt have heard from alumni that the study
abroad experience will be one of the biggest
changes in your life.
Living in another culture for an
extended period of time forces a critical
examination of one's own assumptions about the
world. We hope that your experience opens new
doors for you. If it does, study abroad will be
'liberal education' at its best. But what
happens overseas is only part of the picture
that continues after your return to the U.S.
All who work in study abroad have
seen some students drift after their return,
feeling like strangers. Perhaps re-entry is so
difficult because the problems catch you by
surprise. You discover you’re not returning to
the familiar culture you left behind. The small
changes that occur while you are away are not
the source of reverse culture shock. It comes,
rather, from viewing your own culture through
different eyes. Innocence has been lost.
There are strategies for coping
with re-entry, but the most important thing is
to know that it may occur. It tends to be most
intense for those who were abroad the longest or
were most involved in the host culture.
Top Ten Reentry Challenges
-
Boredom
-
“No one wants to hear about
this”
-
It’s hard to explain
-
Reverse homesickness
-
Relationships have changed
-
People see the “wrong”
changes
-
People misunderstand if I
adopt elements of my host culture; they
misinterpret my behavior
-
Feelings of alienation;
seeing home with critical eyes
-
Inability to apply new
knowledge and skills
-
Fear of losing the
experience, like storing it away in a
souvenir box we only occasionally look at.
Strategies
for Cultural Re-adjustment
-
Be reflective.
Give some thought to your
return, to the types of intellectual and
emotional changes that you have undergone as
a result of your time abroad.
-
Understand the needs of
others.
Be patient with your friends
and family who are trying to understand your
experiences. Listen to the changes they
underwent while you were away.
-
Expect some negative feelings
about your "home" culture.
You are viewing it, perhaps
for the first time, from the perspective of
a foreigner. A common tendency is to be
highly critical of shortcomings that you did
not see before. Remember that there are
positive and negative aspects of all
cultures.
-
Accentuate the positive.
Identify what you like about
both cultures and try to incorporate the
best aspects of these into your life.
-
Plug in to international
activities.
Find ways to keep the
"international" part of you alive. Become
involved in clubs or activities on campus or
in the community to maintain your language
skills; do volunteer work with ethnic or
multicultural groups to use your
cross-cultural skills; or host a foreign
student.
-
Use your skills.
Use the cross-cultural
adaptation skills you developed abroad -
e.g. keep active, maintain a sense of humor,
find a support group, expect differences,
allow yourself to make mistakes, stay
flexible.
-
Set goals for your
development.
Realize that change can be
stimulating, and could be your chance to
develop in new directions. Set some
long-term goals, which may involve finding
ways to return abroad. Both the Study Abroad
Office and Career Services on campus have
reference libraries with information on
working abroad.
Appendix
Self-Orientation
Pre-Departure Guide
Here is a handy list of questions
to help you think about what it will be like to
live in your host country. Use this to ask
questions at your orientation program.
-
Read through your written
orientation materials and books in the Study
Abroad library and other libraries.
-
Talk to students who have
been on your program.
-
Ask questions of professors
and others who have expertise in the area of
the world to which you are going.
-
Talk to students from the
country to which you are going.
-
Write the consulate or
tourist bureau of your host country for free
information.
-
Be creative, find other
resources, and have fun!
Am I prepared for the overall
experience?
What do I want to get out of my study abroad
experience? Have I made a list of goals? Are
they realistic? (Try to set realistic goals to
avoid setting yourself up for failure. Talk to
program alumni to see if your goals are
realistic.)
What are my hidden (or unspoken)
expectations?
Can I answer questions about my university
and my hometown?
How familiar am I with my own cultural
heritage?
Am I ready to make the trip?
Do I have a passport that is valid for at
least six months after the program ends? If not,
how do I get one? What can I do to protect my
passport from being stolen? Have I made copies
of my passport and other important documents?
Have I acquired any necessary visas?
Do I know when I need to arrive to begin my
program and do I know where I need to go? What
if I arrive on a weekend or late at night? Where
will I stay? Is there someone I can call?
Have I made flight arrangements? Do I know
weight and size limits for luggage on my
flight(s)? Do I realize that I need to be able
to carry all of my own luggage? Should I repack?
What health issues should I be aware of in
my host country? Do I need inoculations before I
leave? What medications should I take with me?
What is the value to me of an International
Student ID card, Youth Hostel membership, or
train pass? Should I get these before I leave?
What do I know about academics on
my study abroad program?
Have I talked to my academic advisor(s) here
to determine what courses I should take abroad
as well as the courses I will need to take after
I return?
How do I register? Is there a course
catalog? How do I find out about classes
offered?
How many credits are the courses worth? Will
there be anyone available to help me?
What is the academic calendar? Are there
semesters or other types of terms?
When do classes begin?
Is there a campus? Where will my classes be
held? What is the classroom environment like?
How often will my classes meet and for how long?
What type of work will I be expected to do -
class presentations, research papers, essay
exams? How will these be evaluated?
What is the library like? Can books be
checked out?
Do students purchase textbooks?
How will my courses appear on my UofH
transcript? Will the grades be A-F or Pass/Fail?
Will they be averaged into my GPA?
What clubs are available for me to join?
What other activities are available on campus?
How will I register for my return to the
UofH?
What do I know about my host
city?
Is my host location urban, rural, or
suburban?
What is the climate like in my host city?
Are there seasons? Do I have appropriate clothes
for the climate? Am I bringing too many clothes?
What types of clothes are culturally
appropriate? How do students dress?
Will I use public transportation to get to
classes? What is it like and how much does it
cost? Should I plan to buy or bring a bicycle?
Do I have an international calling card for
phone calls? Do I know the appropriate phone
number in my host country to reach an operator
for my international calling card? Are local
calls free? Does the phone company charge by
both time and distance?
What are normal expectations regarding the
use of hot water, heating, and power
consumption? Can I use my electric appliances
there?
Where will I be living and
eating?
Where will I be living? What do I need to
take to set up my living quarters (e.g. towels,
bed linens)?
How will I do my laundry?
What will my housing situation be like? Will
I have my own room? What will be expected of me
in terms of cleaning my living quarters?
If I am staying with a family, have I
selected gifts to take for them? Am I familiar
with "host/host gift" customs?
Where will I eat? Will meals be prepared for
me or do I need to prepare my own? Do I have a
choice?
Do I need to take precautions about eating
certain foods or drinking tap water?
Have
I made appropriate financial arrangements?
Will I be receiving financial aid for my
study abroad experience? Have I made
arrangements for the disbursement of my
financial aid?
Have I made arrangements to pay my study
abroad program fee? What is included in the
program fee?
What extra money should I bring for vacation
travel, entertainment, and gifts?
Do I know the exchange rate for the currency
of my host country? Do I know how to obtain some
of my host country's currency before I leave?
Are traveler's checks a good idea for me?
Can I open a bank account in my host city? Would
that be a good idea? How can I transfer money
from home if I need to? Do I have an ATM debit
card that I can use in my host city? Should I
bring a credit card?
Will I be able to get a part-time job? Will
I need a work permit?
What
else should I be thinking about?
Have I read about the political system, the
economy, religion and culture of my host
country? Have I written to national tourist
agencies for maps and other free information?
Have I been reading magazines and/or
newspapers to become more familiar with U.S. and
world news and events? Am I prepared to discuss
world events with new acquaintances?
Am I familiar with my health insurance? If I
have to make a claim, how does the insurance
work? Do I have any prescription drugs that I
need to take with me? If so, how do I legally
transport them? Should I take an extra pair of
glasses or contact lenses? Will my contact lens
solutions be available?
Do my family and friends know how to reach
me while abroad? Do I have their addresses?
Are there particular social customs (e.g.
for greetings, gifts, eating) that I should know
about? Are people treated differently because of
age, gender or other factors?
Are there any uniquely North American habits
that I should avoid?
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge the following
organizations whose materials we refer to in
this handbook:
Council on
International Educational Exchange
Inter-Organizational Task Force on Safety and
Responsibility in Study Abroad
University of
Kansas Office of Study Abroad
Institute for
the International Education of Students
University of
Michigan’s International Center
University of
Minnesota Office of International Education
NAFSA:
Association of International Educators
Penn State
University’s Education Abroad Programs
Margaret Pusch
School for
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