Logistics
Students who wish to study abroad shoud speak with their advisors
as early as possible in their undergraduate career in order
to make sure they will still be able to graduate in time. Most
students reserve their liberal arts requirements for their time
overseas, though sometimes courses taken overseas can be applied
towards major requirements. Some students are limited as to
when and where they can study abroad due to major requirements
and/or financial reasons. The Office of International Programs
is always available to students to assist them in selecting
a proper program. Students are encouraged to attend information
sessions held every semester as well as to schedule advising
sessions.
Application process: Once a student has decided on a
study abroad program they must apply one semester in advance
of the semester/summer they wish to be abroad. Upon acceptance
into a program, students MUST make an appointment with the Office
of International Programs to make sure that all necessary paperwork
is in order (concerning financial aid, billing, housing, credit
transfer, etc.). Students are also required to attend two IC
orientation sessions, held at the end of each semester, before
they depart.
Orientation sessions are held at Ithaca College to ensure
students have been given general information regarding their
time abroad, such as logistics regarding grades, billing, etc.
as well as how to manage their money, health and safety concerns,
packing suggestions, issues regarding culture shock and sustainable
travel, etc. Students will always receive additional orientation
information specific to their destination country by the program
provider or by Ithaca College in the case of the London Center
and short term programs.
Billing and payment procedures for tuition and room
and board will vary depending on the type
of program a student participates in, i.e. affiliated or
non-affiliated.
Housing arrangements while abroad can vary widely and
options will be determined by the program. Students may live
in flats or apartments with other U.S. undergraduate students
or with local students, they may live with families in homestays
or in residence halls. Housing is always carefully selected
by program providers keeping in mind security concerns, convenience,
cost, services offered and its contribution to an intercultural
experience.
Passports and Visas: Students who do not yet have passports
should apply for them as early as possible. The Office of International
Programs has passport application forms. In almost all cases,
students will also need to apply for a visa in order to study
overseas for several months. The visa application process varies
widely by country and can be quite an ordeal, involving possible
fingerprinting and eye scanning (for London) and possibly sending
passports to Embassies/Consulates. In some cases, students must
visit Embassies/Consulates in person. Visas may or may not also
cost additional fees. The process can take anywhere from a week
to several weeks. While the Office of International Programs
will try to assist students in this process to whatever extent
possible, it is the responsibility of the student to acquire
all necessary paperwork on time.
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Safety Concerns
All Ithaca College programs and the program providers with
which we work are extremely concerned with the safety of our
students. Emergency procedures are also always in place for
worst case scenarios and all programs operate with an on-site
director who is the first point of contact for emergency situations,
be they personal or political. Ithaca College students are not
santified by Ithaca College to participate in programs that
take place in countries for which the U.S. Department of State
(see below) has issued travel warnings, though students may
still do so by taking a leave of absence.
Students are always debriefed during orientation sessions concerning
safety and security issues specific to the countries where they
will be. The U.S. Department of State site is an excellent resource
for researching these matters. Being well informed before they
travel will help students to have a hassle free time while overseas.
Learning as much about a country before hand is always a good
idea. Below we have provided a link to newspapers from around
the world to help you familiarlize yourself with current events
in specific countries.
U.S. Department of State Travel Site
Newspapers from
around the World
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Health
Concerns
Health issues will, of course, vary tremendously from country
to country and even within countries. Certain countries may
require immunizations in order to enter.
Again, students are always debriefed during orientation sessions
concerning health issues and programs will not enter areas where
serious health risks are known to be an issue. If students have
personal health issues we strongly urge them to consider how
those will be affected while overseas and to fully disclose
such information to program directors and advisors. In many
instances, programs can accomodate certain health issues, but
not always. An excellent source of information for health considerations
is the U.S. Center for Disease Control.
Health insurance: Students should check with their health
insurance providers to ensure that they will be appropriately
covered while overseas and to understand what the nature of
that coverage is and how they would file a claim. In some cases,
additional insurance may be necessary. Also, all students are
required to purchase an International Student Identification
Card which provides emergency medical insurance.
Center for
Disease Control
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Culture Shock and Re-entry
Culture Shock is a phenomenon that occurs when people spend
a significant amount of time outside of their home culture.
It has been described as an emotional curve whereby the intial
reaction to landing in a new and foreign place is to be very
excited and awed by all that is new and different experiencing
an emotional high. Once this initial period of excitement is
over, it is not uncommon to experience frustration over these
very differences and to consequently feel isolated and possibly
lonely and/or depressed while one struggles to understand a
new culture and come to terms with being so far away from home.
These are the low times in which students may need extra support
from their program providers and friends and family overseas.
In time, however, the traveler comes to understand differences
at a newer and deeper level, to form important, new relationships,
and to generally feel more at ease with their new surroundings,
eventually becoming a bi-cultural person (which is our goal,
after all), able to live in both worlds. Various stages of culture
shock can resurface depending on circumstances, at any given
time.
Depending on a student's personal background, past travel experiences,
with whom they are traveling, where they are traveling to, and
their overall personality, it is likely that they will experience
culture shock to some degree, though this is no cause for alarm
but simply a natural part of the student's growth process.
In addition, students often experience "reverse culture
shock" upon re-entry into the United States as they begin
to see the U.S. from a new perspective. Students may again feel
lonely and isolated as they try to internalize this new perspective
and find it difficult to communicate with others what their
life-changing experiences have been overseas. Again, friends
and family are very important at this stage, as they can provide
an attentive ear to help the student process their new outlook.
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What
you can do
Students sometimes feel overwhelmed by the idea of studying
abroad, either because of the enormous changes involved and/or
due to the application process. As parents, your support for
your child will help them immensely to feel confident to go
abroad on their own as well as to process their experiences
while overseas and again upon return. This is where you can
be the most helpful.
In addition, students may need support while they apply for
their programs due to the paperwork involved, especially when
it comes time to get their visa. Helping your child to stay
organized may help. However, we strongly encourge you to allow
your child to take course of the application process him/herself
as well as to take responsibility for the things that need to
be in order before they leave, including learning about their
destination. While they are abroad they will have to assume
responsibility for themselves in ways they may not be used to,
and giving them to opportunity to practice that responsibility
before they leave may help them to adjust.
Of course, the Ithaca College Office of International Programs
and program providers are always available to assist your child
and to answer your questions, as well, so please do not hesitate
to call. We wish to thank you as well for supporting your child
in such an important opportunity!
