Office of International Education › Study Abroad › Study Abroad Newsletter ›

Study Abroad Newsletter - December 2006

In this issue:

1. Upcoming Events
2. Application Deadlines
3. Reminders for Spring 2007 Study Abroad
4. Passports Required!
5. How to Choose a Study Abroad Program
6. Working or Volunteering Abroad
7. Warning: Credit for Studying or Volunteering Abroad
8. Changes to the Visa Process for Argentina
9. Safety While Studying/Traveling Abroad
10. Featured Study Abroad Location of the Month

1) Upcoming Events

(Contact the MU Office of International Education for details on visits' locations/times)

• December 4 - Study Abroad Orientation Session sponsored by the Office of International Education (for students who will be studying abroad on outside programs in spring semester 2007).  Contact Sarah McNitt for more information. 
• December 6 – "Where in the World is the Caribbean?" Lecture Series – 3-5:30pm, MacMillan 212.  Contact Professor Mark Boardman for more information.

2) Application Deadlines

• Students who submit their application for The Scholar Ship's September 2007 voyage online on or before 31 December 2006 are eligible to receive roundtrip airline tickets to/from The Scholar Ship.  This oceangoing program hosts undergraduate and graduate students from around the world.  See http://www.thescholarship.com/

3) Reminders for Spring 2007 Study Abroad

Are you studying abroad in Spring 2007? Have you turned in your Transfer Credit Approval Form and your Study Abroad Declaration Form? Do you need to complete a Consortium Agreement for the Office of Student Financial Assistance? For more information on the procedures to study abroad, please set up an appointment with a study abroad advisor and consult http://www.muohio.edu/international/applying.php to find out if you're missing anything.

4) Passports Required!

Although you could previously travel from the US to certain North American and Caribbean countries without official travel documentation, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) that recently passed will require anyone traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to provide a valid passport or other appropriate travel documentation, beginning January 23, 2007. This will expand to include land and sea travel by 2008. More information on the WHTI can be found here: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Remember: U.S. passports are valid for ten years after application, so there's no reason not to get one now, even if you don't have specific travel plans in mind yet! For more information on how to get a new passport or renew an old passport, see http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

5) How to Choose a Study Abroad Program

You may already be planning to study abroad, but haven't yet chosen where you'll study. Here are some criteria to use when selecting a study abroad program:

• Courses offered: Make sure that you're selecting a program that will enhance your studies here at Miami and will offer you the courses you need to graduate on time. Make sure that Miami can accept transfer credit from your program, too! You may choose to work toward the requirements for your major, Miami Plan or thematic sequence while studying abroad. Make sure you've thought this out before selecting a program!
• Host city/country: How much do you know about the culture and history of the places you're considering? You should have at least a basic understanding of these things before you leave, but it may also help you decide between the different locations you're thinking about. You can do some basic research online or by consulting travel/culture guidebooks (such as Culture Shock, Lonely Planet or Let's Go). You can also think about whether you'd rather be in a large capital city or a smaller one, and whether you'd rather be in an out-of-the-way location where you won't meet as many Americans or in one of the cities where study abroad students flock.
• Immersion experience: Immersion experiences range greatly on study abroad programs. Would you like to be in a situation where you are completely immersed in another culture (and/or another language), or would you rather be in a study center where you take your classes with other American students?
• Cost: When considering the cost of a study abroad program, there are many things to take into consideration. How does it compare to the cost of a semester at Miami? How does it compare to other study abroad programs? Do your Miami scholarships or federal aid apply? Are additional scholarships available?
• Living situation: Some programs offer host family stays (which are especially helpful for practicing the local language), while others offer housing in residence halls or apartments. If you have a particular living situation in mind, that may make a difference. Consult with the study abroad provider or their website to find out what housing situations they offer for their students.
• Opportunities for extracurricular activities: There are many opportunities to learn things outside of the classroom. Some study abroad programs offer internships or volunteer opportunities. Some may offer better access than others to sports facilities. If you're interested in traveling around your host country or to neighboring countries, access to public transportation may be something to consider.

Remember that stepping outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself to try new experiences are important parts of studying abroad. Sometimes things that seem scary or difficult at first are the experiences from which you learn the most. Try something new and different!

6) Working or Volunteering Abroad

Now is a great time to begin thinking about what you're going to do this summer or – for seniors – what you're going to do after graduation. Have you thought about applying for a short-term work permit for the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or Australia through the BUNAC program? How about teaching English in France, Chile, Spain, Thailand, China, South Africa, Finland, Japan or another country? Have you considered the U.S. Peace Corps? Information about work and volunteer programs abroad can be found at http://www.muohio.edu/international/wiva.php

7) Warning: Credit for Studying or Volunteering Abroad

Please keep in mind that there are programs out there that claim to issue credit for study abroad or volunteer experiences, but for which Miami cannot accept credit. If you have any concerns about a program you're considering, please contact a study abroad advisor for more information and do not put down any money until you've thoroughly researched the program! Some programs for which Miami cannot accept academic credit include: International Student Volunteers, International Student Laureate Program.

8) Changes to the Visa Process for Argentina

Beginning with study in Spring 2007, there will be some changes to the student visa regulations and application process for students studying in Argentina. If you will be studying in Argentina next semester, please contact your study abroad provider or Sarah McNitt (mcnittsa@muohio.edu) for more information.

9) Safety While Studying/Traveling Abroad

The Miami University Police Department, in cooperation with the Office of International Education, has produced a list of travel safety tips which is a great addition to our own Health and Safety information. When you're abroad and outside of the Miami bubble, you have to take responsibility for your own actions. Here are some things to think about and ways to avoid becoming a victim: http://www.units.muohio.edu/psf/police/General_Information/TravelAbroad.shtml

10) Featured Study Abroad Location of the Month

When searching for a study abroad program in an English-speaking country, students often think of England or Australia. However, enriching English-language experiences can be had all over the world! Through our various exchanges and affiliated providers, Miami students have access to a wide curriculum at the University of Stellenbosch, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Cape Town and many more universities in South Africa. While studying subjects like Political Science, History, Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Music and many more, you can take a rare opportunity to spend a semester or an academic year learning about the fascinating culture, history and future direction of South Africa. Service-learning or study-internship opportunities are also available, including parliamentary internships with the South African National Assembly. For information about study abroad programs in South Africa, see http://www.muohio.edu/international/sa-za.php