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Study Abroad Newsletter - January 2007

In this issue:

1. Upcoming Events
2. Application Deadlines and Scholarships
3. 2007 Spring Passport Fair
4. New for Next Year
5. International Graduation Sashes
6. Preparing for Future Study Abroad Plans
7. Featured Study Abroad Location of the Month

1) Upcoming Events

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

• January 18 – Visit from a representative of ISA.  See www.studiesabroad.com
• January 22 – Information session on Palacky University (Czech Republic) exchange program in Central European Studies, 4-6pm in 209 Harrison.  See www.muohio.edu/international/exchange-palacky.php
• January 23 – U.S. Passport Fair, 11am-4pm in 212 MacMillan Hall.  See www.muohio.edu/international/passportfair2007.php
• January 29 – Visit from a representative of Arcadia University.  See www.arcadia.edu/cea
• February 3 – Fusion Cultural Show sponsored by Asian American Association, 2-4pm in Hall Auditorium
• February 6 – Exploring Majors Fair, 4-6:30pm in Shriver Center Multipurpose Room.
• February 15 – Visit from a representative of Butler University.  See www.ifsa-butler.org
• February 20 - Peace Corps Information Session, 7-9pm in 114 MacMillan Hall.  See www.peacecorps.gov
• February 26 – Visit from a representative of CEA.  See www.gowithcea.com

2) Application Deadlines and Scholarships

• Applications for Fall 2007 ISEP study abroad exchanges are due January 26 at the latest.  If you're searching for a study abroad program where you can apply your Miami scholarships, please meet with a study abroad adviser NOW so you don't miss this opportunity!
• The application deadline for AustraLearn's pre-set PDAC Internship Placements in Australia and New Zealand for summer 2007 has been extended to March 1, 2007 . This extension only applies to pre-set placements. Applications for custom designed placements should still be submitted by February 1, 2007.  See www.australearn.org

3) 2007 Spring Passport Fair

Starting January 23, anyone traveling from the US to any foreign country by plane will be required to provide a valid passport (previously this was not required for Canada, Mexico or some Caribbean nations).  This will expand to include land and sea travel by 2008.  So there's no reason not to have a passport!  If you have a passport on hand, you won't deprive yourself of last-minute opportunities or stress out as much about future trips.  It will also make visa applications easier for your study abroad program if you don't have to get the passport first.  US passports are valid for 10 years after they're issued, so there's no need to worry about applying too soon.

It is so important for US citizens to have a passport that the Office of International Education is sponsoring, with the cooperation of the US Postal Service, a U.S. Passport Fair on January 23.  For information on the application materials you'll need, see www.muohio.edu/international/passportfair2007.php

4) New For Next Year

We've recently added several new programs and countries to our Program Selection page, including Botswana, Portugal, Reunion, Netherlands Antilles and French Guiana.  Check out what's new at www.muohio.edu/international/programs.php

5) International Graduation Sashes

Did you know that you can buy a graduation sash to represent the country where you studied abroad?  You can place your order through the Miami University bookstore.  We have one example of a graduation sash in our office.  To see the full selection of sashes available, visit www.visionwear.com/intersash.html

6) Preparing for Future Study Abroad Plans

If you will not be applying to study abroad for another semester or even a year, how can you be preparing right now?  Here are some ideas:

• Talk to an academic advisor in your department (not just a dorm advisor) about where study abroad fits into your overall academic plan.
• Learn about the countries you're considering, and keep an eye/ear open for news and developments from those countries.
• Talk to a professor about your plans (you may need a faculty recommendation so it will be useful to form a relationship with a faculty member – not just a GA).
• Apply for a passport!  It will save you a lot of stress if you already have a passport at the time you apply for a study abroad program.

7) Featured Study Abroad Program of the Month

Though Shakespeare's famous phrase famously remarks, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark", students studying abroad there return to the U.S. raving about their experience and the Danes' "hyggelig" culture. Pronounced hew-ger-li, this Danish idiom loosely translates as an amalgamation of comfortable, friendly, cozy, warm and nice and is the foundation of Danish mentality.
- IIE Passport:  http://info.iiepassport.org/country/denmark.html

The Denmark International Study (DIS) Program is one of the largest and best-known study abroad programs in Denmark, the smallest and southern-most of the Nordic countries.  All study abroad courses are taught in English and English is widely spoken in the country.  Academic programs include:  Architecture & Design, Communication & Mass Media, Danish & Other Languages, European Culture & History, European Politics & Society, International Business & Economics, Marine & Environmental Biology, Medical Practice & Policy, Migration & Multiculturalism, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Psychology & Child Development.