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O ce of Overseas Studies

Study Abroad Handbook Fall 2013 & Year 2013-2014 OFFICE OF OVERSEAS STUDIES STUDY ABROAD HANDBOOK FALL 2013 & YEAR 2013-2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Student and Parent Responsibilities ...... 4

USC Policies and Procedures Academic ...... 5 Eligibility Attendance Academic Advising Evidence of Coursework Interning abroad Registration ...... 6 Drop/Add Final T ranscripts and Grades ...... 7

Housing ...... 7 Returning to USC Housing: Sem e ster A way Housing Form Alternative Housing Options University Resources Newspapers Property Management Compani e s Websites

Financial ...... 8 Cost Sheets Deposits Billed Items ...... 9 Exceptions Billing Timeline Withdrawal and Refund Policies Disbursement of Aid and Settlement of Account...... 10 “My program starts before the USC semester!” Accessing Student Account (Fee Bill) Credit Electronic Refund Authorization Financial Aid Deadlines ...... 11 Tuition Refund Insurance

Practical Matters ...... 11 Passports and visas Preparing to be away ...... 12 Packing your bags ...... 13 Travel ...... 14 Communication ...... 16 Money and Banking ...... 16 Information Resources ...... 18

Exploring Cultural Di fferences ...... 19 Culture Shock ...... 20 Re-Entry ...... 23 Cultural Di fferences and Expectations for Women...... 24 Information on Race and Ethnic Dif ference Being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender Abroad...... 25 Information for Students with Special Needs...... 26

Health and Safety Information for USC Study Abroad Programs Health Insurance and International SOS...... 26 International Student Identity Card (ISIC)...... 28 Pre-Departure Health and Safety Issues...... 28 Staying Healthy Overseas ...... 29 Security and Safety Abroad ...... 33 Safety T ips for W omen ...... 35 Sexual Assault Risk Reduction ...... 35

Getting the Most out of Being Abroad ...... 37 APPENDIX A) USC Campus Contacts ...... 40 B) Important Dates C) Forms Checklist ...... 41 D) Pre-departure Checklist E) Letter from USC Center for Women and Men...... 42 F) Guidelines for evaluating internships for USC credit ...... 43 G) US Department of State Tips for Students...... 44 H) Health Insurance Coverage Table ...... 47 I ) Stages of Culture Shock Graph ...... 47 J ) List of US Embassies and Consulates Overseas...... 47

CON TAC T INFORM ATION Office of Overseas Studies University of Southern California 823 West 34th St., CLH 201 Los Angeles, C A 90089-0128 Telephone: 213.740.3636 Fax: 213.740.2265 General Inquiries: [email protected] Website: dornsife.usc.edu/overseas-studies

Staf f Peter Hilton Associate Director Tel: 213.740.2922 Email: [email protected] Trista Beard Brittany Hart Whitney Huss Advisor Advisor Advisor Tel: 213.821.2342 Tel: 213.740.3657 Tel: 213.740.6996 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Jessi Duston Program Assistant Tel: 213.740.3636 Email: [email protected] STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES □ Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others, and In study abroad, as in other settings, encourage others to behave in a similar participants can have a major impact on manner. their own well-being, health and safety through the decisions they make before and □ Accept responsibility for their own during the program and by their day-to-day decisions and actions. choices and behaviors. □ Become familiar with the procedures Participants should: for obtaining emergency health and law □ Read and carefully consider all materials enforcement services in the host country. issued by the sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, □ Follow the program policies for keeping cultural, and religious conditions in host program staff informed of their whereabouts countries. and well-being.

□ Consider their health and other personal □ Look out for their fellow students, and assist circumstances when applying for or them when necessary. If they notice that an- accepting a place in a program. other’s health or safety is at risk, then bring that to the attention of the appropriate prog- □ Make available to the sponsor accurate ram representative or USC representative, information about physical and mental or others, as deemed necessary. Program health issues as necessary to plan for a and USC representatives are limited by law safe and healthy study abroad experience. in what they can tell students’ parents.

□ Assume responsibility for all the elements necessary for their personal preparation PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES for the program and participate fully in orientations. □ Be aware that studying abroad will be a time of great independence and personal □ Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance growth for your student, in part as a result coverage and abide by any conditions of taking on some important responsibilities. imposed by the carriers. □ Discuss with the student any of his/ □ Inform parents/guardians/families and any her travel plans and activities that may be others who may need to know about their independent of the study abroad program. participation in the study abroad program. Provide them with emergency contact □ Keep in touch with the student. But keep information, and keep them informed on an in mind that local conditions may prevent ongoing basis. the student from immediately responding to you. □ Be sensitive to local customs and cultural norms in the host country and the home- □ Be aware that the student rather than the stay or dorm. program may most appropriately provide some information. □ Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct, and □ Remember time differences when phoning emergency procedures of the program. your student. Obey the laws of the host country. □ Understand that if you call us about your □ Be aware of local conditions and customs student, Federal Education Rights of Privacy that may present health or safety risks Act of 1974 (FERPA) may prohibit us from when making daily choices and decisions. responding to you directly. Promptly express any health or safety concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals. 4 USC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES If the actual courses you end up taking ACADEMIC abroad differ from those listed on your Academic Advising Record form, you must Student Conduct notify your academic advisor and copy While you are overseas on a USC-approved Overseas Studies on the correspondence. study abroad program, the University You are responsible for getting written Student Conduct Code and related documentation from your academic advisor university rules and regulations as stated in regarding your ability to receive major or SCampus still apply to you. minor credit for the new courses.

Eligibility If you take courses that do not apply to your major or minor, please keep two things Applicants are required to have a 3.0 in mind. First, not every course abroad is cumulative G PA at the time of application eligible for USC credit (e.g. Winemaking, to Overseas Studies and are expected to Outdoor Education, Batik, etc.). If USC remain in good standing prior to departure. does not offer a similar course, there is a Students must also have no serious student chance that it may not be eligible for USC conduct issues to be eligible for study abroad. credit. If, as a result your load of USC-recog- If in the semester or summer immediately nized courses falls below 12 USC units, your prior to studying abroad a student ’s grade financial aid will be severly affected. If in doubt, point average falls to the point that he or please e-mail Overseas Studies. she is placed on academic probation, or if Also, if you have a major in USC Dornsife, please a student conduct check reveals serious remember that you need to earn 104 units in misconduct, that student loses his or her college academic departments. Courses abroad eligibility to study abroad. Any expenses in subjects not offered in USC Dornsife will not committed by the student or on behalf of be considered for Dornsife credit (e.g. Cinema, the student for the purpose of study abroad Dance, Theatre, Advertising, Business, etc.). (e.g. airfare, visa application fees, etc.) will not be refunded by the universit y, and the student is subject to the withdrawal policy Evidence of Coursework of the study abroad institution to which he or she applied. We strongly suggest that you bring back to USC course syllabi and completed Attendance Policies coursework (exams, papers & projects) after your semester/year abroad. This is You are expected to adhere to the existing essential if you are engaged in any kind attendance policy that is set forth by your of independent study or internship. The program. In most cases, the attendance documentation that you provide can be a policy will be as strict or stricter than what big help if there is ever a question about you would encounter at USC. Be prepared awarding credit for work done overseas. to attend classes consistently. When in doubt, throw it all in your suitcase and bring it home. Academic Advising Internship Credit The Academic Advising Record for USC Overseas Programs that you completed USC has very strict guidelines for those with your application describes the students who wish to receive USC specific academic policies that pertain to academic credit for an internship abroad. your program and confirms that you have USC may award no credit or less credit than received proper academic advisement that awarded by the host institution. Please before going abroad. In consultation with see the Guidelines for Evaluating Internship your academic advisor, you should have Credit in the appendix of this handbook for listed courses to be taken abroad and what more information if you plan on doing an you will take upon your return to USC. internship while you are abroad.

5 Registration Students may not enroll in any USC Directed Research (e.g. SPAN 490) concurrently with USC Registration Status enrollment in an overseas program. (Block Enrollment) Later this semeste r, you will use USC Web Do not enroll in too many units. USC has Registration to register for “Overseas Bloc k established a maximum number of units you Enrollment” as a full-time student at USC. may earn on your program. The unit amount The Office of Overseas Studies will is listed on your Advising Record. If you decide provide you with the information you need to take more than the maximum, be aware that to register for “block units.” This process will you will be charged USC unit rate tuition for ensure that your registration is continuous every attempted unit beyond 24 USC units. and any financia l aid you receive is not disrupted. USC Madrid Center and USC Registration for When You Return Semester in Paris students will be informed of special registration procedures specific Registration for Spring 2014 will begin in Nov- to these programs. Year-long students will ember 2013. Shortly before it is time to register,

need to block enroll twice - once for Fall the Office of Overseas Studies will contact you 2013 and again (around December) for regarding the procedures. You will be able

Spring 2014. Before you can be registered to view the USC course catalogue online at for your semester abroad, you must clear www.usc.edu/soc. any and all hol d s. You can check your holds online on OASIS. DO NOT GO In any case, YOU are responsible for OVERSEAS UNTI L YOU ARE PROPER LY obtaining D-clearances from the appropriate REGISTERED. advisors before you register. This can be done by E-mail. Registration for Overseas Courses Your registration may be delayed if you Students typically register for their actual have a financial (or some other type) hold. overseas courses at the overseas university There are two ways to register for when you or progr a m site, which sets its own rules return: regarding when you must settle on your (1) Use the online web registration system final course selection. This registration (www.usc.edu/webregistration): Consult the process is totally independent of the USC Schedule of Classes online, and then go Block Enrollment (except for USC Madrid to the web registration website to register. and USC Paris). These courses will only (2) Ask a trusted friend or relative to register appear on your USC S TARS Repo rt after you via web registration. That person will you have returne d from your semester or need your ID number, PIN/password access year abroad and your transcript has been code and clear instructions from you. received by USC. If these methods fail to work for you, please All students must take a full course load contact our office at [email protected]. on their overseas program, regardless of how many units they need and regardless Drop/add of what constitutes a “full-time” course load at USC. All students on the USC Paris If you decide to withdraw from a class during and USC Madrid programs must take 16 your semester away, you are bound by the units. Students directly enrolled in foreign program’s add/drop policies. If the other insti- universities must take at least what is con- tution’s rules are less strict than USC’s, then sidered a full course load at that university. you fall under USC’s rules, which are as Students on programs run by third-party follows: organizations (e.g. CIEE, IES, SIT, CYA, etc.) must take at least the minimum course You can officially withdraw from a course load required by the organization. Requests within the first 75% of the semester based to take less than the program’s minimum on the program’s start and end dates, not the course load will be denied. dates program classes begin and end. If you drop within the first 20% of the program, 6 you will not receive a “W” on your transcript. may ask you to submit your letter grades If you drop after the first 25%, you will re- obtained oversea s in addition to your USC ceive a “W”. transcript.

If you stop attending a course during the *Nanzan and Waseda University in Japan last 20% of the semeste r, y ou will receive DO NOT issue transcripts to USC. Transcripts “NC” (No Credit) on your USC transcript. are only issued directly to students. Students on those programs are responsible for Always get written documentation indicating obtaining their own transcripts and bringing drop and withdrawal dates, even if the an OFFICIAL (sealed) transcript to the overseas institution does not routinely use Office of Overseas Studies. Students on the such documentation. Syracuse Florence, Duke ICCS Rome, UGA Cortona, and AUC programs must specifically Final T ranscripts and Grades request that their transcripts be mailed to USC Overseas Studies. The Reg i strar of your study abroad program or overseas university will send your final HOUSING program transcript to the Office of Overseas Studies. (Nanzan, Waseda, Cortona, Florence, Returning to USC Housing Rome, and AUC participants, please see * note.) Semester study abroad students currently If you are asked to provide a mailing in USC Housing who wish to be released address for transcripts or billing, please from one semester of a housing contract be sure to use the Overseas Studies address must complete the Semester Away and NOT your home address, USC Registrar, Housing Form. When you submit the or USC Degree Progress. form to the Housing Office, they can Please be aware that it may take from several advise you on returning to USC Housing. weeks to several months after completion of your program for your transcript to arrive You must return this form to Erika Gannon at USC. Graduating seniors should keep in the Housing Customer Service Office in this fact in mind. PSX by April 5, 2013. DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IF YOU Once your transcript has been received, H AVE NOT YET BEEN ACCEPTED Overseas Studies will forward it to the TO YOUR OVERSEAS PROGRAM B Y Office of Articulation for processing. April 5, 2013. Once you turn in the form, your housing For most programs, although you will receive space will be assigned to another student. grades from your overseas institution, Overseas Studies will inform USC Housing courses taken abroad will appear on your on April 5th which students are still USC transcript only as Credit/No Credit, awaiting program admission decisions. which will not a ffect your USC GP A. You must earn a letter grade of C- or higher to Students living in fraternities or sororities receive Credit. Students in New Zealand whose housing contracts are admin istered must earn a C or higher to earn USC credit. by USC Housing must get permission to The only programs for which students return from the fraternity/sorority president, receive letter grades on the USC transcript in addition to returning the Semester Away are the USC Paris Semester progra m and Housing Form by the deadline. the USC Semester in Madrid program. Students who study abroad for a full PLEASE NOTE: Although you may academic year or any two consecutive not receive letter grades on your USC semesters and wish to return to USC transcript and your USC G PA may not be Housing must apply for housing as a first a ffected, please be aware that it is to your time applicant. Applications are available advantage to strive for the best grades you online at http://housing.usc.edu/ can get. Graduate schools, law schools, Campus housing questions should be medical schools, and some employers directed to [email protected]. 7 Overseas Studies Message Board until mid-July that the tuition charge appears Students seeking roommates or housing, or on OASIS and students’ bills. those who are looking for someone to take over In the “Estimated Living Expenses” section their lease, may post on the Overseas Studies of the cost sheet only the items that are set online message board, which can be found at: apart in a box will be billed by USC and appear http://dornsife.usc.edu/overseas-students on students’ fee bills. These charges are

billed based largely on cost estimates we Other Resources receive from program providers. These Plan ahead. We suggest that you stay in charges may be adjusted later if the invoice touch with your friends and make arrange- USC receives from a program provider ments early. lists costs that are higher or lower than USC Alternative Housing Resource: www. initially estimated or if there are significant housing4 s t uden t s.co m / colleges/usc / exchange rate fluctuations.

OIS Message Board: The items that are not set apart in a box in the http://sait.usc.edu/ois/housing.aspx “Estimated Living Expenses” section of the rate sheet are very rough estimates of The Daily Trojan, the L A Weekl y, the what students may expect to spend. These L A Times, and Craigslist.org are other items are not billed through USC. Some resources to investigate. There are also a students spend less and some spend more. number of property management companies The “personal expenses” items on which that operate in the area. As you may be students tend to spend the most money abroad when you are trying to arrange for are travel during weekends and breaks, housing near USC, we suggest that you shopping, and entertainment. Students enlist friends who will be at USC while you wishing to limit expenses are encouraged are abroad to assist you in your search. to explore local areas in depth, limit far- flung trips, scout out student discounts, Overseas Studies and USC take no and utilize youth hostels. The financial work- responsibility for any o ff-campus housing sheet in your General Orientation packet may arrangements. be helpful in planning your finances.

FINANCIAL Deposits

Cost sheets All students going abroad will have a commitment deposit charged to their student The cost sheet outlines the cost of your fee bill on or soon after April 12th, 2013. particular program. All costs are tentative. The amount of this deposit will differ from They are based on the latest information program to program. When you become a fully we have received from the host institutions. enrolled student on your program abroad, this Some costs are based on current exchange deposit will be refunded to your USC student rates and thus are subject to fluctuation. account. After April 12th, 2013, if you decide NOT to attend the overseas program, this It is your responsi b ility to familiarize yourself deposit is non-refundable. with the cost sheet and to arrange all the financial resources you will need BEFORE Exceptions are rare and may be made only you depart. in case of family emergencies or other dire extenuating circumstances that prevent On the cost sheet, costs are separated into you from participating in the semester or two gen e ral categories--tuition expenses year abroad program. If you are denied and estimated living expenses. The “ Total acceptance to the program, the deposit will Tuition Expense” (which includes the USC be refunded. administrative fee, where applicable) is tied Students who are accepted to a program to Overseas Block Enrollment. Completing but decide to defer admission to a future block enrollment will trigger the total tuition semester must notify Overseas Studies. In charge on your student fee bill. Although some cases the deposit is not deferred with students will block enroll before July, it is not admission. 8 Billed Items Billing Timeline

These are the items most often billed by • Estimated tuition charges will be posted USC: on your USC fee bill automatically upon your registration for Overseas Block Units □ Tuition and fees (for all programs) but may not be visible on USCe.pay until □ Housing (for many programs) mid-July. The last day to register and settle □ Board (for some programs) without a fee will be August 23, 2013. □ Tuition refund insurance • Estimated room & board fees (with some (Optional; Approximately 0.3% of your exceptions) will be billed by late-Augsut total tuition costs) but may be adjusted when an invoice is □ Health insurance (USC Health Insurance received from the overseas program. in all programs; additional program- • Health insurance will be billed around late mandated insurance in some programs) August, if not earlier. □ Visa fees (for some programs) • Room & board and insurance may □ Orientation fees (for some programs) be billed AFTER you have received an automatic refund in your account or after All payments should be made to USC you have settled tuition fees. Please keep through the regular fee bill process. this in mind when budgeting expenses and DO NOT MAKE PAYMENTS (INCLUDING planning payments. And check your student DEPOSITS) DIRECTLY TO ANY LINKAGE/ account on USCe.pay regularly. SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS. If you or your parents receive a bill directly It is your responsibility to keep track of from the sponsoring institution, please your USC fee bill on USCe.pay and arrange contact Overseas Studies. payments while you are overseas.

Exceptions (Deposits): Students Using the Payment Plan Option Students pay deposits DIRECTLY to the foreign university for the following programs: You should visit the Payment Plan office American University of Cairo or website and fill out a new payment plan Hebrew University of Jerusalem worksheet. One way to calculate monthly Studio Art Centers International (SACI) payments is to add up all the items on the cost sheet that are billed by USC and divide the total by the total number of months of Exceptions (Housing Costs): your overseas program. Please submit your Students pay housing fees DIRECTLY to new worksheet directly to the Payment Plan the housing provider (i.e. they will NOT be office. billed by USC) for the following programs: American University of Cairo Airfare Australian National University King’s College London As most program fees do NOT include London School of Economics airfare, you will need to make your own NUI Galway arrangements. All students may utilize STA Sciences Po Queen Mary, University of London Travel’s Airfare Deposit Program and pay Trinity College in Belfast just $300 up front and pay the balance up to University College London 7 days before departure. If your program starts University of East Anglia before the USC semester and you are heavily University of Edinburgh dependent on financial aid, contact your study University of Otago abroad advisor for advice. University of Queensland University of Sussex Waseda University (except homestay) Program Withdrawal and Refund Policies Yonsei University There are two types of withdrawal and refund

Students receiving financial aid should note policies to consider: those for the academic that housing deposits or other housing fees program and those for the room and/or board. may be due prior to disbursement of financial Regarding the program, you are subject to the aid. 9 stricter of your program’s refund policy and We strongly recommend that you check your USC’s refund policy. USC’s policy of allowing account on USCe.pay before you leave to students to withdraw by the end of the third make sure your bill is settled. Then check week with little or no financial implications USCe.pay regularly, especially early in the is generally much less strict than the refund semester. Students not receiving financial policies of some overseas institutions/program aid may receive a refund later in the semest- providers. For some programs, students incur er if actual program costs are less than billed financial obligations well before the program estimated costs. begins. The details of the individual refund policies can be obtained in our office and “My program starts before the USC are provided in your General Orientation semester!” folder. The amount of refund varies greatly If your program starts before the USC from program to program and depends on semester, your financial aid will not have the date you notify the overseas program of been disbursed by the program start date. your withdrawal. If you decide to withdraw Fortunately, tuition and health insurance from a program, you must immediately fees for these programs will not be due until notify in writing both the USC Office of Over- the USC semester begins. Students on these seas Studies and the program sponsor. programs, however, will need to purchase airfare and bring sufficient funds for personal For the purpose of establishing deadlines expenses and initial housing costs (for some related to total withdrawal from a program, programs) until their financial aid is disbursed the deadlines are based on the program start around the beginning of the USC semester. date, not the date that classes on that program begin. Accessing Student Account (Fee Bill) Credit Disbursement of Aid and Settlement of Account If you do have a credit on your fee bill after all aid and scholarships have been dis- Grants (such as University Grant, Pell Grant, bursed and all charges have been billed, you and Cal Grant) and most scholarships (such can receive your refund by Electronic Refund as USC Merit Awards) are usually disbursed only. in the week before the start of USC classes. Some direct loans (such as Stafford, Perkins, Electronic Refund Authorization and Parent PLUS loans) cannot be disbursed until 10 days before the start date of your par- We strongly recommend that you set up ticular study abroad program (unless it starts eRefund service with the USC Cashier’s Office. before the USC semester). If you are reliant on If you arrange for an electronic refund, the those “direct loans” to settle your USC fee bill Cashier’s Office will check electronically for (which must be settled by August 23, 2013), a balance on your fee bill twice a week during please email the Office of Overseas Studies at the USC semester. If there is a credit on your fee [email protected] so that we can arrange a bill, the money will be automatically wired to deferment for you. your designated checking account.

If your USC fee bill is settled by grants and/or To apply, you must complete the application scholarships and you are planning to use “di- form on the USC Student Financial Services rect loan” funds for expenses not charged to website: www.usc.edu/sfs. If you have already your fee bill, please remember that those di- applied, you do not need to do it again. rect loans will not be accessible until 10 days before your program start date, so you must arrange your finances accordingly. If you set up this authorization, monitor your checking account carefully. You do not want to spend money that was credited to your Students receiving financial aid should note account erroneously. that living expenses are included in the costs on your Cost Sheet, and as a result, Electronic refund authorization continues you may have a credit on your fee bill. Read even after you return to campus. You must on for information on accessing this credit. rescind it in writing at the Cashier’s Office. 10 PRACTICAL MATTERS WARNING:

If you receive a large refund during the first Passports four weeks of school, be sure to check your fee bill on OASIS and see that all charges If you do not have a passport or a current associated with your semester abroad are passport that is valid through 6 months after listed. Don’t spend a $5000 refund only to the end of your program, you should apply find out that you still owe $3500 for housing. for a new passport immediately. Believe us, it happens. Applications can be made at: □ U.S. Post Office on Vermont Avenue Financial Aid Deadlines (3585 S. Vermont Avenue at 36th Street) It is imperative that you meet all financial Passport Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10:00-4:00 aid deadlines for submission of all forms, □ http://travel.state.gov/passport including copies of tax returns or non-filing You should usually allow 4-6 weeks for the statements, CSS profiles, and FAFSA’s, in delivery of a passport. Last year some order to be considered for financial aid for students waited for months because of a the next academic year. back-log. Don’t take any chances. Apply early. You will need all of the following when Please see t he financial aid websi te for spe - turning in your passport application: cific deadlines at: www.usc.edu/admission/fa/ • An official copy of your birth certificate Being on an Overseas Studies Program OR expired passport, OR a certified copy is NOT an excuse for late submission of of your naturalization or citizenship papers. financial aid forms. Each year we have If you do not have a birth certificate with several students who do not submit their the official seal, write to the County Clerk in forms on time, and as a result, have serious your county of birth to obtain one. difficulties with their financial aid. • A photo ID with signature; examples include a driver’s license, California ID, or Tuition Refund Insurance Military ID. • Two identical passport photos, front view, Tuition Refund Insurance offers a tuition 2” x 2” square, with a white background. refund in case a major illness or injury force s • $135 processing fee for new applications you to leave your program early. and $110.00 for renewal. Add $60.00 to expedite the service. Payment must be The cost is 0.3% of the total tuition and made by personal check or exact cash. fees for your program, as listed on the Rate Sheet. Visas A visa is an official permission granted by The Office of Overseas Studies strongly the authorities of the country where you will encourages you to get Tuition Refund study or travel that allows you to enter and Insurance even though you have the choice remain in the country for a certain amount to decline it when you register for overseas of time. A visa is usually in the form of a block units. stamp or sticker placed in your passport. Some countries (e.g. Australia) now issue Please read the brochure on USC’s Tuition electronic visas for which nothing is placed Refund Insurance Policy distributed at the in your passport; instead, the authorization General Orientation meeting. to enter the country is linked to your passport number.

If your host country does not require a visa, you will need special documentation to be there as a student. You may not stay in your host country as a tourist. Be sure to consult your host country’s embassy and/or consular website. 11 A student visa is required to enter many of regulations for re-entry into the U.S. It is the countries in which USC sponsors study particularly important to verify procedures abroad programs. Visa requirements for US for those who contemplate being outside of citizens may vary from those for citizens of the U.S. for more than one year or are in the other countries. process of applying for citizenship.

The documentation and fees required to International students must see an advisor obtain a visa vary greatly from country at the Office of International Services (OIS) to country, and even between different con- located in STU 300 to obtain important sulates of the same country. Some countries information regarding regulations and will require a signed medical form or letter from documentation to leave and re-enter the a physician or certain immunizations. Some United States. require an HIV test, tax return, or criminal background checks. PREPARING TO BE AWAY For some countries you need to apply as far as 3 months in advance. Most consulates Absentee Voting will keep your passport while they are processing your visa application. This may You can cast a ballot from overseas. In order force you to alter pre-program overseas to receive an absentee ballot, you must be travel plans. registered to vote at home. You can find all of the information you need to register for Please note that for some visas you need absentee voting at the following web site: to apply in person at thenearest consulate www.declareyourself.com in the US. Most programs will inform you directly if you need a visa to enter your host Income Taxes country. If you are planning to be abroad for spring You will also be advised on the visa process term, you may be out of the country between by your program provider and your study January 1st and April 15th when most of us abroad advisor. are struggling to file income taxes. People temporarily living abroad can request an It is ultimately the student’s responsibility extension for filing taxes, normally until to obtain the visa. June 15th.

Visas for Non-US Citizens Tax forms are easily downloaded and filed at www.irs.gov/ If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should consult the nearest consulate of the country Make sure that you can get your W2 forms of your citizenship and the nearest consulate sent to you overseas if you choose to file of the country where you plan to study. while you are abroad. The procedures you will follow are different from those for U.S. citizens. It is important Property Insurance to initiate this process as soon as possible in order to assemble the documents Loss or theft of property can occur while and allow time for lengthy procedures. you are overseas. USC Health Insurance does not include any property insurance. Non-U.S. citizens should also check to see Many homeowners’ and renters’ insurance if a transit visa is required for the countries policies contain a clause about coverage they pass through on the way to their of your personal property. Check your/ ultimate destination, and whether they need your parents’ policies to see if it extends a visa to travel to other countries during the worldwide. Normally you will need to file a semester. copy of a police report following a loss or theft of property. Please be advised that if a Re-Entry to the U.S. loss or theft occurs because of negligence on your part, your claim will usually not be U.S. permanent residents must check with honored. Student Property Insurance can be the U.S. Immigration Service concerning obtained at www.nssi.com. 12 Power of Attorney/Proxy Status Lost Document Kit

If you have financial or legal dealings that Each semester we get reports of students will be difficult to manage from abroad, abroad misplacing their important consider assigning a power of attorney or documents or having them stolen (through proxy. burglary, pickpocketing or mugging). Losing a passport and other documents can be a Working Abroad major headache; to reduce the hassle, we suggest that you take with you two U.S.- People on student visas or tourist visas are produced passport photos, a certified copy usually barred from working legally in the of your birth certificate (which you can shrink host country. There are very few exceptions, to wallet size), and the face page of your notably Australia; if you are thinking about work- passport. Keep these items separate from ing while you study overseas, you should do your actual passport and leave a copy with your homework about what the possibilities your parents or trusted friend at home. You are. should also have two sets of photocopies of other important documents such as your PACKING YOUR BAGS USC ID card, driver’s license, and your credit, ATM and insurance cards; leave one Most programs will provide packing set with your parents or trusted friend, and suggestions relevant to that particular keep one set in your homestay or dorm program. Use the following lists as basic separate from the actual documents. guidelines and pick and choose what is essential for you. The obvious things (e.g., Important Documents underwear, shirts, toothbrush, etc.) are (not a complete list) not listed. Be sure to consult the specific □ Passport, visa and photocopies information provided for your program, □ Airline tickets (incl. e-ticket confirmations as well as recommendations from former and receipts) participants. □ International SOS card □ Emergency information card The best and most ignored advice is to □ International Student ID card (ISIC Card) TRAVEL LIGHT. You will hear this over and □ Driver’s license (with photocopy) over again and for good reason. Do not bring □ Hostel membership card more luggage than you can comfortably □ Credit cards, ATM cards (and photocopies carry and/or roll by yourself. You may find of both sides) yourself having to walk long distances □ Prescription for contact lenses/glasses with your bags. Any items that could be □ Prescriptions for medications (if any) considered a weapon (e.g., scissors, Swiss □ Overseas Studies Handbook Army knives, etc.) should not be packed in your carry-on luggage but placed in your Medicine and Toiletries checked luggage. You should bring important (not a complete list) medications and documents in your carry-on □ Prescription medicine (carry a copy luggage. of the prescription too); and keep medication in the original bottle/container Baggage allowances may differ for it came in -- don’t mix pills in one bottle. international flights to and from the U.S. and □ Soap and shampoo (just enough to start flights between and within other countries. with, then you can buy locally) Rules also vary from airline to airline. Do not □ First aid kit (small) make assumptions based on previous travels □ Contraceptives/condoms or advice from friends and/or family. Always □ Tampons/pads (enough for the first month; check with your airline for carry-on and tampons may be hard to find in some checked baggage regulations and fees. developing countries) □ Extra eyeglasses □ Extra contact lenses and cleaning solution □ Hand Sanitizer (small 1 oz. bottle)

13 Clothing Computers (not a complete list) □ Sturdy rainproof walking shoes Computers are not required on any program. □ Flip-flops (good for showering in hostels) Students staying in homestays are often not □ Shorts (may not be appropriate in certain allowed to connect their laptops to the cultures) family’s home line for Internet/e-mail □ Sweater/sweatshirt connection. Some homestays and dorms □ Wind and rain gear do not have internet connections. Don’t □ Swimwear even think about taking a desktop computer □ 1-2 nice outfits or a printer. If you are considering taking □ Winter coat, gloves, scarf, hat (depending a laptop/notebook computer with you, we on location) strongly suggest that you do the following: You can always buy clothes there! □ Find out what kind of computer access is available at your study site overseas Gift Suggestions □ Find out if professors on your program (for students staying in homestays) expect work to be typed or if handwritten □ Clothing and items with University logo work is acceptable □ Cookbooks with American recipes □ Find out if what kind of plugs are used and □ Coffee table photo books from your region get the right plug adapter. (Radio Shack is of the U.S. one of several sources of such information.) □ Baseball caps If your computer does not automatically □ Calendars with U.S. scenery convert voltage, you will need to purchase □ US-style paraphernalia (Disney, Warner a voltage converter. Bros., NBA) □ Remember to consider security and □ Handmade crafts or jewelry storage (especially if you will be traveling □ Photos of friends and family to share after the program ends) (NOT a gift, but good conversation starter) □ Check to see if your computer is covered under insurance policies you or your Miscellaneous parents may have, such as homeowners (not a complete list) insurance. □ Swiss Army knife (very useful when backpacking) [Pack in checked luggage] You can access USC’s online resources (such □ Address book and journal as email, OASIS, and the library) through □ Books, guides, maps USC’s intranet by using VPN (Virtual Private □ Day backpack Network) which allows you student access to all □ Heavy duty Ziplock bags resources while you are off-site. Log-on using □ Sewing kit the instructions at www.usc.edu/its/vpn. □ Luggage lock and tags □ Battery powered alarm clock TRAVEL □ Towel and Washcloth □ Money belt/pouch The Office of Overseas Studies is not a travel agency and cannot arrange any travel for you. Please consult travel agents Choose sturdy luggage that will stand up to and/or guide books. rough treatment. A backpack is extremely handy if you plan to travel before or after your program. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labeled so you can recognize it easily. After you have packed everything, try carrying all of your luggage. Also be aware of airline fees for checked baggage.

For advice on packing light: www.ehow.com www.ricksteves.com

14 Traveling to Y our Destination will work, but you should consider obtaining an International Drivers License, issued Most programs do not have “group flights,” by the American Automobile Club (AAA). so you will need to arrange your own travel They are valid for 1 year and cost $15 (a to arrive at your program site by the date passport-sized photo is required). specified by the program. STA Travel spec- ializes in student travel at competitive rates, Hostels but you are encouraged to shop around. Always compare not only ticket prices, but Hostelling is one of the truly great things also refund policies and ticket change prices. about student travel. Youth hostels - many of Nowadays, airlines typically will not allow which are not restricted to so-called “youth”, their customers to fly into a foreign country which in many parts of the world means on a one-way ticket. As some countries require under 26 - are cheap, mostly clean, often visitors to show their return ticket in order to extremely well-located, and a great place to acquire a visa, airlines have difficulty keeping meet fellow adventurers and travelers. Most track of certain requirements. In order to youth hostels are set up like dormitories, streamline their approach, most airlines simply with large single-sex group rooms, usually will not allow a customer to board without bunk beds, but some offer private rooms purchasing a return ticket. All students -- too. Some youth hostels impose strict including year-long participants -- should curfews and lock the front door at a certain therefore purchase a round-trip ticket. time; some insist that you provide your own sheet; some ask that you pitch in and do a chore - usually sweeping the dormitory. Traveling While You Are Abroad The International Youth Hostel Federation Train: There are many different kinds of rail (IYHF) card is required for most youth passes available for travel in Europe and hostels, and often can be purchased beyond. Some passes must be purchased directly at a youth hostel. You can buy a in the U.S., while some may be purchased membership online and learn a lot more only overseas. Consult with a travel agency about hostelling at http://www.iyhf.org/. specializing in student travel before deciding which pass to get. Students sometimes buy For more hostels, go to Hostelworld.com. passes prematurely, before exploring all the options, and regret having wasted their Excessive Travel money. In many countries, bus travel will be easier and cheaper. Many students view a semester or year abroad as their “one shot” at traveling Air Travel: In some countries, low-cost air- overseas. However, as the world gets lines such as Virgin Blue, Ryanair, Easyjet, smaller and the work place more global, and Jetstar offer the fastest and cheapest many of you will have opportunities in the way to travel. Before buying train tickets, be future to travel for work and for pleasure. sure to research flight prices. Booking in We strongly advise against spending advance can save you a lot of money. your entire time abroad as a “tourist.” For example, if you are in Florence for a Driving: We strongly discourage you semester, make sure that you spend some from renting or buying cars while you are weekends in Florence like Florentines do. overseas. Driving in a foreign country is We understand that it will be tempting to dangerous and traffic accidents are among go out of town every weekend, but you will the leading causes of injury and death of really miss out on some of the pleasures students abroad. and subtleties of being a resident in a foreign city. If you decide to travel by car, you will need to demonstrate that you are a legally qualified driver. Sometimes your US driver’s license

15 NOIT A CINUMMOC A NOIT nI tsom seirtnuoc edistuo eht ,.S.U gnimocni ,eerf era enohp llec saesrevo ruoy no sllac no ruoy saesrevo llec enohp era ,eerf E-mail dna txet igassem n g si netfo hcum repaehc than voice calls. liam-e ref f o smargorp saesrevo eht fo tsoM fo eht saesrevo smargorp o f ref liam-e elba eb lliw stneduts ,setis emos tA .ssecca tA emos ,setis stneduts lliw eb elba enohp llec .S.U ruoy g nignirb redisnoC nignirb g ruoy .S.U llec enohp htiw noitcnujnoc ni tnuocca na nepo ot nepo na tnuocca ni noitcnujnoc htiw .S.U eht ni tropria eht ta esu ot ylpmis gnola ylpmis ot esu ta eht tropria ni eht .S.U . r etnec yduts ro ytisrevinu saesrevo eht saesrevo ytisrevinu ro yduts etnec r . yrtnuoc eht retneer dna evael uoy nehw uoy evael dna retneer eht yrtnuoc eerged emas eht tcepxe ton od , r evewoH r , od ton tcepxe eht emas eerged fo elpoep mrofni ot tnaw uoy esac ni esac uoy tnaw ot mrofni elpoep fo flight /noitcennoc ro ,ecivres fo ytilauq ,ssecca fo ,ssecca ytilauq fo ,ecivres ro /noitcennoc delays. demotsucca era uoy taht sdeeps medom sdeeps taht uoy era demotsucca ssecca 7/42 tcepxe ton oD .CSU ta ot ta .CSU oD ton tcepxe 7/42 ssecca ot )moc.epyks. w ww( epykS gnisu redisnoC gnisu epykS ww( w )moc.epyks. ot ton od seirtnuoc ynam ni stnedutS . r ehtie r . stnedutS ni ynam seirtnuoc od ton gnisu( retupmoc yb sllac e nohp lautriv ekam lautriv nohp e sllac yb retupmoc gnisu( gnitupmoc lla rof loohcs rieht no dneped no rieht loohcs rof lla gnitupmoc voice-over-internet-protocol, or VOIP). You .sefac tenretnI ezilitu ylenituor dna sdeen dna ylenituor ezilitu tenretnI .sefac should set up your account before going abroad. eb yam ssecca liam-e ,smargorp emos nI emos ,smargorp liam-e ssecca yam eb detimil etiuq detimil or unavailable. You may al so gain a ccess to interne t a t the local cyber-ca fe rojaM enohp ,seinapmoc hcus sa A &T T , taht sdrac gnillac evah ,tnirpS dna ,ICM dna ,tnirpS evah gnillac sdrac taht taht dnim ni peeK .setis m argorp ruoy raen ruoy argorp m .setis peeK ni dnim taht srotarepo .S.U ot ssecca tcerid uoy wolla uoy tcerid ssecca ot .S.U srotarepo ylimaf htiw tcatnoc ni yats lliw uoy hguohtla uoy lliw yats ni tcatnoc htiw ylimaf oitamrofni tseuqer yam uo Y .saesrevo morf .saesrevo Y uo yam tseuqer n oitamrofni otni deggulp dneps uoy emit ,sdneirf dna ,sdneirf emit uoy dneps deggulp otni ecnats i d-gnol ruoy morf ecivres siht tuoba siht ecivres morf ruoy d-gnol i ecnats ot evah t’now uoy emit si efil emoh ruoy emoh efil si emit uoy t’now evah ot . r eirrac r . build a new one abroad.

noitacinummoc fo enil niam ruo si liam-E si ruo niam enil fo noitacinummoc ENOM Y DNA GNIKNAB with students overseas. yenom ssecca ot syaw nommoc tsom ehT tsom nommoc syaw ot ssecca yenom ehT Office fo saesrevO seidutS lliw dnes while you are overseas are: sserdda liam-e CSU eht ot ylno liam-e ylno ot eht CSU liam-e sserdda □ A MT tibeD/sdraC sdraC daorba yduts ruoy ni detsil uoy taht uoy detsil ni ruoy yduts daorba □ T elevar r ’ s skcehC liam-e tneref f id a nepo uoy fI .noitacilppa fI uoy nepo a id f tneref liam-e □ Credit Cards tnes liam-e taht erusne esaelp ,tnuocca esaelp erusne taht liam-e tnes ot dedrawrof steg tnuocca CSU ruoy ot ruoy CSU tnuocca steg dedrawrof ot We tseggus ,taht fi ,elbissop uoy evah ssim lliw uoy ,esiwrehto ;tnuocca wen ruoy wen ;tnuocca ,esiwrehto uoy lliw ssim elpitlum snoitpo elbaliava ot uoy tsuj ni esac ssecca nac uo Y .noitamrofni tnatropmi .noitamrofni Y uo nac ssecca ereht si a melborp htiw eno ro eht ehto r . ta tenretnI eht no tnuocca liam-e CSU ruoy CSU liam-e tnuocca no eht tenretnI ta http://email.usc.edu dniF tuo eht tseb )s(dohtem fo gnirrefsnart money in your host country. Ask alumni and nohpele T e nohpele do some investigating before and after you . y rtnuoc tsoh ruoy ta evirra ta ruoy tsoh rtnuoc y . eb yam ecivres )enil-dnal( enohpele T enohpele )enil-dnal( ecivres yam eb y rtnuoc tsoh ruoy ni e v isnepxe ylevitaler isnepxe v e ni ruoy tsoh rtnuoc y . A tibeD/MT s draC .segrahc rucni sllac lacol lla ,netfO lla lacol sllac rucni .segrahc syatsemoh dna smrod ni ssecca enohpele T enohpele ssecca ni smrod dna syatsemoh ekaM emegnarra n st htiw ruoy knab rof may be rather limited. na A MT drac taht uoy nac esu .saesrevo cum woh kcehC woh h cum yeht lliw egrahc uoy Cell Phones hcae emit uoy wardhtiw yenom .daorba ecniS .pu dda yllaer nac segrahc esehT segrahc nac yllaer dda .pu ecniS ot tpo stneduts ynaM stneduts tpo ot esahcrup llec senohp ruoy tnuocca lab a ecn yam ton wohs pu no overseas and buy minutes on a prepaid basis ruoy A MT tpiecer ,saesrevo ti si tnatropmi ot as it is usually the cheapest and simplest track your balance via online banking. Ask option. If you bring your own cell phone, you your bank if they have a partner bank in your can usually purchase a new SIM card over- host country that will not charge ATM fees. seas. Check rates carefully! Using your phone’s internet service while roaming ekaM erus taht ruoy NIP rebmun sah 4 stigid can be very costly. Check with your provider dna nac eb desu llanoitanretni y . eziromeM about international service fees.

16 your PIN by the numerical digits rather than erofeB g niog ,daorba ew ylgnorts by the letters of the alphabet. dnemmocer taht uoy tcatnoc ruoy knab ro wonk meht tel dna ynapmoc drac tiderc drac ynapmoc dna tel meht wonk 42 elbissecca eb ot sMT A tcepxe t’noD tcepxe A sMT ot eb elbissecca 42 uoy lliw eb gnisu ruoy drac ,saesrevo gniyas ngis a ees uoy fi neve , y ad a sruoh a ad y , neve fi uoy ees a ngis gniyas tahw seirtnuoc uoy nalp no ,gnitisiv dna sMT A lla tcepxe t’noD .sruoh 42 nepo si eno si nepo 42 .sruoh t’noD tcepxe lla A sMT eht noitarud fo ruoy ats y . yehT lliw neht to accept your card. ecalp a levart trela no ruoy tnuocca os taht rof nekatsim ton si esu drac saesrevo ruoy saesrevo drac esu si ton nekatsim rof yam uo Y uo yam find ni emos seirtnuoc taht uoy ytitnedi tfeht dna .duarf tuohtiW eht levart tub se n ihcam MT A ta drac ruoy esu nac esu ruoy drac ta A MT ihcam n se tub ,trela yeht yam kcolb ruoy drac yleritne fi dna serots sa hcus ”elas fo stniop“ ta ton ta stniop“ fo ”elas hcus sa serots dna yeht tceted suoicipsus drac tivitca y . restaurants. Cash skcehC s ’ r elevar T elevar r ’ s skcehC gnignahcxe ,era uoy erehw no gnidnepeD no erehw uoy ,era gnignahcxe yllausu era srallod SU ni skcehc s ’ r elevar T elevar r ’ s skcehc ni SU srallod era yllausu hsac yam eb eht tseb yaw ot niatbo lacol the sa fest way to carry money, especiall y in cnerruc y . kcehC htiw laudividni smargorp developing countries. For all students, having ecnis gniyrrac egral stnuoma fo hsac nac $100-300 in traveler’s checks is a good source be dangerous. of emergency funds and peace o f mind in case your debit and/or credit cards are lost knaB stnuoccA or stolen. Be sure to record the serial num- bers of the checks and keep these in a Most s tudents D O NOT open bank ac counts separate place. overseas, except Au st ralia, I reland and Ne w Zealand semes ter studen ts and some year- eht era skcehc s ’ r elevart sserpxE naciremA sserpxE elevart r ’ s skcehc era eht gnol .stneduts fI uoy tnaw ot nepo a knab most widely known, but you can also carr y ,tnuocca eb erus ot dnatsrednu eht smret Thomas Cook, Citibank, and Bank of America dna snoitidnoc fo ruoy ,tnuocca hcus sa traveler’s checks. service fees.

Foreign Currency Credit Cards uoy ycnerruc eht htiw flesruoy ezirailimaF flesruoy htiw eht ycnerruc uoy tiderc a gnirb uoy taht ts e ggus ylgnorts e We ylgnorts ggus e ts taht uoy gnirb a tiderc lliw eb .gnisu wolloF eht egnahcxe setar rof .seicn e greme rof saesrevo uoy htiw drac htiw uoy saesrevo rof greme e .seicn lareves syad ro skeew ni eht repapswen eruces uoy pleh nac drac tiderc A tiderc drac nac pleh uoy eruces ro no eht nretni e .t tlusnoC eht lasrevinU accommodation, flights dna rehto secivres ycnerruC :retrevnoC ww//:ptth w .ten.ex. yB . y rruh a ni a rruh y . eht emit uoy evirra ni ruoy tsoh rtnuoc y , uoy eht ni s lauqe SU 1$ hcum woh wonk dluohs wonk woh hcum 1$ SU lauqe s ni eht elbarovaf tsom eht evig netfo sdrac tiderC sdrac netfo evig eht tsom elbarovaf tsoh yrtnuoc cnerruc y . exchange rate. In general, Visa and Master- card are most widely used overseas. Major Changing Money credit card companies charge currency conversion service fees, so check with your SU pria o str yllausu OD ON T evah yrev credit card company to find out how much elbarovaf ahcxe n eg ,setar os ti yam those are. eb elbareferp ot egnahcxe tsuj hguone morf n oitatropsnart dna slatne d icni rof icni d slatne dna oitatropsnart n morf ekaM .sesnepxe ruoy fo kcart esolc peeK esolc kcart fo ruoy .sesnepxe ekaM eht tropria ot ruoy .gnisuoh ,oslA tsom raluger ekam ot yaw a evah uoy erus uoy evah a yaw ot ekam raluger lanoitanretni stropria evah ycnerruc ylraluger stnemetats ruoy kcehC .stnemyap kcehC ruoy stnemetats ylraluger egnahcxe shtoob hguoht( yeht yam evah htiw semoc drac ruoy fi ees ot kcehc dna kcehc ot ees fi ruoy drac semoc htiw detimil )sruoh dna won tsom lanoitanretni drac ruoy gnittel diov A .noitcetorp duarf .noitcetorp A diov gnittel ruoy drac stropria evah A MT senihcam taht lliw gnikam ro gninid nehw thgis ruoy fo tuo fo ruoy thgis nehw gninid ro gnikam tpecca ruoy SU A MT drac dna eussi yenom era tfeht dna duarf drac tiderC .sesahcrup tiderC drac duarf dna tfeht era ni eht ycnerruc fo ruoy noitanitsed rtnuoc .y rampant in some countries.

17 Banks tend to have the best exchange rates, INFORMATION RESOURCES but make sure you understand what rate of commission you are being charged. Try to Some students may be tempted to limit their avoid changing money in places like hotels, exposure to information about the place restaurants or shops. Changing money on the they will visit. They may think that this is a street may be very risky and is illegal in many good strategy to guarantee an experience countries. full of surprises and discoveries. This is false logic. Even if you do a good deal of General Tips for Budgeting research on where you are going, you are sure to experience new things. The overall cost of living abroad can some- time be higher than at home in part because If you go with little or no knowledge at all, you are in an unfamiliar environment and the amazing discoveries you make are often you are confronted with a lot of possibilities very superficial; you are just scratching the and temptations to spend money. Here are surface. When you go armed with some a few budgeting tips to keep in mind: information, you’ll be ready to make much □ Make both daily and weekly budgets and deeper discoveries and gain more profound try to stick to them. Learn the value of the insights! money wherever you are. Be careful not to fall into the habit of equating one unit of Here is a summary of resources to consult foreign currency with $1 U.S. before you go: LMU Center for Global Education □ Costs for the first month are usually higher http://www.lmu.edu/globaled/ because you are settling in. After the first few weeks you should be able to do more Worldwide Colleges and Universities with less money. http://www.globaled.us/wwcu

□ Always be on the lookout for student STA Travel rates and discounts. Most countries are http://www.sta-travel.com far more generous with student discount tickets, travel, even meals, than the U.S. is, ATM Locators so keep your eyes open. Remember that http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/ an International Student Identification Card (ISIC--you can purchase this via STA Travel) Travel Guide Websites: gives you many discounts. Local stud- ents are a great source of tips and use- http://www.lonelyplanet.com ful information. http://www.letsgo.com http://www.whatsonwhen.com □ Staying relatively local and going off the beaten path will usually save you money (and give you a unique experience). Useful Health Information □ Try to use libraries and the program’s International SOS resources before rushing out and buying http://www.internationalsos.com a lot of books. Watch how students of the Centers for Disease Control host country manage books and supplies. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ □ Try cooking for yourself whenever possible. Going to a grocery store in World Health Organization another country can be a very educational http://www.who.int experience! International Newspapers □ When you travel, stay in youth hostels. http://www.nettizen.com/newspaper/ They are fun, usually clean and well located, and you will meet students and travelers International Radio Stations from all over the world. Check out: http://www.radio-locator.com www.iyhf.org and www.hostelworld.com. 18 U.S. State Department Website Fiction: State Department Travel Information: Go to Amazon.com or a bookstore to get http://travel.state.gov/ works of fiction by writers in your host Select INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL from the country or set in your host country. Reading menu. such works of fiction is a great way to pass time on an airplane, train, or bus. From the State Dept. website, you can link to the following: Periodicals □ U.S. State Department Travel Publications □ Safety and Health Issues Many newspapers and magazines around □ Travel Warnings and Alerts the world are now on-line. They are a great □ Regional Tips and Information way to brush up your language skills and □ Country Specific Information Sheets learn what’s going on in the place where □ Tips for Students you will spend a semester or year. It also gives you lots of material for engaging in Under the “Tips for Traveling Abroad” tab, conversation in your host country. you’ll find information about registering your trip with the local US consulate or embassy Language Center/Language Tables in your host country. This allows the local consular office to contact you in an emergency. The Language Center on the 3rd floor of Taper Hall, has a wide range of resouces. Refer to http://studentsabroad.state.gov/ There are also weekly language tables for for student specific info and advice from the several of the languages taught at USC. US State Department.

For contact information, including websites, EXPLORING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES for US consulates overseas see the Appendix of this handbook, or http://usembassy.state.gov/ Understanding Difference

Currency Conversion As much as you may be aware intellectually http://www.xe.com that people living in other countries have a http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic different culture and hold different values and expectations from yours, living in and BOOKS interacting with another culture 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is bound to pose Travel: some challenges. Try to value the cultural Let’s Go Travel Guides differences you encounter and make every Lonely Planet Travel Guides attempt to empathize with the host culture’s Moon Publications Travel Guides values. Being aware of how a person The Rough Guide Travel Guides expects to be treated (e.g. at a store, International Youth Hostel Handbook restaurant, or in an educational institution) ISTC Hostel List, by International Student can make cross-cultural experiences more Travel Conference understandable and less trying. Blue Guides (Adapted from IES London by the Institute Language: for the International Education of Students) Lonely Planet Phrasebooks: These phrasebooks include lots of While you are studying abroad, you may practical, everyday language you may not encounter stereotypes of people from the have learned in your language classes. United States. People in your host country BBC Languages: may already have ideas about you through The BBC has good free online language interactions with the media, tourists, or co- learning programs. Please check out workers. The following is a list of common www.bbc.co.uk/languages/ stereotypesthatstudentshaveencountered. Americans are often seen as:

19 □ hard-working need to upgrade to the next best thing and □ wealthy fostering materialism. □ confident they have all the answers □ aggressive With which of these values do you agree? □ racially prejudiced Which of these values do you anticipate □ extravagant, wasteful may conflict with the values of your host □ naïve country? □ disrespectful of authority □ outgoing, friendly One reaction to such conflicts in values is □ loud, rude, boastful to resort to stereotyping the entire culture. □ optimistic Such stereotyping can go both ways; that □ superficial is, you generalize about your host culture, □ generous and people in the host culture generalize □ informal about Americans. □ always in a hurry □ ignorant of other countries A great resource for further exploration of the issues introduced in this section is the Why do you think these stereotypes exist? University of the Pacific’s “What’s Up with What image do you project as an American, Culture?” website (http://www.pacific.edu/ and what image do you want to project? sis/culture/) , which is an online course for students about to study abroad that What stereotypes do you have about offers some great self-guided activities and people in your host country? How can you exercises. Check it out! challenge those stereotypes? CULTURE SHOCK While others may have ideas about you as an American, it is also important to analyze Culture shock is a real and usually temporary how you perceive yourself. Dr. L. Robert state that occurs when you are totally Kohls, author of Survival Kit for Overseas immersed in a new culture. It is usually Living, has composed a list of values that characterized by feelings of bewilderment, many Americans report that they adhere disorientation and mental fatigue. It is not to: uncommon for people going through culture shock to feel “fed up” and depressed about □ There is no such thing as “fate”; everyone their new situation. You might find yourself has control over what happens in his life. going through a period of time in which you □ Change is indisputably good, leading to feel resentful of the new culture and new development, improvement, and progress. place that is placing so many challenges □ Time is of the utmost importance and upon you. This is a normal reaction to living needs to be used productively. abroad and in some ways is a positive sign: □ Americans see themselves as highly you are really immersing yourself in a new individualistic in their thoughts and actions. culture. □ Competition brings out the best in any individual in any system. We have included here a few short readings □ “Keeping busy”, even in times of about culture shock. If you can recognize recreation, is highly valued in American the signs of culture shock, you can deal with society. it more effectively. □ Americans are informal in most areas of their life, from language to dress. Remember: It is temporary and a sign that □ The direct approach is the best, most you are being “culturally challenged”-- open, and most honest approach. ultimately a good thing. □ Americans are realistic, practical, and efficient, avoiding being overly sentimental in decision making. □ Americans value newness and innovations, thus creating a constant

20 The Stages of Culture or “Transition” The Honeymoon Shock In this stage, students are swimming in (adapted from IES Family Guide by the fascination and a sense of adventure. Many Institute for the International Education of students report being on a cultural high and Students) (See graph on page 46) feel that everything is wonderful.

Adapting to a new environment and new Suggestions: This is a good time to stockpile culture has been compared to an emotional someofthegoodexperiences forwhentimes roller-coaster. While the diagram (page 46) become more challenging. It’s also a good depicts a fairly typical adjustment process, time to begin inquiring about differences in for each individual the highs and lows food, people, and other cultural variances. and twists and turns will vary significantly. For students taking medication for anxiety The information below on the stages of or depression, this is not at all a good time transition and suggestions for culture shock to stop taking your medication despite the is intended only as a rough guide. temptation to do so.

Anticipating Departure The Plunge

During this exciting time of preparation, This is when the novelty wears off and people naturally form expectations and reality sets in. You may feel frustrated and goals. For some the anticipation becomes confused. Rather than simply observing overwhelming, while some try so hard not others’ behavior, you need to start to to build up any expectations that they also change your own way of thinking and doing fail to make any preparations. It is important things. You need to begin adjusting to new to remain realistic in your expectations so ways of communicating and differences you will not face disappointments when you in living styles, food, social customs, and settle in while abroad. classroom interactions. Although difficult, this stage prepares you to engage with the Suggestions: Research the country, read new culture at a deeper level. some of its important works of literature, and read its newspapers on the Internet. Suggestions:Avoid making value judgments Listen to online radio stations from your host on cultural differences. Instead, strive to country. It is also useful to start a journal understand these differences. that defines your goals and expectations for your time abroad. These activities will help Initial Adjustment give you a sense of understanding of and attachment to your host country. As you develop language and social skills, you become more confident. Local Arrival Confusion transportation, communication, and social customs become a normal part of your This can be a trying and disorienting period everyday life. Many of the initially confusing that includes jet lag, meeting new friends, differences begin to make sense and language fatigue, new food, new rules and you may begin to be able to balance the customs, and in some cases a whole new positives and negatives within the culture. educational system. Suggestions: Cultural differences are not Suggestions: During this period, you may problems to be solved. Understanding find yourself calling home, upset about these cultural differences and responding housing, the city, jet lag, or local people. appropriately are major accomplishments It’s important to talk with the local program for which you should give yourself a pat on staff. They have dealt with many students in the back. these situations and are ready and able to help you during this period.

21 Confronting Deeper Issues anger, loss of self-esteem… A student with culture shock may want to go home (and At this stage, you begin to confront cultural sometimes he/she does) or may develop a issues and personal differences at a very hostile stance toward the host culture. deeper level and begin to see a multitude of approaches to your life abroad. You may Americans with Culture Shock: Four question deeper assumptions about the Common Behaviors world and may feel isolated at times during this stage. The Fugitive avoids contact and spends a lot of time in his/her room. Lots of texts and Suggestions: Go ahead and explore your emails home and long hours of sleep are values and beliefs. Write in your journal signs of this reaction. Blame falls on foreign and talk with friends to help process what culture and on self. S/he feels ashamed to is going on. feel homesick and after having dreamt of a great time abroad. Adapting and Assimilating The Critic draws no comparisons and casts You begin to identify with new ways of blame on all sides, playing no favorites. The thinking and doing. You may establish weather is intolerable, the prices exorbitant, strong friendships with local people or the people dull or rude, etc. The academic may have to accept that you will not have program is trivial, the teachers uninspiring, time to develop deep friendships. You are the students infantile and everything is comfortable with your home identity as well going wrong. as the adapted identity you’ve developed in the new culture. The Chauvinist talks endlessly to those who will listen, underlining the contrast between Suggestions: Not all students reach this the US and abroad. His appreciation for stage, especially in just a semester, so don’t the US has surged upward and he puts the beat yourself up if you don’t get there. local culture down.

Going Home The Native cuts down the US and wants to melt into the crowd. A loner, he shuts off The program is winding down and you want all contact with other Americans and feels to take a few more pictures, visit places you tempted to never return to the States, that still haven’t seen, say farewell to friends land without culture. and pack for home, all while you are dealing with final exams and papers. You may start Coping Strategies: Culture Shock/ to reflect of what you’ve accomplished and Cultural Fatigue where you have been. You may also feel sad about leaving the place you’ve just While you cannot avoid initial culture shock, begun to feel used to! you can take steps to make it more manageable. Explore the area you’re living in, find a map Suggestions: Refer to the “Top Ten and strike out on your own. Set attainable Immediate Re-Entry Challenges” listed later goals. Observe people closely and try and in this section. Give yourself time to make pick up the silent language. Avoid clustering some psychological adjustments. with your American friends. Join a club or a sports group at your university, or in your RECOGNIZING CULTURE SHOCK neighborhood. Keep a journal and watch (from University of Kansas’ Study Abroad yourself change. Above all, keep an open mind Handbook) and try to accept the people and culture rather than resist them. This requires great The reaction to culture shock varies from maturity, perceptiveness, and skill in cross- person to person but may include irritability, cultural communication. depression, loss of appetite, loss of sleep (or conversely compensations such as overeating or sleeping excessively), 22 RE-ENTRY become frustrated trying to present them coherently. It is very difficult to convey this Coming home after living abroad may seem kind of experience to people who do not like a very simple process; however, “re- have similar frames of reference or travel entry shock” or “reverse culture shock” is backgrounds, no matter how sympathetic common. they are as listeners.

Your overseas study experience does not 4. Reverse “homesickness” stop once you land on American soil. It would be a shame to compartmentalize Just as you probably missed home for a your experience in between a definite start time at the beginning of your stay overseas, and end point. Students who integrate their it is natural to experience some “reverse” experience into their life after returning to homesickness for the people, places, and the U.S. find the effort very rewarding. things that you grew accustomed to while abroad. To an extent it can be reduced by The Office of Overseas Studies holds writing letters, telephoning, and generally a Reentry Social near the start of each keeping in contact, but feelings of loss are semester. These socials include tips on an integral part of international sojourns readjustment and on integrating your and must be anticipated and accepted as a overseas experience into your resume, natural part of study abroad. further studies, and career plans. 5. Relationships have changed The Top Ten Immediate Reentry Challenges It is inevitable that when you return you will notice that some relationships with friends There are lots of reasons to look forward to and family will have changed. Just as going home, but there are also a number you have altered some of your ideas and of psychological, social and cultural aspects attitudes while you were abroad, the people which can prove difficult - often because at home are likely to have experienced they are unanticipated. some changes as well. Alternatively, you may feel that you have changed a lot and The following list was generated by “everything/everyone is the same” at home, interviewing students like you who have which may be disconcerting. been through the experience. They offer the following thoughts on reentry for your 6. People see the “wrong” changes consideration. Sometimes people may concentrate on 1. Boredom small alterations in your behavior or ideas and seem threatened or upset by them. After all the newness and stimulation of Others may ascribe any “bad” traits to your time abroad, a return to family, friends, the influence of your time abroad. These and old routines can seem very dull. incidents may be motivated by jealousy, fear, or feelings of superiority or inferiority. 2. “No one wants to hear” 7. People misunderstand One thing you can count on upon your return: no one will be as interested in hearing about Afew people will misinterpret your words and your adventures and triumphs as you will be actions in such a way that communication is in sharing those experiences. difficult. For example, what you may have come to think of as humor and ways to 3. You can’t explain show affection or establish conversation may not be seen as wit, but as aggression Even when given a chance to explain all the or “showing off”. sights you saw and feelings you had while studying abroad, it is likely that you will

23 8. Feelings of alienation/critical eyes Local customs with regard to both men’s and women’s (assumptions about gender) Sometimes the reality of being back “home” roles vary widely from country to country. is not as natural or enjoyable as the place Some men openly demonstrate their you had constructed as your mental image “appreciation” of women in ways that many of “home” while you were overseas. When women find offensive. American women real daily life is less enjoyable or more are seen as liberated in many ways, and demanding than you remembered, it is sometimes the cultural misunderstandings natural to feel some alienation, see faults that come out of that image can lead to you never noticed before in the society difficult and unpleasant experiences. around you or even become quite critical of everyone and everything for a time. It is not uncommon to be honked at, stared at, verbally and loudly approved of, and, 9. Inability to apply new knowledge and in general, to be actively noticed simply skills for being a woman, and, in particular, an American woman. Even eye contact Many returnees are frustrated by the lack of or a smile from you may result in totally social opportunities to apply newly gained unexpected invitations. Sometimes the social, linguistic, and practical coping attention can be flattering. Soon, it may skills. To avoid ongoing annoyance: adjust become very annoying and potentially even to reality as necessary, change what is angering. Local women, who often get the possible, be creative, be patient, and above same sort of treatment, have been taught, all, use all of the cross-cultural adjustment either explicitly or through experience, how skills you acquired abroad to assist your to ignore the attention. Many American own reentry. students have found that hard to do. You will have to learn what the unwritten rules 10. Loss/compartmentalization of are about what you can and cannot do. experience Women can provide support for each other. Being home, coupled with the pressures Former students suggest that you get of job, family, and friends, often combine together several times early in your program to worry returnees that somehow they will to talk about what works and what doesn’t “lose” the experience, as if their experiences for dealing with the unwanted attention. will become compartmentalized like souvenirs or photo albums kept in a box and Please refer to the Health and Safety only occasionally taken out and looked at. section for information on sexual assault You do not have to let that happen. Maintain risk reduction. your contacts. Talk to people who have had experiences similar to yours. Practice your INFORMATION ON RACIAL AND ETHNIC skills. Remember and honor the hard work DIFFERENCE and all of the fun that you had while you were overseas. Regrettably, racism occurs in overt and covert ways all over the world. It is -Adapted from Dr. Bruce LaBrack, School impossible to generalize accurately about of International Studies, University of the the relative level of racism in various Pacific. countries. The program resident director or university’s international students’ office CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND can usually provide information and advice EXPECTATIONS FOR WOMEN about local conditions. Minority students studying overseas have occasionally been In some study abroad programs, women the victims of overt racism. Keep in mind, have had a hard time adjusting to attitudes however, that seemingly offensive behavior they have encountered abroad, both in is not always due to racism. Some people in public and in private interactions between your host country may never have seen or men and women. met a minority before; they may be curious about you and may express their curiosity 24 in an awkward way. In other cases, racism Recommended Readings: may be due to ignorance, as some people know nothing about minorities other than Study Abroad Blogs in the “Travel Lounge,” the negative stereotypes portrayed in the www.diversityabroad.com media. Try to distinguish between genuine racists (who are probably few in number) Go Girl! The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and people who will really benefit from and Adventure (1997) getting to know you. Keep an open mind. This book edited by Elaine Lee contains 52 Remember that your host country has a travel pieces presenting the perspective of very different historical background from black women, mostly African Americans. the U.S. Contributors include Maya Angelou, Jill Nelson, Alice Walker and Jamaica Kincaid. Dr. Joy Carew, Director of the Center for Critical Languages and Cultures at Lincoln MESA: Minority Experience of StudyAbroad, University in Pennsylvania, in writing about Edited by P. Dudzik and S. Phillips. Brown the U.S. minority student abroad, states: Univ., 1991.

“the experience is not always positive, but it Study Abroad Matters: Top 10 Reasons for is almost certainly constructive. If you are a African American Students to Go Abroad minority student, you may learn a lot about http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/ your identity as an American through a first study/articles/studyjul1.shtml experience in a foreign culture. In some cases, you will be considered simply an Carew, J. G. (1993). “ For minority students, ‘American’ with no regard to your identity as study abroad canbe inspiring andliberating,” a “hyphenated American,” a situation that The Chronicle of Higher Education, 39 (18), may leave you uncomfortable and force B3. you to reassess your identity. Conversely, in other cases, locals may not be able to BEING GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND accept that you are a ‘real American’ if TRANSGENDER ABROAD you do not fit their image of ‘Americans’ as Caucasians. Some minority students It is important to be aware of the general overseas experience a liberating freedom attitudes of the populace in your host country from the baggage of being a “hyphenated toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and American.” If you have grown up as a transgender members of their community. minority in America, you have probably developed considerable skill in interpreting Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender the sometimes perplexing behaviors students who are not familiar with the and expectations of the majority culture. legal status and the attendant cultural This mental skill will serve you well while attitudes toward sexual orientation and abroad.” gender identification in the host country might consider purchasing the most current In addition, so-called “heritage students” edition of one of the various gay and lesbian (e.g., Korean-Americans going to study international reference guides or gathering in Korea) may encounter some unique information on-line. issues. For example, a Korean-American in Korea may be expected to speak Korean Transgender students should consult well and follow Korean social norms, while with a study abroad advisor about gender Americans of other heritage may receive identification on travel documents and admiration for knowing only a little Korean health and safety considerations particular and may not be expected to adhere to local to their host country. social rules of behavior. Information Resources

Books: Lonely Planet and Let’s Go travel guides often include information of interest to gay, lesbian, and bisexual travelers. 25 Websites: INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Comprehensive site for U.S. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Study Abroad Students: Students with disabilities and special http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/ medical, physical, psychological or dietary lesbigay/ needs may also face particular difficulties in the study abroad setting. International http://www.ilga.org Notify the USC Overseas Studies staff and the host institution program coordinator of International any special needs you may have. Arrange http://www.gayguide.net before you leave the U.S. any necessary steps to ensure your health and safety. Asia http://www.fridae.com Here are some useful websites:

Europe International SOS: http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/ http://www.internationalsos.com

Mobility International USA: Being/Coming Out http://www.miusa.org/

Weighing how “out” to be with your HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION classmates, friends, host family, and so on FOR USC STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS is a personal decision. In other cultures the act of declaring one’s sexuality may be seen as important, silly, unnecessary, offensive, HEALTH INSURANCE & INTERNATIONAL SOS dangerous, or altogether foreign. Living in All USC students are required to have sufficient a homestay may present an additional set health and accident insurance during their study of challenges. abroad program. In order to ensure proper coverage, all students going abroad must enroll Your “gaydar” will most likely malfunction in either USC Overseas Policy or the USC while you are in your host country. People Student Health Insurance Plan for the semester who you think might be “queer” may not turn (or year) during which they are abroad. out to be, and vice-versa. These insurance policies work on a reimburse- Safety ment system, which means you will generally be expected to pay out of pocket for your Attitudes toward safe sex may vary greatly. medical care and prescriptions and then file Know the risks and play safely at all times. a claim for reimbursement. There is no deductible There are times when it is not at all wise to for eligible medical expenses. When you “do as the Romans do.” For example, if men submit a claim, you will need to attach all of in the host country seem to be casual about your medical care receipts. If your receipts condom use, don’t follow suit; always insist are not in US dollars, you must also submit on condom use. Drugs and alcohol are exchange rate information for the dates of notorious for causing lapses in judgment. service. For information on how to file a claim, Also, beware of police entrapment, please contact the USC Health Insurance blackmail, gay bashing, and other possible Coordinator at (213) 740-0551 or [email protected]. dangers. Learn the local rules about public displays of affection and what areas are Both the USC Overseas Policy and the USC considered relatively safe. Student Health Insurance Plan include the services of International SOS, a leading international medical assistance and security services company. Students are advised to contact International SOS as their “first stop” in pursuing medical care. There are cases in 26 which International SOS can guarantee a "first stop" for your medical needs. payment to the service provider, thus making it unnecessary for the student to pay out of Some of your benefits with International pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement. SOS include: □ 24-hour access to International SOS We recommend that if you normally waive physicians who provide emergency and the USC Student Health Insurance Plan routine medical advice while you are on campus (because you have □ 24-hour access to International SOS coverage through a family member’s health Global Alarm Centers for medical information, insurance plan for example), select the USC referrals, and emergency assistance Overseas Policy but do not discontinue your □ Medical and dental referrals coverage through your other plan (since the □ Emergency evacuation in the case of USC Overseas Policy provides coverage political or other unrest while you are abroad ONLY!). If you normally □ Emergency medical evacuation purchase the USC Student Health Insurance □ Medically-supervised repatriation Plan semester (meaning USC is your primary □ Case Management health insurance provider) continue to pur- □ Medical Expense guarantee and payment chase it for your semester/year abroad. --If you are hospitalized, call International SOS and request a guarantee of payment. Some foreign countries, foreign universities, Please refer to the brochure for a full description or third-party study abroad program providers of your benefits through International SOS. will require that students purchase insurance that they provide or approve and do not allow Before you go abroad, you will also receive students to waive out with USC Overseas or a Summary of Benefits from the underlying Regular insurance. insurance provider for coverage outside the U.S., ACE American Insurance Company, for Both the USC Student Health Insurance Plan both the USC Overseas Policy and the USC and the USC Overseas Policy include important Student Health Insurance Plan. [If you are on medical assistance and security services the USC Student Health Insurance Plan, you (through International SOS) not normally are covered by Aetna while in the U.S. and by covered under domestic plans. ACE American Insurance Company while on The USC Student Health Insurance Plan your educational program outside the U.S.] for Fall 2013 is $605 and is valid from August 19, 2013 to January 12, 2014. It is important that you become educated about The USC Student Health Insurance Plan your International SOS benefits and your for Spring/Summer 2014 is $914 and is insurance coverage while you are abroad. valid from January 13, 2014 to August 17, Please note what is covered and excluded. 2014.* The cost of the USC Overseas (An example of exclusion is “Injury resulting Policy is currently $75 per month and is not from off-road motorcycling; jet or water skiing; prorated.* For the USC Overseas Policy your sky diving; automobile racing; bungee jumping; total cost is based on the month of your spelunking; or parasailing.”) Please contact the departure and the month of your return. USC Health Insurance Coordinator at (213) 740- For example, if your program starts on January 13th and ends June 15th, you will 0551 or [email protected] if you have questions be charged for 6 full months of coverage. about your insurance coverage.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE USC OVERSEAS What do I do if I get sick or injured? POLICY ONLY COVERS YOU WHILE YOU International SOS will serve as a “first stop” ARE ABROAD; it does not provide any coverage for many of your medical needs. There are when you are in the United States. Before some instances in which this may not be the you go abroad you should review the policy case. In a medical emergency, get help im- plan statement and note the limits of the mediately. Contact International SOS only policy. *Please refer to page 46 for coverage table. These rates are subject to change. when doing so will not delay medical attention. If you have a very minor health issue, utilize Before you go abroad you will receive an the student health clinic at your host university International SOS card and descriptive or the doctors recommended by your program brochure. You should bring these with you director. If the issue persists or worsens, you overseas. International SOS will serve as should contact International SOS. 27 International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for certain visas, advise you on managing diabetes or other health issues overseas, It is also recommended that students and provide immunizations if needed. You purchase an International Student Identity can contact them at (213) 740-0472. Card (ISIC). The ISIC is recognized worldwide and entitles you to supplemental accident/ International SOS Advice and Referrals sickness insuran c e, as well as significant travel and entertainment discounts. You will receive an International SOS card. You may call the toll-free numbers You can purchase an ISIC via STA Travel. listed on the card to get free advice about taking and obtaining medications abroad as PRE-DE PARTURE HEA LTH AND SAFET Y well as referrals to English-speaki n g care ISSUES providers.

Pre-departure Exams Your SOS member card gives you access to their website, which provides health Some programs require medical examinations, and safety information for most countries. immunizations, or a doctor’s certification of Check this site regularly and make sure that health prior to students’ departures. The USC you are up to date on the recommended Health Center can provide these services. Be vaccinations for your specific countr y. aware that in the semester of your program, you will not have access to the student health center Managing Diabetes and other Chronic without paying a special service fee. Before your Illnesses departure, be sure to get any check-ups (gynecological, dental, vision, etc.) that would It is likely that the country you are going to fall within the time you are abroad. will have available insulin and disposable You should bring the following important syringes. Check availability and prices health records/information with you: with the program director or the foreign □ Blood type university ’s international students ’ office □ Eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions before you go. For any other chronic □ Prescriptions for medications being illnesses, it is important to consult with your taken (including the generic name of any docto r, USC ’s International Travel Medical prescription drugs) Services, or International SOS before you go. Prescriptions Immunizations/V accinations If you are currently taking prescription medicine, try to bring enough with you for If the program director does not inform the entire duration of your stay abroad. you of the necessary or recommended If your doctor normally prescribes your immunizations/vaccinations, consult the medication for short periods of time, explain USC Student Health Cente r. how long you will be living overseas and request an exception. Don’t mix different Regardless of the country you are going to, medications in one bottle to save space you should be up-to-date with your tetanus in your luggage. Keep medication in the and diphtheria shots and vaccinations. For containers they originally came in. Do not many countries, it is advisable to get vaccinated stop taking prescribed medication while you against Hepatitis A and B before you go. are abroad without first checking with your doctor. Copies of Documents

International Travel Medical Services Make photocopie s of your passport, your drive r ’s license, credit cards, bank cards The USC University Park Health Center and and prescriptions and leave them in a safe USC Campus Pharmacy provide a service place at home. called International Travel Health Services They can provide exams and letters required 28 STAYING HEALTHY OVERSEAS Environmental Conditions

Jet Lag If you are in a climate you are not used to, observe how locals dress and do the same. Jet lag is a real and often unpleasant part Dressing in layers is important in colder of international travel. Our physiological climates, and keeping well-hydrated is “clocks” are set to Pacific Standard Time, especially important in hot climates. so when we travel to another country in another time zone, our clocks are out of Smoking is more prevalent in other sync with local time. countries/cultures outside the U.S. In addition, air pollution can be a problem to In order to reset your body’s internal clock, contend with in some cities (e.g. Beijing, you should try to adjust as quickly as Santiago, and Milan). Allergies can crop up possible to your new schedule. Expose unexpectedly when exposed to allergens yourself to as much sunlight as possible your body is not equipped to deal with. during the first few days, especially in the morning. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids If you are used to Los Angeles, with its many and eat regularly too, but avoid caffeine and days of sunshine, be aware that living in a alcohol. Being fatigued from jet lag can exac- city with fewer bright days can affect your erbate any feelings of homesickness or sadness mood and even contribute to depression. that you might feel in the first days. Remember that this is a normal reaction. Eating Disorders Different foods, different levels of physical Common Traveler’s Illnesses activity, and the stress of adjusting to a new environment can sometimes lead to or Colds,flu,diarrheaandothergastrointestinal intensify eating disorders such as anorexia troubles are the most common ailments and bulimia. Be aware of your eating habits affecting travelers. Travelers are also at and seek help immediately if you sense a increased risks of hepatitis A, tetanus, problem. Program personnel, friends and malaria, HIV, and more, depending on family are people you should consider their location and behavior. Carry a basic asking for support. International SOS can first aid kit that includes medications to refer you to local clinical help, and you treat common illnesses such as diarrhea, may also call the USC Counseling Center hay fever or colds. If you suffer from (213) 740-7711 (www.usc.edu/scs). gastrointestinal troubles for more than a few days, you should seek medical attention. If you suspect a friend’s health is in serious Food danger from an eating disorder, please discuss it with him or her and request Discovering new foods can be one of the outside help if needed. great joys of traveling but these new foods can sometimes cause serious illness. Make Exercise sure you are informed about what is and what isn’t potentially risky. Should you eat Your lifestyle will change dramatically. uncooked vegetables and fruits? Can you Make a point of getting regular exercise. drink the water? Ask your resident director If you can’t do the same activities you are and host family, if appropriate. Especially at accustomed to here, join the locals in the the beginning of your stay abroad, err on sports they enjoy. This is one of the best the side of caution when it comes to eating ways to make friends and integrate into the and drinking. Becoming accustomed to culture, and it can also be a good way to different kinds of food, portions, and meal combat depression. times always takes some time. If you get sick from anything you eat, please discuss Creativity and Spirituality this with the resident director and always Catering to your creative and spiritual needs follow the precautions suggested by the may also assist in maintaining optimal program regarding food and water. health. Involving yourself in local creative endeavors and spiritual pursuits can also 29

lead to a stronger connection with the local □ Use whatever spiritual resources you are culture and people. comfortable calling on. □ Get some exercise, whatever you can Culture Shock and Depression muster. □ Get as much sunlight as possible. Students studying abroad experience □ Eliminate sugar, caffeine, and junk food emotional ups and downs and can from your diet. Eat three healthy meals a sometimes feel lonely, homesick, and day. overwhelmed. These feelings are normal, □ Limit use of alcohol. and some degree of culture shock is an inevitable part of living abroad. Being able Above all, if you do start to feel bad while to recognize the process of culture shock you are overseas, don’t keep it to yourself and the homesickness that accompanies All of the programs we work with have on- it can make it more bearable. Keeping a site support staff and they are there for you. journal can really help you recognize your Use them! Finally, although you may be own emotional patterns. coping well, your classmates and friends may be facing larger challenges. If you Sometimes homesickness and culture notice serious problems, discuss them with shock can lead to depression. The USC your friend(s) and/or the resident director. Student Health and Counseling Services has prepared the following list of suggested Mental Health steps to take if you are getting depressed. If you have a history of conditions related to These are some simple ways to help you mental health, such as depression, bipolar alleviate symptoms while you’re waiting disorder, attention deficit disorder, anxiety/ for other help or trying to keep things on panic attacks, sleep disorders, etc., it is an even keel. They may not solve the very important to discuss your study abroad underlying problem but they will provide plans with a mental health professional and some relief. your loved ones and develop strategies for managing such conditions should they □ Use cognitive techniques to get you out of continue, get worse, or pop up unexpectedly negative thought patterns. For example, “No while you are overseas and far from your one cares about me” is a negative thought usual support system. Be sure to take so try to stop thinking that way. Besides, it enough of any medications you need, and is an inaccurate generalization. do not discontinue medications without first □ Try not to over-generalize -- that is, to consulting with a doctor. think in terms of “never” or “always”. □ Plan your day with some activities you Continuing Counseling have to do and some activities you enjoy. □ Break down difficult tasks into smaller If you are seeing a counselor on a regular incremental parts. or periodic basis, discuss your study abroad □ Give yourself credit for even the smallest plans with him or her. If you determine that things you get done. it is in your best interest to continue seeing □ Remember that depression passes. a counselor while overseas, inform your Focus on living one day at a time. program director and/or counselor of your □ Get up in the morning and get dressed needs, so she or he can help you make the even when you don’t feel like it. necessary arrangements. In addition, the □ Get emotional support from a friend, Office of Overseas Studies can arrange support staff or professional. Talk to an for a counselor from the USC Counseling understanding, non-judgmental person for Services to call you overseas if you feel that as long as you need to talk. this kind of intervention is needed. □ Get involved in a fun activity that you enjoy. International SOS and program directors □ Go to class even when your impulse is can refer you to English-speaking mental to skip it. health professionals overseas. □ Listen to or help somebody else.

30 Alcohol trust. There have been cases of drugs being slipped into study abroad students’ Most countries where USC has programs beverages without their knowledge. Some abroad have lower drinking ages than of these drugs are known to sometimes the United States, but they all have very trigger latent psychological problems such different attitudes toward consumption as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. of alcohol and public drunkenness. In It would be especially unwise to take such many cultures, public drunkenness is so- drugs without thoroughly educating yourself cially unacceptable. Learning about these about all the risks involved. Drug dealers attitudes will be part of your cultural ad- have been known to tip off police and get justment. Sometimes students free from students arrested in hopes of getting a cut U.S. laws and attitudes toward alcohol of a bribe or police protection. Besides, slip into patterns of alcohol abuse while they are illegal in most countries. If you abroad. It is important for you to remember get arrested with illegal drugs in a foreign that alcohol and drugs can impair your country, all the U.S. embassy can do is refer judgment, especially while you are abroad you to English-speaking lawyers and notify in unfamiliar surroundings and can make your family, and you will be subject to that you that much more vulnerable to unsafe country’s laws and jail conditions. sex, sexual assault, theft, and physical attacks or fights. Intravenous Drug Use

The majority of crimes and accidents In some countries, I.V. drug use among involving study abroad students involve the college-age students is more prevalent excessive use of alcohol. than in the US. Even if you steer clear of such drugs, remember that having Other Drugs sexual relations with a person using drugs intravenously could expose you to HIV and Although alcohol is socially accepted in Hepatitis B and C. many countries outside of the United States, use of other drugs is almost never allowed. Safer Sex In some countries simple acquisition of prohibited drugs can result in heavy fines, Always practice safer sex whether you deportation, or prison sentences. While you are at home or abroad. But while you are are abroad you will be subject to all local overseas, being safe and careful in this laws, and these can be very severe when it area takes on a special urgency. Some comes to illegal drugs. extra challenges you will face are:

If you are recovering from an alcohol or □ Using a different language to negotiate other substance abuse problem, you can and ensure safer sexual practices. You’ll find meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and find that even in other English-speaking other support groups in many countries. countries, the vocabulary used in relation Get locations and phone numbers before to sex is quite different from American you go. English. □ Cultural norms and expectations in You may encounter clubs or other relation to sex. situations where marijuana, hashish and other drugs such as ecstasy, crystal meth □ Your own level of judgment and decision- (amphetamine), ketamine, GHB and the making. It’s interesting to see how some like are used more openly than you might students who keep themselves well-guarded see in the U.S. The sources of such drugs in the U.S. can become very flirtatious and will be less familiar than any source you careless abroad. may have had in the U.S.; when you purchase or accept such drugs, you do □ Availability of information and types of not know exactly what you are getting protection. and don’t know whom you can really

31 If you think there is a chance that you will The risk of getting HIV, Hepatitis B/C be sexually active while you are abroad, depends on you. Here are some general bring protection with you. Some safer precautions you can follow anywhere in the sex supplies and contraceptive methods world: that are easily found here are not always available in other countries. For example, □ Avoid contact with others’ semen you may not be able to access certain kinds (including “pre-cum”), vaginal secretions, of implants or shots, certain kinds of birth and blood. Either abstain from sexual control pills, “emergency” or “morning after” activity or practice safer sex. pills, sponges, reliable condoms, etc. □ USE A CONDOM. Men and women should both carry their own condoms. While they do not offer 100% protection against pregnancy, condoms are the □ Have water-based lubricants available if easiest form of contraception to obtain needed. around the world. Bottom line: if you have □ Do not share needles and syringes or use sex overseas, use a condom. Do NOT ones that may have been used previously. throw caution to the wind because you are in a totally new environment. Exercise □ If you need an injection at a hospital, ask good judgment, and weigh the risks (not to see the needle removed from its original just physical, but emotional too) of getting (new) packaging. involved with someone overseas. □ Avoid excessive drug and alcohol use, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as intoxication impairs judgment and negotiation skills in sexual situations Sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) may occur in higher percentages of Getting tested for HIV in a foreign country the population or occur in quite different can be a scary experience but does not populations than in the U.S. After abstinence, have to be. International SOS or local AIDS condoms used properly are the best-known organizations can provide information on protection from exposure to STIs but cannot testing locations, policies and procedures. If prevent all exposure to STIs. Some STIs you are currently HIV positive, consult very (e.g. syphilis) can be spread through skin- carefully with your health care providers to-skin contact. Consider getting vaccinated regarding your study abroad plans. Some against HPV (human papillomavirus). countries will not issue visas to people with HIV/AIDS.

HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B/C Literature and supplies (condoms, etc.) for safer sex are available at the Office for AIDS, caused by the human Wellness and Health Promotion in the immunodeficiency virus (HIV), breaks down Student Health Center (2nd Floor). Call the body’s immune system and leads to 213-740-4777 for more information. infections and cancers that may be fatal. Be aware that the HIV virus is present in Blood Transfusions virtually every country. There are no known vaccines to prevent HIV infection. No one Not all countries have mandatory screening should put himself or herself at risk of of donated blood for the HIV virus. In some contracting HIV. locales, ascertaining the availability of HIV screened blood and blood products may be Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the difficult. Hepatitis C is also transmissible Hepatitis C virus (HCV) found in persons through unscreened blood. Because of who have the disease. HCV is spread by obvious uncertainties, consider these contact with the blood of an infected person. precautions: If you are injured or ill while There is no vaccine for the prevention of abroad, avoid or postpone any blood HCV infection. Hepatitis B, however, is transfusion unless it is absolutely necessary. preventable. The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) If you do need blood, try to ensure that can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis, liver screened blood is used. cancer, liver failure, and death. So get vaccinated! 32 Injections pouch and keep your valuables discreet and well guarded. In some countries even disposable equipment is reused. In some places, if an □ Don’t stand out; try to fit in with the injection is required, you can buy needles surroundings and keep a low profile. One of and syringes and bring them to the hospital the stereotypes about Americans is that we are loud! Prove them wrong. Be attentive for your own use. Avoid injections unless to how the people of your host country absolutely necessary. dress and behave in public and in social situations. Integration into the host society TheCenterforDiseaseControlrecommends is a safety issue. that diabetics or other persons who require routine or frequent injections carry a supply □ Avoid crowds, protest groups or other of syringes and needles sufficient to last potentially volatile situations, as well as their stay abroad. But carrying needles restaurants and entertainment places where Americans are known to congregate. While and syringes without a prescription may be “safety in numbers” is generally a good rule illegal in some countries. Take a note from to follow, traveling as a “pack” of American your doctor. students may attract attention and possibly cause problems. Tattoos □ Be wary of receiving unexpected packages Should you decide to get a tattoo overseas, and stay clear of unattended luggage or please make sure that all tattoo instruments parcels in airports, train stations, or other are sterile and that the ink supply is fresh areas of uncontrolled public access. and has not been used on someone else. □ Register online or upon arrival with the local U.S. consulate or embassy having juris- SECURITY AND SAFETY ABROAD diction over the region of your study abroad program. Go to https://travelregistration.state. Basic Rules gov/ibrs/ui/ You can find consular information at http://usembassy.state.gov/ □ You are a guest and should always behave with this fact in mind. □ Do not share your address, phone number, or other personal information with □ All student conduct policies listed in strangers. SCampus apply while you are overseas. This includes the University’s policies on □ Make sure the resident director, host family alcohol and drug use, as well as sexual or foreign university official who is assigned misconduct. the responsibility for your welfare always knows where and how to contact you in □ You are still a USC student when you are an emergency. Always give someone your abroad, even on programs not directly run schedule and itinerary if you are traveling, by USC, and all incidents of misconduct will even if only overnight. be reported to the USC Office of Student Conduct. □ Develop a plan for regular telephone contact with your family. □ The rules and recommendations given by your overseas program are in existence for □ Be streetwise; know where you are good reason and are often based on real- going--or at least appear to know. Avoid life experience. impairing your judgment through excessive consumption of alcohol. □ Being “foreign” does not excuse you from knowing and obeying the laws of your host □ Have an action plan in mind for various country. types of emergency situations. □ Never leave a fellow student alone in a General Precautions questionable situation or state of intoxication. □ Take good care of your essential documents (passport, tickets, traveler’s checks, etc.). Make photocopies and keep them in a separate location. Use a money 33 Emergency Contact Numbers victim of a crime, call International SOS and seek assistance from your study abroad Know the number to dial in case of an program staff. They may be in a much better emergency in your host country. Know position to deal with local authorities. to whom you should report a crime. Your program’s resident director or university’s High-Risk Activities international students’ office often provides lists of emergency contacts as well as Your insurance may not cover you if you procedures to follow in various emergency engage in certain high-risk activities, situations. Make sure that you know what such as scuba diving, skydiving, bungee- these are. jumping, drag racing, whitewater rafting, joining political protests, etc. Read your International SOS also provides assistance insurance policy carefully. and services to USC students in security and crisis situations. In the case of a security Transportation Safety emergency such as civil unrest, attempted coups or acts of terrorism, International Traffic-related accidents are the most SOS can provide political evacuations, common cause of injury and death among emergency and contingency plans, crisis students who study abroad. Alcohol centers and referrals. The International SOS consumption is often a contributing factor. website is a great resource for general travel Among such accidents, many occur while security information and region-specific riding on motorcycles or walking across the information: www.internationalsos.com. street. Pedestrians often do not have the Make sure that you have an International right-of-way in many countries, and traffic SOS card on you at all times while you are may flow in the opposite direction than overseas. expected.

Crime While it is tempting to rent a motorbike and ride around that Greek isle or Spanish The most common types of crime students village, realize that the chances of being experience abroad is theft of personal involved in an accident are quite high. When belongings, often by pickpockets, and fraud. taking local transportation, including buses, We strongly recommend that you carry your trains, ferries, and domestic flights, always money and bank cards in a money belt while consult with locals about the level of safety. traveling. Always remain extremely vigilant If a bus or van driver is driving erratically about keeping a close eye on your purse, or looks intoxicated or overtired, consider bags, and pockets. getting out and finding alternate means of transport. Ipods & USB Flash Drives Driving in countries where cars drive on □ ”Snatch & run” theft of Ipods is common in the left-hand side of the street is especially some countries. dangerous. Those used to driving on the right-hand side may react inappropriately □ Avoid identity theft; keep personal (e.g. pressing the wrong pedal or veering information secured and don’t store the wrong way) when faced with “close personal information on your USB Flash Drives, which are very easy to lose or calls” from other drivers or when under misplace. stress or fatigue.

Reporting Crimes and Incidents Civil and Political Instability

Authorities and the general public in other Political demonstrations abroad can cultures may respond to reported cases sometimes culminate into anti-American of crime and incidents (including sexual demonstrations. Demonstrations anywhere assault and harassment) differently than can shift very quickly from peaceful, might be expected in the U.S. If you are the controlled events to violent chaos.

34 Do not get involved in any social or political seems unsafe, get out of there as quickly unrest or illegal movements, no matter how as possible sympathetic you are with the cause or the □ Try not to walk alone at night. Instead, people involved. take a taxi, have your friends walk you home, etc. If a brewing or ongoing situation becomes □ If you know you’re going to be out late at increasingly dangerous, follow the night, arrange for a ride home beforehand instructions of the resident program director. (make arrangements with a friend or taxi Upon arrival in your host country, be sure company, or carry the phone number for a to register with the nearest U.S. consulate taxi) or embassy. If you are not a U.S. citizen □ Never hitchhike or accept a ride from a or permanent resident, register with the stranger embassy or consulate of your country. □ If you suspect that someone is following you and you want to make sure, try crossing U.S. Embassy and Consulate Assistance the street several times. Go into a public place or find a police officer The U.S. Embassy or Consulate cannot □ Avoid shortcuts through poorly lit areas get you out of jail or out of a legal dispute. and parks The protection of American law and legal □ Carry your keys in a separate place from procedures does not apply in foreign your address, preferably in your pocket (in countries. case your purse is lost)

Travel Warnings and Country Specific In the Appendix you will find a letter from Information Sheets Danielle Lançon, Director of the USC Center for Women and Men, outlining These U.S. Department ofState publications support services available to you. include information about countries where one should avoid traveling as well as public SEXUAL ASSAULT RISK REDUCTION announcements about threats to the safety and security of American travelers. Country The following is an outline of steps that can specific information sheets are available for be taken to reduce the risk of sexual assault every country in the world and include the while overseas. The Center for Women and location of the U.S. Embassy in that country, Men in the Division of Student Affairs at the health, crime and security information University of Southern Californiacan provide (including road and transportation safety), more detailed information regarding sexual currency information and entry regulations assault risk reduction, as well as post- and more. The country specific information assault counseling. The telephone number sheet for your country is the absolute is 213-740-4900. The website address is minimum information you should have http://www.usc.edu/cwm. before traveling abroad. You can find country specific information sheets, public Victims of sexual assault may be men or announcements and travel warnings on the women. Ninety-nine percent of perpetrators U.S. Department of State Website: are male regardless of the victim’s gender. www.travel.state.gov. In this document the victim is referred to as “her”, with the acknowledgement that this is SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN for the sake of clarity and continuity.

The following is a list of safety tips for While there is no guarantee that a sexual women (and men) everywhere: assault will not occur even if you take □ Carry a whistle or an alarm beeper every precaution, a few safety measures □ When walking, appear confident. Always can reduce your risk. Statistics show that look as if you know where you’re going most sexual assaults are committed by □ Always be aware of what is happening someone the victim knows. It could be a around you and watch out for potential student from another country, a local you’ve problems met in a nightclub, coffee shop or library, □ Always follow your instincts. If a situation or a member of the host family with whom 35

you are staying. The following are ways body language and your words. Saying “No” to reduce the risk of sexual assault and with a smile on your face provides a mixed unwanted sexual contact. message. Whether overseas or at home predators may test personal boundaries Cultural Awareness to see what you will allow and escalate inappropriate and criminal behavior as they The “culture” at USC may be quite different feel successful. from the culture in a foreign country. Here it is not uncommon for males and females to Trust Your Instincts be friends; to share the same dormitories and apartment buildings; to crash on each If a person or a situation feels “creepy” to other’s couches; and to socialize without you, it probably is. Don’t talk yourself out any sexual expectations. But in some of how you feel. Don’t say, “Something foreign countries these very things may be feels wrong here, but it’s probably just my interpreted as unintentional invitations or imagination.” It’s better to go with your gut may be exploited by sexual predators. In and get yourself out of the situation. some cultures a woman going out in public unescorted by a male could be imagined as Stay Sober a sign she is seeking unsolicited attention. Before you go abroad to study in a foreign Alcohol and drug consumption are involved country you should familiarize yourself in many sexual assaults. Some things you with the local customs surrounding male/ should remember: female relations. When you arrive you □ If you drink, only drink with trusted friends should observe how the locals interact, who can watch out for you. how they define “personal boundaries”, □ Never accept drinks from strangers. how the women dress in public, and what is □ Do not leave drinks unattended. considered appropriate socializing between □ Go home in a group. Be responsible genders. for each other. Do not leave a friend in a vulnerable position. Some Avoidance Techniques Socialize Safely Define Your Personal Boundaries. Personal Boundaries are both physical and emotional. When socializing or dating in a foreign You must decide what your boundaries are. country, always do some research first. Ask For instance, will you allow a man to put around. Find out what areas of the city or his hand on your knee while talking to you? town are considered dangerous. Find out Will you allow him to ask probing questions what clubs or bars should be avoided. about your previous or current relationships? What if a man just seemingly “accidentally” Maintain Contact with Friends brushes against you? Should you allow a man whom you just met to buy you a drink Plan your social activities ahead of time. If at a coffee shop, bar, or nightclub? You may you are going out with a stranger or recent want to be more thoughtful about personal acquaintance, leave word with someone boundaries overseas than you would at where you are going, with whom you are home. going, and what time you plan to be back. Bring a cell phone. If there are any changes Make Clear Your Personal Boundaries to your plans, let someone know. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, call Be firm and direct. If a man touches you in a friend and ask them to come and meet a way you do not like, attempt to remove you. yourself from the situation. If you choose to say, “I don’t like that. Don’t do it again” and Keep Emergency Contacts at Hand he does it again, then you should take this as a signal that he does not respect your Always carry your USC emergency personal boundaries and remove yourself information card, your insurance card, from the situation. Be conscious of both your International SOS card, and any other local 36 or international numbers you might need. you wherever you go, or at the very least, Know how to contact the local police and ask expect it to be there once you’ve arrived. for medical assistance in the local language. You go to see but not to feel. A tourist may Know where the closest hospital or health even have a light backpack (although that’s clinic is located. Know how to contact the rare), but the preconceived notions and American Embassy or Consulate. critical outlook through which the world is filtered are often quite heavy. If you are the victim of a sexual assault during your overseas study experience, As a traveler, you are content to leave contact your USC program coordinator it all behind, preferring to call home the who can provide support and information place where you hang your proverbial hat. regarding your options for medical care, A passport, a credit card, a notebook and reporting and counseling. International a hat are the only burdens of the ideal SOS is also available by phone 24 hours minimalist traveler. You leave your shopping a day to assist with these issues. If you are list, must-see list, travel books, ipod and all participating in a study abroad program preconceived notions of safety at home. sponsored by another institution, there may Rather than make an impact on the world be other staff available on-site for immediate he or she visits, a traveler tries to absorb as assistance. much as possible while passing through.

These safety precautions are not meant Striking a balance between being a tourist to infringe upon your overseas study burdened with cultural baggage and a experience. They are meant to enhance it. traveler with an empty suitcase is difficult to A good resource for personal safety while achieve. But those aren’t your only options. overseas is the Center for Global Education You can also become a resident, having the SAFETI (Safety Abroad First Educational greatest opportunity to absorb a culture and Travel Information) website: http://www. give of yourself to others. If you choose to globaled.us/safeti/. Click on “SAFETI On- be a resident, besides the passport, credit Line Newsletter” and you will find numerous card, notebook, and hat, there are three articles about creating safety while other essentials that take up no room so overseas. Of special note are: long as you bring them, but become a terrible burden if you do not. “Sexual Harassment and Prevention in College Students Studying Abroad”, by First, bring your sense of humor. Without Nancy Newport. it, you will be doomed to suffer countless maladies, but with it, you’ll gain a sense “Top Ten Ways to Not Become a Victim of perspective, and a cure-all for most of Crime Around the World”, by Malcolm mishaps. Nance and Lisa Hughes. Second, bring empty space and room to “Personal Safety Overseas: Safety Tips for grow, a sort of empty suitcase for your Overseas Travel, An Update”, by Michael psyche. If you leave yourself open, you O’Niell. will discover new things about your new residence and new things about yourself. GETTING THE MOST FROM THE STUDY Some of the space will fill without you even ABROAD EXPERIENCE noticing but sometimes you’ll have to make an effort to meet people, try new foods, Traveler vs. Tourist learn new words, or ask more questions. (Adapted from the University of Alberta’s Education Abroad Handbook) Third, bring a sense of self. Don’t be afraid Before you depart on your adventure, you to challenge yourself or ask yourself why should consider what kind of visitor you you believe what you do. You are not a will be and what you will be carrying as chameleon; some things about yourself are baggage. special. Be proud of these things because they make up who you are, no matter where As a tourist, you take your country with you go. 37 Finally, be ready to explore new things. The •Fine-tuning Expectations longer your usual ways remain the sole way to fulfill your needs, the more your new As much as we try to embark on new residence will seem like a place you’d rather endeavors without building up too many not be. Sometimes it’s nice to go away and expectations, it’s inevitable that we do have feel like you’ve never left home, but ideally expectations of some sort, whether they are living abroad should cause the definition of conscious or subconscious. It’s important to “home” to grow. If this happens, it’s a good reconsider your expectations when your indicator that you packed what you needed goals continually seem unreachable to the and left behind what you did not. point of frustration and disappointment.

Goals and Expectations Be proud of your “baby steps.” In the first few weeks, your accomplishments will Surveys of students who have studied probably include such lofty tasks as buying abroad and rated the quality of their exper- a cell phone, riding the subway without ience indicate that those who set specific getting lost, or exchanging pleasantries with goals and fine-tuned their expectations along a person at a coffee shop. the way had a richer experience. Here are some examples of expectations •Setting Goals that students often find themselves having to fine-tune: Just showing up in the host country and going with the flow of attending class and a) expecting to make friends easily with a participating in program activities is probably lot of locals in the host country. not the best strategy for getting the most out of your experience. Setting concrete goals, Making friends with locals in your host and occasionally re-thinking your goals, can country can be challenging. Think about add some shape to your time abroad. how difficult it might be for a visiting student from another country who does not speak While goal-setting is a very individual great English to make a circle of good activity, here are some examples from friends during a semester abroad at USC. previous study abroad students: Would you as a USC student go seek out such an exchange student and try to □ learning all about the cinema industry in make friends with him or her? What kind of Italy with the hope of eventually working effort would that exchange student have to there make? Students in other countries tend to □ learning how to make Spanish tapas and already have a close group of friends and other dishes such as paella don’t feel the need to seek new friendships, □ making friends with a similar interest in especially with people who will be around for political activism and environmental issues just four or five months. Making new friends □ understanding how manga and anime can be difficult, but virtually everyone who shape the culture of young Japanese has made the effort has said that it was □ forming solid friendships and possibly a worth it, even if the effort resulted in short- romantic relationship term acquaintances rather than lifelong □ becoming much more fluent in the friendships. language of the country □ seeing and understanding how racial b) expecting the experience to be similar to and ethnic identity are viewed in the host that of a friend or sibling who has already country studied abroad. □ learning all there is to learn about rugby □ traveling off the beaten path in the host You are a unique individual and are country and seeing things that most tourists responsible for shaping your own don’t get to see experience. If your friend had a great time in a certain city over a certain holiday and How would you go about pursuing the highly recommends that you do the same, goals listed above or the goals you set for you may want to caution yourself against yourself? 38 expecting the same kind of experience. You We often become excited about entering a may end up having a much worse, or much different culture but become annoyed once better, time. we get there by many of the differences. It helps to be aware of how your own values c) expecting to become fluent in a foreign and ego shape your reactions to the cultural language. differences you encounter abroad.

One semester is a relatively short time in Suggestions from Alumni the process of acquiring a language. While everyone’s definition of fluency differs, it is Do not perceive and judge things based on unlikely that a student with two semesters of American standards, but instead take things a language, for example, will attain native- the way they are. (CIEE, Taiwan). like fluency in just one semester abroad. Rather than get frustrated and give up if not A study abroad program will not improve speaking like a local by the third month, the your language skills for you; you need to important thing is to stick with the effort to make the decision to improve. You need use the language as much as possible and to take control of your own language reward yourself for the real progress that immersion. Do research and find clubs you make. and activities where you will be with native speakers. (IES, Germany) Students sometimes say they want to study in a foreign country because it will “force” The best thing to do is take classes you’ll them to use the language they have been be interested in. (Queen Mary, University of studying. More likely than not you will be London, UK) in a program with other American students and will be free to speak English as much It’s not about seeing as much as possible-- as you want outside of class and/or your knowing a place means staying there for homestay. Using the language will be a a while to explore on your own because voluntary act that is entirely up to you. guidebooks are for tourists, not travelers. If Rather than hoping the environment will you have a week, go to two cities, not four “force” you to speak, sometimes it’s more or five. You can’t “do” Paris in a weekend. useful to think of using the language as a (Syracuse U. in Florence, Italy) process of opening yourself (and your ego) to new opportunities to express yourself and Have fun and live up your time. A great hear what others want to express to you. experience involves trying new things, making new friendships and learning Being Open to Difference more about a different culture. (Australian National University, Canberra, Australia) Many of the same attitudes that help you appreciate all that a diverse city such as Los Angeles has to offer will help you appreciate and enjoy your time living abroad. Some attitudes and character traits that promote cultural learning are:

□ high regard for culture □ eagerness to learn □ desire to make connections □ readiness to give as well as receive □ being curious (vs. passive) □ being secure (vs. guarded) □ being humble (vs. haughty) □ willingness to suspend judgment □ tolerance for ambiguity □ a good sense of humor

39 APPENDIX

(A) (B) USC CAMPUS CON TACTS IMPOR TANT D ATES

The USC website, ww w.usc.edu, has direct links Passport: Apply for it NOW if you do NOW to OASIS, the current Schedule of Classes, not have one. Course Catalog, the Faculty/Sta ff Directory , and

more. Many of your questions can be answered Travel Arrangements:

through these resources. If possible, please start You can use S TA Travel’s Airfare ASAP by consulting these resources. Deposit Program or use your own

travel agent or online ticket seller.

If you are not able to get an answe r, please direct your inq u iries to the appropriate contact person March 25, General Orientation meetings: Y our listed belo w. Please allow a minim u m of three 28, or 29, attendance at one of these meetings 2013 is mandator y. Non attendance days for a response. jeopardizes your permission to study abroad. General Program Questions: E-Mail one of the sta ff of Overseas Studies. Country-specific meetings: April 1st See the list of meetings in the General to Orientation folde r. Please e-mail our Academic Advisement Questions: April 30th office ahead of time if you cannot E-mail your major or minor advisor with a “cc” to attend. Overseas Studies. Semester A way Housing Form to Erika Registration Questions: Friday, Gannon in PSX if you are currently in USC E-mail the Office of Overseas Studies at April 5th housing. (Do not turn in until you receive official acceptance from your program)

Billing Questions: Friday, Last day to withdraw from program April 12th without forfeiting commitment deposit. E-mail the Office of Overseas Studies at Financial Aid information meeting: For Friday, all students receiving loans, grants, April 12th Housing Questions: and/or scholarships E-mail Erika Gannon with a “cc” to Overseas Studies. Forms Due to Office of Overseas Studies Financial Aid Questions: E-mail Anthony Tritto Friday, A list of forms can be found on page 41 of this handbook. All forms are with a “cc” to Overseas Studies. April 12th downloadable as a pdf.

IMPORTANT NOTE: View and print forms at our website: If you do not receive a response from Overseas http://dornsife.usc.edu/accepted- Studies within a week, please re-send your students/ message (with the proper “cc”) and request a confirmation. Forms Due to Office of Overseas Wed., Studies May 3rd 1. Travel Itinerary 2. Photocopy of Passport (only if you did not (or ASAP) turn in a copy with your application)

40 (C) (both sides of credit cards and A TM/debit cards, FORMS CHECKLIST FOR FALL 2013 passport, insurance cards, drive r ’s license, etc.); & YEAR 2013-2014 leave one set of copies at home and bring one Here is a list of the USC overseas studies forms with you and deadlines; download and print them at: □ Complete all required forms for USC and return http://dornsife.usc.edu/accepted-students/ to the Office of Overseas Studies □ Compl e te all required program/h o st institution Please check o ff the forms as you turn them in. forms and return promptly to program sponsor This checklist is for your use and does not need □ If you have a parking permit at USC, turn it in to to be turned in. Please make a photocopy of all Transportation Services and get information from forms for your own records! them about obtaining a permit whe n you return to campus AL L STUDENTS MUST TURN IN THE □ If you are in USC Housing, turn in your FOLLOWING ITEMS: Semester A way Release Form

DUE B Y FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013: CON TACT INFORM ATION □ Change your local address (usually to your □ RESPONSIBILITY FOR READING permanent addre s s) on OASIS so that your mail OVERSEAS STUDIES HANDBOOK from USC gets to the right place. □ RESPONSIBILITY FOR OBTAINING VISA □ Make sure that the study abroa d provider/ foreign university has your upda ted contact □ RELEASE FORM addresses and contact information. □ Make sure that your USC e-mail gets forwarded □ HEA LTH INSURANCE SELECTION FORM to any non-USC e-mail account you may be using. □ MEDICA L TRE ATMEN T AUTHORIZ ATION You will be expected to read all email coming from our office and take action whe n necessar y. □ WITHDR AW AL/REFUND POLICY We will not send emails to a non-USC account; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT check your USC email account regul a rly to make sure you are not over quota. □ KNOW BEFORE YOU GO/INFORMED CONSENT FORM TR AVEL □ ELECTRONIC REFUND DEPOSIT □ Obtain your visa, if required AUTHORIZATION (online form) □ Provide your family with your overseas contact information and your travel itinerary □ FINANCIAL SERVICES DISCLOSURE □ Make photocopi e s of your passpo r t--leave one PERMISSION FORM at home and bring one with you □ If you are not a US citizen, be sure to consult □ FINANCIAL AID AGREEMENT with an advisor in OIS before leaving USC □ Find out if it is appropriate to bring a laptop DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2013: computer to your host country/program (or as soon as you make your travel plans and □ If you are brin g ing electrical equipment, find have your passport:) out about the electrical current and plug adapters □ TRAVEL ITINERARY in your host country and obtain the appropriate transformers, converters and adapters □ PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT (if you didn’t □ Before packing your bags, find out about local already turn in a copy with your application) standards of dress, temperature, etc. Pack lightly and appropriately Note: Please submit the ELECTRONIC □ Check with your airline on baggage limits and fees REFUND DEPOSIT AUTHORIZATION FORM □ Research rail passes, hostel cards, and on the USC ePay website. purchase before leaving the U.S. if appropriate □ Visit the State Department’s website for students (D) abroad at http://studentsabroad.state.gov PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST □ Get and read a good student-oriented travel guide (e.g. Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, Moon) for your host country ADMINISTRATIVE □ Go online and find local newspapers and star t □ Make copies of your personal documents reading them regularly. Pay attention to the weather section 41 FINANCIAL (E) □ Famili a rize yourself and your pare n ts with your LETTER FROM THE CENTER FOR WOMEN program Cost Sheet AND MEN □ Attend financi a l aid meeting if you receive financial aid Dear Study Abroad Student: □ Inform the Office of Overseas Studies if you are an outside scholarship recipient Congratulations on being accepted into one of □ Meet with a financial aid counselo r if you have USC ’s Study Abroad programs! questions about your financial aid package and study abroad We are to remind you that while you are studying □ Meet all financial aid deadlines for next year overseas in a USC-sponsored progr a m, you may □ Verify that you have correct 4-digit PIN numbers continue to access the services that the University for your credit/debit and/or ATM cards of Southern California o ffers its students who find □ If you purchas e travelers checks, record the themselves in any difficulty or need. check numbers and keep a copy at home □ Arrange for someone to be able to deposit When you travel to another count y, you may funds into your US bank account feel as though student services such as those □ Notify your credit card and bank companies o ffered by Student A ffairs are far awa y. We are about living abroad very aware, how e ve r, that you may need our services, no matter where you are studying. We ACADEMIC assure you that you may continue to contact the □ Bring a copy of your Overseas Studies advising USC Center for Women and Men. The Center record with you overseas (we have copies in o ffers confidential crisis intervention, advocac y, student files) and referrals to students dealing with any kind □ Bring your major advisor’s contact information of gender-related harm or abuse such as sexual with you abroad harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, □ Register for Overseas Block units stalking or intimate partner violence. □ Check with your major departm e ntal advisor to verify your requirements We hope that nothing will go wrong while you are studying abroad. But laws, cultural norms, HEALTH and customs about gender roles and sexual □ Inform Overseas Studies staff about any orientation vary widely country to countr y. You pre-existing conditions which may affect your may find, for example, that your host institution participation at some point or which may be deals with reports of sexual harassment critical to know if you become ill/injured and are di fferently than you would expect at USC. unable to communicate. □ Bring your health insurance card and your When arranging its programs abroad, USC asks INTERNATIONAL SOS card with you overseas your host institution to provide an environment □ Get appropria t e vaccinations/immunizations free from harassment and other harm. I for your host country encourage you, before you travel, to review □ Obtain enough of your prescription medications USC ’s policies and services relate d to student to last you for the duration of your stay abroad well-being, detailed in SCampus. In the event □ Keep prescriptions in their original packaging/ that you have a gender-related concern, containers from the pharmacy please do not hesitate to contact either your □ Bring copies of your prescriptions including the program leader or the USC Center for W omen generic drug names of all medications and Men directly at [email protected] or 213- 740-4900. (this letter is continued on page 43)

42 The USC Office of Overseas Studies, of course, student during the internship. Therefore, you is always available to address any matters that should keep all materials produced during an arise during your time abroad. Their e-mail internship for review upon your return (see address is [email protected]. “Summary” for details). One exception: at Australian National University, the Public Sector On behalf of the USC Center for Women and Internship A has been reviewed and will receive Men, we wish you the best as you embark on credit, but the internship B has not been pre- your study abroad. Be assured that the staff and approved and would need to be reviewed upon faculty at USC will remember you while you’re return. away and look forward to welcoming you back. USC may grant the same number of units for Sincerely, an internship as the overseas institution, fewer Danielle Lançon units, or no units at all. If no units are granted, Director the internship will not be entered on the student’s USC record (though it will appear on the transcript USC Center for Women and Men from the overseas institution).

The following information is summarized from (F) the “Guidelines for Undergraduate and Graduate GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING Internship Courses” prepared by the University INTERNSHIPS FOR USC CREDIT Curriculum Committees: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA “An internship is intended to provide practical ARTICULATION OFFICE experience in applying knowledge to relevant ACADEMIC RECORDS AND REGISTRAR work settings and to enable the student to acquire needed skills and knowledge that cannot Students who plan to do an internship while be gained in the traditional classroom. on a study abroad program may be interested primarily in the experience and not care whether Generally, one unit of credit for an internship they earn units at USC for the internship. requires 4-5 hours per week of offsite work However, students who wish to earn USC credits experience over a 15-week semester, or 60-75 should be aware of the following policies. hours of work at the internship site per unit of credit. Only internships which receive credit on the official overseas program transcript are Before beginning an internship, the student is potentially available for credit. However, even generally asked to complete in writing a pre- internship courses which are granted credit on approval agreement which includes: number of the study abroad transcript will not necessarily internship units to be earned; specific work site be granted units by USC. (This is true whether and the nature of the work that will take place or not the institution is a college in the US, such there; how the internship will further the student’s as Syracuse University.) The USC curriculum program of study (i.e., what academic value is committee has established guidelines for expected to occur from the internship beyond internship courses given by USC, which indicate what a mere job would offer); specific goals that what criteria they must meet in order to be should be achieved from the internship; and how approved as unit-bearing courses, and how many the students will be evaluated. [If there is no such units should be given. These same guidelines official requirement overseas, students should, are used by the Articulation Office in evaluating on their own, determine all these matters.] internships taken abroad, to determine if they will receive any elective units, and if so, how many. If a student is already employed at a workplace, If you wish an internship which has been granted credit is not generally given for performing work elective units to be used for major or minor credit, activities that the student would have to do it must also be reviewed by the major or minor anyway at their workplace. department to determine if it can be used to fulfill major/minor requirements. A faculty member should be responsible for grading. If an on-site supervisor other than the In almost all cases, internships cannot be faculty member has input into the grading, the approved for credit in advance, because it is interaction between the faculty member and necessary to review the work produced by the 43 supervisor in grading must be clear. (G) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Typically after completing an internship, students are encouraged to reflect on their experience TIPS FOR STUDENTS and summarize their learning. They may be (from the U.S. Dept. of State website: http://travel.state.gov) asked to write an appropriately substantial paper reflecting on the nature and value of The Department of State offers the following the internship, how it furthered their academic information for student advisors and for their program, and how well the goals specified in the students who plan to travel and/or study abroad. pre-approval agreement were met. [If no such paper- or any other tangible product- is required http://studentsabroad.state.gov by the overseas site, it will probably be required by USC if credit is to be granted.] This is an official U.S. Government source. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not The student should be supervised at the imply endorsement of contents. worksite, either by the faculty member (instructor of record) or by a specified on-site supervisor. LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT If the faculty member is not the supervisor, THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO generally a student has formal contact with the TRAVEL OR STUDY faculty member at least once during the semester to assess progress towards the goals identified in the pre-approval agreement.” □ Students should read the State Department’s Country Specific Information Sheet for the Summary countries in which they plan to study or visit, and check for Public Announcements or Travel In general, course credit will not be given for office Warnings that may pertain to that particular work such as xeroxing and answering phones, country. A Country Specific Information Sheet even if this is done in a foreign language. The is available for every country in the world and student must do something of academic value provides an overview of conditions pertaining to and provide evidence of this activity. travel in each country.

Students (or their institutions) should provide as □ Encourage students to learn about the history, much as possible of the following information culture, politics and customs of the country/ upon the student’s return, verified by the countries in which they travel and study, and to instructor or the overseas institution: respect the country’s customs, manners, rules and laws. For instance, various countries and 1. Course syllabus, goals, or pre-course cultures respect certain manners and dress agreement, and any related information which codes. American students should also abide by describes what is expected during the internship. these manners and dress codes as much as The information in the pre-approval agreement possible. described above should be covered (academic value of work to be done, nature of supervision □ It is a good idea for students to learn as much and work site, contact with faculty member, as they can of the language of the country in method of evaluation, etc). which they plan to travel or study. Learning basic phrases of the language can be helpful, and it 2. Log or other record of number of hours indicates a willingness on the part of students to worked. Approximately 60-75 hours of work at make an effort to communicate in the language the internship site are required per USC unit. of the country. 3. Final paper(s) or other products, including □ The Department of State publishes Background such items as a research report prepared for Notes on countries worldwide. These are brief, the supervisor, a reflective paper on what was factual pamphlets with information on each gained from the experience, a report presented country’s culture, history, geography, economy, to other students in the class, etc. government and political situation. Background 4. Evaluation and any comments or reports by Notes are available for approximately 170 the instructor or supervisor. 44 countries and often include a reading list, travel □ Students are encouraged to travel with extra notes and maps. photos, in case they need to get a new passport quickly. Refer to our brochures Passports - □ It is important that students learn about the Applying for Them the Easy Way and Your Trip local laws abroad and obey them. Remember, Abroad for more information. while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws! This year, the State Department has LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE AND issued two press releases: a press release for EVACUATION INSURANCE IN CASE OF A college newspapers on travel safety abroad for MEDICAL EMERGENCY ABROAD students and a press release on spring break in Cancun, reminding students about drug laws Every year, hundreds of students become ill and drunk and disorderly conduct during spring or suffer injuries overseas. It is essential that and summer breaks. students have medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance that would cover a medical emergency abroad. For further information, see OBTAINING PASSPORTS AND VISAS TO our flyer on Medical Information for Americans TRAVEL, STUDY AND OR WORK ABROAD Traveling Abroad, Your Trip Abroad and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s □ Students must have a signed, valid passport web site at http://www.cdc.gov. STUDENTS ARE and visas, if required. Students studying abroad ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THE LOCATION must be sure that they have the proper visa to OF THE NEAREST U.S. EMBASSY OR study there. A visitor’s visa or entry without a visa CONSULATE AND TO REGISTER. If students may not allow one to study. Refer to our Foreign are going to be in a country for more than a Entry Requirements brochure for information on couple of weeks, they should register at the foreign visas and to Your Trip Abroad for U.S. American Embassy or Consulate. This is helpful passport information. to students and their families, if there is need to locate family members in the event of an □ Students should remember to fill in the emergency. See our links to U.S. embassies and emergency information page of their passport. consulates worldwide.

□ It is a good idea for relatives of students abroad WHAT U.S. CONSULAR OFFICERS CAN to obtain and maintain a valid passport as well, in AND CAN NOT DO TO HELP U.S. CITIZENS case of an emergency requiring them to travel. ABROAD

□ Students who wish to work part-time in □ If students find themselves in trouble conjunction with their studies or when their overseas, the Consular Officer at the nearest studies are finished, should make sure that they U.S. embassy or consulate can provide certain understand the laws that apply and comply with assistance and advice. Consular Officers can them. also help in the event of illness, injury, natural catastrophe, evacuations, destitution, or death. □ The United States requires student visas for See our brochures Crisis Abroad, U.S. Consuls study in the United States. Help Americans Abroad and Overseas Citizens Services for more information. □ Students should make copies of their passport’s data page and any visas. They should □ In the United States, the Office of Overseas keep a copy separately from the originals while Citizens Services can also assist American traveling and leave one at home with their family students abroad and their families in the USA in and with their student advisor. This will help to emergency cases. There is a 24 hour number to obtain a replacement passport in the event that call (202) 647-5225. a passport is lost or stolen. Refer to our brochure Your Trip Abroad for more information on U.S. □ There are certain things that consular officers at passports. American embassies CAN NOT do for American citizens abroad. For example, they can not cash checks, lend money or serve as your attorney. See our brochure U.S. Consuls Help Americans Abroad. 45 (H) GENERAL PRECAUTIONS FOR TR AVELING USC USC OR STUDYING ABROAD Student Health Overseas Health Insurance Insurance □ Remember not to leave luggage unattended (Approximate Costs) (Approximate Costs) and not to carry packages for anyone. The packages could contain drugs or other illegal Fall 2013: $605 $75 per month items. Refer to our brochure Travel Warning on Coverage from Coverage only from Drugs Abroad. 8/19/13 to 1/12/14 beginning of month Spring/Summer 2014: of program start date □ Do not become a target for thieves by wearing $914 to end of month of conspicuous clothing and expensive looking Coverage from program end date jewelr y.-- There are restrictions on photography 1/13/14 to 8/17/14 in certain countri e s. Students shoul d check the Coverage for Spring & Summer is only Consular Information Sheet for the countries available combined where they plan to visit or travel. -- Students should & CANNOT be avoid demonstrations or civil disturb a nces, which purchased separately could turn violen t . Demonstrations could also turn anti-America n . The Department of State is engaged in outreach e fforts to education-related Covered in U.S. and Not covered in U.S organizations to publicize road safety risks in abroad other countries. Students, who may choose less International SOS International SOS expensive, often less reliable methods of local services included services included travel while in foreign countries, should be aware in premium in premium of the potential dange r.

From page 27: HEA LTH INSURANCE These rates are subject to change.

(I) The Stages of Culture Shock (see reading on page 21)

Going Initial Home Excitement

Initial Adjustment

g n i t a l i m i s s A & g n i t s u j d A d j u s t i n g & A s s i m i l a t i n g Honeymoon e r u t r a p e D g n i t a p i c i t n A n t i c i p a t i n g D e p a r t u r e

n e m e g d u J

t

Arrival l a Confusion

d o i r Re B e aa lP da an pc te a d t i o n

The Plunge

s e u s s I r e p e e D g n i t n o r f n o C e g a t S n o i t a z i l a e R

Reverse Culture Shock Time Home Abroad Home

46 (J) CON TACT INFORM ATION FOR U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSUL ATES OVERSEAS

Contact Contact Type Contact Address Contact Website Telephone Country City Australia Canberra Embassy Moonah Place, Yarralumla, AC T http://canberra.usembassy. (02)-6214-5600 2600 gov

Botswana Gaborone Embassy Embassy Drive, Government http://botswana.usembassy. 267-395-3982 Enclave, Gaborone gov/

Brazil Brasilia Embassy SES - Av. das Nações, Quadra http://brazil.usembassy. (61) 3312- 801, Lote 03, 70403-900 - gov 7000 Brasilia, DF

Brazil Sao Paulo Consulate Rua Henri Dunant, 500, Chácara http://saopaulo.usconsulate (11) 5186- Santo Antônio, São Paulo- SP, gov/ 7000 04709-110

Chile Santiago Embassy Ave. Andres Bello 2800, Las http://chile.usembassy.gov 562-330-3000 Condes Santiago

China Bejing Embassy No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu, Beijing, http://beijing.usembassy- (86-10) 8531- China, 100600 china.org.cn/ 4200

Costa Rica San Jose Embassy Calle 120 Avenida 0, Pavas, http://costarica.usembassy. (506)2519-2000 San Jose gov/

Czech Prague Embassy Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1, http://prague.usembassy. (420-2) 57-022- Republic Mala Strana, Czech Republic gov/ 000

Egypt Cairo Embassy 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden http://egypt.usembassy.gov/ [20] [2] 2797- City, Cairo 3300

France Paris Embassy 2 avenue Gabriel 75382 Paris http://france.usembassy. 33 1 43 12 22 22 Cedex 08 gov

Germany Berlin Embassy Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin http://germany.usembassy. 49-30-83050 gov Greece Athens Embassy 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, http://athens.usembassy. 30-210-721-2951 10160 Athens gov/

India New Delhi Embassy Shantipath, Chanakyapuri http://newdelhi.usembassy. 9111-2419-8000 New Delhi 110021 gov/

Ireland Dublin Embassy 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, http://dublin.usembassy. 353 1 668-8777 Dublin 4 gov/

Israel Jerusalem Consulate 18 Agron Road, Jerusalem http://jerusalem.uscon- 972-2-6227230 94190 sulate.gov/

Italy M i l a n Consulate Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10 http://milan.usconsulate. 39-02-290351 M i l a n o 20121 gov/

Italy Rome Embassy via Vittorio Veneto 121 Roma http://www.usembassy.it/ (39) 06.4674.1 00187

Italy Florence Consulate 38 Lungarno Vespucci Firenze http://florence.usconsulate. 39 055-266-951 50123 gov

Japan Tokyo Embassy 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minatoku http://japan.usembassy.gov/ (03)3224-5000 Tokyo 107-8420

Japan Nagoya Consulate Nagoya Int’l Center Bldg. 6F, http://nagoya.usconsulate. (052)581-4501 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, gov/ Nagoya 450-0001

47 (J) CON TACT INFORM ATION FOR U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSUL ATES OVERSEAS (Continued)

Contact Contact Type Contact Address Contact Website Telephone Country City Jordan Amman Embassy Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St. http://jordan.usembass y. 962-6-590-6000 Amman, Jordan gov

Kenya Nairobi Embassy United Nations Avenue Nairobi http://nairobi.usembass y. 254-20-3636000 P.O.Box 606 Village Market, gov/ 00621 Nairobi, Kenya New Wellington Embassy 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, http://newzealand. 644 462 6000 Zealand Wellington usembassy.gov

Nicaragua Managua Embassy Km 5 1/2 Carretera Sur Managua http://nicaragua.usembassy. (505)-2252- gov/ 7100

Russia Moscow Embassy Bolshoy Deviantinsky Pereulok http://moscow.usembassy. 7-495-728-5000 No.8, Moscow 121099 gov/

Russia St.Petersburg Consulate 15 Furshtatskaya St. http://stpetersburg. 7-812-331-2600 St. Petersburg 191028, Russia usconsulate.gov

South Africa Pretoria Embassy PO Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 877 http://southafrica. (27-12) 431-4000 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria usembassy.gov/

South Africa Cape Town Consulate 2 Reddam Avenue Westlake http://southafrica. 27-21-702-7300 7945 usembassy.gov/

South Africa Durban Consulate Old Mutual Bldg., 3030 West St. http://southafrica. 2731-305-7600 Durban 4001 usembassy.gov/

South Seoul Embassy 32 Sejongno Jongno-gu, Seoul http://seoul.usembassy.gov/ 82-2-397-4114 Korea 110-710

Spain Madrid Embassy Serrano 75 28006 Madrid http://madrid.usembassy.gov 91587-2200

Taiwan Taipei Citizen No. 7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road http://www.ait.org.tw/en 886-02-2162-2000 Services Section 3, Taipei 106 x.2306 Office

United London Embassy 24 Grosvenor Square, London, http://london.usembassy. [44] (0)20 7499- Kingdom W1A 2LQ, UK gov 9000

United Edinburgh Consulate 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, http://edinburg.usconsulate. 4401315568315 Kingdom EH7 5BW gov United Belfast Consulate Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis http://belfast.usconsulate. 440-28-9038-6100 Kingdom Road, Belfast, BT9 5GR gov/

Last updated October 2012

48 NOTES

______NOTES

______NOTES

______O O S Office of Overseas Studies University of Southern California 823 West 34th St., CLH 201 Los Angeles, C A 90089-0128 Tel: 213.740.3636 Fax: 213.740.2265 email: [email protected] website: dornsife.usc.edu/overseas-studies