Events Calendar

VIRTUAL Pre-Departure Orientation Meeting Options for Students Studying Off-Campus / Abroad Next Year

May 14 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Zoom

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All students participating in study abroad in this coming academic year (2020-2021) should plan to participate in a virtual pre-departure orientation meeting. The second will be on Thursday, May 14, and the third will be on Tuesday, May 19, both at 5:00 CDT. Email me with an RSVP for the meeting of your choice. I'll send you a Zoom meeting link. In our online meetings, we will review important topics such as visa, passport, travel and packing tips, host-family etiquette, managing homesickness and culture shock, safety while abroad, money management while abroad and more. We can also follow-up by email or by Zoom afterward!

Just to recap: You should RSVP for one of the three pre-departure orientation dates. I'll set up the Zoom meetings and send you the meeting invitation. The session will touch upon the usual key points but I will not go through slide by slide. There will be time for questions. You are also most welcome to email me at any time!

Wednesday, April 22, at 5:00 PM CDT
Thursday, May 14, at 5:00 PM CDT
Tuesday, May 19, at 5:00 CDT

I will send you the powerpoint pre-departure presentation, so that you will have a lot of good information about preparing for study abroad at your fingertips. Note that the presentation will include information about voting overseas in the U.S. election, health and safety resources in view of the present coronavirus emergency, and Title IX resources and guidelines (and please do email Kim Schrader if you would like additional information or clarification about any aspect of Title IX protections and processes while you are abroad).

Don't forget to review the Pre-Departure and Re-Entry Resources on the Stellyes Center website - there are valuable links to organizations and agencies such as the State Department and the CDC, and tips here for you to explore at any time (and you may want to share this page with your parents, as well, so that they have the same information at hand).

Those of you who will be away on an off-campus / study abroad program in the fall or for the entire year should be in communication with your chosen program regarding applications for acceptance, visa processes and more. Those of you studying in spring 2021 - keep an eye on the application deadlines of your chosen program so that you don't forget to complete this part of the process (most application windows open in September). Remember to review deadlines and refund policies carefully. Our fine program providers are providing later deadlines than usual and responsive refund options because of the global health crisis - know your program's policies!

I look forward to seeing you again (virtually, at least). Best wishes for the rest of the term.