Santa Clara University

Please specify which country and city or university you were in.The tips you will offer below should be related to your location-specific program.

The mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation for students going abroad 2011 - 2012 is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 10:00 - 12:30 am. Are you available and willing to come and help discuss these tips with the students who are going to your location-specific program?

Ideally we would like all the location-specific group meetings to happen on Saturday, April 10, 2010. In the event that we have no one to lead that group meeting, we would like to be able to inform students of an alternate date/time/location for a meeting with a former study abroad student. Simply give us a date and time that you are available and we will post it as an alternative meeting.

Please offer helpful tips on things like getting student visa, processing, websites to research the location, things to do before leaving campus, etc.

Any tips on what to or not to pack for the program-location?

Tips on how to prepare for the academic component of the program including class sizes, faculty expectations, time management, grading system, textbooks, etc.

What cultural expectations were more difficult to manage in your program abroad? Any tips on colloquial expressions, food, social life, etc?

What advise would you provide on insurance, staying safe, fitness opportunities, etc.

Any helpful tips on financing your abroad program, banking needs, budget management, cash or credit card, banks to use, etc.

How to maintain communication with friends and family at home including recommended cell phone carriers, whether to bring your laptop, etc.

Tips on the kind of housing option you were in. Include helpful tips on managing family expectations (homestay), shopping for meals (apartments), food plan (dorms), and anything that would help a student understand the kind of abroad housing they are going to be in.

Any helpful travel tips for students going to the program-location? Where to find the cheapest tickets, places to go, etc.

How to prepare for the return to Santa Clara? What kind of reverse culture shock to expect? things to do to make a smooth transition, etc.