STUDY ABROAD & EXCHANGES OFFICE. Pre-departure briefing

Transcription

1 STUDY ABROAD & EXCHANGES OFFICE Pre-departure briefing

2 How do you feel about your year abroad? Great, really confident! Bit worried but generally excited. Worried there seems to be a lot to sort out. Terrified!

3 Practical preparation University of Birmingham forms Registering with Birmingham Registering with your host institution Paying your tuition fees Insurance Travel documents Academic requirements Vaccinations/accommodation/travel arrangements Risk assessment

4 Birmingham paperwork and forms Study Abroad Approval Form - online - completed by you - signed by your tutor Departmental paperwork - remember to check with your Exchanges Tutor

5 Registration With Birmingham Late July - register online as normal through the portal registration@bham.ac.uk if the information is incorrect or you have problems registering

6 Registration With your host institution This is your responsibility! Complete an application form via the SAEO Please note deadlines some are coming up soon Information received back will vary from institution to institution

7 Tuition fees 2015/16 Full year away 15% fees Home/EU students Semester or term away No fee reduction All students Full year away 50% fees International students Pay online at:

8 Insurance University of Birmingham insurance - complete the form on the website - Host institution health insurance sometimes compulsory Additional insurance hazardous sports etc

9 Possible sources of funding Contact SFE U21 travel bursaries JASSO (Japan Student Services Organisation) Studyinhongkong.edu.hk BUTEX ( BUNAC ( Santander

10 Travel documents Passport check validity Visa check embassy website for instructions US visa requires a visit to the embassy Immigration regulations are complicated International students may have to return to home country Don t make extensive travel plans for the summer!

11 Academic requirements Your departmental Exchange Tutor will advise you about: Module selection Assessment Attendance Translation of marks

12 Assessment methods Australia & NZ similar to the UK USA & Canada fewer essays, but many class tests. Sometime unannounced! This makes attendance very important. Most tests and exams are multiple choice esp in the USA. Other countries varies. Some Latin American countries use oral exams.

13 Credits USA minimum 12 credits per semester (max 18). Quarter credits are different! Canada Ontario 5 modules per semester. Other provinces either 4 or 5 modules per semester. Check which applies at your university. Australia & NZ typically minimum 12 points or units per semester, but check. U of Melbourne 50 credits per semester.

14 Credits Latin America usually 5 modules per semester, but sometimes 6. Check! Europe 30 ECTS per semester. Other countries check requirements at the host university. All students must take a full-time load.

15 Accommodation Book hotel/hostel for arrival if necessary University accommodation usually available (this is less likely in Europe) but not guaranteed

16 Travel Travel arrangements Flights Connections Onward travel to your host institution Meet and greet service?

17 Important information Health & safety Money & banking What to take with you Keeping in touch Photo competition Returning to Birmingham

18 Health and safety Read Health & Safety Guidance for Travelling and Working Abroad Risk Assessment must be completed Make sure you know what to do in the event of emergency; most countries are subject to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods poisonous snakes, insects, plants

19 Health and safety Make sure you make a note of your nearest British Embassy (or your own embassy if you are not a UK citizen) Drinking age especially USA Disease rabies, STDs

20 Emergency numbers Different in different countries USA/Canada = 911 Australia = 000 Most of Europe = 112 New Zealand = 111 China/Japan = 110, 119 Hong Kong = 999 Make sure you know on-campus emergency numbers

21 Money and banking Initial costs administration, accommodation deposit, health insurance, home wares, books, travel passes, bedding Bring a small amount of cash for immediate expenses UK debit/credit card charges for use abroad Set up internet banking Open an overseas bank account check on monthly and transaction fees and fees for going overdrawn

22 What to take with you Take Clothing Medication Documents (passport, driving licence, proof of student status, insurance documentation, passport photographs, visa letter) Leave behind Bed linen Pots & pans Unnecessary clothing & toiletries Parents (!) NB Baggage & weight restrictions!

23 Keeping in touch Your parents (please let them know you have arrived safely!) Dialling code for UK: 0044 then omit the first 0 e.g University account via mybham this will be primary method of contact with department and study abroad office while away

24 Keeping in touch Exchanges tutor / Personal tutor SAEO We worry!

25 Keeping in touch Remember to put your new address on your student record! Remember to check that there is an emergency contact number on your student record usually a parent.

26 Personal preparation Counselling and Guidance Service

27 Study abroad and Disability If you have support requirements, including e.g. extra time in exams, you should discuss this with your department and also Disability, Learning Support or Mental Health If you are already registered with our services, please contact your Key Worker Disabled Students Allowances can be used to fund support abroad

28 Study Abroad and Disability We can help arrange support abroad e.g. note taking Some support can be arranged remotely e.g. Mental Health mentoring by SKYPE Cultural and legal differences may mean that disability support and adjustments are not as readily available as in the UK or look at ility