The information presented here is intended to supplement the information provided by the FSA program directors.

Practical Information for Students Studying Abroad on FSA Programs

Study Abroad is a venture into the known and the unknown.  Obvious elements that lead to rewarding experiences include thorough preparation, flexibility, patience, and the realization that even the most enjoyable ventures include unpleasant episodes.
 
1.  Course Credit and GPA Policy.  FSA courses are considered to be Bates courses.  Students take four courses; grades are included on the Bates transcript and in the GPA.  Courses are considered co-requisites of one another and permission of the Off-Campus Study Committee is required to take a reduced load.  Students choosing the pass/fail option must do so within the first ten (10) days of classes.

2.  Payments and Financial Aid.  On the FSA Programs, students pay the Bates comprehensive fee which includes tuition, room, board, Bates fees, international airfare, and the cost of field trips sponsored by the program.  Extra student expenses on these programs generally include passport and visa fees, immunizations, travel to the departure city, books, vacation living, personal expenses, and non-program travel.  Financial aid is available for these programs according to the same policies that apply on campus.

3.  Health Precautions.  If you travel outside Western Europe, you may be exposed to tropical diseases, lower levels of sanitation, and less sophisticated medical care.  Contaminated food and water is a potential threat wherever you are.  When the safety of drinking water is in doubt, take no chances -- boil it, disinfect it, or avoid it by drinking coffee, tea, bottled water, or other "processed" liquids such as soda.  Remember that if the cleanliness of the water is in doubt, then the ice and glasses are too.  The risks of food contamination are lowest for processed foods and meals served in private homes and highest for raw foods served by street vendors.  For fruits and vegetables, practice the maxim: "Cook it, peel it, or leave it."  Meats should be recently and thoroughly cooked.  When you get diarrhea, and you will, be sure to drink more (safe) liquids.  Dehydration is a very serious problem, especially in warm climates.  Seek medical attention if the diarrhea does not clear up in a few days.

This is general advice.  You may have specific medical conditions that you should discuss in detail with your physician.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control maintains an "International Travelers Hotline" (404-332-4559) and web pages: http://www.cdc.gov   The World Health Organization also has a web page with more specific information at: http://www.who.int/en/ The Bates College Health Center has information on immunizations and other advice.

The HIV virus is a deadly threat that lurks around the world, particularly in Africa south of the Sahara.  Be extra careful whatever the situation -- in sexual relations, in contact with needles, in any blood contact situation.

Students dealing with emotional problems or psychological instability need to recognize that studying abroad generates a whole new array of pressures, anxieties, and insecurities that can be very de-stabilizing.  This problem is aggravated by the lack of psychological support systems abroad, including the absence of psychological counselors in most countries.  As a result, students experiencing such problems should evaluate very carefully and discuss with their counselor whether study abroad is appropriate for them at this time in their lives.  It is essential that you inform your program directors of any physical or mental health issues.
 
4. Health Insurance.  You must have health insurance that provides coverage in all the countries included in the program.  The student health insurance provided through Bates includes coverage up to the limits of the policy.  If you are covered under your family’s policy, you need to confirm that it applies abroad.  If it does not, you need will need to purchase another policy for the semester.  CMI Insurance Worldwide (www.cmi-insurance.com), HTH (800-242-4178), and Wallach & Company (800-237-6615) offer special short policies for study abroad.   You should talk with the program directors if you have any questions or concerns about health issues, access to medications, or the availability of counseling or special diets abroad. I

Emergency Assistance.  As a Bates student, you are automatically included in another form of insurance that provides emergency medical advice, assistance, and if needed, evacuation to better medical facilities.  It also pays for a family member to visit you if you must be hospitalized for more than seven days and loans of up to $250 emergency funds for medical care.  Europ Assistance USA provides these services.  The Bates policy number is PHF 054840 and plan 01-SP-585; their U.S. telephone number is 202-659-7777.  (You can call collect.)  Please note that this emergency medical assistance does not eliminate the need for regular health insurance.

5.  Safety and Travel Precautions.  As an American, you are a potential target for political attack and robbery.  This is true even if you oppose current U.S. policies and do not consider yourself wealthy.  Obviously, it is your responsibility to act in ways that minimize your risks.  Common sense precautions are to:
-    Pay attention to the security advice provided in the orientation program presented by your program directors.  Accept your ignorance and potential vulnerability and follow this advice.
-    Keep a low profile in demeanor and dress by observing local customs and laws.
-    Avoid clothes with U.S. logos, college seals, and the like.
-    Make covers for your guidebooks out of paper bags or other nondescript material.
-    Speak the local language whenever possible.
-    Use an "under-your-clothes" money pouch and be discreet with it -- do not pull out wads of cash in public places.  Men should not use wallets in back pockets.
-    Never leave your bags unattended.
-    Carry some cash in reserve while traveling - tape money in your backpack.
-    In some settings, illegal taxis prey on foreigners.  It is better to call a taxi in these cases. 
-    Photocopy your passport and plane tickets and keep them separate from the originals.
-    Travel with at least one other person and leave your itinerary with a friend or director.
-    Follow the same precautions that you would traveling in the U.S., e.g. do not enter an empty train, bus, or dark street at night, cover your name tags, check the adequacy of your money before going out, be discreet with your money, camera, other valuables.
-    When necessary, spend the extra money if that helps avoid a threatening situation.
-    Do not agree to carry, look after, or take other responsibility for any package or suitcase
for a stranger or "new friend."  It could contain contraband or explosives.  Similarly, do not drive someone else's car across a national border.
-    Avoid, whenever possible, American "hangouts," American embassies, controversial    discussion in public places, demonstrations, protests and marches, military related areas, and areas of religious controversy.
-    Recognize that road accidents are the greatest cause of death and serious injury for U.S. travelers abroad.  Fatalities caused by cars, buses, motorcycles are up to 40 times higher in some countries.  Bicyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable.  Always assume that cars have the right of way, especially at crosswalks.
-    Do not make yourself vulnerable through excessive alcohol consumption - in any context.
-    Trust and follow your instincts.  If you sense a situation or person is unsafe, it, he, or she probably is.

Additional information is avaialble online at the Center for Global Education.
    
Travel Advisories.  The U.S. State Department periodically issues background, travel, and security information on individual countries and general announcements on travel safety.  You may subscribe to their email listserv and should review the most recent Consular Information Sheet - Public Announcement for your country and other countries to which you plan to travel on their Web site (http://travel.state.gov/)  or by calling in the United States 202-647-5225. 
  
Hitchhiking.  Hitchhiking is not recommended.  However, if you decide to hitchhike, recognize that the risks are greatly magnified in urban settings and when alone.  Keep your backpack with you rather than placed in the trunk.  If you find yourself uncomfortable, request the driver to stop so you may use the bathroom as you approach a gas station or other visible spot.  Once out of the car, report that you have decided to rest there for a while.  Follow your instincts!
      
Heightened Hazards for Women.  Risks are magnified for women with “sexual hazing” common in many countries.  To quote a woman who studied in India: "Please, please go! You will never have the opportunity again.  As a woman, I was not prepared by anyone.  Women are property; if you are not with a man, you are free game; every woman was harassed.  Be prepared to deal with these facts."  Another woman warns: "Italian men are very forward - I was hassled at times." A woman who studied in France reports, "We were frequently harassed and could never walk anywhere alone."  Similar warnings come from South America.  It is not fair, but this is the reality that has to be dealt with.  Marriage proposals are not uncommon, particularly in developing countries.  Sexual expectations generated by U.S. soap operas and cheap movies make the situation worse in many countries.  Former participants recommend conservative dress, knowledge of how to handle taunting, and yelling "fire" if in serious danger.  American men should also be aware of these risks and provide assistance and support. 

6.  Drugs.  We implore you to stay away from illegal drugs at all times and to avoid "drug scenes" and possible dealers.  Most countries have much stiffer drug laws than the U.S.  If arrested, you are not covered by U.S. laws and constitutional rights.  Foreign drug laws frequently make no distinction between soft and hard drugs.  Bail is not granted in most countries in drug-trafficking cases.  You are guilty until proven innocent in many foreign countries, and few countries provide a jury trial.   Foreign jails are no nicer, physically or socially, than ours.  Please rent the movie “Midnight Express” if you think you can outwit foreign drug dealers, users, or police.  The risks are just not worth it.

7.  Gender, Ethnicity, Race, and Sexual Orientation.  These traits are perceived differently and in turn receive very different treatment around the world.  The overall pattern is for the white privilege and male privilege patterns of the United States to be even more pronounced abroad.  Despite the diversity of the United States, the dominant assumption is that Americans are white, Christian, of European descent, and heterosexual.  Students outside this stereotype should expect to have to cope with instances of covert and overt discrimination.  Similarly, women will likely experience some gender biases and cultural expectations that are offensive and restricting.  Students may find it helpful to talk with past participants with similar backgrounds about their treatment and responses and to consult some of the Web sites found on the Bates Web page: http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/offcampusstudy/diversity.html.

8.  Passport, Visas, and Other Entry Items.  Passport application forms for U.S. citizens are online on the State Department’s web pages: http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html  If you have a passport, check to be sure it will remain valid through the end of your time abroad.  Student visas, when required, are obtained from each country's US consulate (or embassy) and require the submission of your passport.  Information on student visa requirements for U.S. citizens along with consulate addresses is available at: http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/offcampusstudy/passport.html   Visas, if required, often require personal visits to consulates and have long lead times, so please plan ahead.   Countries in Western Europe do not require visas for brief tourist travel by U.S. citizens.   If needed, we can provide you with an “Official Letter” which identifies you as a Bates student for immigration and legal purposes. 

Students who are not U.S. citizens are often subject to stricter visa requirements.  You should contact the embassy of the countries you will be studying in, traveling through, and visiting during your time abroad for more information.  Online information is available at http://www.embassy.org/embassies

 9.  Travel Information.  Travel to and from the host country is arranged by the program.  For any individual travel (before, during, or after the program), the following resources may be helpful.  Dube Travel (784-3376 or toll free 888-598-3823), 263 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, is a local source for airline tickets.  STA Travel specializes in student fares and needs, with over 300 offices around the world, including the United States:  http://www.statravel.com (800-777-0112) for information.  In general, we recommend taking your program’s group flight (if one is available), as it simplifies many logistical issues.  Discount airlines and bus travel are often less expensive and more convenient than rail travel.  Note that some discount travel options are available only if purchased in the United States.  Free maps and related information are generally available from embassies and tourist authorities.  You can find many helpful travel web sites at  http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/offcampusstudy/travel.html .  A review of the metric system will decrease confusion about distances, recipes, etc.  Links to Country specific information are available at:  http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/offcampusstudy/countryinfo.html

International Student Identification Card.  This is generally recommended since it provides emergency evacuation, travel and accident insurance, access to discount air and rail fares, proof of student status for lower admission fees, and the like.  The cards cost $22 and are available through the Bates Bookstore.  .
      
Staying in Hostels.   Hostels provide economical housing while traveling abroad.  You can join Hostelling International, at 617-731-6692,  202-783-6161, or at <http://www.hiusa.org>, for access to student-focused hostels.  Hostelworld.com offers online reservations at over 10,000 hostels for a small fee.
    
10.  Money.  Money management abroad is generally more challenging because there are more opportunities to spend and because you are not used to the currency.   It is wise to become familiar with the currency before departure so you can better gauge its value and then to itemize your expenditures in the first few weeks to assess the flow rate.   Currency values are available at:  http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/offcampusstudy/currency.html   It is helpful to have $50-100 in local currency if you arrive on a holiday or outside of normal working hours.  (This can be obtained before departure in most international airports.)  A major credit card and an ATM card linked to a checking account with PIN numbers to obtain cash at ATM machines are essential.  If your location has few ATM machines, you will want to have some travelers checks.  (Bank ATM cards often provide the best exchange rate; try to get cards that do not charge a high transaction fee when you obtain cash.)  The ATM also allows your family to add to your checking account while you are abroad.  (Test your credit card and ATM card to get cash with your PIN weeks before you leave.)  American Express permits you to cash their travelers checks in many cities without service fees. Many banks and Western Union can wire money to most countries within minutes.  (Cashing checks drawn on US banks is often delayed by multi-week holding periods.)  Finally, ask host country students how they save money.

11.  What To Take.  Most students, returning from study abroad,  report they took far too much with them.  A large backpack, a money/ passport holder that is worn under your clothes, sturdy sneakers, some travelers checks, a major credit and ATM card, addresses of friends and relatives, a compact language dictionary, extra glasses, photos of your family, anti-diarrhea medicine, frequently taken and prescription medications (in their original containers), prescriptions for more medications if needed with all their different names, and teeth in perfect condition are generally recommended.  Dress clothing and electrical goods are not.  The more you buy locally, the more likely you are to blend in.  Ask the program directors about bringing a laptop.

12.  Parental Care.  You have probably discovered that study abroad generates its own set of parental anxieties and concerns.  Your program or university has probably already sent her, him or them a bill and may provide information specific to your experience.  Parents may consult the general health and safety guidelines established by study abroad professionals noted in #8 above.  Here is some general advice:

-    Discuss the “FSA Handbook” with your family, particularly this section and the section on ethnocentrism and culture shock. 
-    Leave a photocopy of your passport, airplane ticket, ATM and credit card, and traveler’s checks receipt with your family in case they need to be replaced or other problems arise.
-    Discuss the need for a “power of attorney,” which authorizes your parents to sign documents such as loan and tax forms, for example, and have access to your records.
-    Discuss the need to sign legal documents, such as income tax forms, in advance of your departure.   Some students sign a “power of attorney” form to authorize their families to deal with various issues.
-    Tell your family not to expect a call the first day you arrive and then call them anyway. Never mind that hundreds of thousands of people fly safely every day.  A 30 second call is all that is needed.
-    Send home ASAP your addresses, telephone number, fax, email, etc., and those of the program directors (The latter to be used only in case of emergency, of course.)
-    Similarly, be sure to provide them with the dates of any extended travel plans.
-    When problems arise, always try to solve them on-site with the help of the program directors. There is little that parents can do that you can’t do more effectively.  If you discuss a problem with parents, inform them quickly when the problem is resolved.  It is not fair to leave them fretting back home.
-    Care packages and mail orders can be problematic no matter how well intended.  Find out what is needed to avoid high customs duties such as “Used clothing for personal use.”
-    Visits from parents are generally lots of fun when scheduled during vacations and awkward after the first several hours if scheduled while the program is in session.  Please urge any visitors to plan accordingly. Consult with FSA directors about appropriate times for a parental visit.
-    Be sure to contact your home if a major event (bomb, railway accident) occurs that is likely to be reported in the U.S. media.  This is similar to the call on your first day -- statistically unnecessary, emotionally much appreciated.                        
-    Establish a communication plan with an emphasis on email and letters.  International telephone calls are generally much less expensive when they originate in the United States, using an international calling plan available from ATT, MCI, etc.

13.  Internet and Email.  You should anticipate being less “connected” while abroad.  Your Bates email account remains available for your use and can be accessed through http://webmail.bates.edu.  This system allows you to get to your account from lots of different computers.  Passwords are changed online each fall.   If you have difficulty accessing your Bates account while off campus, you can email the Help Desk at: helpdesk@bates.edu   Since you will not receive “Announce” messages, you may want to ask a friend on-campus to forward to you announce messages he or she thinks you want to receive.

Remember that excessive use of the Internet and email can distract from the study abroad experience.  The temptation is to withdraw to the comfort and familiarity of the Internet and emails to friends rather interacting more with your foreign, less familiar, setting. 

14. Registration and Housing at Bates.   As you know, the Catalog and registration information are available online at http://www.bates.edu/rsfs.xml.  Because you are off-campus, your “advisor’s hold” is removed.  Nevertheless, you should consult with your faculty advisor throughout this process.  You will need to check in with your advisor upon your return to campus to report on your time away and to confirm the wisdom of your course selection.  For the housing lottery, you should ask a friend to select a room for you based on your lottery number.  Feel free to contact the Bates Housing Office, before you leave or from abroad.  The telephone number is 207-786-6215; the email address is housing@bates.edu.  You will need to fill out the paperwork for your room when you return to campus.

15.  Contacting Bates.  International mail generally takes a week to reach Lewiston.  Our fax number is 207-753-6971 and receives material 24 hours a day.  (Faxes can be forwarded to anyone on campus from this site.)  Our office telephone number is 207-786-6223.  Our email address is jya@bates.edu.  Dean Sawyer’s home number is 207-783-6549.

16.  Keep a Journal/Scrapbook.  A journal is a wonderful way to record experiences and reactions as well as to help keep track of expenditures.  A journal/scrapbook is even better with mementos and postcards.  In addition to enriching memories, it can be a safe haven amidst the tumult of life, study, and travel abroad.

Good luck - study hard and enjoy!
      
Stephen W. Sawyer                           David H. Das                               Doris J. Vincent             
Associate Dean of Students                Study Abroad Advisor                 Secretary           
                                                                                                                                                         12/08