Transcript Away We Go! - WWU Study Abroad

Away We Go!
Getting the Most out of Study Abroad
Agenda
 Safety, Health
 Title IX Rights
 CASAS
 Counseling Center
 Keeping in Touch
 Sharing Your Experience
 Housing & School
 Travel Tips
 Packing
 Finances Abroad
 Culture Shock
 Questions & Introductions
Safety Tips
 It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the laws, health
concerns and related safety issues in your new home!
 Video: Culture of Safety
 Students Abroad – U.S. Department of State
 Register with the STEP so the State Department can
better assist you in an emergency.

Completely fill in ALL sections of your passport.

Electronic and hard copies of your visa, passport
and travel itinerary.

Understand how your overseas medical insurance
works, and how you will access it.

Get to know local customs and laws.

Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime.
Personal Safety
 If you take any medication – make sure it is legal, you have enough,
and/or you know how to refill your prescription
 Know the location of the nearest hospital and police station
 Learn country customs and conduct yourself appropriately
 Modes of dress, gestures, communication norms etc.
 Use the buddy system, always let someone
know where you’ll be
 Carry the resources to make it home safely
(phone numbers, currency, addresses, etc.)
 Be aware of yourself and your surroundings
 Use safe modes of transportation
 Passport to Fire Safety
Personal Health
 Sources of Stress when going abroad
 Environmental factors

new living conditions, using foreign language, culture shock
 Social factors

new roommates or host family, separation anxiety
 Emotional factors

high stress, past history of mental illness, inappropriate expectations
 Behavioral factors

change in diet or medications, poor financial management, changes in diet and sleep
Personal Health
 5 most common issues for students when abroad:
 Depression
 Anxiety
 Suicide ideation
 Self-injury
 Eating disorders
 Triggers for Mental Health Problems
 Age of onset is 18-21
 Environmental adjustments
 Foreign language
 Separation, loss of support network/resources
Title IX Rights
 Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination,
including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in all
educational programs.
 Western’s “Policy on Preventing and Responding to Sex
Discrimination, Including Sexual Misconduct” applies to
international programs.
 Title IX and Western’s Policy protect everyone from sexual
violence, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability,
and race or ethnicity.
Title IX Rights
You have the right to be free from sexual
harassment and sexual violence on international
programs, and support from Western if you report
sexual harassment or violence.
 Your right to support from Western exists regardless of where the
conduct happens, and regardless of whether the perpetrator is another
student.
 Support might include a change in living or class arrangements,
connection to physical and/or mental health resources, or returning
home early.
Title IX Rights
If you experience sexual harassment or sexual violence during an
international program, report it to:
 Your in-country program director, who must tell Western, and/or
 Western’s Title IX Coordinator, Sue Guenter-Schlesinger
(360) 650-3307; [email protected]
 Title IX and Western Policy prohibit retaliating against someone for
reporting sexual harassment or sexual violence.
Confidential support resources include:
 CASAS – On campus confidential support and counseling
 RAINN – website links to international resources
Sexual Violence
 Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

This includes sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is
incapable of giving consent.
 1 in 5 women will experience an attempted or completed rape during
their time at college
 1/10 rape survivors are men
 29% of all rape survivors are women ages 18-24
 80% of rapes are committed by someone that the survivor knows
 Alcohol use may increase students’ vulnerability to sexual violence
 24.6% of WWU students report that, in the past, someone pressured or
forced them into sexual contact without their explicit consent.

Video:Who Are You?

Video: Cycling Through Consent

Video:Tea and Consent
CASAS is a safe, confidential resource for students
who have been affected by violence.
(360) 650-3700 • OM 585B
[email protected]
CASAS believes that violence can happen to anyone and it’s
never the survivor’s fault.
Regardless of your identity, all students are welcome.
Mental Health…

Disclose mental health concerns to the site director

Consult your healthcare provider before travel to ensure that
you’re stable enough for travel without your usual support system

Maintain a regular sleep schedule
 Consult a doctor if you can’t sleep
 Avoid alcohol to induce sleep
Take medications as prescribed during travel, and know how your
medications interact with alcohol
 Watch for tiredness, sleep changes, mood swings, withdrawal,
change in appetite, feelings of hopelessness. Talk to the program
director immediately!

Developing a Coping Plan
 Have you considered making a plan for coping with these
symptoms?
 Who would you talk to about making a plan?
 Specific items for the plan include:

Contact with a known treatment provider

Ways to cope with triggers

Sleep, eating, roommates, academics

Communication with international staff about symptoms

Access to treatment abroad and crisis support services (see
the list on the next slide)
Mental Health Resources
• Western’s Counseling Center in Old Main 540,
360-650-3164 during business hours
• To reach the after-hours on-call counselor, call
360-650-3164 and choose option 1
• Western’s Student Health Center in Campus
Services Facility, 360-650-3400
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline,
1-800-273-8255
• Community Crisis Line (Volunteers of America 24
hour crisis line), 1-800-584-3578
• Crisis Text Line: http://www.crisistextline.org/
• The Trevor Project (national 24-hour free
confidential suicide hotline for gay and
questioning youth), 1-866-488-7386
24/7
Keeping in Touch




Laptops
Cell Phones
Phone Cards
Travel Writing & Blogs

https://wp.wwu.edu/westernabroadblogs/
 Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, Google
Hangout, etc.
 WWU Email
 Facebook Page
 “WWU Education Abroad”
 Look for Facebook Groups run by individual programs! They’re a
great chance to meet people in your group before you leave!
Sharing Your Experience
Travel Writing Program
Photo & Video Contest
Housing
 Cultural Differences
 Living with a Host Family
 Dorms & Apartment Life
 Programs (Camping, etc.)
School
 Grading & Assignment Expectations
 Classes in Another Language
 Classroom Expectations
 Teaching Styles
 Official Transcripts
 Credit Conversion
 (~ Semester credits x 1.5 = Quarter credits)
 Student Learning Outcomes
Travel Tips
 Travel Resources Webpage
 EdAbroad Pinterest
 Getting Around
 Discount Airlines ( Easy Jet, Ryan Air )
 Trains, Busses & Public Transportation
 Find out about reliable Taxi services
 Visas and Documents for Travel
 Travel Guides and Podcasts
 Hostels & Hotels



Hostelling International - http://www.hihostels.com/
Hostel World - http://www.hostelworld.com/
Couch Surfers - http://www.couchsurfing.org/
Packing
1) Make a list
2) Basics – what do you need?
3) Mix & match
4) Halve, then halve it again!
5) ROLL! ….don’t fold
6) Can you walk around your block three times with your luggage?
7) Use a luggage tag to identify your bag
8) Take a photo of your luggage
9) Leave room for things purchased abroad!
Finances Abroad
 Exchange Rates (http://www.xe.com/)
 Carrying cash
 Exchange some money before you go!
 Notify your bank when/where you will be
 Credit Cards
 Keep track of your balance
 Know how to report a stolen card
 (Skype calling or Viber let you
call 1-800#’s)
 Be aware of international fees
 Money Belts are great!
Culture Shock
“Culture shock” is an emotional and behavioral reaction to living in
another country. No matter how patient and flexible you are,
adjusting to a new culture can, at times, be difficult and frustrating.
Tips for overcoming Culture Shock:

Start a journal of observations and new experiences

Be physically active, monitor health and eat healthy

Get out and about, explore your neighborhood and university

Note differences, but avoid value judgments

Join a club or activity – meet locals

Learn the language, even if only a few phrases to get by

Talk to friends and family, don’t internalize your feelings
Reverse Culture Shock

Returning Students Webpage

Lessons From Abroad Returnee Conference
International Buddy Program
Stay involved with the
international student
community when you
return to Western!

Find out more on the ISSS website!!
Questions
Safe Travels!!
Meet others going abroad!
Name & Year in School
When and Where are you
going?
What program are
you going on?