Global Student Programs Office

Transcription

1 Global Student Programs Office

2 Getting ready for studying abroad The Basics Expectation management

3 Dates Mark your calendar! Read the acceptance package of the host institution carefully Pick-up service Dormitory check-in Orientation First day of classes

4 Passport/Travel documents Paperwork! Validity must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to the host country AND valid for the whole period of your exchange Other important stuff o Acceptance letter from host university o Transcript o Extra passport photos o Medical / immunization records Make copies! Keep with friends or family!

5 Visa Apply for a visa 2-3 months before the program start date. Check with the corresponding consulates the procedures and required documents well in advance. Some countries may need an appointment for visa application. If you are transiting through another country, you SHOULD check the transit visa requirement.

6 US Student Visa Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1 Visa) for academic exchange: DS-2019 Student visa (F-1 Visa) for course of study more than 18 hours a week: Form I-20 Please refer to for more details.

7 Schengen visa Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Liechtenstein

8 Accommodation - Types of accommodation On-campus, off-campus - Guaranteed by host institution vs Selfarranged - Separate application needed? - Considering factors Cost, location, meal plans, facilities

9 Travel Arrangement Check the flight / train schedule Airline vs Travel Agents Direct flight vs Transit / Stopover Price vs Travelling & Transit Time If you are taking indirect flights, remember to check the visa requirement for the transit port as some countries may require passengers to hold a transit visa for changing flights. Ticket type Round-trip vs One-way Any restrictions, e.g. changes allowed?

10 Special air fares for HKUST students For students participating in HKUST-organized study abroad programs Discount fare Extra baggage allowance No rebooking handling charge Open jaw tickets (i.e. arrival departure) e.g. Outbound: HKG > New York Return: Boston > HKG Validity: Min. 1 month / Max. 1 year

11 Money! Money! Money! Exchange some money before you go Enough money to cover your initial accommodation and other fees payment, living expenses for the first few weeks Don t carry too much cash Cash Credit card Bank drafts Travelers' checks Find a home bank ATM or branch - Open local bank account? - Withdraw money from ATM overseas? Surcharge? Don t keep all your money in one place! Plan for extra costs

12 Pack your luggage Prepare a checklist! Check: Weather information Baggage allowance offered by the airline Customs of the host country Souvenirs for friends

13 Supplies Medicine medications, cold, headache, lotions... Sockets, voltage and adapters Spare glasses Check the weather and bring the right clothes Layers & thick coats (Down jackets suitable for North America) Formal & Cultural clothing

14 Communication Roaming Convenient but costly Check how to deactivate the roaming function before departure International Data SIM stay connected once arrive destination allow voice call Local SIM card with data plan Can only get one on arrival, e.g. airport/ telecommunication service provider Local mobile phone number

15 Insurance All UG students who take part in the University s exchange program will automatically be enrolled in the University s Travel Insurance Plan. No separate application required. Cover 1. Travelling between HK and destination country 2. Travelling WITHIN destination country Note: Place of Departure/Return 1. Hong Kong must be either a place of departure or return, if not both. 2. If both your place of departure and return are outside Hong Kong, you are NOT eligible to join this insurance scheme. You MUST arrange your own travel insurance for your exchange study. NOT covered You must arrange your own insurance if you travel to: 1. Countries other than destination during outbound and return journeys 2. Countries outside destination during exchange period

16 Insurance Coverage & Certificate Coverage SFAO website: Leave a copy with your family! Insurance Certificate No insurance certificate will be issued normally. Students who need the insurance certificate for visa application purpose should submit an application to the Scholarships and Financial Aid Office at Room 5016 (via Lift 3) Application form can be downloaded from SFAO website. Worldwide Emergency Hotline:

17 Insurance - Special notes Some host institutions/countries may require exchange students to subscribe to the university s compulsory medical insurance plan / national health insurance plan. Students exchanging to US are highly recommended to join the medical insurance plan offered by the host institutions Regulations are usually different for each state Ensure you are fully covered

18 Check s PLEASE check your HKUST, host institution and personal accounts regularly. DO read the s sent to you by as they will contain important information that are relevant to you. Please reply to the if you are asked to check in with us. In case of critical incidents, the University will wish to know that you are safe and well.

19 Safety Abroad Typical door in New York? Research safety information in your host city and use wise judgment Be prepared to be treated differently than you are in Hong Kong Please check your HKUST regularly When there are critical incidents, HKUST Global Student Programs Office will contact you via your HKUST to confirm that you are safe and well. Please reply to those s!

20 International SOS Provides worldwide medical and security support service free-ofcharge for HKUST undergraduate students who are on exchange, overseas internships, service learning, competitions and other activities. Before departure Go to Review the medical and security information about the destination country During exchange Contact ISOS for emergency assistance ** International SOS is not an insurance policy HKUST Membership ID: 07AYCA093635

21 Get there Safely DO s! Arrange for airport pick-up or make prior arrangements Learn about public transport Let local contacts know your itinerary Bring a map or copy of Google maps for directions so you re not lost Learn some commonly used phrases if you don t speak the language Make your own emergency contact list (e.g. local emergency numbers, host institution s contact numbers) DON Ts! Accept help from strangers waiting around the airport Expect foreign transport to be as good as HK Carry all your valuables in one place Rent a car Use drugs or abuse alcohol Go on a trip without telling anyone Expect it to be as safe as HK Go out at night alone

22 What to do in an emergency Real emergencies are thankfully rare, but Calm yourself down 2. Observe and get to safety 3. Do what you have to do calmly but quickly 4. Get assistance and follow instructions of the police or local authorities 5. Call first for the help that is most relevant 6. Contact ISOS for assistance 7. Tell HKUST what is going on Prepare for emergencies Know the local emergency numbers Leave copies of important documents with your family Let people know where you are and for how long Get familiar with the safety issues at your destination

23 No Harassment Behave with confidence Follow the lead of local women Be vigilant when traveling on public transport Make a fuss if harassed to draw attention Be very careful about drinking

24 Academic Stuff! 1. Check the course registration schedule Pre-registration dates Registration dates Add/drop period? 2. Choose some courses! Select a few more possible courses as back-up just in case 3. Check ARO s Course Equivalence Database 4. Seek academic advice from your School 5. Get pre-approval for credit transfer if courses are not on the database 6. Remember to KEEP the course syllabus for credit transfer * School s pre-departure briefing covers more details

25 Why are you studying abroad?

26 We can travel the world and see absolutely nothing

27 The bigger your expectations the smaller your happiness

28 Cultural Perceptions Foreigners that you have met in Hong Kong and outside of their home countries are those who are comparatively more openminded. Local people can be very different from those you have met before.

29 You re not in Hong Kong anymore Friendliness/politeness Personal space Privacy Time Food Humor Fairness Gender relations Ethnic/racial/national identity

30 Try to be where you are Limit your time on the Net Befriend with the locals Get a local mobile number Switch the language on your devices to the local language Stay open minded + Listen + Understand + Learn + Appreciate

31 The (typical) life of an exchange student Leaving home Return home Feelings of confidence Arrival abroad Cultural discomfort Gradual adjustment Feelings of unhappiness

32 And...remember Keep a journal and pictures - You will be required to submit a study abroad report within one month after the end of Spring Term

33 Student Sharing The sharing from students who returned from a study abroad experience is a great resource for students who are preparing to study abroad. - Learning experience - Housing - Travelling - Luggage

34 Have a GREAT time!

35 Any Queries? Global Student Programs Office

36 Keeping you Healthy and Safe while you are abroad International SOS 39

37 Your medical and security department AT A GLANCE A presence in 90 countries across five continents Over 11,000 employees and 95 offices 56 clinics 26 Assistance Centres 99 languages supported 72,000 suppliers 4.6 million calls/ year 1.56million cases/ year 8 dedicated air plates 40

38 INTERNATIONAL SOS WHAT S IN IT FOR YOU? How to use International membership? Call 24hrs 7days Who can use it and when? Staff and Students for trips authorized by the University Pre-travel Primary prevention Medical and Security Advice During travel Secondary prevention - prevent small incidents from becoming BIG and alert you on emerging risks In an emergency Provide on-the-ground support through our network 41

39 How do you prepare for an overseas trip? Exchange Programs Service Learning trips Research Conferences/seminars Sports and music competition Other trips in the name of the University.. a. I don t need to prepare, I ve been there before b. I Google search my destination c. Get in touch with International SOS 42

40 What can we help you with? Pre-departure Travel/Assignment Emergency 43

41 Helping you prepare before you go Are you going to a high risk destination? Are you going to a remote area? Do you speak the local language? Are you aware of local customs and laws? Are you currently taking medication or have a health issue? Are there any medical or security issues you should be aware of? Any special considerations for female travellers? 44

42 Pre-Trip Preparation (Prevent reasonable foreseeable risks) 9 Example 1: John is going for community service to Yangshou, China next month. What risks should he be aware of? Vaccinations, staying healthy Risks in rural areas Emerging infectious disease Home stay risks Local security scams Unrest, terrorism, natural disasters

43 Pre-Trip Preparation (Prevent reasonable foreseeable risks) 10 Example 2: Mary has an exchange program in Germany next month. What risks should she be aware of? Travel in Europe, road, rail on foot Avoiding & responding to attacks Scams and confidence tricks Demonstration and riots Risk of terror attacks

44 Pre-Trip Preparation (Prevent reasonable foreseeable risks) 11 Example 3: James have asthma since childhood going for research in Indonesia. Extra precautionary measures? Foreign local health system/environment?

45 Global Assistance 24hrs Assist. Inform. coups lost wallet extreme weather routine issues flu medical illness can I drink the water? directions air quality threats hotel referral diarrhoea rural isolation language and cultural barriers common travel problems immigration & visas typhoid fever doctor referral rash toothache travel-related infections civil unrest vehicle accidents airline delays can i use the local taxis? 48

46 If the unthinkable happens We facilitate hospital admission We make doctor s appointment We evacuate you to a centre of medical excellence We evacuate you to a safe area We make sure you receive proper treatment overseas We keep the University informed every step of the way We keep family members informed We coordinate payment of medical fees when approved 49

47 Let us help you 50

48 International SOS Membership Prepare yourself before travel Call us anytime, anywhere at any of our Assistance Centers around the world Member Tips: Add International SOS to your mobile phone contact list along with your membership number. Save our assistance centre number to your mobile now: Hong Kong Membership Number: 07AYCA

49 Visit the International SOS portal 07AYCA

50 elearning 53

51 Download the Intl. SOS assistance app Download now: app.internationalsos.com Membership Number 07AYCA

52 11 Download the Intl. SOS assistance app Download now: app.internationalsos.com Membership Number 07AYCA

53 Check in Call us Check in Call us 56

54 Call an Assistance Centre Extreme weather Heightened security at check points Road and rail infrastructure problems Terrorism threats Airlines strikes and other industrial action Disease outbreaks Problems or limitations of medical infrastructure 57

55 No matter how small your concern may feel, when in doubt, call International SOS. 24/7 ASSISTANCE CENTRE Hong Kong THANK YOU 58