Workshop Series
All study abroad workshops and events are open to all students unless stated otherwise. Spaces are limited so be sure to complete the online RSVP Form to secure your spot. For specific dates, times, and locations of workshops, please check our
Upcoming Events Calendar page.
Special Workshops
Passport Session
Anyone who wants to travel internationally must apply for a passport. This session provides students, faculty, and staff with a unique opportunity to meet with passport clerks on campus to submit and process their applications for a US Passport. More info>>
Gilman Scholarship Workshop
This workshop is designed to provide students with tips and information on how to put together a successful application for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Students are eligible if they currently receive the Federal Pell Grant or can provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant. A past recipient of the Gilman scholarship as well as someone experienced in the Gilman application reading/selection process will run the workshop and be available for questions.
Major-Specific Sessions
These information sessions are geared for specific majors.
Science Majors Abroad
Do you know the best places to study abroad and fulfill major, minor, or core requirements for science majors? A panel of former study abroad science majors will lead an information session on the specific programs or strategies for science majors to take advantage of study abroad opportunities.
Political Science Majors Abroad
Do you want to know the best study abroad location for political science majors? A panel of International Ambassadors (political science majors who studied abroad) will lead an informational session on the specific study abroad programs that are strongly recommended for Poli Sci majors.
Engineering Majors Abroad
Engineering majors are encouraged to join a panel of International Ambassadors (engineering majors who studied abroad) who will lead an informational session on the specific study abroad locations that are strongly recommended for engineering majors.
Program-Specific Information Sessions
Direct Exchange Opportunities
Would you value a full immersion into a local university life without the comfort of a Santa Clara crowd or a program catered to Americans? You may be a great candidate for any number of SCU's Direct Exchange programs in Japan, Philippines, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, and Australia. Many of these universities even offer courses in English so exchange students can experience full immersion while still maintaining their academic progress!
Come and learn about each university directly from the international students from the Exchange universities who are currently attending Santa Clara University. The students will discuss academics, campus life, housing, and other valuable information.
Info Session: SCU London Internship Program
As the most popular study abroad program at Santa Clara, the SCU London program attracts students of all majors, ranging from business to communication, theater to accounting interests. Students are placed in community-based learning type internships. Come and find out more information from program director, Fr. Paul Soukup, S.J., and former participants in the SCU London program.
Info Session: SCU Sydney Internship Program
One of SCU's newest programs is the internship program in Sydney, Australia in partnership with Arcadia University. Find out all the details from eligibility to housing options, course offerings to ensuring a successful internship experience in Sydney.
Info Session: SCU Costa Rica Summer Program
Costa Rica is one of the newest locations for SCU's summer programs. Co-directed by Professors Michelle Bezanson and Sean Watts, this program focuses on environmental studies and biology with classroom and field studies experiences, as well as Anthropology field research on primates in the Costa Rican jungle. Come and find out what this exciting summer program has to offer.
Info Session: SCU Germany Summer Program
Want to learn German? Are you a business major who has yet to fulfill the two quarters of language requirements? Find out how to fulfill these requirements in 4 weeks, and how you could earn a German Studies grant to help fund this term.
Info Session: Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS)
Patty Kustron (patricia.kustron@duke.edu) from Duke University will talk about biological research stations in Costa Rica and South Africa (http://www.ots.duke.edu). Feel free to visit the OTS table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Info Session: Syracuse University Programs
Simona Ceci (sececi@syr.edu) from Syracuse University will talk about Syracuse's study abroad programs in Hong Kong, France, Italy, Spain and Turkey (http://suabroad.syr.edu). Visit the Syracuse table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Arcadia University Programs
Darci Counsell (counseld@arcadia.edu) from Arcadia University's Center for Education Abroad will lead an information session on Arcadia's programs in Australia, England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Scotland (http://www.arcadia.edu/cea). Visit the Arcadia advising table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
The John Felice Rome Center
Gabriella Fortunato (gfortun@luc.edu) from Loyola University Chicago will lead an information session on their program in Rome (www.luc.edu/romecenter). Feel free to visit her table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Info Session: The Beijing Center (TBC)
Chris Tow (c.tow@thebeijingcenter.org) from TBC will discuss the wide variety of courses, excursions, and student services at The Beijing Center in China (http://www.thebeijingcenter.org/). Feel free to visit his table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
Jose Gonzalez (dis@umn.edu) will lead this information session on the many academic tracks at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark (www.dis.dk). Students can visit the DIS table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Institute for International Education of Students (IES)
Martha Ponce Cassani (mponce@iesabroad.org) from IES will host this information session on the the various program locations available including Argentina, Austria, China, Ecuador, European Union, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, and Spain (https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html). Students can visit Martha at the IES table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
School for Field Studies (SFS)
Molly Parkan (mparkan@fieldstudies.org) from SFS will lead this information session on the array of specialized environmental studies programs that SFS offers in unique locations such as Kenya, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, and Turks & Caicos, British West Indies (http://fieldstudies.org/). Feel free to visit the SFS table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Info Session: Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Laura Sweet (lsweet@ciee.org) from CIEE will talk about CIEE's study abroad programs in Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Caribbean, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Hungary, India, Jordan, Korea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam (http://ciee.org/study.aspx). Visit Laura at the CIEE table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Boston University (BU) Programs
Andi Walgren (awalgren@bu.edu) will discuss BU's programs in France, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland (http://www.bu.edu/abroad/science/). Feel free to visit the BU table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Marquette University
Erin Lemoine (erin.lemoine@marquette.edu) from Marquette University will lead an information session on their program in South Africa (http://www.marquette.edu/abroad/southafrica.shtml). Visit the Marquette advising table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Spring Hill College Italy Center
Kyle Trusgnich (ktrusgnich@shc.edu) from Spring Hill College will talk about their program in Bologna, Italy (http://kudzu.shc.edu/italycenter/). Students can visit Kyle at his advising table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
University of San Francisco (USF) - Casa Bayanihan
Heidi Kallen (heidimkallen@gmail.com) and Sharon Li (lis@usfca.edu) from the University of San Francisco will lead an information session on USF's program in the Philippines (http://scu.edu/casa/bayanihan/index.cfm). Feel free to visit Heidi's table in Benson during Study Abroad Week.
Student Forums
These workshops are led by International Ambassadors for students who are trying to compare and contrast experiences.
Studying in Africa and the Middle East
Did you know Santa Clara operates its own program in Burkina Faso? SCU also offers a number of affiliated program options in many other African countries including Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal, as well as Middle Eastern cities such as Amman, Jordan and Ankara, Turkey. Come and meet SCU students who studied in a number of these places. Panelists will discuss their personal experiences, helpful health and safety tips, housing options, travel possibilities, and other issues of interest to students. Participants will have time to ask questions.
Studying in Asia
Are you looking for a more unique cultural experience; perhaps one outside of western culture? Santa Clara's affiliated programs offer studies abroad in a number of Asian countries including China, Japan, India, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. You can even participate in an SCU direct exchange and experience a full immersion in Tokyo universities. Come learn about these unique programs and meet SCU students who studied in these countries. Panelists will discuss their personal experiences, helpful health and safety tips, housing options, travel possibilities, and other issues of interest to students. Participants will have time to ask questions.
Studying in Europe
Have you always dreamed of studying in Europe? Santa Clara has its own programs in Spain, England, Germany and Italy as well as other program options all throughout Europe including France, Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Sweden and many more! Come and meet SCU students who studied in a number of these places. Panelists will discuss their personal experiences, helpful health and safety tips, housing options, travel possibilities, and other issues of interest to students. Participants will have time to ask questions.
Studying in Latin America
Interested in Latin America? Did you know that SCU operates it own programs in El Salvador and Costa Rica? And that with one of Santa Clara's affiliated programs you could study in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru? Come learn about these unique programs and meet SCU students who studied in a number of these countries. Panelists will discuss their personal experiences, helpful health and safety tips, housing options, travel possibilities, and other issues of interest to students. Participants will have time to ask questions.
Studying in Australia and New Zealand
Santa Clara has a number of options for students interested in studying in Australia and New Zealand, including a program that offers an internship! Come to this information session to find out more about these program locations and meet SCU students who experienced life in the land down under! Panelists will discuss their personal experiences, helpful health and safety tips, housing options, travel possibilities, and other issues of interest to students. Participants will have time to ask questions.
Can I afford to study abroad??
Worried about funding your term abroad? Did you know that the tuition for International Programs is now the same per quarter as SCU tuition, but that the room, board, and other program fees vary with location? This workshop covers all information on Study Abroad tuition and fees as well as options for funding your term(s) abroad. If you are one of the many students receiving federal and state grants, private scholarships, student loans from the SCU financial aid office, then you may want to attend this workshop and find out how your aid is applied to your term abroad, and how to prevent complications and delays with your financial aid package. Those of you looking for other ways to finance your studies abroad, get some tips about how to fund your time abroad and find out about scholarships and grants from the literally thousands of funding sources for international education in practically every field of studies.
Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 9:30AM - 1:30PM (Locatelli Center)
Students who have been approved and accepted to a study abroad program are required to participate in the pre-departure orientation programs. All study abroad students must participate in the General Session and the respective location-specific group meetings with International Ambassadors (students who studied abroad) immediately following the General Session. We also encourage you to participate in any of the pre-departure workshops (see below) scheduled throughout the Spring quarter. Spaces are limited in these workshops so reserve your spot early.
Pre-Departure Orientation Workshops
The following workshops are geared toward students who have been accepted to a study abroad program.
Course Approval & Academic Planning
This workshop is designed to help students prepare for the next step in the study abroad process: planning coursework for your term abroad and more importantly, making sure you get credit for those courses once you are back at SCU! The workshop will go over the steps in the course approval process and Professor Phyllis Brown, Director of Undergraduate Core Curriculum, will present tips and information on planning for core requirements.
How to Apply for a U.S. Passport
Did you know that some countries require your passport to be valid three months AFTER your stay? If your passport expires soon and you aren't sure how to apply for a new one, then come to this workshop! The workshop is designed to give students all the information they need in order to apply for a US passport before they go abroad. Whether you are getting a passport for the first time or just need to renew an old one, this workshop will tell you the steps you need to take!
Dealing with Different Teaching Styles Abroad: Culture Shock in the Classroom
Depending on the program and country, schools abroad can be quite different from SCU. Classes may have less formal structure and instructors often place more responsibility on the students to organize their studies. A panel of international educators and former study abroad students will discuss the various ways to succeed in a variety of educational systems abroad.
Succeeding Amidst Culture Shock
When you leave home to head to a foreign country, you are essentially starting an entirely new life for yourself. This is obviously going to take a while to adjust to and as you adapt to a new environment you may realize all the basic things you take for granted back home, including friends, language skills, food, family, fashion style, and even Malley Center. How do you deal with the inevitability of culture shock? A panel of experts and SCU International Ambassadors will discuss practical tips on dealing with culture shock.
Travel Writing
Ever wonder about the best travel writers today? Care to find out how to publish your thoughts and reflections from your study abroad experiences? Prof. Jill Gould from the English Department will discuss practical tips on journaling while studying abroad.
Finances and Budgeting Abroad
Not sure how to manage your finances while you are abroad? Concerned about ATM and bank fees adding up? This workshop is designed to provide students with information regarding finance and budgeting issues. Topics will include: managing finances, budgeting, exchange rates/currency issues, banking, and ATM/credit card issues. A panel of SCU International Ambassadors will provide tips and students will have the opportunity to ask these students what they preferred to do while abroad.
How to NOT act like an American Idiot Abroad
How do other countries really view Americans? Is the international opinion of Americans as bad as we are made to think it is? This discussion-based workshop will address the questions or concerns that students may have in terms of this ever-present question. Students will interact with SCU international ambassadors, and possibly faculty from the various departments at Santa Clara involved with international relations to gain a better understanding of how Americans are seen in other countries. For an added bonus, several study abroad students visiting Santa Clara will participate with their candid and friendly opinions and suggestions for those who are about to go abroad and want to blend in rather than perpetuate the stereotype.
Health & Safety Abroad
Ever wonder how the Europeans stay so slim and trim without clocking hours of work outs at Malley? Are there going to be problems with safety abroad? At this panel-based workshop, students will be able to get information about how to stay healthy, stay safe, and to make the most of their experience abroad. Students will get an idea of the foods they must try and those they might want to avoid for health or safety reasons. SCU international ambassadors will be present to lead this discussion.
Being a Woman Abroad
This is a session designed to inform and educate women about their role and their safety abroad. We will address different ways for women to maintain their safety and also to understand the importance of acting appropriately while abroad—there are so many different customs and norms for women in other countries, and it is important for female students to understand and feel comfortable with these prior to their departure. This discussion-based panel will be led by SCU international ambassadors and other female volunteers.
Hostel Hopping Abroad
Do you imagine your travels to consist of you sleeping in a four-star hotel? Think again and maybe consider the wide variety of thematic hostels available with some of the same amenities, cheaper prices and a friendly atmosphere. Want to become a first-rate hostel critic? This discussion based-panel will be led by SCU international ambassadors who have experienced the ritzy hostels down to the places you don't want to go in the day let alone sleep in at night. So hop on board and listen to the adventures of hostel hopping!
Putting Your Own Spin on Abroad
Do you wonder how you can spread Santa Clara's mission abroad? Are you an advocate for change and want to find others who share your passion to volunteer? Or if not through volunteer experience, come learn how you can make your time spent abroad more meaningful and rich with the people or experiences that you discover. Please join this panel-based discussion led by International Ambassadors who experienced ways to volunteer and spread compassion during their time abroad.
Make-Up Orientation Session: For Excused Students Only
Students who requested and have been granted permission to miss the required pre-departure orientation are required to attend one of the scheduled make-up sessions. If you have a legitimate reason to be excused from the pre-departure orientation, please send an email to studyabroad@scu.edu with the reason. Then RSVP online for one of the general sessions.
Re-Entry Workshops
Re-Entry Day: Reconnect! Reflect! Relax!
All returning study abroad students are invited to register for this wonderful day to reconnect with other returnees to reflect on their study abroad experiences and get some tips on dealing with the inevitable reverse culture shock. Facilitated by Study Abroad Peer Advisors and graduate interns from the Counseling Center, the Re-Entry Day starts with a breakfast and concludes with a BBQ. It is the first training session for all new International Ambassadors.
Resumes for International Aficionados
Have you studied, worked, or volunteered abroad? Would you like to position yourself for an international career? Learn how to integrate your international experience on your resume. Find out how to communicate skills that are valued in a global market. Take away advice for approaching an international job search.
International Ambassadors Training
Returning study abroad students who wish to maintain their international educational leadership experiences are invited to join the International Ambassadors Training Program. Students who wish to become International Ambassadors and receive the International Leadership Certificate participate in a series of training workshops and lead a number of events during the Winter and Spring quarter.
