Santa Clara University

Saturday, April 9, 2011; 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Congratulations on your decision to study abroad during your time at Santa Clara. To help prepare you for this educational and cultural experience, Santa Clara requires that all study abroad students participate in the pre-departure orientation 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 April / May (see info below). 

Program Overview

• Check-in & Registration
  
• General Session & Notes
  
• Parents Session & Resources
• Location-specific Group Meetings & Tips Sheets
  
• Recommended Workshops
  
• Make-up Sessions for Excused Students
  

Check-in & Registration

10:00 - 10:15 AM, Mayer Lawn
Check-in at the Mayer Theater lawn to be issued their name tag, room assignment, and other last minute instructions.

 

 

General Session - All

10:30 - 11:30, Mayer Theater
Key University officials will cover SCU study abroad policies & procedures related to health & safety, student responsibilities, code of conduct, liabilities, visa, class registration & billing procedures, course approval, and other important information. Be sure to download the various information from the handbook which will be discussed in details by the respective panelists.

• Video - Been There! Your Turn! (International Ambassadors)
  
• General Session Agenda (Powerpoint)
• Notes - Preparing to Enter Another Culture (Barbara Colyar, IPO)
• Notes - Health & Safety Abroad (Office of Student Life)
• Notes - Registration & Credit Transfer Procedures (Office of the Registrar)
• Notes - Financial Responsibility & Billing Procedures (University Bursar)

 

Parents Session

11:45 - 12:30 PM, Daly Science 201
Parents are invited to attend the General Session (room permitting), but this session will cover the same information. Barbara Colyar, Director of Study Abroad will meet with  parents to answer their specific questions while students are meeting in their respective location-specific groups. Parents are asked to bring their questions to this informal Q & A session.

• Parents Resources
  

Student Group Meetings 

  11:45 - 12:30 PM, See assigned room on your nametag
Immediately following the General Session in Mayer Theater, you will proceed to your assigned room (assigned during registration) to attend your location-specific group meetings. Led by SCU International Ambassadors (students who studied abroad in the specific locations), these group meetings will enable you to meet other students who are going to the same program-location and to get oriented to the country, city, or university.

• You can download the Tips Sheets prepared by the International Ambassadors.

Recommended Workshops

These workshops are led by International Ambassadors, faculty, and staff to help prepare students for the various realities in the study abroad experience. Read the brief descriptions below and find the one that most appeals to you from among the options.

Wellness Abroad

Tue., April 12, 2011 / 5:30 - 6:30 PM / Benson, Conference Room 21
Former study abroad students will share tips on coping with homesickness, packing right, staying active and engaging in activities that keep you happy, eating and health advice, getting prescriptions before you go abroad (it’s difficult seeing doctors/getting meds in foreign country) and discussing culture shock, tips on making the most out of your location/experience, and staying true to yourself/taking care of your mind, body, and spirit. >>Register Now!

Being a Woman Abroad

Tue., April 12, 2011  / 6:30 - 7:30 pm / Benson, Conference Room 21
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. >> Register Now!

Doing an Internship Abroad

TBD (Register Here)
International Ambassadors who did an Internship while they were abroad will give advice on making the most of your internship, how to communicate effectively in a foreign country, tips on asking for a review at the end of internship, and highlight how their internship abroad helped them get a subsequent job/internship.

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 Vid Raatior (vraatior@scu.edu) with the reason. If you are involved in an official University activity (e.g. Preview Weekend, Retreat, Sports, Fieldtrip, etc), please ask the faculty/staff leader to email Vid with the official roster of study abroad students involved in the activity.  We recommend you have a friend take notes at the group meetings or contact an International Ambassador. >>Register Now!
 

Be sure to register for one of three Make-Up Sessions: