CSU Pre-departure guide - Study Abroad - Colorado State University

Preparing to
STUDY ABROAD!
Explore – Engage – Discover!
Study abroad is one of the most
challenging, exciting, and rewarding
experiences a student can have
during his or her college career.
However, a successful international
experience does not just happen,
but rather requires much planning
and preparation. The CSU Study
Abroad team will help you prepare for
your study abroad experience, but
ultimately you must take the initiative in
what can become a very exciting predeparture
self-orientation.
This guide is intended to jump
start your orientation process and to
provide general information to assist
you as you prepare for your time
abroad. Specifically, the Study Abroad
pre-departure handbook will help you
to explore the following topics and
questions (and many, many more!):
Cultural Immersion:
• What stereotypes do I hold of my
host culture? What stereotypes
might they hold of me?
• How familiar am I with my own
cultural heritage?
• Am I prepared to experience
culture shock? Have I developed
strategies to cope with cultural
adjustment difficulties?
Health and Safety Abroad:
• What are common health and
safety hazards for students in my
host country?
• What immunizations, if any, will
I need to get before I depart the
United States? Where can I get
these?
• Do I know how to access my health
insurance from abroad?
• What safety precautions should I
take when traveling abroad? How
will these differ from my common
practices at home?
Academics, Finances, and
Communication:
• What must I do at CSU before
departure in order to guarantee
credit transfer?
• How will my grades transfer to
CSU? How will I get a transcript
sent back to CSU?
• What is included in the program
costs and benefits?
• How will I access my CSU financial
aid while abroad?
Travel Logistics and Final
Preparations:
• Will I be going to a country which
requires a visa? If so, have I
obtained the appropriate visa?
• Do I have an ATM card that will work
in the country where I will be? Are
traveler’s checks a good idea for
me? Should I bring a credit card?
• Should I consider purchasing a cell
phone? How do cell phones work
in my host country?
• What should I pack?
Returning to the United States:
• What is re-entry shock? How can I
prepare for this while still in my host
country?
Take time during the upcoming
weeks and months to educate
yourself about the country you will
soon be calling “home”. In addition
to reading carefully through the CSU
Study Abroad pre-departure guide,
we encourage you to contact natives
from the country in which you will be
studying, study abroad returnees,
tourist and travel organizations,
libraries, faculty or other students,
friends, and relatives to learn more
about the many topics covered in
this guide. Preparation is the key to a
successful study abroad program.
Have fun!
Bon voyage and safe travels!
2 www.studyabroad.colostate.edu Colorado State University Study Abroad