IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY



2011-12 Outgoing Study Abroad HandbookCongratulations! You are about to embark upon what we hope will be an experience of a lifetime in a foreign country! In order for you to be fully prepared, please read this entire handbook carefully. In addition to what we have summarized in the front of this book, we have provided you with the latest U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for your host country as well as various Public Announcements, Tips for Travelers, A Safe Trip Abroad, and other pertinent information (see Appendix). We know that some of this information will be repetitive, either at the orientation or later in this handbook, but please read it anyway. If you still have questions after reading the manual please contact us at the Office of International Programs and Studies (OIPS) at 277-4032. We are here to assist with this process and to ensure you to have a safe and enjoyable trip. IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLYStudying abroad will possibly be one of the best experiences of your life, but while you are enjoying your time overseas we want you to remember to be safe. In general, American students have never been the specific target of hostile activity, and most students find that what they had expected in terms of unfriendly attitudes toward Americans was unfounded. In the U.S., terrorist activities are constantly discussed; however, it is important to remember that terrorism has generally been directed at government officials and business people, and not at U.S. students. Let’s put it this way, you have more of a chance of getting into an auto accident or injuring yourself at home than being involved in a terrorist incident. Also, crime rates are higher in the U.S. than in most countries where UNM has exchanges, especially rates of violent crime. However, safety is always an issue and you need to be smart and aware! Please help us keep you safe:Please give us a detailed plan of your itinerary, going to and from your exchange country; this can be a document from your travel agent, or you can just call us with the appropriate information;If you haven’t already, please provide us a copy of your passport before you leave; also, check to make sure you fill in the emergency contact information page of your passport;Please remember to complete the “Orientation Attendance and Email Release Form” sheets and submit them to the study abroad advisor/s;Contact us as soon as you arrive at your host university/country/language program in order to give us your new address and phone number, in case an emergency should arise. E-mail is fine: studyabd@unm.edu;Please check your email daily or as often as possible, in case we are trying to reach you. If your e-mail address changes, let us know immediately; Upon arrival, register with the nearest U.S. Consulate. U.S. Consulate locations are listed on the “Consular Information Sheet” that we have provided for the country you are visiting.Go to the State Department & Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites frequently to check for Travel Warnings and Public Announcements: & .Keep your study abroad/health insurance current for the entire time you are away, i.e., if you extend your stay, call your insurance company and extend it until you are planning to return.WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCYContact OIPS505-277-4032Study Abroad AdvisorsKen Carpenter – Associate Director carpenk@unm.eduLauren Fowler Young – Study Abroad Advisor lfowler@unm.eduStudent Employee for Study Abroad studyabd@unm.edu Contact the UNM Police (24 hrs/day) 505-277-2241 Other important numbers:Office of the Provost 505-277-2611Kim Kloeppel, Interim Dean of Students505-277-6448 REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING THE HOST COUNTRYPassportsA passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant issue or verify United States passports. You must have a valid passport! Passports can be ordered through the US Post Office, cost is approximately $135.00, and can take up to 6+ weeks to arrive. For this process, you will need to provide 2 passport photos and a certified birth certificate. If your passport is near its expiration date, you must renew it before you leave OR go to the nearest US consulate/embassy to have it renewed. If your passport will expire within 90 days (3 months) AFTER you return from study abroad, it must be renewed. U.S. customs will fine you $100 if you come back to the USA with an expired passport. Other suggestions:Be sure to make several copies of your passport and to report lost or stolen passports to the nearest U.S. Consulate immediately. Do not pack your passport in your checked luggage. Carry a copy of your passport with you, and leave the original in a safe place (i.e. money belt if flying, or locked luggage if in hotel). We recommend making at least 2 copies of all important documents before leaving the U.S. - one to take with you and keep in a safe place and the other to leave with a close relative, friend or with OIPS.VisasWhat is a Visa? A visa is issued by the host country and is usually a stamp or decal placed in your passport that allows you to legally enter that country. YOU must contact the closest consulate and request a student visa before your departure (most countries require you to apply no more than 90 days and no less than 30 days before your departure). Please visit () and click on “international travel” for information on the country and visa requirements during your stay. Some countries do not require American Citizens to have a visa if you are going to be there 90 days or less; however, since you are going as a student, on a semester or yearlong exchange you will most likely need to have a student visa. Most Consulates for New Mexico are either in California or Texas; check the internet for more information. It is a good idea to check with both the Embassy and Consulate websites. Depending on what country you plan to study in, you might have to travel to a Consulate in order to obtain you visa. NOTE: The Office of International Programs and Studies (OIPS) is not responsible for gathering up-to-date visa information or for getting your student visas – this process is YOUR responsibility. OIPS will help you as much as possible, but it is important for you to have a proper understanding of your own documents. Allow yourself plenty of time and find out what you will need to provide these agencies.AUSTRALIA Students going to Australia: Website given to students upon acceptance to host school.CANADA Students going to Canada: and the Embassy website at CHINA/Hong Kong Students going to Hong Kong:, -Visa Issues, , General information for students DenmarkStudents going to Denmark andFRANCE Students going to France: New Mexico is under the Jurisdiction of the France Consulate in Los Angeles. Students must also apply through Campus France (). Note: students are required to go to Los Angeles to apply for their visa in person.GERMANY Students going to Germany: New Mexico is under the Jurisdiction of the German Consulate General Houston. Most students will not need to obtain a visa/permit until they arrive to Germany.ITALYStudents going to Italy: Mexico is under the Jurisdiction of the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles. Students planning to study in Italy should first consult with the UNM Office of International programs and Studies (OIPS). JAPANStudents going to Japan Consulate serving New Mexico is in Denver.NEW ZEALANDStudents going to New Zealand serving New Mexico is in Los Angeles.RUSSIA Students going to Russia: Note- the Russian student visa can be more difficult and therefore it is encouraged that students start the visa paperwork as soon as possible. SWEDENStudents going to Sweden: UNITED KINGDOM: Students going on exchange to the United Kingdom: For other countries, please search the Internet for the Embassy or Consulate website to find out information on what is needed for a student visa.TRAVEL INFORMATIONPlane TicketsFor flight information and information on low cost airfare – start early, contact your travel agent and/or Keep checking the Internet. Below are a few sites that UNM study abroad participants have recommended for discounted airfares: (student travel) (student travel) (for flights within Europe) (for flights within Europe).au (Australia) (compare different airfares) (compare different airfares) (compare different airfares)etn.nl/lcosteur.htm (compare different airfares) (compare different airfares) (compare different airfares)“Around the World Tickets”Most American students are unfamiliar with “Around the World Tickets”, but it is definitely worth looking into. Most ATW tickets will grant you a full year to travel to three or more continents and can be quite reasonable in comparison with the price of other tickets. If you are planning on doing some major traveling, look into it.Traveling to Europe One cheaper way of traveling to Europe is to fly into London or Paris and then take a cheaper flight to your host country. Check out or . If you are flexible, and you are traveling light, another option is to fly into London and take the “Chunnel,” the English nickname for The Channel Tunnel connecting England and France. Once you arrive in France, you can take a train or bus to your host country within Europe. Money Saving Tips:The key to finding a cheap flight is to be flexible, with travel dates, destinations, etc. You may find a very cheap flight to Frankfurt, but your program is in Chambery. Use the internet, be flexible, and use public transportation - it might offer you a better, more affordable option. Any way you choose to travel make sure to arrive a few days before the program or orientation starts, as you will have serious jet lag for at least the first 24-48 hours. This also might depend on when you receive your visa from the consulate. Make sure you plan accordingly and give yourself so time. Also, if you are traveling to a town or village outside of your arrival city, plan on taking a train or bus to get there – again, arriving no later than 2 days before the program or test date begins. HEALTH INSURANCEYou must have adequate health & accident insurance coverage while you are abroad. The UNM Provost’s office mandates that you have special travelers insurance to participate in our study abroad programs. In order to be excluded from purchasing this “special insurance”, you must provide proof to our office that your current insurance company (i.e. your parents plan) provides: 1) Medical Coverage of at least $50,000, 2) Emergency Medical Evacuation and 3) Repatriation of Remains. There are no exceptions. Insurance coverage should take effect from the moment you depart the U.S. until you return. Note: Make certain that you do not leave yourself vulnerable by having insurance that only covers you while school terms are actually in session. Some host universities will require you to purchase their university’s policy. For instance students going to Australia will need to purchase the Australian National Insurance, but for all other students, unless you are required to buy a specific type of insurance by the Host University or country, we recommend purchasing HTH Worldwide health insurance. Keep in mind that while some countries, like the United Kingdom, might automatically incorporate you into their national healthcare system, events like medical evacuation or repatriation of remains will NOT be covered; therefore, we encourage all students to buy a plan that offers this coverage should something happen. For HTH Worldwide Insurance, please enroll on-line at . Please forward your proof of enrollment document to lfowler@unm.edu and studyabd@unm.edu indicating that you have purchased the insurance. You may also send us a copy of your insurance card when you get it in the mail. HTH Worldwide costs ~$35/month for students under 30 years of age and must be purchased in one-month increments beginning at any time (for example Jan 1st to June 1st, or August 30th to December 30th). You must have insurance for your entire length of stay in the country where you are studying abroad. If you have UNM Student Health Insurance, please send us a copy of your insurance card, with expiration date listed. In addition, most visa applications will require you to submit an official letter from the international travel health group to prove your insurance while abroad.WE MUST HAVE PROOF OF INSURANCE BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN UNM’s STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM. HEALTH TIPSPlease read the CDC advisory for the region you will be visiting. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating. Don’t overdo it with hot, spicy foods and alcoholic beverages. Avoid eating at roadside stands, but if you decide to try one, make sure it is well-frequented, appears to be hygienic, or is one recommended by your host family or friends. Select restaurants that look clean and hygienic. Should you develop diarrhea, treat symptoms with common over-the-counter medications such as Immodium and Kaeopectate. We do not recommend the use of Lomotil, except in extreme cases.If you have a pre-existing medical condition or problem you should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the condition and any prescription medications you are taking, including the generic name of prescribed drugs. If you take prescription drugs, please consult with your physician and take the recommended supply of medication with you. If you are on a health plan that only allows for 30 days on a prescription, show them your airline ticket and they will fill your prescription for the whole time you will be gone. You might consider bringing allergy medicine or eye drops if you are susceptible to environmental conditions. Keep medication in original prescription bottles, to avoid customs complications when leaving the country. If you wear eyeglasses you might want to bring an extra pair, along with your prescription. If you wear contacts, bring enough supplies for the whole trip, and an extra set of glasses. Women should bring enough sanitary supplies for their trip, as well as some over-the-counter treatment for yeast infections. Keep in mind that while your host country will most likely have most everything you need, some products or medicines might be different than what you are used to. Talk to past participants or to current exchange students from your host country for more advice. Please be aware that all normal precautions taken to avoid AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in the USA also apply overseas. If you are sexually active, be sure to use condoms and take an adequate supply with you. Both AIDS and Hepatitis B are passed through the exchange of body fluids, sharing needles, and tainted blood transfusions. The Center for Disease Control is now recommending that everyone get a Hepatitis A and B vaccine – talk to the Student Health center before you go (277-3136). Should you require medical attention in your host country, please contact staff at your host school for a list of recommended doctors in the area. In case of emergency go to the nearest hospital. Your US State Department information should list some recommended hospitals. Be sure to consult with them if in doubt.You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most have a toll free number or website/e-mail. See your policy for details. For more on health information to travelers, you can check the Internet at: . They have information on recommended vaccines, diseases, food and water precautions, and travelers’ diarrhea. IMMUNIZATIONSIt is recommended that you have updated Tetanus, Polio, and Measles vaccinations. You may also want to get Typhoid, Gamma Globulin, and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Contact the UNM International Travel Clinic (277-3136, 277-3137) or your private physician for further recommendations. SAFETY TIPSWhile traveling it is very important that you keep an eye on your personal belongings.Keep your purse firmly clamped under your arm and your wallet in a side or jacket pocket, not in your back pocket. Do not lay your bag or backpack in the seat next to you; always have a hold on it (loop the strap around your foot, etc.) Pickpockets are everywhere. Luggage is often stolen by bystanders, fake porters or "friends" who offer to watch your bags;Bring luggage that you can lock. It is best to lock your property inside your luggage when you leave your room. We strongly suggest travel insurance to avoid large losses. Bicycles and laptop computers are among the most commonly stolen items. Keep them secure!There have been very few instances of theft from students during study abroad programs; however, it is not unheard of. Most students generally lose their valuables through carelessness. We urge you to always be alert and to use common sense.Other Suggestions (to help YOU avoid being pick pocketed)Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home;Be especially vigilant in places and situations where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded metro, bus or train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal zones around cities; Try not to use short cuts, narrow alleys, or poorly lit streets. Do not travel alone at night. Public demonstrations and other civil disturbances are also known as risky areas; Avoid loud conversations or arguments (these are frequently common in the United States, but will make you stick out like a sore thumb elsewhere);Avoid scam artists - strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide. Simply beware of pickpockets. These perpetrators often have an accomplice who will jostle you (ask you for directions or the time); point to something spilled on your clothing, or distract you to create a slight disturbance; Remember that buses and crowded markets are preferred “hunting grounds” for pickpockets;When riding the metro, remember that the cars in the center of the train are generally more crowded than the cars toward the front or back – a bump or a nudge may seem innocent in a crowded area, check yourself;Think about what you are doing - walking right next to the curb is a hot spot for bicyclists to grab your bag as they ride by; Be cautious when inside toilet stalls - do not set your purse or backpack on the floor! (For many reasons!!);Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When possible, seek directions only from individuals in authority; Be wary of individuals representing themselves as “police” on streets and highways. Always ask for an ID from police officers. Do not be afraid to question them in the native language or English. If someone does not appear to be a real police officer, do not trust them. There are some persons representing themselves as police or other local officials who have been known to harass and extort US tourists. If this happens, get their badge numbers, license plates, and report it to the police, who are eager to learn about such incidents; If you are confronted, don’t fight back. Give up your valuables. Your money and passport can be replaced, but you cannot; Do not carry all your personal belongings with you, especially large sums of money. Do not take/carry unnecessary credit cards; carry only what you require for immediate use. Do not take anything with you that you would hate to lose. Leave your passport, airline tickets, and other important documents in a safe place, and only carry copies; Try to be cautious when visiting an ATM machine. Visit these during the daylight hours, and try to go with a friend or group of friends; Carry your wallet or coin purse in your front pockets, or better yet, use a money belt or pouch under clothing; always place purse straps over your shoulder –many handbags today are “clutches” or have straps that are too small to fit over your shoulder – carry these at your own risk!; Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers. Do not wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and/or watches in public; Avoid going out alone at night. If you have to go solo, do not announce that you are traveling alone! There is always greater safety in numbers; Remain alert at all times! Social and Safety Hints (to help you stay safe and customary while traveling!)Drink alcohol only in moderation and stay away from drugs! Drug use puts you at risk for going to jail; going to jail in a foreign country is simply NOT cool and is definitely not worth it! Be aware that the US Consulate will do nothing to help you get out of jail. Also, U.S. Citizens are not privileged in foreign jails. Your parents or legal guardian will have to do everything to get you out, which is not an easy ride. Some countries have extremely rigid laws, and you will get no special treatment for being a foreigner. Note: Amsterdam might have different laws, but the laws in the UK and most of Europe are just as strict as the United States. If illegal drugs are found in your bag, car, or dormitory you may be subject to arrest and your vehicle can be confiscated;On a lighter note, make sure you pay all bills at restaurants, supermarkets, cafés etc.; walking out on bills can land you in jail as well;Watch your drinks at nightclubs. Worst case scenario: victims can be drugged, robbed and abducted while their credit cards or ATM cards are used for several days before being released;Taxis, in most European countries, are relatively safe but usually not cheap. Also keep in mind that while in most countries it might be safe to take the first taxi you see in other places it might not be. In many places you need to make sure that the taxi you are taking is reputable and is actually part of a known company. This can be difficult when you are just arriving in a new place, but again use common sense and try to inform yourself before you travel; If you have time, rather than taking a taxi, try using public transportation - you will save lots of money and in some instances get to your location faster and safer. Many cities have locations where you can pick-up information on local public transportation;Do not swim without a lifeguard, or at the very least do not swim alone! Be wary of parasailing, scuba diving, and jet skiing. Use extreme caution, as undertows can be deceiving to the naked eye;If Driving…Do not drive at night!; Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers; Do not let unauthorized individuals drive your car, as it could get impounded; Read your State Department information carefully and avoid dangerous areas.LEGAL ISSUESThe obligation to comply with local rules and exceptions is equally applicable to national laws. Law enforcement and court procedures may differ sharply and students should not assume that offenses largely ignored in the US are also taken lightly abroad. Several topics should be considered:Drugs are governed by harsh penalties and strict enforcement. American students are particularly vulnerable to accusations. Those who sell drugs to Americans are often those who inform. Recourse for an American is difficult to impossible.Political discussion is popular among most foreign college students, and you may be expected to offer opinions. However, it is usually in your best interest to avoid participating in political or university demonstrations.Hitchhiking is practiced by many university students, but is often forbidden by law and generally considered dangerous.Do not take firearms into your host country. Some places have laws against possession of knives or anything that might be construed as a weapon.Do not take antiques out of the country. There are serious fines involved with taking authentic artifacts out of the country. Tourist reproductions are okay.US Embassy personnel will refer you to legal assistance if necessary. They will NOT be able to secure your release from custody. Remember that many countries have a legal system based on the Napoleonic Code – you are guilty until you prove your innocence, as opposed to the US system, which is based on the English Common Law – you are innocent until proven guilty.There is a web page that has information on Customs and what you are allowed to bring in to the US, please check it if you need more information about the matter: . It is also a good idea to check the following web page regarding medications taken to or purchased in another country: carry a photo ID with you and the names and numbers of persons to contact in case of an emergency. Fill out the EMERGENCY CARD at the back of this handbook and carry it with you at all times. You might want to carry the name and telephone number of a family member or an emergency contact in the U.S., as well as your local host’s name and telephone number (if applicable), or at least the school’s phone number. Know where the closest hospitals are. Please be sure to give us your current email, home address and phone number when you arrive in your host country. This is essential nowadays, due to the heightened sense of security both abroad and in the US. Stay in touch with your study abroad office as much as possible. FINANCESFor your travels, we recommended that you bring a combination of an ATM/Debit card and some Traveler’s Checks. In most countries, especially in bigger cities, it is relatively easy to find a place to cash your traveler’s checks; however, this talk can be time consuming, and some locations outside of banks will give you a poor exchange rate. Be smart, ask around, and remember: you will need a passport to cash the Traveler’s Checks. Many banks in the United States also offer traveler’s checks in Pounds (?) and Euro (€), which might be a good option - depending on your final destination.A common route for students is to order a little bit of the foreign currency BEFORE leaving the U.S. OR even visiting an ATM in the airport upon arrival. If you bring your ATM/Debit card, you may need an International PIN Number. Call your bank before you leave to find out. Try the number from here before you go. Be careful using ATM machines – use only those inside a large protected facility – avoid roadside kiosks. Get the telephone number that you can call from your host country to cancel credit cards. This is not the number listed on the back of the credit card. Ask your bank for that number specifically, and leave copies of that number with family and in several other places. If you lose your ATM or credit card, cancel it IMMEDIATELY. Make sure you know which number to call to do that. They can send you a new card relatively quickly, but for this reason, it is good to have some Travelers Checks available. Before leaving for your exchange, you MUST contact your bank to let them know you are leaving the country and will have foreign currency transactions. If you do not make your bank aware of this, they are most likely going to freeze or cancel your cards. Most previous participants have encouraged students to use ATM/DEBIT cards. You can access your money from here, and usually if you are making purchases the exchange rate is good. Keep in mind that withdrawing money from an ATM machine can cost up to 3 dollars a transaction. Many students also suggest opening a bank account, especially if you are planning to work. This way you can take a larger sum out of your American account and deposit into an account from a local bank, charging you less over time because you will not have to pay the three dollar transaction fee. You might want to exchange some money before you leave, for example at the airport, but remember that the money exchange centers close relatively early, and they do charge an extra fee, so try to exchange money before you go, or plan to arrive early.It is also a good thing to have a credit card (Visa or MasterCard), which can be used at most large establishments. Again, have the number on hand to call, should you lose your credit card. You will need spending money in your host country. Aside from living expenses, you should take enough money per day for incidentals and entertainment. Other charges include the cost of books, and fees for excursions, depending on the program. Students will have to pay admittance to certain museums and sites, but with your Student ID Card this should only cost a few dollars.If you will be purchasing a lot of items to bring back to the US, keep your receipts in an envelope for customs upon re-entry. You are allowed $300-400 duty free on your return to the US, depending on port of entry. TELEPHONESThere are lots of ways to call home. Check out for cheap rates. Normally you can use MCI or AT&T cards like you do in the US. Some places like CostCo or Sam’s Club have calling card with good international rates. Check with your provider for international rates and methods of operation. (There is a good list of International Country Codes at this website: .). In some countries it’s a good idea to buy a local telephone calling card when you arrive at the airport, since public phone booths do not accept change; they are usually sold at newspaper stands. Also, be aware of and respect your home stay family’s rules and regulations regarding telephone use. You should know that long distance telephone calls from out of country are very expensive, so you may want to call home collect and have the person call you back. Skype is a novel internet phone service that allows you to call (from a computer to another computer) anywhere in the world, for free. That’s right; you just read the word free. They also have some inexpensive options for calling to fixed phone lines. Check it out at .Many students choose to purchase a cell phone while studying abroad. While this does not work well for international calls, it is often the cheapest way to contact your friends in your host country. It is often times difficult to set up a standard account, and most students opt for the pay as you go phones, which you can charge with minutes as you go. Check out for ideas on buying an international SIM card. WHAT TO BRINGPlease remember rule number one for International Travelers: NEVER TAKE MORE THAN YOU CAN CARRY, ALL BY YOURSELF, AT ONE TIME. Try to limit yourself to one lockable suitcase and a carry-on. Don’t forget to put your name, address, and destination both inside and outside of all luggage. Bring an empty foldable bag in which to bring back souvenirs, or purchase one in-country. Other suggestions include: a dictionary if you are going to a country where the native language is something other than English and a verb book; sun screen, a good guide book (for example Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, Rough Guide, Moon Guide, etc…); an alarm clock; a large bath towel and a washcloth; one or two books to read; a compact study lamp, a small flashlight, and extra batteries. Voltage and outlets in most places throughout the world will be different so limit the amount of appliances or items that need to be plugged in. You will need a transformer/adapter if you are taking something from the US that isn’t dual voltage. CLOTHINGBring comfortable clothes that are easy to wash and need little ironing. Easy-to-care-for fabrics are advisable. Bring comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes or other flat-heeled practical shoes. You may want to bring at least one outfit for dress-up occasions. Be aware of what people are wearing in your host country. In some places it might be considered inappropriate to wear certain styles or types of clothes. Do not respond or laugh at comments made toward you. Doing so only asks for trouble. See the State Department’s comments about Women Traveling alone at: . ORIENTATIONThere will usually be some sort of orientation at your host university, so be sure to check any documents that were sent to you and know your dates. Most programs issue STUDENT ID CARDS, which are useful for using university facilities such as the pool, gym, library, computer rooms, etc. This card can also be used to receive reduced rates on public transportation, archaeological sites, at movie theatres, etc. TRANSFER OF CREDITIMPORTANT NOTE: You should expect that most courses you take at the host university will transfer back to UNM as general, elective credit. If you need certain courses to transfer back to UNM as a specific UNM-coded course (for example, History 301) then you must obtain approval from the specific UNM department advisor or professor for approval (dept. chair preferred). In most cases this will require you to show proof of the course and/or coursework taken so they can approve that it is, in fact, an acceptable course. NO coursework will automatically show up on your UNM transcript – you must go through these processes if you want any study abroad coursework to show up on your transcript.For the process listed above, we highly recommend that you obtain Transfer Course Approval from UNM PRIOR to leaving. Start by obtaining the “Departmental/College/School Determination of Course Equivalency” form from the OIPS website ( – click on “after you return” at the bottom left of the page). This form allows you to list your proposed course structure, and directly obtain approval from UNM BEFORE leaving. It is your responsibility to: Search for the classes you plan on taking at your host university, and obtain descriptions of the courses (you can start this by searching your host university’s website);Once you have a proposed course outline and course descriptions, it is your further responsibility to list those courses on the “Departmental/College/School Determination of Course Action” Form, and have those courses approved by: 1) Your College or School; 2) The Department which the credits will transfer.Also, while abroad be sure to hang on to any/all materials from your courses - things like syllabi, reading lists, course descriptions, papers your write, projects or work you complete, portfolios of any kind. These materials will provide your advisor with evidence that you completed “x” work while studying abroad.If you choose not to arrange your credit transfer prior to departure, we recommend that in addition to keeping any/all materials, that you keep contact with your UNM advisor, department, and/or professor in order to communicate the classes you are enrolled in and what you are wishing to transfer back to UNM as credit toward your major. Furthermore, and very important: credits you receive from your host university will be transferred back as “credit” or “no-credit,” that means that even though you will get a 90% or “A” in a class, you will only receive a “credit” mark on your transcript; likewise, for grades of “F” you will receive a mark of “no credit.” Again, all courses will be transferred back as general “elective” credit. If you wish to receive specific, departmental credit, it will be YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO follow the outline above to ensure proper credit transfer. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR TRANSCRIPT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND CREDITS TRANSFERRED CORRECTLY. FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPSOne-on-One Semester Exchange ProgramsFor students attending Semester Exchanges, you will enroll in the ISE 888 via the call number we give you; this means that you will automatically be enrolled at UNM and will therefore be able to use Financial Aid and Scholarships while attending your study abroad program. It is your responsibility to CHECK WITH the unm office of FINANCIAL AID and/OR the SCHOLARSHIP OFFICE to make sure everything is in order before you leave.CLASS CANCELLATIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONSPlease note that even though you may request to enroll in a particular course, your placement in that course is not guaranteed. In most cases, you will not be enrolled in the program and/or class until you arrive at the host school. All of our partner study abroad programs reserve the right to cancel or substitute courses as necessary, as they usually require a certain number of students to open a class. It is not OIPS’s responsibility if your host school cancels a course. You must decide before you go if you are willing to accept this risk, as no refunds will be issued because of course cancellations.OTHER USEFUL INFORMATIONRemember to be polite while in your host country. Make sure you introduce yourself when necessary, and whenever you enter a room usually, shake hands (if custom permits). Learn the local customs, and don’t be afraid to ask people to explain things to you. American culture is just that—American culture; so do not expect different societies to behave as your own. It is always a nice gesture to bring a small gift for your home stay family and/or friends you will make. Some suggestions would be a picture book about New Mexico or photo calendars. You can bring UNM souvenirs like ball caps, T-shirts, mugs, sweaters, etc. as gifts. If there are children in the family, it is a nice gesture to bring a small inexpensive gift for each of them.Be sure to ask about student discounts especially when purchasing bus, train or plane tickets or attending cultural events. We recommend that students purchase an International Student Identity card – see web page . In addition, students will be given an ID from their host university. Most of all, remember that you are visiting a foreign country. It may be similar to the U.S. in some ways, but in most ways, you cannot even compare the two. If you are intolerant of differences and are not flexible, stay at home, and don’t go. On the other hand, if you want an education and an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life then by all means do it, you will love it!OtherChildren under the age of 18 traveling with only one parent must have written, notarized consent from the other parent to travel, or must carry a decree of sole custody for the accompanying parent or a death certificate for the other parent. Children traveling alone must have notarized consent from both parents to travel. ................
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