Center for Global Experiences

You may be excited about the idea of studying abroad, but you are concerned about money. We are often asked by students: “how much does it cost to study abroad?”  Each of the Faculty-Led Programs have a certain cost that you must pay before departure.  Generally this cost includes your airfare (Tennessee Tech normally helps with the airfare cost), housing, ground transportation, entrance fees to museums, etc., and international health insurance.  Normally students pay half of the cost when he/she signs up, then two more partial payments paying off the balance before departure.  Other costs may include food, passport, visa, vaccinations, personal expenses, and souvenirs.

In this section, we aim to provide you with some information and tools that will help you strategically plan your finances so you can concentrate on enjoying your experience abroad.

Plan Out Your Payments

You will feel more in control of your finances if you plan out when program payments and expenses are due. Your Faculty Leader will give you that information.

• Up front costs: you will need to plan for paying pre-departure expenses such as passport fees, visa fees (if applicable) and vaccinations prior to departure.
• Create a budget for your current expenses at school and see if there are expenses you can reduce to help you save money. Local expenses (e.g. a cup of coffee) will help you determine how much money you will need for food and personal expenses.

Fundraising Tips

Think about the communities you are part of and skills you might have that could generate money. A combination of strategies is usually needed, so don’t feel like you meet all your fundraising goals with a single activity. 

1. Explore fundraising ideas from past students
2. If you have a job, put aside a portion of every paycheck
3. Ask for financial contributions rather than birthday or holiday gifts
4. Organize a car wash, bake sale, garage sale or party fundraiser with friends
5. Ask family members or mentors to donate frequent flier miles
6. Research if any community or religious groups you belong to have scholarship or donation programs
7. Start a kickstarter or gofundme site

Research

Your Faculty Leaders will have country-specific orientation sessions with you, however, before you go abroad, learn as much as the country and city where you are going.  Find out about weather, food, customs, traditions, similarities, and differences. Try to learn greetings and other phrases in the native language. Check the weather patterns, so you will know what to pack. Expect the weather to be significantly different from Cookeville.

Read about world news online, particularly news about your host country. Politics are often a topic of conversation in most countries, and you will want to be prepared to participate. Likewise, it is important that you are equally as informed about your home country. Be sure to know the basics of US government, particularly as it relates to your host country.

Communication

Communication with your Faculty Leaders and fellow students is extremely important.  As part of the TN Tech plan to keep you safe while you're abroad it's vital - but just as important is your communication habits.  Pay attention to your surroundings and adjust your voice accordingly.  Some trains have sections where the passengers are not allowed to talk at all. Also, there are many other instances where you should keep your voice down or stay quiet such as cathedrals, museums, hotels and company visits/tours.

Arrival
Airport Tips:

• DO NOT MAKE JOKES AT THE SECURITY STATIONS OR IMMIGRATION STATIONS
• DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS AT CHECK POINT STATIONS IN THE AIRPORT
• DO NOT DISPLAY ARROGANCE OR ARGUE WITH THE AUTHORITIES
• DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS IN THE HOST COUNTRY

Planning ahead:

• Contacts- Keep important addresses and contact information with you at all times (the Center for Global Experiences will give you an Emergency Wallet Card). You also need to have the contact info of your Faculty Leaders with you at all times.
• Make a plan for accessing money- It is recommended to take at least 2 cards with you, one main debit card and one backup card in case your main card gets lost or compromised. 
• Let your loved ones know you are safe- Make a plan to contact those important to you back home to let them know you've arrived safely.  You may have to help your family download apps and practice using them at home before you leave.

Phones
Using a smartphone abroad is becoming increasingly easier, but there are some important things to consider:

• Contact your service provider to see if they have an international plan you can opt into for the duration of your program.
• If you do not have an international data plan, turn off Data Roaming on your smart phone before traveling or put your phone in Airplane Mode.  Otherwise, your data may run in the background while you are abroad and you may come home with a huge cell phone bill.

Be mindful!
Remember that you are visiting a different part of the world for a reason. Be mindful of how much time you spend on technology, ignoring the very purpose of your travel. It can be difficult to avoid feeling the pressure to capture every moment and share every discovery, but you'll improve your experience by being present.

Put down your phone! 

Here's a few tips on being mindful about your technology use

• Blog! Writing a journal in a blog can help you reflect on your experiences and share things with many people at once.
• Take time away from your phone. Give yourself a break from distraction to enjoy everything that is new. Who cares how many "likes" you get on Instagram when you are seeing, smelling, tasting and experiencing new things every day?
• While there will likely be more opportunities to discover the world in your future, remember that they can be rare, so be sure to treat that opportunity with the respect it deserves.
• Practice ethical photography! Consider your intentions with regard to gaining consent from those you photograph and especially when you might be posting to social media. Note that in many countries, photographing government or military buildings and personnel is illegal. Err on the side of caution and ask before taking photos.

Packing

Even though it always seems easy, there are a lot of factors you need to take into consideration when packing for study abroad. There’s way more to this than meets the eye, so we’re breaking down what exactly to pack for study abroad, plus all of the miscellaneous things to take into account when you’re making your own study abroad packing list.

Please read this article on What to Pack for Study Abroad-A Study Abroad Packing List

Just as important as what you pack for your study abroad trip is how you pack it into your carry-on and checked luggage.  Please watch this video on 12 Travel Packing Tips.

 

Things not to pack:

1. Large Personal Hygiene Products- Take 3 oz. bottles in your carry-on in case of travel delays, however, you can buy larger bottles of equivalent things after you arrive.
2. Hair Dryer/Straight iron/Curling iron- For the people going where the voltage is different, do not even think about taking these items. Even with the voltage converter, these things will fry.  Just buy them once you get there.
3. Irreplaceable Valuables- Do not take the necklace that has been in your family for generations. If you won’t be able to move on with life if it gets lost or stolen, don’t take it with you.

How do you know if you are taking too much luggage?

Try to carry ALL of your packed luggage at the same time up a flight of stairs. If you can't do it, then you are taking too much. No one is going to help you carry your luggage around and sometimes you have to carry it on and off subways and trains.  You will definitely have to carry it up flights of stairs, so PACK LIGHT!

NOTE: There are many restrictions on what is allowed in your carry-on luggage, however, the things you put in your carry-on are sometimes essential in case your checked luggage gets delayed and you have to live without it for a few days.  Carry-on bag should include, 1-2 changes of clothes, small toiletries, all medications, electronics, ticket, passport, money, credit/debit cards.  Please check your airline for more information on luggage weight and contents.

Travel Documents

No matter where you're heading, there will be some important documents that you'll want to safeguard. 

Passport
Scan a copy of the Bio Page of your passport, email it to yourself, share it with someone you trust, and keep a color copy somewhere easily accessible. If your passport gets lost or stolen, this will help you get a replacement a lot faster. 

Medication Information
Do the same for any important prescriptions, as well as immunization records that are important to your entry into a country.

Debit/Credit Cards
You will also want to make note of the contact information on your bank cards so that you can contact the appropriate place if they are lost or stolen.

Money

Here are some tips about traveling with money:

1. Do not carry around a lot of cash.  There is a strong opinion that U.S. Americans are wealthy, so pickpocketers will target you for cell phones and cash.
2. Make sure your belongings are in front of you and zipped closed and that your jacket pockets zip closed. Do not put your phone or wallet in your back pockets.
3. Take more than one debit/credit card to use abroad in case one of them gets compromised, lost or stolen.  Have a backup way to pay for things.
4. Contact your debit/credit card companies before you go abroad and notify them of your travel plans otherwise they will block your cards.

Study abroad is an exciting and transformative experience, but it is not without risks to your personal health and safety. Taking appropriate precautions before you leave can help mitigate many of these risks. In this section, you will find information about some of the steps to take before you leave that can promote safety abroad.

Research your destination

• What are the major health risks in the country(ies) you are traveling to? Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information.
• Determine which vaccines or immunizations you may need in advance. Some may need to be administered several weeks before departure.
• Students can visit their local Health Department, pharmacy or drug store to get immunizations and vaccines

Jet lag

Jet Lag is a temporary sleep disorder that may cause insomnia, fatigue and nausea. Of course, the jet lag experience (including recovery rate) varies from person to person. Here are some suggestions for dealing with jet lag:

• Be patient with yourself. After traveling for a long period of time, it is not uncommon to feel exhausted, easily confused, or frustrated.
• There are many different recommendations for eating before and during your flight. Do a little research and determine what is best for you.
• Drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated
• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers before and during the flight. They will only increase fatigue without making you sleep better.
• Get up and move around during the flight and do stretching exercises.
• Upon arrival, begin to operate on local time. If you arrive in the morning, go to your accommodation to drop off your luggage and then do a little exploring.

Prescriptions and Medications

• Bring medications for all existing conditions. Bring enough medication to last the duration of your program.
• Put your medications in your carry on luggage and make sure to keep them in the original prescription bottle. The name on the bottle should match the name in your passport.
• Research whether your medications are legal in the country you are visiting. Here is a useful website with more information:  Traveling with Medications

General Safety Tips While Traveling

• Be aware of the people around you and your surroundings
• Do not share rides or accept rides from people you don't know
• Do not go anywhere without a friend
• Stay with your group, do not wander off.  This is a Faculty-Led group program and all activities are planned by your Faculty Leaders and are part of the academic course.  Always let one of your Faculty Leaders know where you are at all times.

Sexual Health Abroad

There will most likely be differences in the way people relate to one another in your host country. Think about how you will communicate your boundaries. If you feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to leave the situation.

• There are different cultural perceptions of sex, gender and relationships. Spend some time researching these norms in the country you are traveling to. Prepare for them to be different than life in the U.S.!
• Sexual Assault
  • Tennessee Tech has resources to support you if you experience a sexual assault. In the case you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct—ranging from sexual assault to intimate partner violence to stalking to sexual harassment—or have questions about whether something you experienced could fall into these categories, consider disclosing what happened to a trusted member of the Tennessee Tech community.  We can then assist you with next steps and provide you with resources if you wish to use them.
  • The Tennessee Tech Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness Staff are available to students studying abroad as well as on campus.
  • U.S. Embassies may also have staff on hand to assist in the event of sexual assault. 

Alcohol Abroad

• Studies show a new environment affects your tolerance for alcohol - be mindful of this when trying new drinks in new places and in different quantities. Take it easy!
• Many places do not have the same relationship with alcohol as the U.S. It's unlikely that public drunkenness is tolerated by locals.
• Alcohol impairs your judgment and you need to stay on your toes when navigating a new city and a new culture. Alcohol is involved in most of the accidents that occur abroad.
• Keep your eyes on your drinks at all times.  Someone may try to put something in your drink to drug you for various reasons.  If you need to use the restroom, take your drink with you.
• Some programs may not allow students to drink. This is usually due to cultural norms or safety considerations.
• Intoxication that interferes with program activities or disrupts the local environment is prohibited as outlined in the Student Conduct Policy
• Not all students drink! Maybe that's you. We support that and so should your fellow students.

Drugs Abroad

DON'T DO DRUGS ABROAD!!! Here's why:

• Drug enforcement laws may be much more strict than in the U.S. If you are arrested for drug possession, there's not much any of us can do back here in the U.S. to help you.
• You don't know what substance you are getting, the dosage, or how it may affect you.

Regulations of the Host Country

While abroad, you are subject to all rules and regulations of the country.  There is a myth that the US government can automatically get you out of jail in a foreign country; they cannot! If you are arrested, someone from the US Consulate/Embassy will contact you and can recommend an attorney. Please note that being a US citizen is not a “get-out-of-jail- free card.”

If you are drunk in public, you might be arrested and put in the “drunk tank” for the night; these are not the kind of memories you want to have about your study abroad experience. Help dispel the stereotype of the American student who only drinks to get drunk. Also, you would become an easier target for thieves. It is important to protect yourself while being respectful of your host country and culture. Tip: Alcohol in other countries may be stronger than alcohol in the US. If you choose to drink, know your limits. Drugs which are illegal in the US are also illegal in most other countries. The punishments for illegal drug use in some countries can be very strict, even life threatening.

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Hazards

TRAFFIC - Road accidents are the #1 cause of death and serious injury abroad for young adults. Remember, people may drive on the other side of the road. Something as simple as crossing the street may be a challenge. If you aren't sure how to do it, watch the locals!

CRIME - Petty theft/pickpocketing is a common occurrence in much of the world. Pay close attention to your valuables at all times, especially in crowded public areas. Keep bags and pockets zipped closed and keep your things in front of you. Do not put anything in your back pockets. Research which areas are not safe to travel at certain times of the day or alone.  Do not give money to beggars.  They may alert others to get money from you and/or not be happy with what you gave them and take all of your money. Take a friend with you to the ATM when you are getting money out (do not accept help from strangers at the ATM). 

VISIBILITY - Take time to observe your surroundings and ask questions. Maintain a low profile. Don't go to an ATM and then count your money on a street corner. Be polite and respectful to your host community. Keep your voice down! 

PROTESTS & DEMONSTRATIONS - Avoid them! Gatherings that may start peaceful can quickly escalate and turn violent. It is also illegal in some countries for foreigners to participate in protests.

FIRE SAFETY - You may not spend a lot of time thinking about fire safety, perhaps because the United States has some of the best fire safety laws in the world.  This may not be true abroad, so pay attention to your surroundings.  Are there smoke alarms? Fire Escapes?  

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Study Abroad Insurance

The TN Tech Center for Global Experiences will purchase international health insurance for everyone in your group (the cost is included in your program costs).  The TN Tech Center for Global Experiences staff will send all of your insurance cards and information to your Faculty Leaders who will distribute those things to you.

Please see the Center for Global Experiences Website for more information. 

Most international insurance policies require that you initially pay out of pocket for medical services or medications and they will reimburse you after you submit a claim and the proper documentation.

Emergencies while traveling abroad can come in all shapes and sizes, from a natural disaster to political upheaval, from an accident or illness to becoming the victim of crime. Excessive worrying can kill any trip buzz, but taking simple precautions and outlining potential emergencies before travel can ease your mind. An hour or two of work may save your trip if the “worst case scenario” should occur. You should have already completed your Emergency Action Plan (EAP). It will help you get in contact quickly with the appropriate people.

Items that you should have with you at all times

1. Copy of Passport and Visa (where applicable)
2. Copy of Insurance Cards/Information
3. Access to Area Maps/Safe Routes
4. Emergency Wallet Card
5. Contact information for Faculty Leaders while abroad
6. Copy of Emergency Contacts
7. Special Medical Needs Treatment Information (where applicable)
8. Drivers License
9. Cell phone
10. Money- Local currency, US currency, 2 Debit/Credit Cards
11. Battery bank to charge cell phone

Emergency Contacts

Call your Faculty Leaders

Call the local emergency number on your Emergency Wallet Card

Call the nearest U.S. Embassy on your Emergency Wallet Card

TN Tech Center for Global Experiences 1-931-372-3659 8:00-4:30pm

TN Tech University Police 1-931-372-3234 after office hours (the Police will contact the appropriate staff person on their personal phone and that person will contact you)

TN Tech Title IX Coordinator 1-931-372-3112

Assistant Director- Dr. Amy Miller almiller@tntech.edu  

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Steps to help you stay calm and use your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) more effectively in an emergency

STEP ONE- Remain calm. Take a deep breath. You will need a clear head in order to focus on your next move.

STEP TWO- Assess the situation/Get Advice from Faculty Leaders. Identify in what kind of emergency situation you find yourself.  An emergency/crisis can be:

     Personal: Accident/Injury, Death, Illness, Family Problem, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Arrest, etc.
     Regional: Natural/Environmental Disaster, Civil Unrest, Political Uprising, Terrorist Attack, War Outbreak, etc.

STEP THREE- Take Action. Exercise good judgment. Follow your evacuation plan/written instructions/maps you have developed as part of your EAP to help remove you from the emergency and get you to a safer location where you can get help. Remember the alternate transportation options you have available.

STEP FOUR- Get in touch. Now that you are in a safer and more stable location, update others about your situation. Using a method of communication at your disposal, get in touch with your emergency contacts so they can help you. Have them assist you in finding what you need (medical care, transport, a lawyer, etc.)

Take care of yourself. While you are waiting for your contacts to assist you, or in case you cannot reach anyone to assist you, use your emergency kit. Take out the supplies you need to keep yourself healthy (bandages, food, jacket, radio, etc). You may need additional/continuing medical care and/or personal/psychological counseling.
Keep Trying. If you cannot get a hold of anyone to help you (because phone lines are down, you are trapped, etc) don't give up. Try alternate methods of communication and transportation until you are able to reach someone. If you need to move to another location, let others know and leave a written description of where you are going.

STEP FIVE- Move to a more permanent location. After you have removed yourself from any immediate threat, regrouped at a safer location, and gotten in touch with your emergency contacts, you may need to move to a more permanent location for treatment/assistance. Consider your transportation options and get yourself to the appropriate location (hospital, police station, embassy/consulate, contact's home, counseling center, etc.)

STEP SIX- Stay in touch. Maintain contact and update your emergency contacts on your condition. It would be useful to have a "communication tree" whereby your emergency contacts can collaborate to help you through the emergency situation.

STEP SEVEN- Evaluate and revise your EAP. After the emergency is over, and once your condition has stabilized, evaluate your EAP and use what you've learned to revise it in case of future emergencies. You can also access the U.S. Department of State Travel website for more contacts and information regarding Emergencies Abroad and what to do.

Things that need to be reported to the Tennessee Tech Center for Global Experiences are alcohol/drug issues, theft/assault, grave injury, hospitalization, fire, and arrest.

Non-Emergency Issues

There are some situations that you will encounter that will feel very extreme in a new environment. But in the grand scheme of things, you will be okay and you will figure out what to do.  What is considered a non-emergency?  Here are some examples:

• Being lost (refer to Emergency Wallet Card and take a taxi)
• Having a cold or other minor illness (visit a pharmacy or local clinic if necessary)
• Lost Passport (contact the nearest U.S. embassy, info on Emergency Wallet Card)
• Overdue library book (pay the fees)
• Missed flight (contact the airline and get on the next flight)
• Lost luggage (contact the airline and file a claim)

Culture has been aptly compared to an iceberg. Just as an iceberg has a visible section above the waterline, and a larger, invisible section below the water line, culture has some aspects that are observable and others that can only be suspected, imagined, or intuited. Also like an iceberg, that part of culture that is visible (observable behavior) is only a small part of a much bigger whole.

Things to consider:

1. Food- Flavors and spices often are the defining expression of culture and reveal much about the regional history and geography.  Here are some INSIGHTS.
2. Hand gestures- Here's a handy GUIDE.
3. Importance of time- For some students, nothing can be more frustrating than discovering the different values that other cultures place on time. Some cultures are very concerned with whether things run on time, and others are not.  Learn more about Culture Shock: Punctuality
4. Personal Space- Having the luxury of lots of land allows for those of us living in the United States to carve out large amounts of personal space for ourselves. For many students abroad, confronting just how jarring it can be to lose your personal space is a big challenge. 
5. Religious Beliefs- it's a good idea to gain some insight into the place you'll be studying: Global Religious Landscape

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Cultural Adaptation

Because every student brings their own  unique  experience  and  perspective  to their cultural environment, there is not a blanket description of the adjustment that each  student  goes  through.  Many  students experience highs and lows as they progress through their study abroad experience, just remember that this is perfectly normal. Here are a few strategies for helping to adapt to those highs and lows.

1. Manage Your Expectations -This can have a remarkable impact on your attitude and perception abroad.  Just knowing that things may not always be great will help you to understand that there is value in the challenges you may face.
2. A Sense of Humor - This will go a long way toward making some of those awkward moments into amusing memories.
3. Flexibility - Flexibility will help you to adapt to the ever-present changes that you encounter.
4. A Willingness to Make Mistakes - Perhaps no skill is more important than your willingness to make mistakes, particularly if you are a language student. Give yourself the freedom to learn from your mistakes.
5. Learn by Observing- Take a moment to watch how others are behaving and you'll fee a lot more confident.
6. Wide Categorization- Just about anything that you can think of has a wider category of inclusion than you might immediately realize. Consider that a piece of fruit includes hundreds of options that you probably don't see every day, but are equally valid. Apply this to all categories and you'll have a better experience!
7. Get Involved- One of the best ways to meet locals while you're away is to get involved.  Join a local sports team or club, become a language partner, or just become a regular at a local coffee shop.  

Some tips to ease the transition (particularly for students on a long-term program):

• Realize that what you are going through is normal. Be patient and give yourself time to work through the process.
• Keep in touch with your home country. Keep up-to-date with social media. Watch some of your favorite TV programs.
• Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep.
• Talk to someone. Find friends who are going though similar process.
• Have fun and relax! Check out local activities and organizations. Make new friends.

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Stereotypes

It's important to consider your own personal stereotypes before studying abroad so that you can begin to break down the preconceived ideas and see people more objectively with an open mind.

It is also important to consider how other international people view U.S. Americans.  Prepare yourself ahead of time so that you can hopefully break down some of those stereotypes while you are abroad.

Note for women: Unfortunately, the stereotype of the “easy and liberated” American woman is prevalent in many cultures. As a result of this perception, you may unwittingly find yourself the object of unwanted attention. If possible, do research or ask women from the host country about gender relations.

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Reverse Cultural Adaptation

Reverse cultural adaptation is a real thing! We did the work of adjusting to a new culture and returning home can then be weird, confusing, and shocking. Sometimes it's not the place you remember. Students often experience one of the following scenarios: 

• You have changed
• Home has changed
• You have adapted to a new culture and now you must readapt
• All of the above! 

The U.S. Department of State has some great resources for coping with Reverse Cultural Adaptation. Another way to assist in your adjustment back is to integrate your experience and get involved at Tennessee Tech with new Study Abroad students, International students, international clubs, and plan to study abroad again.

You should have reviewed all of the Orientation material on these webpages as well as the Study Abroad Handbook.  Please click on the link below to access the

Study Abroad Orientation Assessment Form

Please fill it out completely and submit online for review. You may be asked some follow-up questions based on your responses.

If you have any questions, please contact the Center for Global Experiences at studyabroad@tntech.edu.