Students planning to go abroad rely on a number of resources as they select a program, make their pre-departure preparations, complete their international experience and reintegrate into life in the United States and at OSU. The International Programs office (IP) provides services and programs to assist students at each stage of the cycle. IP also works closely with academic advisors to ensure that students communicate with their departments about the courses they will take and how those courses will fit into the student's academic program here.

Below are the various resources available to students as they explore education abroad:

FIRST STEPS MEETINGS

First Steps meetings are group advising sessions that provide students information on:

• researching programs and the resources are available
• how to finance an education abroad experience
• application procedures.

A First Steps Handbook is provided to each student at the meeting. Days and times of these meetings are posted on the website.

STUDY ABROAD RESOURCE CENTER (SARC):

• 4^th floor of Snell Hall open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
• Contains program brochures and applications; travel resources; program evaluations; information for students of color, LGBT and disabilities; and materials on cultural adjustment.
• Computer for researching programs and resources online.
• Staffed during the week by International Ambassadors, students who have recently studied or interned abroad themselves.

STUDY ABROAD ADVISORS:

• After attending a First Steps meeting and narrowing choices, students may schedule a 30 minute advising appointment with a study abroad advisor.
• Appointments are scheduled through the reception desk at 737-3006 or intl.advisor@oregonstate.edu.
• Study abroad advisors are responsible for programs in particular regions, but are familiar with all options

ACADEMIC ADVISORS:

• After narrowing program choices, students should meet with their academic advisors to discuss the courses available abroad and how those courses fit into their academic program.
• Students are strongly encouraged to maintain contact with academic advisors while abroad in case their course options change.

PREDEPARTURE

(See "Preparing to Leave" for more information)

Once a student applies for a study abroad program or an international internship, they can expect the following steps:

• The IP study abroad advisor will conduct a personal interview as part of the application process and will review the student's disciplinary record at OSU
• After acceptance into a program, the student works with an advisor or program coordinator responsible for that program.
• For co-sponsored programs, students may also work with representatives of that organization.

• A Pre-Departure Orientation is offered each term to all OSU students accepted into a study abroad or exchange program. Topics covered include cultural adjustment, health and safety abroad, travel tips, managing finances, and course registration information. International Ambassadors offer their advice and answer students' questions about living and traveling abroad.

• Site-specific orientations: Most programs offer an orientation meeting with site-specific detail. Topics covered may include local culture, academics and local education systems, housing arrangements, excursions, local places of interest, food and amenities at the host institution. Check with program for more details.

• On-site orientations: On-site orientations include information about local transportation, banking, dos and don'ts in the local culture, living with host families, relationships with landlords, and the schedule for classes and program excursions or activities. Check with program for more details.

WHILE ABROAD

Students can experience significant stress in the first few weeks of adjusting to a new culture. Problems that arise can seem more challenging during the adjustment period. Students have a number of resources available to them once they arrive on-site. They include:

• on-site program staff (resident director, housing coordinator, students services on host campus, etc)
• OSU study abroad advisors
• web resources (cultural adjustment, health and safety, etc)

Students also have access to a number of academic resources and are encouraged to utilize these resources while abroad:

• advisors' email addresses
• Student Services Online
• registration information (for the term students return to campus)
• financial aid information
• student accounts
• More information and links to resources are available in the section "While You're Abroad."

RE-ENTRY

Many study abroad participants report that coming home is as challenging, if not more so, than adjusting to the host culture abroad. Students often feel isolated and disconnected from friends and family who cannot relate to their experience abroad. IP provides services to assist students who are returning to campus after a study abroad. Returning students can:

• enroll in INTL 407 "Transitioning Home and Looking Toward the Future," a course that can be taken for credit or non-credit, offered fall term each year.
• apply to become an International Ambassador, a group of students who work with study abroad staff to share their experiences with others. International Ambassadors staff the Study Abroad Resource Center, lead First Steps meetings and give presentations about their experiences abroad.
• serve as an English Language Institute Conversant to share your own language and culture with an international student at OSU
• utilize web resources on the study abroad website on reverse culture shock and building on their international experience (see "When You Return" for more information)