University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Office of International Education (OIE) WEB GUIDE

Nagasaki Junior College Study/Internship Program in Japan

Location: Sasebo, Japan
Dates: early February - late August or September - December
Courses: Japanese 110 (HU), 111 (HU), 211 (HU), 311, 305, 360; Interdisciplinary Studies 399
Accommodation: single rooms in dormitories
Program Model: Affiliate Program with Nagasaki Junior College & International Village
Contact: Office of International Education

Academic Coursework	Withdrawal & Cancellation
Full Estimated Cost of Participation	Paying Your Program Fee
Accommodation & Meals	Scholarships
Eligibility	Flight & Program Schedule
Participants with Disabilities	Orientation
Orientation & Class Dates		Orientation Materials
Application Process		On-line Orientation
Application Status		Orientation Notes
Communicating with the OIE

Spend spring or fall semester...

• studying Japanese language & culture at Nagasaki Junior College;
• interning for International Village at Huis ten Bosch theme park's English Square;
• practice teaching English language in local schools; and
• earning a TESOL certificate (The TESOL - Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - certificate is generally required when applying for a job to teach English in Japan and elsewhere.).

If you participate in the spring program, spend your summer...

• as a Camp Counselor at USA Summer Camp

  Camp Counselor and Cultural Immersion Experience in Japan
  

  USA Summer Camp is an English language camp for Japanese students, kindergarten-age through college. Each summer Guy Healy, Japan, an education consulting and exchange agency based in Nagasaki and Fukuoka, Japan, recruits over 120 qualified high school and college students from the United States to work as "American camp counselors" (AC's) in Japan as part of the USA Summer Camp program. The AC's stay in Japan for six to seven weeks, depending on the assignment. During this period, AC's work with Japanese students on a variety of English language skills and participate in recreation activities, have meals together and interact through a variety of social activities. When AC's are not working, they spend part of their stay with Japanese host families - the best way to get to know the Japanese culture!

  Guy Healy, Japan pays for all of the ACs' expenses (other than shopping, personal trips, and the like - of course). In return, ACs typically work 9 camp sessions of 3 days each.

  USA Summer Camp typically runs in about seven different locations. The original Nagasaki team continues to run independently and is not supported by JTB (Japan Travel Bureau). The other five to six teams are supported by JTB and are located in: Tokyo (2), Osaka, Nagoya, Kita Kyushu, and Kumamoto.

  Our Partner - Guy Healy, Japan

  UW Oshkosh has been working with Guy Healy, Japan on international programming for over 20 years. UW Oshkosh has hosted Japanese students on Guy Healy, Japan programs and has been sending UW Oshkosh students as camp counselors to USA Summer Camp since 2001.

  Guy Healy, Japan, together with Japan Travel Bureau (JTB), operate USA Summer Camp. The role of the UW Oshkosh OIE is to identify select students to participate as camp counselors for the program and to make recommendations to Guy Healy, Japan.

  Testimonial

  Studying abroad has been a defining expeience in my life. I've always been interested in traveling, but being able to completely dive into a new - and sometimes frightening - experience has challenged and enlightened me more than I could have ever hoped. I feel that not only have I become more culturally competent, but I also have the tools to do anything and go anywhere in my life. I can't imagine my college experience without my experience in Japan.

  Erin Rammer, 2007

Academic Coursework

Course Information

Required Course; enrollment in this course takes place at UW Oshkosh.

• Interdisciplinary Studies 399 - L&S Career Internship
  6 credits if February – August
  4 credits if September - December
  Make an appointment with Chrissy Lambie in Career Services to discuss internship goals and grading.

Host Institution Enrollment

Choose One; enrollment in these courses takes place at Nagasaki Junior College.

• Japanese 110: Introduction to Japanese I (4 credits)
• Japanese 111: Introduction to Japanese II (4 credits)
• Japanese 211: Intermediate Japanese I (4 credits)
• Japanese 311: Intermediate Japanese III (3 credits)

Required; enrollment in these courses takes place at Nagasaki Junior College.

• Japanese 305: Basic Kanji in Context I and II (3 credits)
• Japanese 360: Japanese Culture Arts I and II (TBD)

DPI Study Abroad Requirement for Foreign Language Teachers

College of Education & Human Services students planning to teach a foreign language after graduation must meet the DPI requirement for study abroad and must have a completed Certificate of Residency. For more information, see http://www.uwosh.edu/foreignlanguage/german/german-education-information/wisconsin-dpi-study-abroad-requirement-for-teachers or visit the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Office on the third floor of Radford.

Full Estimated Cost of Participation

The "Full Estimated Cost of Participation" includes your Program Fee (the amount due directly to UW Oshkosh), your airfare and other expenses related to your participation on this program.

Full Estimated Cost of Participation:
$10,350 for fall 2013
$8,000 for spring + summer 2014

As part of the application process for this program, you are required to review, sign and submit the "Full Estimated Cost of Participation" worksheet for your program. The worksheet includes all of the cost details for your program and is linked from STEP III of the "Apply" section of this guide.   

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation

Spring or Fall Semester at Nagasaki Junior College

Huis Ten Bosch Dorms

The Huis Ten Bosch dorms are clean, convenient and affordable, with rates far lower than other accommodation available in Sasebo. Each room is a single and has a bed, desk, closet and private bathroom; occupants also have access to a brand new recreation center. These dormitories are not co-ed.

NJC provides transportation between the dorms and the NJC main campus.

USA Summer Camp (summer only)

Camp facilities for each team vary from place to place. Different camp facilities include government-owned recreational facilities on mountain-tops (very secluded), a Japanese-style hotel, a sports and communication center, and independent campgrounds. Some teams will generally stay in one facility, while others will travel to many different facilities throughout the summer to run different programs. Although the locations vary from team to team, the USA Summer Camp program remains the same.

When AC's are not working, they spend part of their stay with Japanese host families - the best way to get to know the Japanese culture! In some cases, AC's may also spend part of their stay in hostels/hotels.

Information on your host family will be shared with you no more than two weeks prior to travel. Typically, the information is quite basic. Our partners send us the family (last) name, the first name of the female head of household, the home address and sometimes the gender and ages of other family members.

You should bring either one gift for your entire host family to share or individual gifts for host family members (if you know something about each of them in advance, but this is unlikely). You don’t need to spend a lot of money; give something made in your local community, something which represents the U.S. or a local food item (something non-perishable and which can be taken across borders - so no meats or seeds).

Meals

Spring or Fall Semester at Nagasaki Junior College

Occupants of Huis Ten Bosch dorms have access to several cafeterias and restaurants. Or, cook for yourself in the shared kitchen.

USA Summer Camp

Meals are provided at camp facilities and through your homestay.

Review the estimate for the amount of money you should bring to cover meals in the Full Cost of Participation worksheet. It is not reasonable to think that you can save money by spending less than the food estimate provided by the OIE! This estimate is meant to be the BARE MINIMUM in relation to your particular destination!

Eligibility

Undergraduate students must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 and be in good standing, have a clean disciplinary record, and meet course prerequisites. Undergraduates who do not meet these requirements should contact the program leader. In some cases, the eligibility requirements can be waived.

Preference in selecting participants will be given to UW Oshkosh students who have completed at least one Japanese language course at UW Oshkosh.

USA Summer Camp

USA Summer Camp is conducted in English. Although many people at camp (including the students) will be speaking Japanese, Japanese language ability is not required to apply to this program.

USA Summer Camp is designed to be an exciting place for students to use English in a casual, relaxed environment. Counselors do not teach the English language. Instead, they lead groups of Japanese students through activities using English as the means of communication. Qualified applicants generally:

• have prior experience working, volunteering or spending time with children (activities may include experience as a camp counselor, tutoring, youth group activities or any other activity involving children);
• are enthusiastic about spending time with children and have a very high level of energy (while at camp, counselors spend 24 hours/day with their children--eating, sleeping, playing, and spending "free" time together is a must!);
• can speak fluent, conversational English at a pace and using vocabulary which would be understandable by Japanese students;
• have studied a foreign language and understand the difficulties involved in communicating in a foreign language;
• can show that the experience will benefit them personally or professionally;
• have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher; and
• are at least 18 years of age.

Applicants who are invited to interview will be interviewed at UW Oshkosh and those who are selected to participate must attend a mandatory orientation at UW Oshkosh. If you cannot travel to UW Oshkosh for an interview and orientation, do not apply.

Participants With Disabilities

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation, it is best to consult with disability services on the UW Oshkosh campus at least a few weeks prior to the study abroad application deadline. If this isn’t possible, consult with disability services as far in advance as possible or by the study abroad application deadline. If you are a student on another campus, please consult your own disability services office first and then ask that office to contact the UW Oshkosh disability services office at (920) 424-3100.

 

Orientation & Pre-/Post-travel Class Dates

Inability or failure to attend may affect your participation, course grades and ability to receive and use financial aid.

Mandatory Orientation

• Fall Interim & Spring Semester Programs: Sat, 11/9/13, 9:00-1:00, Location TBD
• Spring Interim, Summer & Fall Semester Programs: Sat, 4/13/13, 9:00-1:00, Location TBD

Pre-travel Classes & Program-specific Orientation Dates

For fall semester and summer programs

• Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 2:00-4:30 in location TBD

For spring semester and January programs

• November 10, 2012 from 2:00 - 4:30 in (location TBD)

Application Process

Before You Apply
 

1. Write the Study Abroad Orientation dates in your calendar.
   All participants must attend from beginning to end. Inability or failure to attend orientations may affect your participation. Approximately 95% of our participants bring one or more family members, though family participation is optional.
2. Write all payment deadlines in your calendar.
   If you aren't the person who will be making payments, share this information with the person who will be.
3. Understand how seats are assigned on study abroad programs.
   

4. Write all pre-/post-travel class dates in your calendar. Missing a session may make you ineligible for program participation.

Securing Your Place on a Study Abroad Program

Seats are assigned in the order in which qualified applicants have completed STEPS I & II of the application process, provided STEP III has also been completed by the STEP III application deadline.

This means that you may be conditionally admitted following completion of steps I & II, but NOT receive a seat if you then fail to complete STEP III on time.

If you are on the waiting list, you may receive a seat if applicants who have been conditionally admitted have not completed STEP III by the deadline.

After the deadline, seats are assigned in the order in which qualified applicants have completed all three steps.

Application Deadlines

Spring Semester Programs

STEPS I & II: 1st Friday in October by 12:00 pm.

STEP III: 2nd Friday in October by 12:00 pm.

STEP IV (post-application deadline): immediatey upon program acceptance

Fall Semester Programs

STEPS I & II: 2nd Friday in March by 12:00 pm.

STEP III: 3rd Friday in March by 12:00 pm.

STEP IV (post-application deadline): immediatey upon program acceptance

Application STEPs & Application Checklist

Complete the three steps below in order, or work on all three steps simultaneously. Check off items as you SUBMIT them to the Office of International Education.
   

Step I
	Complete the on-line study abroad/away application.
Step II
	Print the application packet and sign where appropriate.
	Pay the UW Oshkosh application fee ($100 for in-state residents and $200 for out-of-state residents) per the instructions in the application packet and turn in your receipt to the OIE. If you have mailed the application fee to the Cashier's Office, notify the OIE so that OIE staff can contact the Cashier's Office for confirmation.
	Print an unofficial copy of your university transcript Highlight course prerequisites (if applicable) and final GPA. To print your transcripts, EITHER copy and paste your transcript from TitanWeb into Word and print OR follow these instructions: 1) Open your transcript in TitanWeb using Internet Explorer. 2) Highlight all of the information in your transcript. 3) Go to "print preview" 4) Click on "as selected on screen" 5) Change the orientation to "landscape" 6) Print
	Credit Overload Form Complete and submit to the OIE ONLY IF you will exceed the maximum credit limit for the semester.
	Special Student Form for Undergraduate Admissions Complete and submit to the OIE ONLY IF you are not a student at UW Oshkosh OR if you are not a student at all.
	Graduate Registration Form and Graduate Special/Non-Degree Information Form Complete and submit to the OIE ONLY IF you are not in a Graduate program at UW Oshkosh and want to earn graduate level credit, or if you are in a Graduate program at UW Oshkosh and want to earn undergraduate level credit.
	Submit the Disciplinary Clearance Form Complete ONLY IF you are a student at a university or college OTHER THAN UW Oshkosh. Submit this form to the appropriate office on your HOME campus; request that the office on your HOME campus submit the form directly to the UW Oshkosh OIE by the deadline for this step of the application process.
	Program-specific Application Materials/Requirements: Nagasaki Junior College Application Access the form from the link above. Please type in your answers and print the application to turn in. Also, save a copy to your computer incase you need to change anything. Print the sample NJC application to see which line items must be completed.     Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application Access the form from the link above you must type in pages 1-3 and print the completed pages. Click on open then ok, when the the excel spreadsheet opens. Print the sample COE application to see which line items must be completed and how. Also, please save a copy of your COE application on your computer incase it needs to be changed.     Transfer Credit Prior Approval form Semester students only - Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Hanai to complete the Transfer Credit Prior Approval form.     On-line USA Summer Camp application Print two copies of your completed application; these must be attached to your recommendation forms BEFORE submitting them to your references.     Counselor Agreement (sign the 2011 agreement for now)     Recommendations (minimum of 2) In addition to the recommendation forms you submit, you may also choose to include a list of references with your application (name, title, organization and phone number). Recommendations and references MUST support information related to your experience with children provided on your on-line application.     Interview Interview dates/times are listed on the USA Summer Camp Application. Interviews will end when all seats have been filled.
Step III
	Review, sign and submit the Fall Semester Full Cost of Participation worksheet or the Spring + Summer Full Cost of Participation worksheet.
	Edit the "medical" and "medical III" sections of your on-line study abroad application to ensure that every question is complete. Each and every question must be answered, even if the answer is obviously "none" or "n/a"!
	Provide proof of passport Complete only if you will travel outside the U.S. If you already have a passport, edit the "passport" section of your on-line study abroad application to include all requested passport details. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one and submit a copy of your receipt to the OIE showing that you have applied. Click here for passport forms and instructions.
	Edit the "passport" section of your on-line study abroad application to include your full name. If you are traveling OUTSIDE the U.S., enter your full name EXACTLY as it appears on your passport or on your passport application.  DO NOT GUESS!  If you are traveling WITHIN the U.S. (including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), enter your name EXACTLY as it appears on your driver’s license.  DO NOT GUESS!  Your name will be printed on your airline ticket exactly as you enter it.  If the name on your airline ticket does not match the name on your identification, you will be charged a correction fee or may not be allowed through airport security.
	Program-specific Application Materials/Requirements: Passport Photo Scan and email to oie@uwosh.edu a copy of a passport photo to be used for your NJC application and COE certificate. This must be clear and in either a pdf or image file format.     Passport Copy Scan and email to oie@uwosh.edu a copy of your SIGNED passport (the photo plus biographical information page).

Step IV (post-application deadline)

	Visa Application Begin preparing this application immediatey upon program acceptance . Follow the instructions at the link above to apply; submit your FULL application (including ALL materials requested on the Consulate website), to the OIE for review prior to mailing in. You will receive the "Certificate of Eligibility", required for your visa application, from Nagasaki Junior College after acceptance.
	Visa Letter for semester students. Please fill in and take with you to the consulate. If prompted to download a Japanese Support Pack when opening this link, you must complete the download in order to read the form.

Application Status

Log in to your on-line study abroad/away application to see the status of your application; this is explained in the the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Use the "application status" tab on your on-line application to check for missing application materials. Because our on-line application system is unable to generate application materials lists which are specific to each individual study abroad program, missing "program-specific" materials aren't outlined on the system. Use the check boxes above to keep track of forms you've completed and then to track forms you've submitted to the OIE.

Communicating with the OIE

"Add Comment" vs. UW Oshkosh email

Prior to completing a study abroad application, OIE staff will correspond with you via your UW Oshkosh email account.

After completing the first step of the study abroad application process, which is done on line, you'll mainly communicate with the OIE via this same application. This allows all staff in the OIE to review questions or issues even when the primary staff member working with you is out of the office.

To ask or respond to a question, log in to your application and click on "Add Comment". Comments are emailed to you and to oie@uwosh.edu and are saved in the application "history".

Communication to groups will be via UW Oshkosh email.

To avoid having our messages to you end up in the cyber trash, if you do not have a UW Oshkosh email address you must use your work or university email address. The OIE will not accept hotmail or yahoo addresses under any circumstances.

I've never used my UW Oshkosh email address before. How do I do this?

See http://www.uwosh.edu/titanapps for instructions. For help, call (920) 424-3020.

Withdrawal & Program Cancellation

Program Withdrawal

You are subject to the withdrawal and refund policy which you signed (or will sign) when you applied to a UW Oshkosh-sponsored study abroad program. Because this is a financial contract between you and the university, it is in your best interest to read this if you haven't already!

If at any time in this process you decide to withdraw, you must formally request to withdraw following the OIE Withdrawal Process.

Program Cancellation by UW Oshkosh

If a program is cancelled by UW Oshkosh, you will receive a full refund.

Paying Your Program Fee

Financial Aid

Using financial aid to cover some or all of your costs? See our detailed financial aid information.

Payment Deadlines

Spring Semester Programs

• First Payment of $1,000 (or full fee if the total due to UW Oshkosh is less than $1,000) is due the last Friday of October.
• Final Payment is due the first Friday of December.

Fall Semester Programs

• First Payment of $1,000 (or full fee if the total due to UW Oshkosh is less than $1,000) is due the last Friday of April.
• Final Payment is due the last Friday of July.

...more on payment deadlines

First Program Fee Payment

Your emailed study abroad acceptance letter (the one that says that you have been officially accepted to participate) includes a link to a statement for your first payment. This statement will not be sent to you in any other way. No one else will receive this statement or a copy of your bill; no further reminders will be sent. It is your responsibility to make payments according to the payment deadlines; you will need to forward your statement to the person who pays your bills if you are not that person!!!

The initial Program Fee Statement is also provided here. You can use this copy or the copy included in your acceptance letter (they are identical) when paying your fees.

Second Program Fee Payment

You will receive a link to a statement for your second payment VIA EMAIL from the Office of International Education just prior to the second payment deadline. Some programs have been advertised using a range of fees; if this is the case, you must plan to cover fees at the top end of the range until you receive your second statement. This statement will indicate whether there have been cost savings due to increased participant numbers, exchange rates, etc. and, therefore, a reduced program fee.

Tuition Payment

If your program includes a required tuition payment IN ADDITION TO YOUR PROGRAM FEE, this will be clearly indicated on the Full Cost of Participation Worksheet linked within the "Apply" section of this guide.

For interim programs, follow the program fee payment deadlines ($1,000 total due by the first deadline date, the remaining tuition and program fee due by the final deadline date).

For semester & summer programs, tuition will be billed by Student Accounts just before the term at UW Oshkosh begins, just as it normally is. It is your responsibility to make payments according to the normal university tuition payment deadlines.

Payment by Cash or Check

All payments by cash or check must be accompanied by a copy of your program fee statement. Make checks payable to “The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh” and write “Study Abroad” in the memo section. Pay fees at the Cashier's Office on the second floor of Dempsey Hall or mail your check to: Cashier's Office, UW Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901. Cashier office hours: Mon – Fri 8:30-4:00 (8:30-3:00 the day after Thanksgiving).

Payment by Credit Card or E-check

Payment by MasterCard or American Express carries a 2.5% convenience fee and can be made through TitanWeb http://www.uwosh.edu/tw/. E-checks carry a fee of $0.50 per transaction.

Payment by Financial Aid, Grant, Scholarship or External Loan

Submit the "Notice of Financial Aid Award for Study Abroad" form to Student Accounts by the first payment deadline. Students who plan to to cover some costs on their own and remaining costs using financial aid, grants or scholarships must pay costs not covered by aid/loans/scholarships, up to $1,000, by the first payment deadline.

For UW Oshkosh students, financial aid will automatically be applied toward study abroad-related fees on your student account. If you are a student elsewhere, you may need to pick up your change check from your home campus, cash the check, and send payment to UW Oshkosh.

Once your "Notice of Financial Aid Award for Study Abroad" form has been submitted, a "positive service indicator" will appear on your record indicating that financial aid will be paying your study abroad program fees.  This should not prevent you from doing anything except printing transcripts.

Scholarships

Scholarships offered through UW Oshkosh and outside organizations. 

• Gliman International (a BIG one!)
• Freeman-ASIA (this is the BIG one but is not offered every year)
• Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
• Japanese Association of University Women
• Association of Teachers of Japanese (ATJ) Financial Aid for Study in Japan
• Japanese Student Services Organization

 

Flight & Program Schedule

Money

Carry approximately ¥100,000 (about US$800) in cash to cover transportation fees to Nagasaki Junior College from the local airport and living costs for the first few days.

Departure

Mode of transportation: participants find their own way to the U.S. departure airport

Flight

Participants arrange and pay for airline tickets on their own. DO NOT purchase these until you have been officially accepted into the program by the HOST university. Information on finding and booking airline tickets is available elsewhere in this guide.

Program Schedule

	Spring 2013	Fall 2013
Arrival in Japan	February 13/14 2013	TBD
1st Day of Classes	February 18, 2013	September 2013
Final Day of Classes	June 2013	December 2013
1st day of USA Summer Camp	July 1, 2013	n/a
Final day of USA Summer Camp	varies by team	n/a
Departure from Japan	August 30 (tentative)	TBD

 

Family Orientation

Family Orientation Options, Dates and Deadlines

Participants may choose to attend in-person Family Orientation OR participants may exempt themselves from in-person Family Orientation by completing family orientation on line PRIOR TO the in-person Family Orientation date.

Family orientation is mandatory FOR PARTICIPANTS ONLY and must be completed on or prior to the in-person Family Orientation date. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

For dates, see Orientation & Pre-/post-travel Class Dates.

Family Attendance

Family member attendance at the in-person orientation is not required. Family members who don’t plan to attend the in-person orientation, or who would like to review the orientation prior to attending in person, may also access the on-line orientation. However, please encourage family members not to submit the orientation quiz.

Prior to in-person or on-line orientation, be sure that family members who plan to attend have access to the print documents and have reviewed these documents in advance.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY YOUR FAMILY MEMBER ATTEND ORIENTATION IN YOUR PLACE. 

Print Orientation Materials

All participants, regardless of whether you will complete the on-line or the in-person orientation, must review these print materials prior to orientation. Share these with interested family members as well.

Most of these materials are referenced throughout both the on-line and the in-person orientation. A few are provided only in print below and are not referenced.

• Orientation Notes Pages
  You won't have to write EVERYTHING down! Print the notes from below and use these to follow along while you watch the on-line presentation or while you attend the in-person orientation. Not everything in the presentation will reference these notes; references will also be made to other sections of this web guide (especially the Full Cost of Participation worksheet and your schedule).
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)
  Information on immunizations & much more. Read the highlighted version now. Refer to the most up-to-date information prior to travel.
  

  Up-to-date CDC information on Japan. Highlighted version of the CDC for Japan (last updated 2/27/13).

• CISI Health Insurance Policy and CISI Security Evacuation Policy
  Your insurance doesn’t cover the things you don’t know about! (In other words, if you’ve never read your policy, you won’t know when to go to the insurance company for reimbursement.) Know what your policy covers and how to get reimbursed PRIOR to travel. If this is your first experience with health insurance, review this with a family member.
• U.S. State Department Country-specific Information
  How do Americans know what not to do when they travel? What should Americans be aware of when traveling to a particular place? Find out here. Read the highlighted version now. Refer to the most up-to-date information prior to travel. More information like the above will be available in “guide books” written specifically for your country/ies.
  

  Up-to-date Country-specific Information for Japan, including links to other Department of State-generated advisories. Highlighted Country-specific information for Japan (last updated 2/27/13)

• U.S. State Department Special Warning About Drug Offenses Abroad
  Drug offenses abroad will lead you to straight to jail.
• U.S. State Department Worldwide Caution
  Know what the U.S. State Department has to say about your safety in the world today!
• Transportation Security Administration
  What you can & can’t take along when you fly. Prohibited & Permitted Items and
  311 Rules.
• Luggage Limits
  Refer to the website of the airline on which you ultimately book your ticket.
• Packing List
  Very basic; you'll need to add to this! If you are traveling with a UW Oshkosh professor, you may also receive packing guidance specific to your program. If you are traveling independently, your host may also be providing packing guidance.
• Electricity
  Adapter plug pictures and basic informtation on using electronics and appliances abroad.
• Emergency Communication Form
  Optional form for your own personal use to record important phone numbers and information.
• Withdrawal & Refund Policy; Uniform Statements of Responsibility
  This is the policy you signed when you applied to participate.
• Culture and Conversation
  

  What’s Up With Culture? On-line training resource for study abroad Issue Briefs – understanding issues as a means to connect with people Culturegrams –4-page reports on history, religion, greetings, etc. ($)

On-line Family Orientation

Review the materials linked above, grab some paper and a pencil, and schedule about 90 minutes to focus on your on-line orientation. Complete your orientation requirement by submitting this orientation quiz to the Office of International Education by the Thursday prior to in-person orientation.

Click here to access your on-line orientation.

In-person Orientation Registration

All participants who have not completed the on-line Family Orientation PRIOR TO the in-person Family Orientation date are REQUIRED TO ATTEND IN PERSON. Arrive at the designated room at least 15 minutes before this event is scheduled to begin to sign in. Registration will close approximately 5 minutes before the event.

Driving Directions to In-person Orientation

From highway 41, take the highway 21 exit east into Oshkosh (from the south, take a right; from the north, take a left).  After crossing the bridge, take a right onto High Avenue. Parking is available in Parking Lots 15 & 32 (available from High or Algoma) or Lot 34 (available from Elmwood). You can purchase a parking permit on campus (the parking office is accessible from Lot 15) or park only in lots with a meter. Campus Map

Accommodation During In-person Orientation

Accommodation is available on the Oshkosh campus to participants & family members. To make reservations, contact Gruenhagen Conference Center at (920) 424-1106. Be sure to reference the study abroad orientation when you call.

 

Family Orientation Notes

UW Oshkosh Course Enrollment
     (for courses taken during study abroad)

You will be registered in a placeholder course at UW Oshkosh either for the number of credits you plan to transfer back to UW Oshkosh or for 12 credits, whichever is lower. At the end of your program, when you transfer your host institution courses back to UW Oshkosh, these placeholder credits will be replaced with credits received in transfer.

You will automatically be enrolled in your UW Oshkosh internship course.

Accommodation at UW Oshkosh (Residence Hall Contracts)

If you are already in a Residence Life contract for the time period you plan to be abroad, contact your Hall Director to let him/her know you plan to be studying abroad!!!

If you plan to live in a residence hall after returning to UW Oshkosh, contact Residence Life before you travel to let them know that you will be participating in a semester-long study abroad program and/or that you will need a room when you return.

UW Oshkosh Course Enrollment
      (for courses you'll take AFTER study abroad)

While away, don’t forget to register for the UW Oshkosh courses you plan to take upon return as soon as your enrollment period opens! Wisconsin law protects student information from being shared with other persons. This means that course registration must be done by you, unless you arrange in advance for someone else to register for you. Know your registration date before you leave!

Talk to your academic advisor about registering for courses from abroad BEFORE you leave so that you have someone to contact who understands your situation if problems arise. It's helpful if your advisor knows where you are going, when you will be gone and what courses you will be transferring back to UW Oshkosh.

NOTE: TitanWeb is down every night - perhaps the middle of the day where you are!

UW Oshkosh Interim

If you return from abroad in time for UW Oshkosh interim courses, It is important to note that although you may take a UW Oshkosh interim course, you will pay additional tuition for the credits earned over the interim period. This is because on exchange programs each student pays tuition to his/her home institution ON BEHALF OF AN INCOMING STUDENT FROM THE HOST COUNTRY. In return, students coming to UW Oshkosh from abroad pay tuition for you. Therefore, the tuition you pay will cover your exchange partner's tuition and fees during the regular semester and interim; it will not cover YOUR tuition and fees during the regular semester or during interim at UW Oshkosh.

Airline Tickets

You are responsible for finding and purchasing your own airline tickets. Monitor a few on-line sites for awhile so that you know what a reasonable price is for the route you want. Then, if looking at domestic airlines, check the web page of the airline offering the low-fee ticket; you may find the same route to be $10-$20 cheaper when purchased on-line directly from the airline. When purchasing your ticket, remember that the first and last names on your airline tickets must match your name as it appears in your passport EXACTLY. If your credit card includes travel insurance, consider purchasing your airline ticket using your credit card. When you receive your tickets, check the dates and times listed on all of your tickets to be sure they are accurate. Also check to make sure that the first and last names on your airline ticket match the first and last names in your passport EXACTLY. Middle names shouldn't matter.

Someone from Guy Healy Japan will meet you at the airport when you arrive and will give you bus ticket and escort you to the bus departure station.

Frequent Flyer Miles

See our information on Frequent Flyer Miles for basic information on how these programs work. See the website of the specific airline you will fly for program enrollment information.  

Emergency Contacts

In a life and death emergency ABROAD

U.S. Department of State Citizen Emergency Center (1-202-647-5225) will relay messages to the foreign Embassy. Embassy personnel may try to locate your student, pass on urgent messages and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back.

To reach your student directly

If your student is staying in a hotel, use the hotel contact information listed on the web page for your student's program. The Office of International Education cannot give out private residence or homestay phone numbers unless authorized in advance by the student, but we will contact your student for you in an emergency.

To reach someone at UW Oshkosh during office hours (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F)

Office of International Education Phone: 1 (920) 424-0775
Jenna Graff: Director, Office of International Education - graff@uwosh.edu
Tanya Kollross, Study Abroad Advisor - abroad@uwosh.edu
Emily Hoffmann: Hessen & NSE Advisor - nse@uwosh.edu
Mary Reinke: Program Manager - reinkem@uwosh.edu
Sarah Christensen : International Student Advisor - christes@uwosh.edu
Office of International Education Fax: 1 (920) 424-0185
Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-1410
Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-0300

To reach someone at UW Oshkosh outside of normal office hours

University Police: 1 (920) 424-1216

To reach local contacts associated with our program ABROAD

Mr. Yoshinobu  Muta, Dean of Students and Professor in the Nagasaki Junior College English Department; Address: 600 Shiinoki-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture 858-0925, Japan; Phone: 011-81-956-47-5566; Fax: 011-81-956-47-5596; Email: ymuta@njc.ac.jp.

 

Money Matters

Covering Personal Expenses (Bringing Money Abroad)

In addition to advertised program fees, you will be responsible for other expenses. The budget estimate for your program is based on an average person's expenditures and takes into account pricing for goods and services at the destination. It is unreasonable to think that you may spend significantly less than the estimates for your trip. If you enjoy shopping or plan to spend evenings out, bring more than the budget estimate! Official exchange rates are available from the Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com.

Cash (foreign currency)

It is typically least expensive and recommended to purchase foreign currency once you arrive at the international destination airport unless you are traveling to a place where currency exchanges & ATMs may be closed outside banking hours (Japan) or exchanging in the airport is unsafe (Mexico, countries in Africa). You may also purchase most (but not all) foreign currencies before traveling from a currency exchange outlet at an international airport or by ordering through your local bank or credit union. For up-to-date locations and hours of operation - Currency Exchange at O'Hare Airport.

Traveler's Checks

Purchase enough traveler’s checks at your bank or credit union to bring as backup when a credit or ATM card cannot be used or is stolen. PROs: given increasing credit, debit and ATM card fees, traveler's checks may be less expensive. CONs: traveler's checks can only be cashed at the airport, in banks, at money exchanges and in SOME hotels. Expensive hotels tend to give bad exchange rates for traveler's checks. If there is an American Express office in the city you plan to visit (and you are on a program with a flexible enough schedule to conveniently get there), cash your traveler's checks there. American Express will not charge commission.

Credit, Debit & ATM Cards

Plastic is extremely convenient in some parts of the world and useless in others. Use your guide book to determine whether this type of currency is accepted at your destination. You'll be charged a percentage of each transaction; this fee is "rolled" into the exchange rate and can be the daily rate of exchange plus 2.5% or higher. You may also be charged per transaction by your bank and/or by the foreign bank (owners of the ATM machine).

In order to use your cards abroad, you must let your credit/debit/ATM card company know you plan to travel abroad. If you don't, it's quite common, even for regular travelers, to find that their card has been red flagged and cancelled by the issuing bank's computer system. In addition, for security reasons some cards are not validated for overseas travel and may be confiscated by a machine even after entering the correct PIN. *At least one area Credit Union has cut off all access to ATM's from abroad due to fraud.

Global VISA ATM locator
Global MasterCard ATM locator
Global American Express ATM locator

Credit Cards: Bring VISA or MasterCard only. American Express may be used at American Express offices. PROs: credit cards typically offer protection against unauthorized use provided you follow the company's reporting policy. CONs: numbers are often stolen; credit card cash advances are extremely expensive and require a PIN. *Know your credit card limits--charging over the limit is an arrestable offense in some countries. Paraphrase from a US State Department Consular Information Sheet: Credit card fraud is on the rise in many countries, and both theft and 'number skimming' are common. Retain all your credit card receipts and check your accounts regularly to help prevent unauthorized use of your credit cards.

Debit Cards vs. ATM Cards: In the U.S. we typically use debit cards rather than ATM cards. Debit cards allow users to withdraw cash using a PIN or make purchases WITHOUT using a PIN. In other countries, because of the high incidence of theft, ATM cards are a better choice because they always require a PIN. PROs: In developed countries (except Japan) ATM cards are typically the most convenient way to access money. CONs: Your account can be emptied if your numbers (or numbers and PIN) are stolen. You should keep only the money you plan to spend on your trip in your account; remove overdraft protection. To protect your PIN

• never access cash from machines visible to other people
    
• always shield both your hand and the PIN pad to protect against cameras planted near ATMs
    
• avoid ATM machines which require you to swipe your card in order to open the door to the ATM booth
    
• Paraphrase from a US State Department Country-specific Information publication: avoid using debit cards for point of sale purchases, as a skimmed number can be used to clean out an account.

Money in an Emergency

Wire Transfer

To send money by wire transfer, you will need the following information from the institution/organization/individual you are paying:

--Name of the institution/organization/individual	--Account # (at the bank)
--Address	--Fax Number (optional)
--Phone Number	--Email (optional)

You will also need the following information from the bank which will receive the money. The institution/organization/individual you are paying will give this information to you.

--Bank Name	--Bank Fax	--Sort Code
--Bank Address	--Branch Number	--Swift
--Bank phone	--ABA

When requesting a wire transfer at your local bank or credit union, present the information above and ask that the bank "cover the wire transfer fees at both the sending and the receiving banks." If you don't cover the wire fees at the receiving bank, your payment will be reduced by the amount of the fee and you will end up still owing.

When you order the transfer, you do so in foreign currency. Therefore, you will typically be charged in U.S. dollars after the transfer has been processed. Your fee will include the equivalent of the wire transfer in U.S. dollars plus a bank fee (ask how much this is before ordering the transfer).

Wire transfers typically take 3-5 days to process. Be sure that you make payments by wire transfer far enough in advance of payment deadlines.

Bank Drafts in Foreign Currencies

To make a payment in a foreign currency by check, you will need to order a "bank draft" in that foreign currency through your local bank or credit union.

When you order the draft, you do so in foreign currency. Therefore, you will typically be charged in U.S. dollars after the draft has been processed. Your fee will include the equivalent of the draft in U.S. dollars plus a bank fee (ask how much this is before ordering the draft).

Be sure that you make requests for drafts far enough in advance of payment deadlines. Bank drafts take at least several days to process before being mailed to the bank and then to you. Plan for an additional 10 days to mail the draft to a foreign country.

Study Abroad, Tuition and your 1098-T (tax credit)

UW Oshkosh may include only qualified tuition paid to UW Oshkosh for enrollment at UW Oshkosh on 1098-T's issued to students.

Qualified tuition is tuition for academic credit which a student must pay to be enrolled at or attend an eligible educational institution.

Academic credit is credit awarded by an eligible educational institution for the completion of course work leading to a post-secondary degree.

An Eligible educational institution is a ... university ... that is described in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as in effect on August 5, 1997, and that is eligible to participate in the Department of Education's student aid programs.

Financial Administration of Study Abroad Programs (UW System). In order to increase student access to UW study abroad programs and minimize the cost of student participation, study abroad programs will be financed on a cost recovery basis. Students studying abroad will be exempt from paying the Board of Regents' approved academic fees.

This means...

• For study abroad with course enrollment at UW Oshkosh, no UW Oshkosh tuition is charged. If no tuition is charged, no tuition will appear on the 1098-T.
• For study abroad with NO course enrollment at UW Oshkosh (except a "placeholder" used to keep your registration at UW Oshkosh active), no UW Oshkosh tuition is charged. Your program fee may include tuition from an ineligible educational institution abroad. If no UW Oshkosh tuition is charged, no tuition will appear on the 1098-T.
• For tuition paid directly to an institution abroad, check with that institution to see whether a 1098-T can be issued. It is our understanding (and we may be wrong - check with your tax advisor on this!) that while some foreign schools do participate in the Department of Education's student aid programs (making them eligible educational institutions), students must also be completing course work leading to a post-secondary degree at that institution for the 1098-T to be issued.

 

Health, Safety & Security

Health Insurance

If I am on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored program, do I have insurance for medical and emergency services while studying abroad?

YES - but only during your official program dates! UW System requires all participants on UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs abroad to purchase insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This insurance is included in your study abroad program fees; your coverage will begin on the first day on which you are required to be in the host country and end on or just after the last day on which you are required to be in the host country.

In addition to CISI, all students studying through an Australian, German or New Zealand university are required by the foreign government to carry additional health insurance. You will receive instructions and the necessary paperwork to obtain your insurance card at your host university’s orientation.

• Students studying in Australia must purchase "Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Students studying in Germany and New Zealand must purchase health insurance offered through individual universities.

What does CISI cover?

CISI coverage can change from policy year to policy year. All benefits are clearly explained on the Description of Coverage. If your program begins

• on or after August 1, 2012-May 1, 2013: http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/CISIpolicy20122013.pdf
  on or after May 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014: http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/CISIpolicy20132014.pdf

Additional Comprehensive Security Evacuation Insurance is outlined on a separate Description of Coverage, available from http://culturalinsurance.com/pdf/security_evac_comprehensive_ace.pdf.

How do I access information about my CISI coverage and print my insurance card?

Instructions on accessing information and printing your insurance card, among other things, are available from http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/myCISI.pdf.

In addition, use the CISI Participant Portal to

• View, print and email your
  • Consulate letter (if you are applying for a visa to enter a foreign country, you may need this),
  • Claim form (submit this directly to CISI)
• Access travel-related sites.
• Research country specific information.
• Access a personal security assistance website.
• Extend your coverage (prior to or following your program dates).

I will arrive abroad prior to my official program start date and/or will return after my official program end date. Do I need to extend my insurance coverage if I'm on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored program?

YES! If you don't extend your insurance coverage, you won't be covered. Follow the instructions available from http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/myCISI.pdf to extend your coverage. You must pay for the additional coverage directly at the time that you request the extension.

Can I use my personal health insurance plan without purchasing additional insurance for travel abroad?

If studying on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored Program, no. UW System does not allow for the exemption of any participant for any reason.

If you are studying through a program not sponsored by or affiliated with UW Oshkosh, sickness and accident coverage while in a foreign country may be included in your personal health insurance plan, but it is rare for personal health insurance plans to cover medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation or emergency medical reunion. BEFORE you travel you should be familiar with the type of coverage you have and the steps you need to take in order to use your policy abroad. If you are not satisfied that you have sufficient coverage abroad, you can purchase a temporary policy.

My insurance company requires me to be a full-time student in order to take advantage of a lower premium. Will study abroad affect my ability to keep this premium?

Your insurance company may require you to be a full-time student in order to take advantage of lower premiums. IF you are NOT enrolled in classes at UW Oshkosh for a full semester (i.e. you are transferring credits back to UW Oshkosh at the end of your study abroad program), AND you are NOT enrolled for full-time credit through another accredited U.S. institution, this may affect your premiums. Information on your enrollment status is automatically extracted from UW Oshkosh records and sent to a Clearinghouse, which many insurance companies monitor. You will show up in the Clearinghouse as “not enrolled” at UW Oshkosh IF you are not enrolled for courses AT UW OSHKOSH, and your premiums may be affected.

In order to avoid problems, contact your insurance company BEFORE leaving for your study abroad destination. Your insurance company will either give you a form or a list of information which they need. You can fax this form/list to the institution abroad for verification of full-time status while studying there.

Please note that if you are on Academic Leave of Absence, you are being reported by UW Oshkosh as "not enrolled."

What are some insurance supplements or alternatives?

If you need comprehensive security evacuation insurance, Global Rescue and International SOS both offer to individuals.

At $22, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a popular option for students. The ISIC can be purchased on line; policy details are available from the link above. To call STA Travel: 1-800-329-9537 (menu option “Student, youth and teacher identity cards”). A second option is to search on the internet or contact your local travel agent. There are many other insurance companies that will cover you during your time abroad.

What are medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion?

Medical evacuation, security evacuation and repatriation benefits cover the insured when the insured is moved to a location outside of the host country or returned to the U.S. because a medical condition cannot be treated locally, because of a security risk at the site abroad or because of the death of the insured. Medical reunion benefits cover a family member who travels to the location where the insured is undergoing medical treatment. If you have medical reunion, identify one or more family members who have a valid passport as your emergency contact. Anyone not holding a valid passport will need to apply for one before being able to take advantage of emergency medical reunion.

Is the insurance offered through CISI sufficient?

CISI insurance is not comprehensive. It is each participant's responsibility to review the policy for sufficient coverage. If you feel that coverage is insufficient, purchase additional coverage through your insurance agent. Do not cancel your health insurance policy in the U.S. while you are gone. In most cases, your international policy will cover you while you are gone and/or bring you back to the U.S., but once you return, your domestic policy will need to provide coverage.

Do I need trip cancellation insurance or baggage insurance?

Because the UW Oshkosh OIE runs all programs on a cost-recovery basis, it is not possible to make exceptions to the withdrawal and refund policy for any reason, including withdrawal for medical reasons or family emergencies. To protect yourself, reach through the CISI insurance policy provided through UW System and then consider purchasing TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE to cover other potential eventualities. If you choose not to purchase trip cancellation insurance and the CISI policy does not cover your withdrawal, study abroad fees assessed by the OIE will be your responsibility regardless of your reason for withdrawing. Trip cancellation insurance may provide reimbursement for CERTAIN financial losses UNDER A LIMITED SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Read policies carefully and shop around. Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions.

Baggage insurance typically provides coverage related to lost or delayed luggage. Because there are fairly low limits on the claims you can make, you may also need to purchase insurance riders through your home insurance policy to cover items such as digital cameras or other expensive equipment.

Insurance for Loss, Theft or Damage of Personal Property

If traveling with valuable personal property such as cameras, laptops or equipment, your (or your parents') rental or homeowner's policy may provide sufficient coverage or you may need to purchase a rider to cover specific items; items normally covered without a rider may not be covered while traveling.

Security Evacuation Alternatives

If traveling to parts of the world which are difficult to reach or are considerably less safe than you are accostomed to, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance to cover security or medical evacuation (above and beyond what is provided by the university insurance or by your own insurance). Two options are International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/en/) and Global Rescue (https://www.globalrescue.com/).

Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Site for Immunization Information

The Center for Disease Control provides health information on specific destinations, information about specific diseases that can affect travelers, immunization recommendations, tips on avoiding illness from food or water and more through it's web site. For information specific to your destination/s, see http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/.

When reviewing the CDC information, it's important to understand the distinction between "recommended" and "required" immunizations.

• Required immunizations are those immunizations which a foreign country requires that you prove you have had in order to enter that foreign country. For example, a country that requires the yellow fever immunization will require you to present your "yellow fever vaccination card" when you show up in the foreign airport or you apply for a visa. If you don't present this, you may be required to get the immunization (and pay for it) on site or you may be sent back to the U.S. (at your own expense).
     
• Recommended immunizations are those immunizations which the CDC recommends that all travelers have prior to visiting a particular foreign country. Unless you face serious health risks if you receive a particular immunization, it is extremely unwise to ignore these recommendations. If you think you'll save a bit of cash by not getting the recommended immunizations, think again! If you were to contract a disease overseas, you could be faced with $1,000's of dollars in medical expenses upon return. In addition, depending on the disease, you may miss a semester or more at UW Oshkosh upon your return. This can happen! A UW Oshkosh student did not to get the Hepatitis A vaccination prior to traveling to Peru, contracted the disease and was too ill to attend UW Oshkosh over the semester following her program abroad.

If you can't afford an immunization, you may be eligible for a financial aid loan.

If you aren't sure whether you've already had a particular immunization recommended by the CDC, you may be able to check your records with your healthcare provider or on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

Visit the Student Health Center or Your Healthcare Provider

The student health center offers the most frequently used immunizations, and can get others on order with advance notice, at lower fees than travel clinics and other healthcare providers. Make an appointment with the student health center (424-2424), a Travel Health Clinic (listings for Aurora available through International Travel Clinic) or your healthcare provider at least 6 weeks before leaving for a foreign country. Some immunizations must be administered over time in order for them to be effective. You will be asked to provide information on your specific destination/s (within each country), date of departure, length of stay and childhood immunizations (bring a copy of the actual record, if possible) either when making the appointment or during your visit.

Travel to an unfamiliar environment can increase stress levels; honestly evaluate your mental health in relation to support systems you can reasonably maintain while studying abroad. If traveling to a developed country, consider setting up an e-mail and phone-support system with friends and family before you leave. Keep in mind that some study abroad sites have very limited means of communication.

The Student Health Center can also provide certification of physical and mental health if needed to apply for a visa. Take care of all dental work, eye exams, and other things which may be offered at a different level of quality or standard of care efore you leave for abroad.

Find English-speaking Doctors

U.S. embassies often maintain lists of English-speaking doctors by city. For a list specific to your destination, find the embassy or consulate nearest your destination city using the link above, click on "American Citizen Services" and look for a "medical" list.

Put Together A Personal Medical Kit

Many prescription and over-the-counter medications available in the U.S. are not available abroad or cannot be found in the same form or at the same quality. Carry all prescription medications AND a letter from your doctor describing your condition and your prescriptions (using both the generic names and the drug name which appears on the prescription container) in your carry-on luggage. All prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs must be carried through customs in original containers. Consider bringing a medical ID bracelet if you have allergic reactions.

For those who wear glasses or contact lenses, carry an extra prescription or extra lenses. Not all countries use the same scale for determining prescriptions, so arrange to have someone send a replacement pair in an emergency. Contact lens supplies can be rare and expensive, so bring saline and cleaner or wear glasses.

Check Department of State Country-specific Information, Travel Alerts & Travel Warnings

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs regularly publishes country-specific information, travel alerts and travel warnings; U.S. embassies abroad publish messages for U.S. Citizens and emergency messages for U.S. Citizens.

• Country-specific Information includes health conditions and crime and security information. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security.
     
• Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, either transnational or within a particular country, that pose significant risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.
     
• Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.
  
  
• Message for U.S. Citizens is used to disseminate information about routine topics such as voter registration, income tax season, new passport procedures, and other non-security issues of interest to the local U.S. citizen community.
  
  
• Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens is used to inform U.S. citizens about events or threats that can affect their personal security.  This includes demonstrations, civil disturbances, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other breaking events.  Whenever the Department revises the Worldwide Caution or issues a Travel Alert or Travel Warning for a country or region, posts (Embassies or Consulates) will also disseminate it with an Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens. To ensure that you receive these messages, register on the State Department's Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP).

Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP)

The Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service which allows you as a U.S. citizen to record travel details which help the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad locate you when you need them the most.

All UW Oshkosh students traveling abroad are required to (and responsible for)
completing the registration at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.

The UK, Canada, New Zealand and Japan have similar systems for their nationals.

Faculty Leader/Host School Responsibilities

For faculty-led programs, your faculty leader is responsible for the activities of your group for the entire program. For student exchange programs, your host school is only responsible for activities such as course registration and orientation. In either case, your faculty leader, program sponsors or host school:

• cannot guarantee or assure the safety of participants or eliminate all risks from the study abroad environments.
• cannot monitor or control all of the daily personal decisions, choices, and activities of individual participants.
• cannot assure that U.S. standards of due process apply in overseas legal proceedings or provide or pay for legal representation for participants.
• cannot assume responsibility for the actions of persons not employed or otherwise engaged by the program sponsor for events that are not part of the program or that are beyond the control of the sponsor, or for situations that may arise due to the failure of a participant to disclose pertinent information.
• cannot assure that home country cultural values and norms will apply in the host country.

Student Responsibilities

Participants are responsible for preparing academically and personally for their experience abroad. All participants must understand that the orientations offered by the OIE and by faculty offer only an INTRODUCTION to issues related to travel abroad and cultural/language differences you will encounter. We do our best to cover the most important topics, but there is absolutely no possible way that we can tell you everything you will want to know or feel you need to know before your trip. You can prepare by reading resources suggested to you at orientations, by exploring on the internet, by knowing your itinerary and checking out your hotels on-line, and by reading books and articles related to your destination. The more you know before you go, the steeper your learning curve will be while abroad.

You also signed a statement of responsibility which you will be expected to abide by. Faculty leaders and host school liaisons have the right and responsibility to remove any participant from the program for disruptive or unsafe behavior.

 

Travel

Visas & Residence Permits

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country on a U.S. passport that makes it possible for the bearer to visit that foreign country.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

In order for you to secure a visa to enter Japan, your host university must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan, on your behalf. This takes approximately two months. The OIE will then contact you to pick up the COE, at which time you will need to apply for a visa to enter Japan.

Applying for a Japanese Visa

A US citizen with a Certificate of Eligibility must submit a number of additional documents to the Japanese Consulate in the U.S. in order to obtain a visa to enter Japan. The list of documents, along with the application procedure, is available on the web site of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago. Follow the instructions for "Visa Application with Certificate of Eligibility".

Japanese immigration requires all students to prove financial support before authorizing a visa. Proof of support can be in the form of financial aid award letters, scholarship award letters, bank statements, etc.

You may apply in person (you will need to appear one day and pick up your documents the next) or by mail (this should take about one week plus mail time). For questions, call the Consulate General of Japan at (312)280-0400.

Resident Card

TENTATIVE: Foreigners who intend to reside in Japan for more than 90 days must apply in person for a Resident Card within 90 days of arrival in Japan (someone at your host university will assist you). Foreign residents 16 years of age or over are required by law to carry their Alien Registration Card on their person at all times. See the "Resident Management System" flyer for detailed information on Resident Cards.

Proof of Legal Entry & Stay

Foreigners are required to provide proof of legal entry and stay to authorities upon request. This means that as a foreigner, you will be required to carry the document/s listed below at all times. Check the Entry/Exit Requirements section of theU.S. State Department's Country-specific Informationfor your destination for details.

Japan - you are required to carry your passport on you at all times UNTIL you receive your Resident Card. Once you have this card, you are required to carry it (and not the passport) at all times.

Pack

Identification

Bring a student ID to take advantage of student entry fees. Make sure you have both your passport and a second official form of identification (e.g. driver’s license). Consider bringing your birth certificate (with the raised seal) as this is helpful if replacing a lost passport.

Electricity

Avoid bringing electrical appliances if possible; buy adapters (plug shape) and a converter (to change voltage) if necessary and use both. Try to AVOID purchasing an UNFUSED adapter (otherwise the charge goes either into the appliance or into the wall - potentially starting a fire - if it blows). For more information on adapters and converters, go to http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/wwelect.htm.

Pack to Stay Safe!

For you own safety, follow this simple rule: Don't bring anything that someone else may want. Don't pack clothing or accessories that will make you a target for theft. Leave name brand clothing at home and don't wear any jewelry. Empty your wallet or purse before traveling. Remove extra credit cards and other items you won't need.

Pack to Walk!

You will walk a lot. Codes pertaining to the height and depth of steps, sidewalk conditions, the height of signs (this is for you tall people!) etc. may be different. Avoid foot and ankle injuries by packing appropriate shoes, socks and lots of bandages!

Luggage

Your airline will limit the number and size of both carry-on and checked bags. Check baggage restrictions on the website of your airline of choice and know in advance what fees you may need to pay for excess baggage.

Note that most airlines impose a maximum of excess baggage as well (in other words, you can't just pay to bring as much as you'd like). If you show up at the airport with baggage which exceeds the maximum excess baggage limit, you will not be allowed to bring this baggage with you.

Convert kilograms to pounds.

Regardless of the luggage limits for your flight, limit yourself to one reasonably-sized check-on piece of luggage and one small carry-on. Leave extra space for things you buy abroad to avoid paying fees for going over luggage limits on your return. Label every piece of luggage both inside and out and buy TSA-approved locks (so that your locks aren't removed during airport inspection) for use at hotels. If you can't carry your luggage (all of it at once) up and down the block and up and down a few sets of stairs, you have probably packed too much.

Airline Entertainment

International flights can take anywhere from several to fourteen hours. Generally, passengers are offered food and beverages, movies (depending on the airline and length of the flight) and music channels & headphones. If you think you might require other entertainment, you'll need to bring it with you.

Prohibited Items

U.S. Department of Homeland Security's list of prohibited items

Your Flight

Jet Lag

To avoid jet lag on flights where there is a large time difference, it is best to immediately adopt the sleeping schedule of your destination; this means either attempting to sleep or to stay awake according to the time of day (or night) it is at your destination before arriving. You should begin doing this at the front end of your trip (i.e. while riding to the airport if someone else is driving or immediately upon take-off on the first leg of your trip).

If there is a large time difference between Wisconsin and your destination and you arrive at your destination during the day, DON’T SLEEP! If you can manage to stay awake on the first day, jet lag will be less difficult for you during the days to come. You're going to be extremely tired either way, so it’s best to fight it at the very beginning of your trip so that you can enjoy the days to come!

Procedures at U.S. International Airports

Arrive at a U.S. international airport (O'Hare, Minneapolis, etc.) a minimum of 3 ½ hours early so that you complete your check-in 3 hours early. Passengers who show up later to check in on planes which are oversold don’t always get a seat assignment. Go through security immediately after checking in; if you run into trouble with security you may still have enough time to get cleared and make your flight. You must be through security a minimum of ½ hour to 45 minutes (the exact timing depends on the airport) before your plane is scheduled to BOARD. If you aren't, you may not be allowed through security and you will miss your flight. Boarding times are typically 30 to 45 minutes before scheduled take off. Anyone who is not flying will not be allowed to pass through security.

For airport maps, terminal information, parking information, etc., check the appropriate web pages below:

O’Hare: http://www.flychicago.com/PassengerInformation/AirportMaps.aspx
Milwaukee: http://www.mitchellairport.com/
Minneapolis/St. Paul: http://www.mspairport.com/maps.aspx
Outagamie County (Appleton): http://www.atwairport.com/

Customs Declaration Form

Either just prior to check-in or while on the flight, you will receive a customs declaration form; be sure you have the form for U.S. citizens (unless you are a citizen of another country) written in English. Complete this form—front and back—either before check-in or before the plane lands. You will need this form to go through customs (explained elsewhere in this guide).

Immigration

When you go through immigration, officials inspect your passport and may ask for your hotel/host family address and telephone number; it's a good idea to carry this information with you. If asked what you will be doing in the host country:

• short-term programs with NO ENROLLMENT in a university or school ABROAD, “I'm here on a cultural visit with my U.S. professor.” Do not say “to study” or "for international business."
  
  
• short-term programs WITH ENROLLMENT in a university or school ABROAD (LdM, Germany, Spain), "I'm here to take classes at (institution name) for # (number) weeks."
  
  
• semester or longer, “I'm here to study at (institution name).”
  
  
• USA Summer Camp, “I'm here to participate on a language camp.” Do not say "to work at a summer camp."
  
  
• Wisconsin in Scotland, present a letter to immigration officials (included in a packet sent to your permanent address before departure)
  
  
• Even if you hope to find a legal job later, do not mention working.

If you say “to study,” "to work," or “for international business" when you are not studying at a university or getting paid for work, you will confuse immigration officials, who may assume that you then need a special student or work visa.

Photographs and Fingerprinting

Just as the U.S. does with foreign nationals entering the United States, you may be photographed and fingerprinted upon entry in the foreign country. Data collected may be checked against a database of international terror and crime suspects, checked against domestic crime records and/or used for other purposes. The U.S., Japan and Brazil are photographing and fingerprinting.

Customs

After immigration, you will go to the baggage claim to get your luggage and then head through customs. At this point, officials will decide whether or not to search through your luggage. In general, you cannot bring meat or agricultural products across borders. These items will be confiscated. For more information on customs regulations, see the U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information for your destination.

Arrival Abroad

You will be picked up from the designated airport in Japan by staff from Nagasaki Junior College. Additional details will be provided prior to travel.

We always ask that ALL travelers have a back-up plan!

Review the web site/s of your arrival airport and print any information/maps available to you; carry these with you when you travel. Pre-plan your route from your arrival terminal to the bus stop, train station or other form of transportation you'll use to get to your program site.

Japan - Narita (Tokyo); Haneda (Tokyo); Kansai (Osaka); Hakata (Fukuoka)

Family Communications Plan

Develop a reasonable family communications plan that includes contingencies for emergency situations. Use the Emergency Communication Form to record important information; leave a copy of this form, your itinerary and other important information with someone back home.

UW Oshkosh also has Emergency Response Plans in place.

Upon Arrival (this could take more time than you had planned!)

It's not easy to contact friends and family upon arrival! By the time you get off the plane, go through immigration & customs, travel to your accommodation, purchase an international calling card, learn how it works and locate a public phone or an internet cafe, all when you're jet lagged and dealing with a new environment, you may not be able to call or email until the next day.

Email

You may or may not have easy access to reliable email from hotels, internet cafes or universities, depending on your study abroad site. In some countries where crime and computer theft are problems, internet sites may be protected by guards. In this case, avoid sites which are open to the street or are not guarded.

When using UW Oshkosh TitanApps:

• Turn off the pop-up blocker on the computer you are using.  TitanApps WILL NOT WORK with the pop-up blocker turned on.
     
• Remember that staff & faculty at UW Oshkosh will continue to use your UW Oshkosh email address.  If you are away for an extended period of time, you must continue to check this!

Snail Mail

Sending mail to the U.S. can take two to several weeks, depending on your location. Choose DHL to ship important items and USPS for regular mail. If staying in hotels or hostels, you will not be able to receive mail and you will not have an address abroad. If staying with a host family, your address will be the same as the host family's address, but ask friends and family to use both your host's name and your name when addressing the envelope. At USA Summer Camp, you can send mail from some camp sites but not from others. If possible, buy stamps in Japan before you get to the camp. Mail should be sent to your host family's house rather than to the camp so that it can bereturned to you if you are no longer in Japan when it arrives.

Telephone

• It's best to use pre-paid phone cards purchased in your destination country. If you purchase these in the U.S., call the customer service number on the back of the card before departing from the U.S. to get the access number from your destination country!
• Avoid using an international phone card tied to your phone number in the U.S. It’s very easy to rack up a $100-200 phone bill in just a few nights.
• Do not make international phone calls from your hotel room, even with a calling card or pre-paid calling card, without asking the hotel desk clerk whether or not you'll be charged by the hotel for time spent on the telephone line! Hotels are notorious for charging for time spent on the phone, regardless of how you are paying for the actual call.
• Never call the U.S. from your host family's phone without a calling card. This is expensive, and it will be difficult to pay the family for the calls after you return to the U.S.
• Wisconsin in Scotland: international prepaid calling cards purchased in the U.S. do not work on the phones in Dalkeith House.

Cell Phone

While most cell phone companies will tell their customers that their U.S. cell phone will work abroad, the reality is that some U.S. cell phones work abroad and others don't. In some cases two people with the same cell company experience different results. In many cases cell phone customers have been unpleastantly surprised upon returning home to enormous phone bills. Unless you have a cell phone which is specifically designed for use outside the U.S. or you have successfully used your U.S. cell phone abroad, use your U.S. cell phone at your own risk!

If you plan to use your cell phone a lot while outside the U.S. and perhaps plan to continue traveling into the future, consider purchasing a phone which will work anywhere in the world. Otherwise, consider renting a phone. There are lots of options available on the internet - here's what you're looking for:

• GSM Quad Band (850/900/1800/1900)  
• It must be unlocked!    

You will also need to purchase a SIM card. Your phone number will be on the SIM card (not on the phone). Without a SIM card, your phone is useless.

• If you plan to be abroad short-term, for many countries you must now purchase your SIM card PRIOR to traveling. In many countries, you now need to show that you'll be residing in the country for a significant period of time before you can purchase a SIM card in-country. If purchasing before travel, consider purchasing a card which can be replenished on line. A simple google search should turn up multiple companies selling SIM cards.
     
  
• If you plan to be abroad long-term (a semester or longer), purchase your SIM card in-country after speaking to other students in the area to find out which company is currently offering the best deal for international students.

Purchase a Travel Guide

Purchase a travel guide for your study abroad destination for current information on money/currency, customs & duties, staying healthy, public transportation, travel tips, telephones, sending mail, tipping, and a lot more. Choose the guidebook which fits your needs, and make sure it is current for the year in which you are traveling! Guidebook titles include Frommer's, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Let's Go and more.

Cultural Adjustment

A Little Advice (from us and from you)!

For getting through the tough times and the culture shock ups & downs...

It isn't better. It isn't worse. It's just different.

Learn to accept -- not to expect. False expectations can lead to disappointment.

Don't be afraid to ask directions.

Don't be afraid to get lost. Getting lost can lead to wonderful discoveries!
(But stay safe.)

Be flexible -- tolerate ambiguity.

Talk to the locals as much as you can.

Remember that you are a guest who has traveled to learn about cultural differences--not an intruder who has come to make a difference.

Work hard to find the positive in everything you do and see--this will have a tremendous effect on your own attitude and, in turn, on the type of experience you have.

Take lots of pictures and keep a journal.

Don't worry about what's going on back home - just enjoy where you are!

Know about your own country before you go.

Learn to budget your money before you go.

Be practical with your packing.

Have fun and enjoy the time that you are there. You will be gone before you know it!  

Prepare to Depart for Home

Complete Your Course Transfer

Before you depart from abroad, you must request that your host institution send your transcripts directly to the Transfer Student Coordinator in the UW Oshkosh Admissions Office. Do not send your transcript to the Office of International Education. The UW Oshkosh OIE cannot request transcripts on your behalf and you cannot receive credit at UW Oshkosh without the official transcript.

Transfer Student Coordinator
Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
U.S.A.

NOTE: When the Transfer Student Coordinator receives your transcipt, it will be matched to the Transfer Credit Prior Approval Form you completed during the application process for your program. If you did not take the courses you listed on your prior approval form, there is no guarantee that your courses will transfer. If you took courses which won't transfer, this will retroactively affect your full-time status as reported by UW Oshkosh and may affect your financial aid.

You should consider ordering a copy of your host institution transcripts for yourself if possible.

Return Home

Know how early you must arrive at the international airport in order to get through security in time; every airport has its own rules. If traveling on a faculty-led program, your faculty leader will let you know what time your group will meet to leave for the airport.

Airport exit fees are often, but not always, included in the cost of your airline ticket. Know whether you must pay these at the airport and in what currency so that you don't exchange all of your money back into U.S. dollars too soon. Ask your program leader or check your guidebook or the  U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/)  for your destination for more information.

RESOURCE LIST

Japan

• JAPAN GUIDE for UW Oshkosh students studying in Nagasaki or Oita.
• Study Japan
• Japan Student Services Organization
• Japan National Tourist Organization
• Fukuoka City Map
• Fukuoka City Subway
• Nagasaki City Hall Tourism Brochure

Polk Library

• Back in the U.S.A.: Reflecting on your study abroad experience and putting it to work
• Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication
• Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach
• Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook
• Do's and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad
• Everybody's Guide to People Watching
• Mindsets: The Role of Culture and Perception in International Relations
• Safety and Study Abroad (32 minute video)
• Study Abroad: A Parent's Guide
• Survival Kit for Overseas Living: for Americans planning to live and work abroad
• Whole World Guide to Culture Learning

Transportation 

• FAA Airport Status Reports  (general airport conditions)
• Subway Page (links to subway maps)
• World Airport Guides

Accommodation

• Youth Hostels: Hostels, Hostelz.com

Culture & Key Facts

• What’s Up With Culture? On-line training resource for study abroad
• Issue Briefs – understanding issues as a means to connect with people
• Culturegrams –4-page reports on history, religion, greetings, etc. ($)
• StudyAbroad.com Handbook: exploring cultural differences, health & nutrition, safety & security, legalities & emergencies, careers, pre-departure checklist
• Atlapedia Online physical and political maps; key facts on countries of the world
• International Affairs Resources
• Travlang travel resources; signs and road rules, foreign newspapers, flags
• U.S. Department of State Country Maps
• World Factbook
• World Holiday & Celebration Calendar
• WorldWide Classroom Travel Planner culture shock, people & culture, air/bus, weather, world news and much more!

Travel Guides

• Foddor's Travel Online
• Frommers
• Lonely Planet
• Rough Guide Online Travel
• Let's Go

Communication

• International Phone Calls
• Fodors: French, German, Italian, Spanish useful phrases and word lists
• Travlang: foreign language useful phrases and word lists with AUDIO

• International postage calculator
• Universal Postal Union international address formats; click on "Postal Addresses" and then on "Postal Addressing Systems"

Conversions

• Time Zone: Japan
• Universal Currency Converter
• Weather.com
  Centigrade x 1.8 + 32 = Fahrenheit
  Fahrenheit - 32 / 1.8 = Centrigrade
• Electricity Guide (from Walkabout Travel Gear)

Disability Services

• Mobility International U.S.A.  for people with disabilities

Health & Safety

• OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council)
• International Society of Travel Medicine
• World Health Organization
• Center for Disease Control

On-line Shopping

• Intercultural Press Books/videos dealing with intercultural issues
• Transitions Abroad Publishing
• TravelMedicine Information & products for safe travel (not just medicine!)
• WalkAbout Travel Gear (surge protectors, converters, adapters and much more)

 

This page was last updated on: May 8, 2013

Office of International Education - Dempsey 202
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901, U.S.A.

Email: oie@uwosh.edu; Phone: (USA Country Code: 1) 920-424-0775, Fax: (USA Country Code: 1) 920-424-0185