 |
Office of International Affairs |
|
Ruffner Hall 146 - 201 High Street - Farmville, VA 23909 - Tel. (434) 395-2172 - Fax (434) 395-2506 - intlstu@longwood.edu |
|
| ||||
|
Eligibility Requirements for Study Abroad Medical and Health Information Health Insurance for Study Abroad Register at US State Department
Preparing for Study AbroadStudent Checklist for Study Abroad Programs(The year before you plan to study abroad): q Drop in or make an appointment with the Office of International Affairs to research and discuss study abroad options. Do research on the web and with the guide(s) that the office provides. q Determine the program in which you wish to participate, and obtain the program’s information about admissions policies, prices, courses, accommodations, etc. You must choose a program sponsored by a U.S. university or organization. q Pick up from the Office of International Affairs: o Longwood University Study Abroad Application form o Faculty Recommendation Form and Study Abroad Approval Form o Scholarship Application form o Request for Transfer Credit Authorization form o Longwood University Course Registration Form
q Meet with your academic advisor to determine which courses you should take while abroad. Select at least two alternative courses. List the courses on all of the applications as well as the “Request for Transfer Credit Authorization” form. Ask your advisor to sign the form. q Complete the information on the “Longwood University Registration Form;” do not list the courses you plan to take while abroad. The office will register you for “AWAY 311” or “FREN/GERM/SPAN 311” as appropriate. q Complete a “Longwood University Study Abroad Application” as well as the application from the program you wish to attend. Type or use neat, clear handwriting in black ink. Obtain parents’ signatures on the “Conditions of Participation” in the application. Keep in mind the deadline for your selected program; if it is earlier than the Longwood deadline, it supersedes our deadline. q Complete the “Health Report and Release” form; sign it. The information will be kept confidential, but it is necessary to be able to provide you with all of the information and services you may need. q Write (type) the essay requested on the application form. q Complete the top section of the “Study Abroad Approval” form and give it to your advisor to complete and return to the Office of International Affairs. Complete the top section of the “Faculty Recommendation Form” and give it to another professor who knows you to complete and return to the Office of International Affairs. q Take the completed “Request for Transfer Credit Authorization” to the Assistant Dean of your College (Arts and Sciences, Business or Education) to obtain the Assistant Dean’s signature (next to your advisor’s signature). The courses will be treated as transfer credits, unless you are a language major. Keep a copy of the signed form to turn in to International Affairs. q Complete the “Study Abroad Scholarship Application” and type the essay required. You can adapt parts of the admissions essay if you like; be sure to address the topics requested. q Apply for your passport if you do not have one. (by March 1 for Summer sessions or Fall Semester; by October 1 for Spring Semester): q Bring all of the following to the Office of International Affairs before the application deadlines: o Complete application with "Conditions of Participation" signed by student AND parents o Faculty Recommendation Form and Study Abroad Approval Form (can be sent by faculty) o Application essay (see instructions on application form) o Completed “Health Report and Release” with signatures o Your signed copy of the “Request for Transfer Credit Authorization” form o Longwood University Registration Form, completed except for courses o Scholarship Application form and essay (if you want a scholarship) o Official copies of all college transcripts, other than Longwood’s o Two copies of the information page of your passport q Apply for your visa if your selected country requires it. (Upon acceptance, and by April 15 for Summer or Fall Semester; Nov. 15 for Spring): q Attend all of the required Pre-Departure meetings and complete the “Assignments.” q You will receive an acceptance letter containing very important payment information and deadlines. You may need to present this acceptance letter at the customs entry point upon arrival in some countries. Keep it with your passport. q Purchase the required insurance card/student ID card (ISIC Card) directly online. Currently the cost is $22 and processing time is approximately 4 weeks. This card provides required medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation. Make a photocopy of the card to turn in to the Office of International Affairs. Please see the ISIC website for details: http://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/GetYourCard/GetYourCard1.aspx q Take the Student International Program Deposit Form with payment for the study abroad administrative fee to the Office of Cashiering, Lancaster 201A. q Offices you may need to notify: o Financial Aid: provide program costs breakdown if you receive financial aid. o Housing: make arrangements for being absent and for returning. o Office of Cashiering: for removal from Monthly Payment Plan if you are a participant (At least one month before departure or as soon as you have it): q Turn in the following to the Office of International Affairs: o Flight Arrangements form o Photocopy of your ISIC card o Photocopy of your passport, (and visa if applicable), if you have not already provided this o Your detailed contact information abroad, including phone and e-mail o Confirmation of your registration at the US Department of State Registration website (print before submitting): https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ (While abroad): q Notify your advisor by e-mail immediately if you change any of the classes on your Transfer Credit Authorization form. Send a copy of this correspondence to the Office of International Affairs. q Register during the pre-registration period (in March for summer or fall semesters, in November for spring semester), in consultation with your advisor.
Eligibility Requirements for Study Abroad Students must be in good standing, with a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to study abroad in summer sessions, semester- or year-length programs. Students in faculty-led group programs must have at least a 2.0 GPA at the time of acceptance AND at the time of study abroad, unless the faculty leader has specified a higher GPA. No student is eligible to study abroad who is currently on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension. Any student who has applied and/or been accepted will automatically become ineligible if placed on any type of probation or suspension before departure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel pages to educate yourself about any disease risks and preventive measures for the countries where you plan to study. The CDC also operates a very informative site for students planning Study Abroad:
You should also visit the U.S. Department of State web page Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.
Travel Health Clinic Locator
Health Insurance for Students Going AbroadWhat do I need? All students and faculty participating in a Longwood University study abroad program, including faculty-led short-term programs, as well as semester and year programs and practica or student-teaching programs, must have adequate health insurance to cover them while abroad. The Office of International Affairs requires students and faculty to obtain the ISIC International Student Identity Card for this purpose, unless their program provides insurance covering the minimums provided by the ISIC card, which provides the following insurance coverage, among other benefits:
The insurance coverage described above does not provide very substantial hospitalization benefits, so students are advised to call their existing insurance company to ask if their policy provides hospitalization coverage while abroad. For those who would like to purchase additional coverage while abroad, the Office of International Affairs can provide a list of insurance providers recommended by NAFSA, The Association of International Educators. How do I get it? Purchase your ISIC card at the ISIC website: http://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/GetYourCard/GetYourCard1.aspx and when you receive it, attach a passport-style photograph and seal it with the laminating plastic that comes with your card. Provide a photocopy of the ISIC card, showing your ISIC number, name, etc., to the Office of International Affairs (or to your faculty group program leader if you are in a group program) along with your other required documents. Students purchasing an ISIC card will receive detailed information on all of the benefits included. Please see the ISIC website (above) for details. What if I get sick? If you need to see a doctor or go to a hospital, call the phone number provided on the ISIC card itself; they will begin a claim file for you and give you a claim number. Students who require medical attention while abroad will pay for the expenses "up front" and later file for reimbursement from their insurance carrier and from ISIC. Therefore, carrying a major credit card, especially VISA or MasterCard, is extremely important. Always insist upon receiving very detailed receipts for any payments you make to doctors, clinics or hospitals abroad so that you can submit them to your insurance company. Students should review NAFSA’s "Good Practices for Health and Safety,” available at: http://www.longwood.edu/StudyAbroad/Responsiblestudyabroad.pdf Students are also responsible for obtaining all required and recommended immunizations for their program of study.
|
|
|