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The Study Abroad Office at the University of Idaho is committed to providing quality study abroad programs at an affordable rate. We pride ourselves on providing excellent student service, and work hard to make sure that each student has a rewarding, positive, and fulfilling experience. Studying abroad opens doors to new challenges, bolsters self-esteem, and helps students develop skills, abilities, and knowledge. Below please find information that is important to all of our programs, including important deadlines, withdrawal dates/reimbursement, and transcript information. About this Site How to Apply Refunds/Withdrawals Financial Aid/Scholarships Educational Deduction Passport/Visa Length of Program Medical & Health Insurance Flight Arrangements Travel Discounts Money Communication Student Conduct Grading/Incompletes/Audits Transcripts Past Participants ABOUT THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE While we have done our best to secure the most accurate information for you, the courses available, calendar dates, excursions, and program fee costs are all subject to change. Check with the Study Abroad Office to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information available. [back to top] HOW TO APPLY If you are unable to download the application, please contact the Study Abroad Office and we will send you the appropriate application. The completed application and accompanying paperwork (transcripts, etc.) may then be mailed by the appropriate deadline to the Study Abroad Office at the following address: Study Abroad Office University of Idaho 901 Paradise Creek Street LLC Building #3, Ground Floor P.O. Box 441250 University of Idaho Moscow, ID 83844-1250 After submitting your application, you will receive a packet containing important information and several forms that must be completed, signed, and returned to the Study Abroad Office. Applications for most programs are accepted on a rolling basis. See program description sections of this CD-ROM for specific deadlines. [back to top] REFUNDS/WITHDRAWALS Withdrawals from UI Direct programs (Univ. de Zaragoza, Vaxjo Univ., etc.) by April 1 (fall, academic year) or November 1 (spring) will result in a refund of the $200 deposit. The $150 application fee is non-refundable. (Exception: KCP-Japan program; see KCP-Japan section for details.) Students who withdraw after the above dates will not receive a refund of the deposit/application fee. Students may also be liable to pay any non-recoverable expenses that have been paid on their behalf (such as housing deposits, etc.). Withdrawals must be made in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that Study Abroad Office staff receives the message. Withdrawal policies for UI Program Provider programs (USAC, ISA, etc.) are listed in the individual program websites or catalogs. Please read the withdrawal information carefully before making a program decision. Regardless of the withdrawal/refund policy of the program, the $100 application fee payable to the Study Abroad Office will be non-refundable. Once the program begins, refunds for withdrawals (regardless of the reason) are highly unlikely. Students worried about cancellation might wish to purchase “trip insurance,” which protects against losses if you must cancel your trip or come home early. This insurance can be purchased through nearly any private insurance company. [back to top] FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS In general, many federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, Perkins’ Loans, and Stafford Loans, can be applied toward study abroad. Financial aid eligibility is recalculated based on the costs of the particular study abroad program you select. You must have a current FAFSA (federal aid form) on file in order to be eligible for financial aid for study abroad. If you are a non-University of Idaho student you cannot receive financial aid through the University of Idaho. You should contact the financial aid office at your home university to inquire about a consortium agreement, which allows you to transfer your home university financial aid for a University of Idaho study abroad program. If your home university does not allow the transfer of aid you may wish to become a degree-seeking student at the University of Idaho in order to receive aid through UI for your program. This process will require completing an application, sending in transcripts, and submitting test scores. Please contact the Study Abroad Office if you are interested in this option. In addition to federal aid, there are many scholarships available for study abroad. There are scholarships designed to support students studying in certain subject areas, in certain countries, or on certain programs, for both UI and non-UI students. Full details on a variety of study abroad scholarships are listed under Financial Resources of this section of our website, or you may contact the Study Abroad Office and we will be happy to send a printout copy to you. We encourage you to take advantage of the many exciting scholarships designed specifically for study abroad students. [back to top] EDUCATIONAL DEDUCTION Currently, you may deduct certain educational expenses (tuition, books, etc.) when you file your taxes. We recommend that you contact your local tax consultant to determine the appropriate paperwork. [back to top] PASSPORT/VISA The first step after applying to the program should be to apply for your passport. Passport applications may be picked up from the Study Abroad Office, or you may download an application from the U.S. State Department website. Follow the instructions on the form, gather appropriate proofs of identity, and go to your local passport services office with your checkbook. You will likely need two checks to pay for the passport fees. If you already have a passport, make sure it is still valid and will be valid for at least six months after the end of your exchange period. Passport renewal forms are available online at the web address listed above. Once you have received your passport, you will need to apply for your visa. A visa is a stamp in your passport allowing you entrance into the specified country for a specified reason and period of time. Most commonly you will apply for a student visa. Visa application procedures vary by country. To find out the visa application process for your study abroad site, go to: http://www.embassyworld.com/. You will search for the nearest embassy or consulate of your host country in the United States (look to see which one has jurisdiction over your state). You may call, fax, or write to them to request a visa application and instruction sheet, or many of them now have websites where information and applications can be downloaded. You will not be allowed to enter the foreign country without the proper travel documents, visa, etc. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the proper documents have been secured in a timely manner. [back to top] LENGTH OF PROGRAM Determining the length of your stay overseas can be a difficult decision. Keep in mind that in intensive language programs longer is always better in order to gain fluency in the language. You will gain a deeper cultural understanding of your host culture, and will have the opportunity to form life-long friendships. In addition, many programs give discounts to students who stay for extended programs (discounted second semester on year programs). Since some programs have strict withdrawal policies for those who come home earlier than intended, be sure to carefully check the policies of each program before you make your decision. [back to top] MEDICAL & HEALTH Many destinations require or recommend that you get certain immunizations prior to departure. Check the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm to see what shots or prescriptions you might need. It is very important that you get started on this early, as some of the immunizations need to be taken in a series, spanning several weeks. You should also schedule an appointment with your general health practitioner or family doctor to discuss your trip. You will be sent a Medical Self-Assessment Form in your packet of information after your application is received by the Study Abroad Office. [back to top] INSURANCE All students participating in study abroad programs must be covered by health/accident insurance. Many programs include health insurance coverage with their program fees, but you still must check to make sure the coverage is suitable. Adequate insurance has: • 24-hour sickness and accident coverage • Benefit minimum of at least $50,000 per accident or illness • Deductible of $250 or less • Co-payment amount not greater than 30% • Repatriation • Emergency medical evacuation • Lifetime maximum benefit of at least $500,000 for accident or illness. After application, students will be sent a Proof of Insurance Form that must be completed, signed, and returned before departing for overseas. [back to top] FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS Flight arrangements vary depending on the program selected. For programs that offer group flights, specific flight information will be sent to you after your application has been accepted. On those programs where group flights are not available, students will be responsible for making their own arrangements. In the Survival Guide sent to students after they submit their application, there is a section on travel arrangements with some good advice about making flight arrangements. It is wise to consult a variety of travel websites or travel agents to find the best flight for your needs. [back to top] TRAVEL DISCOUNTS There are several discount programs we encourage you to take advantage of in order to spread your travel budget. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides discounts on airfare and a variety of other services, and serves as a photo ID. If your program doesn’t include the ISIC card in the fees, you can purchase it at the Study Abroad Office or online at http://www.myisic.com/. If you are going to Europe and plan to do some train traveling, you will want to consider buying a EuRail Pass. Guides describing the features of the Eurail may be ordered online at www.ricksteves.com. Finally, there are International Youth Hostel cards. These cards can save you money on cheap hostel accommodations overseas. You can purchase the cards online at www.hiayh.org/. We encourage you to utilize these discount programs to spread your travel budget. [back to top] MONEY Generally you want to have a variety of sources/forms of money available to you. First, it is recommended that you order about $200 of foreign currency from your local bank before your trip. This will be helpful in case banks/exchange counters are closed when you arrive in your host country. You will want to have some traveler’s checks and an ATM card available to you as well. Make sure you have changed your ATM personal identification number (PIN) to a 4-digit number, as this is the format used most commonly overseas. Students report that they obtain the cheapest exchange rates by using their ATM cards to withdraw money. You will also want to have at least one major credit card, but don’t always expect “plastic” to work overseas, since ATM and credit card machines can be few and far between in rural areas or in developing countries. Some students may even open bank accounts overseas. There is more financial/budgeting information in the Survival Guide that is sent to you after you apply. [back to top] COMMUNICATION You will find that it is relatively easy to communicate with your friends and family from overseas, as internet access is readily at hand in most countries, and is the most inexpensive way to communicate from overseas (in some developing countries you may find it difficult or expensive). Do not spend all your time on e-mail, however—get out and explore your exciting, new host country. Since the majority of our students are overseas, we do almost all of our communication via e-mail. It is University of Idaho policy that all students are assigned a University of Idaho e-mail account, which is considered the official e-mail account for all UI correspondence. Students will be held responsible for the messages sent to their UI assigned e-mail address. It is therefore important that you check your mailbox frequently. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of your current contact information. [back to top] STUDENT CONDUCT Inappropriate conduct abroad can result in your dismissal from the program and immediate return home. Inappropriate conduct can be considered anything which places the student or other students/staff on the program in danger, anything that is considered against the law in the host country, anything that violates the policies of the program or the host university, and/or unexcused absences from program classes or activities. The Study Abroad Office reserves the right to determine the consequences of such actions. Dismissal from the program in no way negates your responsibility to pay your program fees and any fees that were incurred in returning you home. [back to top] GRADING/INCOMPLETES/AUDITS Students must take a minimum of the equivalent of 12 University of Idaho credits per semester (9 graduate). Maintaining full-time student status is important for the purpose of receiving financial assistance and for maintaining immigration status abroad. Since educational systems vary, it is sometimes difficult to determine credit equivalency at UI. One method is to determine the number of “classroom contact hours,” and use the formula: 15 classroom contact hours equals 1 UI credit. Further credit and registration information is included in the Survival Guide sent to students after application. Programs in this catalog are indicated as either graded A-F or pass/fail in the text of each section. Undergraduate University of Idaho students on A-F programs who wish to take a course pass/fail must speak with the on-site coordinator of the host institution and with the UI Registrar’s Office. Only one course per semester may voluntarily be taken pass/fail, and a maximum of 12 such credits may be applied toward a degree (see UI catalog for additional details). This procedure is separate from taking courses that are regularly graded pass/fail, as those do not require special permission and do not count toward the maximum level of pass/fail courses applied toward a degree. Non-University of Idaho students should check with their home university to determine the number of credits that may be accepted on a pass/fail basis. In the event that a student receives an incomplete grade, the missing work should be completed as soon as possible. Work not completed by the date specified will result in the incomplete grade being changed to a non-passing grade. Please consult the University of Idaho catalog for additional details. Auditing courses, whereby students attend classes but receive no credit, is not recommended. Auditing courses could drop a student below full-time enrollment, which could jeopardize financial aid eligibility. [back to top] TRANSCRIPTS Upon completion of your study abroad program, your transcript will be sent to the University of Idaho. Before leaving your host country, it is wise to verify when your program will send the transcript. If you are planning to graduate immediately following the exchange, it is your responsibility to pay for expedited delivery of your transcript. Non-University of Idaho students should complete a Transcript Request Form (will be sent to you after application). One complimentary copy of the transcript will be sent to the home university address indicated on the form. [back to top] PAST PARTICIPANTS University of Idaho study abroad programs have a record of excellence and continue to attract participants from other universities around the United States. Here is a partial list of universities that have accepted transfer credit from our study abroad programs: Beloit College Boise State University Cedar Crest College California State University Fullerton San Marcos Stanislaus Colorado State University Boulder Fort Collins Cornell University Drake University David and Elkins College Earlham College Eastern Michigan University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Fairmont State College Glendale Community College Hampshire College Humboldt State University Indiana University at Bloomington Iowa State University John Hopkins University Macalester College McGill University Messiah College Montana State University Moravian College New College of Florida Northeastern University North Idaho College Oakland University Portland State University Radford University San Diego Mesa College San Jose City College Seattle University Simmons College Southwestern University State University of New York at Binghampton Syracuse University Texas A & M University University of Arkansas-Fayetteville University of California-Berkeley University of Florida-Gainesville University of Michigan—Ann Arbor University of Minnesota-Morris University of Missouri University of Pittsburgh University of North Dakota University of the South University of Texas Pan-American University of Virginia University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Madison Virginia Tech Washington State University Westminster College West Virginia University Williams College Yale University [back to top]