Preparing for Your Overseas Program(s)

There are several steps you can take to help prepare for your overseas program. At your interview, and again during your orientation for the program(s), we will give you some detailed instructions on certain steps to prepare, some of which are required.

In this section, however, we will offer some general ideas that anyone planning to go abroad (even just for personal travel) might want to consider. These steps can be taken before you are admitted, or even before you apply for the program. (But don’t wait too long to apply! Remember: most programs have an application deadline that falls several months before you plan to depart for the host country.)

Get your passport!

One of the best things that you can go ahead and get out of the way is applying for or renewing your U.S. passport. (If you are an international student, please meet with an international student adviser to plan for departure.) This is a step that can be done at any time, even if you’re not planning to study abroad. Plus, since passports are good for 10 years from the date they are issued, there is no reason to wait to apply. Keep in mind that, for most study programs, you need your passport to be valid for six months beyond the date that you plan to return to the U.S. If it’s not still going to be valid, go ahead and renew your passport now. You can obtain the forms and instructions online, but you should plan to apply for your passport in person at your local area’s main U.S. Post Office.

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NOTE: Due to new requirements that U.S. citizens hold passports for travel to Canada and Mexico, passport processing times may be up to 12 weeks this year (2007). Students are advised to apply as early as possible and should consider paying for expediting of the passport application.
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Passport Website

Learn about the host country’s language and culture.

Spend some time learning about the language or the culture of your host country. You might consider taking one or more language courses offered at the UO, either through regular language departments, or through the self-study program offered through the Yamada Language Center. You might also find courses about your country’s culture, politics, or history in one of several UO departments. Alternatively, you can do some independent research about your country through the Internet or through various travel guides. A good place to start is the International Resource Center (IRC), which offers both online and print resources, as well as televised news and other programming from various countries around the world. The IRC is located on the EMU’s mezzanine level north, above the EMU's U.S. post office.

Read up on safety and security in your country.

The U.S. State Department’s Travel Section maintains general information about travel safety and security alerts for every area of the world. You can also get general information about the country from the CIA World Factbook.

Meet people from your country.

You might be able to make acquaintances who are from the country where you would like to go. The UO has about 1500 international students from over 90 different countries. Your program coordinator may be able to put you in touch with someone. Or, you might try something like the Yamada Language Center’s Language Exchange program, which matches American students learning a particular foreign language with native speakers of that language who are still working on their English skills. Or check with the academic department that teaches the language to see if they host language- or culture-themed social events, such as French Nights, which used to meet at Pegasus Pizza.

Prepare yourself for cross-cultural experiences.

Although no simulation that you experience here in the U.S. can begin to capture what it’s like to live and study overseas, you can get yourself at least better prepared to handle cross-cultural situations by enhancing your understanding of what is involved, and by experiencing some simulations here at home. Ideas include:

• Take a course in cross-cultural communication, diversity issues, or related areas, from departments like International Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Educational Leadership.


• Find a way to celebrate a holiday that is part of a religion or culture other than your own. You should always be respectful when joining religious or cultural ceremonies, and be sure to obtain permission to participate if the event is not open to the public.


• Attend an event or performance that is firmly anchored in a culture other than your own, even if that’s just another American subculture. But don’t kid yourself: attending a hip hop performance when you already enjoy hip hop (even if you’re not African American) does nothing to expand your understanding of what it’s like to cross cultural boundaries. Select something that takes you fully outside your current comfort zone.


• Join the International Student Association, attend some of their events, and make a respectful effort to get to know some students from cultures other than your own.


• Watch the University Calendar, the Humanities Center calendar, and the School of Music’s calendar for lectures or other events related to the culture, politics, history or other aspects of your country or others in its region.


• Cross some cultural boundaries in your own community. Attend an event or meeting sponsored by an organization representing a different ethnic minority, religion, or other cultural group.



Note: The OIP strongly advises students to always consider their personal safety and to form a safety plan when choosing any activities, at home or while overseas.

Start reading the country’s major newspapers.

One good way to get your finger on the pulse of your country is to read its major newspapers, either in the target language (if you have studied it long enough to understand what you read) or in the English editions. You can find links to many online newspapers at the website for the International Resource Center.

Get the popcorn ready, and get your groove on.

If you enjoy movies or music, you might be able to find some films or musical recordings from your chosen country through any one of a number of local video or music stores or through the Library’s audiovisual and listening collections. Two tips for this: (1) Locally owned, neighborhood video and music stores often have a wider selection of foreign films and music than the corporate outlets. (2) If you are an undergraduate, you will not be allowed to check audiovisual material out of the Library but may use their personal viewing stations to use these items in the Library.

A little light reading.

If you prefer the printed word, you can likely find any number of books about your country, its history and culture, and even self-guided language courses. Both new and used book dealers in town will have some selection of items for most countries. And, of course, the Library is well stocked, plus it offers access to libraries all over the world through Summit and regular Interlibrary Loan.