Handbook for Education Abroad

Introduction to the Student Handbook
FOR ALL STUDENTS GOING ABROAD
     Keeping in Touch with Mount Holyoke
     Travel Documents
          Passport
          Visa
          International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
          International Driver's License
     Other Travel Resources
      Health and Safety
          Medical Insurance
          General Safety And Responsibility
          Alcohol And Other Drug Use Abroad
     Money Matters
     Cultrual Adaptation
          Culture Shock

FOR STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD FOR A YEAR/SEMESTER 
      Academic Considerations 
          Declaring A Major
          Credit Transfer
          AVOID THIS COMMON MISTAKE
          Planning Ahead For Independent Study
          Planning Ahead For The Health Professions (Medical School, Etc.)
          Higher Education Abroad
          End-Of-Year Exams: Special Note For The UK And Ireland
          Summer Research Fellowship Opportunities
          Major Scholarships And Fellowships For Juniors And Seniors
     Financial Aid 
     Income Taxes
     Special Notes to International Students on F-1 Visas 
      Internships and Career Development
          Finding an Internship
          Planning Ahead for Graduate Applications and/or Job Search
     Returning to Mount Holyoke

FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER OR J-TERM PROJECTS ABROAD 
     Academic Considerations 
     Disbursal of Funding for International Internships & Research in the Summer
     Appropriate Dress & Behavior 
     Alumnae Hosts or Host Families
     Returning to Campus 
     Going on to Study Abroad

CHECKLIST
     For All Students Going Abroad 
     For Students Studying Abroad for a Year/Semester 
     For Students Participating in Summer or J-Term Projects

Congratulations on having made the decision to study, research or intern abroad! You are about to embark on an experience that will be deeply rewarding and life-changing, sometimes in unexpected ways.

This handbook is meant to provide some practical information and advice to help you plan ahead for your transition to another culture and for a smooth return to Mount Holyoke. The first section includes information relevant to all students going abroad (such as travel documents, health and safety, cultural adaptation, etc.); there are separate sections designed to cover the particular needs of students going abroad for a year or semester, and those going abroad for summer or other short-term projects. A checklist at the back should help you keep track of the variety of procedures, forms, and other documents you may need to complete. Please note that some of the information included here (passports, visas, etc.) is written specifically for US citizens; those of you who are citizens of other countries will need to obtain the relevant details from the consulate or embassy of your country or the country to which you will be going, as appropriate.

Please take a few minutes to look through the booklet before you leave campus so that you can follow up on any questions you may have. The section of our web site for students while they are learning abroad is another useful resource for you.

We look forward to hearing from you while you are abroad, and offer you our very best wishes for a successful and rewarding experience!

Joanne Picard, Dean of International Studies
Jale Okay, Director of International Experiential Learning
McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives
Mount Holyoke College
50 College Street
South Hadley, MA 01075-6451

Tel: 413-538-2072
Fax: 413-538-3385