Culture
Life abroad can be both markedly different and surprisingly similar to life in the United States. You should familiarize yourself with various issues that will impact your day-to-day living experience abroad.
Your daily life will be impacted by people, events, and activities beyond the classroom as you integrate yourself into another society. To ensure a successful time abroad, you should be informed about general health and safety issues as well as concerns specific to your destination abroad.
Preparing for Life Abroad
You may find that attitudes about race, religion, and sexual orientation that you take for granted in the U.S. are viewed differently abroad. Race, gender, and sexual identity issues in the host country will be approached and viewed differently from those with which you are familiar in the U.S.
It will not be uncommon for you to learn about different religious practices while also trying to understand where your own beliefs fit in to the wider scheme of things. And should you have special needs, you will have to consider what types of accommodations are available to you to minimize your challenges.
Learn about your Host Country
Going abroad will give you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, language, and eat different foods. However, there may be huge differences between life there and in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Office of International Education implores you to research the culture and customs of your destination country. Things to consider are:
- What is the weather going to be like?
- How does the host country perceive Americans?
- Are there any safety concerns?
- Is the water ok to drink?
- How does the host country view women?
U.S. Government Resources
Overseas Study suggests a range of resources for day-to-day life abroad as does the U.S. government. Familiarize yourself with these resources before embarking on your journey so that you prepare yourself for more than just an academic experience.
Register Your Trip
Visit the U. S. Department of State’s travel registration website to register your trip. You will enter your name, destination, address, and emergency contact information. If anything happens in your host country while you are abroad, then the U. S. embassy will contact you. It will also make it easier to replace your passport should you lose it.
Links for Students and Parents
Safety and Emergency Information
The Office of International Education and Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne take the health, safety, and security of each student of utmost importance. Below are ways in which we collectively seek to address your concerns about overseas study.
IPFW under the auspices of Indiana University and Purdue University evaluates the safety and risk associated with all locations in which our students study abroad. By using institutional best practices, industry norms and a variety of resources including the U. S. Department of State’, decisions are made regarding the safety of a program location and whether to send students. If any of the parties deem a destination as hostile and/or unsafe, the program will be suspended.
The Office of International Education will hold required pre-departure orientations to help prepare you to live in a new environment. While no one can guarantee safety 100% of the time anywhere including Fort Wayne, Indiana, we do our best to prepare you for what you may encounter.
Most problems overseas are connected to poor choices made by students, many of which involve the inappropriate use of alcohol and drugs. We discuss and discourage risky behavior in the mandatory pre-departure orientation. Students who act against our advice and engage in risky behavior could have serious problems. Please remember that you are expected to uphold the rules and regulations in the IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Should you break a clause while abroad, you could be subject to the punishment listed in the IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. In addition, if your behavior is deemed inappropriate and in turn puts yourself and others in danger while overseas, you will be terminated from the program and will not get a refund of any money spent.
Nevertheless, the Office of International Education at IPFW (pdf of Emergency Plan I will write), Indiana University, and Purdue University have established emergency response plans that will be followed when we are notified that a student on study abroad program is in an emergency situation. Students who partake in non-IPFW, Indiana University, or Purdue University study abroad programs are subject to the emergency response protocols established by the program provider or host institution. For more information, contact the program provider or host institution regarding their emergency response plan.
Nevertheless, the IPFW police department has instructions on reaching OIE staff members should an emergency arise after business hours. The IPFW police department can be reached at (260)481-6911. The police should only be contacted in the case of a true emergency. Some examples include a significant health crises, the need for legal intervention or acts of God such as an earthquake or typhoon. If an emergency arises between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, contact the Office of International Education at (260)481-6034.
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International Health and Immunizations
Prior to embarking on an overseas trip, speak to your physician as well as your mental health practitioner if applicable. Some countries require immunizations against certain communicable diseases. Some immunizations are given in a series and will need to be arranged well in advance.
If you are currently taking prescription medication, you will need to get a written prescription to take with you in case your medicine is lost, misplaced, or stolen. Some countries have a limited amount of medicine available, so talk with your physician in advance to determine potential solutions or alternatives in case you need more medicine while abroad.
Research the food and safety guidelines for all countries you plan to visit while overseas. Recommendations for countries worldwide are found on the U. S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. It would be important to learn not only how to prevent illness, but also what to do if you become sick overseas. Some over the counter medication is easier to find in the U. S. and can be taken with you. You should discuss this further with your physician if you will be traveling to areas prone to food and/or water born illnesses.
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Culture Shock
Culture shock is the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown culture such as one may encounter in a foreign country. It stems out of the difficulties in assimilating into the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. For some, culture shock happens the moment you arrive at the airport, for others, it may not occur for days or weeks.
There are different cycles of culture shock where you can have differing emotions depending on what is happening to you and how long you have been abroad. The graph below, drafted by the University of Kentucky, indicates the stages associated with culture shock.
If culture shock gets to be too much, please contact the Office of International Education at (260)481-6494. For more information regarding culture shock, review “What’s Up with Culture” an online resource that has special modules dedicated to both going abroad and returning home.
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Is Studying Abroad for me? Think studying abroad is not for you. The Office of International Education is here to tell you that it is an opportunity that you cannot afford to miss. Every day the world becomes interconnected globally, thus study abroad is an integral component of any undergraduate curriculum. On a personal level, the benefits include promoting self-confidence and increased self awareness. The vast majority of study abroad participants return to campus with a sharper sense of direction and better problem solving skills. To a potential employer, having a semester, year or summer abroad experience indicates that you are self reliant, flexible, and have the ability to work in a team environment or individually.
Unfortunately, what Marilyn J. Jackson calls the “not for me” syndrome is rampant in higher education when it comes to study abroad. “The idea of studying overseas may conjure up images of wealthy white women going to Europe for ‘finishing’ before marriage, or students from elite liberal arts colleges touring the world on a trust fund budget.” First generation, low income, college students, students who have never traveled outside the United States, minority students, and students in fields such as education, health sciences and engineering may assume that study abroad is simply “not for them.” Well, the Office of International Education would like to dispel those myths. Study abroad is a valuable experience for every socioeconomic and academic background here at IPFW. We welcome you to contact the Office of International Education with any concerns you have about studying abroad.
Women's Concerns: Some female students in certain overseas locations have a hard time adjusting to attitudes they encounter, in both public and private interactions between men and women. Men in some countries openly demonstrate their appraisal of women in ways that many American women find offensive. It is not uncommon to be honked at, stared at, verbally appraised, or actively noticed. Sometimes the attention can be flattering. However, it may become very annoying, and potentially even angering. The best advice is to ignore and refuse to acknowledge this attention. Many American women find this hard to do. Eye contact between strangers or a smile at someone passing in the street, which is not uncommon in the U.S., may result in totally unexpected and unwanted attention.
American women are sometimes stereotyped, and sometimes cultural misunderstandings can occur as a result. Be careful about the implicit messages you may be unintentionally communicating. Try to keep in mind that these experiences are part of the growth of cultural understanding - one of the important reasons you are studying abroad. Do not allow yourself to be judgmental. Instead, try to prepare yourself for the likelihood that this may happen and do not be surprised by it when it does. Takes cues from he women in your host country. Watch how they dress, speak, and behave. You will have to learn the written rules are about what you can and cannot do.
Racial & Ethnic Concerns: No two students studying abroad ever have quite the same experience. This is true for students of color and those from U. S. minority ethnic or racial backgrounds. Reports from past participants vary - some students feel exhilarated by being free of the American context of race and relations while others report varying degrees of innocent curiosity about their ethnicity. Still others report that they met both familiar and new types of prejudice. Very few minority students conclude that racial or ethnic problems encountered in other countries represent sufficient reasons for not going abroad. Remember, you will probably be viewed primarily as "American" regardless of your racial or ethnic heritage.
GLBT Abroad: It is important to be aware of the laws pertaining to homosexuality in other countries, in addition to general attitudes toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered members of the community. The countries you visit may be more or less liberal in these regards.
All study abroad participants should be aware of the legal conditions present in their host country. The most important thing to remember is that you are subject to the host country's laws and judicial systems.
Jurisdiction: The American legal and judicial systems have no jurisdiction in foreign countries. Likewise, American embassies have minimal to no ability to help students who break the law, behave recklessly, or act with disregard to, or ignorance of, the laws and customs of their host country. Adhere to local laws strictly - do not assume that what is legal in the United States is also legal in other countries. Where laws are alleged to be more lenient, do the research! Do not trust rumor and hearsay - especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol.
In addition to the laws of your host country, IPFW expects good conduct from all study abroad participants. Remember, you are subject to the IPFW Student Code of Conduct as well as the rules and regulations listed in the Study Abroad Handbook. Failure to adherer to the rules and regulations can lead to disciplinary action at both your study abroad destination and IPFW. You are responsible for your conduct and for being a good ambassador for your country, state, and college.
Drugs & Alcohol: Do not transport or possess illegal drugs. The American government can assume no responsibility if you are arrested for drug use. Even in places where the use of drugs by local citizens is accepted by authorities, foreign students are dealt with very differently. You can jeopardize your experience overseas and freedom by taking such a risk. Penalties in many countries are much more severe than in the U. S. and the U. S. embassy is powerless to intervene on your behalf. legal systems and civil rights are different in some countries; many countries do not offer the possibility of bail, a jury trial, or an English speaking attorney.
U. S. Embassy: The U. S. embassy/consulate overseas can, if possible, ensure that the detainee's rights under local law are fully observed and that humane treatment is accorded under internationally accepted standards. The U. S. consulate can also visit the American detainee while in jail, provide a list of local attorneys from which to select defense counsel, and contact family and/or friends for financial or medical aid and food.
The U. S. embassy/consulate cannot demand the release of an American citizen, represent the detainee at trial, provide legal counsel, or pay legal fees, or intervene in a foreign country's court system or judicial process to obtain special treatment.
Money: Managing your finances is an important and challenging aspect of study abroad. Dealing with a new currency and cost of living are just the beginning. Before you leave home, know the exchange rate between the U. S. dollar and your host country's currency which can fluctuate daily. Become familiar with the local currency.
Budgeting: When creating a budget, consider length of stay, style of living, amount and method of travel and academic costs. Think about any expensive souvenirs you hope to buy and any gifts you will want to purchase. Your best resource is talking to other students who have been on the same or similar programs and factoring in your personal spending habits and needs while abroad. It is difficult to make specific recommendations, but assume it will be no less than what you would spend on a domestic vacation. The items included in your program fee will vary. Make sure you know how much money you will require beyond what you pay for the program fee. It is recommended that you take 15% more than you think you will need. The amount you will need for incidental expenses will depend on your lifestyle as well as local costs. You may want to allocate a specific amount to spend each day. Also be sure to have an emergency fund set aside.
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