FAQ’s

You can get an itinerary, release forms, etc. from Dr. Ronald Bobroff, Director, Center for Global Education, in the A_LAB, TLCC. office phone 404-364- 8899 cell: 336-905-1292

Anyone affiliated with Oglethorpe University community, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and relatives. First priority is given to OU students earning credit for the program. Family members and friends can also enroll for these programs, with the assumption that they are going for an educational experience, and not necessarily to obtain academic credit.

Yes, each program will be assigned a number of credits by the Academic Program Committee. You will know how much credit each program is worth by the first mandatory pre-program meeting, and then you will be awarded these credits after the program and upon completion of your paper or projects related to the program during the following semester.

Each program will have an itinerary, a syllabus, reports, etc. and the student must fulfill the requirements set by the professor leading the program. Your transcript will indicate that this was a study abroad experience under a special topics course, or as a fulfillment of a core curriculum course.

Usually, the programs will be planned for the spring, summer, and winter breaks. Typical examples are an Italy program during the spring break, or a Greece or Spain program during the May break, or an Art and Culture program or London Theatre and Shakespeare program in June and July. The exact dates will vary, so it is important to check each itinerary and enroll early.

You will hear about these programs in a variety of ways. CGE (Center for Global Education) maintains a website which gives descriptions and deadlines for the programs, the Director of the CGE will give presentations at orientations and in selected classrooms, and a series of announcements will be made via bulletin boards, emails, and the campus newspaper.

If you qualify, you may be able to use financial aid to help defray the cost of the programs. Please see your financial aid advisor for details.

Yes, all international travel requires one, and if you have not applied for one, do so now, or come by the office of the Director of the Center for Global Education in the A_LAB to obtain information on how to apply.

No, you will have both professors and couriers who can converse in the languages, but if you do speak a language other than English, this is the perfect opportunity for you to practice, and if you do not, you will be given introductions to conversational language you may wish to use on the programs.

English is a quite common language in most of the countries CGE groups will visit, so you will have no problem communicating.

Yes, and these are vitally important. The pre-program meetings are mandatory, and often take place on a Saturday morning at Oglethorpe, since many students as well as non-students have too many variations in schedules to attend during the week. You will be notified well ahead of time about the meetings.

These meetings will cover topics like: packing, airport security, rooming, food, cultural customs to expect,tipping, medications to bring, what not to bring, academic expectations, tickets, and a host of other smaller items to make the program one both problem-free and memorable.

There are at least three meetings before each program.

Yes, one you select, and only two per room on each program. On occasion, hotel accommodations in some of our host countries may require a temporary arrangement of three per room, but this is not the norm. If you desire a single room, you will incur extra cost of course to the agency managing the program, so you need to let the Study Abroad Coordinator know what you wish to do long before the program commences.

All students and non-students must stay in the same hotel, and no one will be allowed to stay with friends or families inside the country visited during the program.

You usually will not miss any classes, although there may be instances when you may miss the first day of class on some of the programs due to flight schedules. Should this occur, all professors will be notified about your absence.

Yes, the CGE office publishes all the hotels, telephone numbers, and a contact for your family and friends, and this info is given to you to photocopy.

In addition, the Director of the CGE carries a globally-networked cell phone for emergency calls, and the
courier also carries a published number for necessary contacts. Some of the group members carry laptops,
and these of course can be used at internet cafes and sites in the host countries for contact with family in the US.

People tend to over pack, so during the pre-program meetings we will give you some great advice on what to pack, the kinds of clothing you will need, and what not to bring. Our advice is based on many programs and what works, so attending the meetings will be essential. You are always responsible for your own luggage while traveling.

Any 35mm will do; digital cameras are the best for these programs, since you can download with a laptop and have immediate communication with family and friends. We will show you how to pack cameras, and how and when and where to buy film in other countries.

Tickets are sent to the Director of the CGE. Most often, the tickets are given to the faculty member leading the program and disbursed to you when you arrive at the airport.

We usually fly Delta, British Airways, Air France, etc., in cabin class.

Please inform your courier and the directing professor on the program about any changes in rooming on the program. If you pay for a double room, you must stay in a double room throughout, but we can usually switch roommates if requested.

The food is always excellent—you will pay through your total package price for two meals a day; lunches are at your expense, but lunches in nearly all of our tours are relatively inexpensive. Some excursions also automatically include lunches, and these you do not pay for. You will be notified about these at the preprogram meetings.

Special accommodations can be made for anyone who needs a vegetarian or kosher menu, so tell us early
about your needs.

Wine and other beverages at dinner – including soft drinks and bottled water – in most countries will be an extra expense.

Yes, of course, and the itineraries give you the days or times in which you can explore on your own. However, since you will be taking this program for credit, you must always attend the lectures, be at the sites, go to the museums, etc.

Plenty of time for rest, walking, or shopping will be available. We will provide all the info on the best theatres, clubs, shows, etc., you will need for the evenings, but remember to go in groups or in pairs, never alone. You must be up and ready, usually by 7am, on our long excursion days, or otherwise you will be left in the hotel,and will miss what you paid to see as well as requirements for credit for the class. The bus-driver leaves on time, and rarely waits for sleepy stragglers. If you miss a trip to a museum, etc., you will of course be responsible to your professor for the absence and the missed material.

You will never be left if we are moving from city to city of course—we will come and get you out of your room,but understand that this kind of behavior delays the bus schedule, affects our planned arrivals, and is considered highly discourteous by most couriers. So, please, set your alarms, and be on time.

Your total program cost is all inclusive of airfare, all ground transportation, hotels, food, museum passes, tickets, etc.

You will need to budget for the following: Tips, snacks, film, shopping, lunches, drinks, postcards, etc.

Emergencies: Suggested amounts to bring in case of emergencies vary from country to country, and will be
discussed in the pre-program meetings. Borrowing from fellow students can often lead to hurt feelings and
mistrust.

Most countries, unless we notify you in meetings, usually accept major credit cards. Understand that if you purchase an item with a credit card in another country, you will be charged a little extra for the transaction. Always ask for and get the receipt.

Savvy travelers rarely use travelers’ checks anymore. It is much easier to use credit debit cards, and ATMs
are plentiful now in most countries to which we travel. If we go on a program where ATMs will not be available, we will give you info in the pre-program meetings on the best monetary methods to use. The best and easiest method is to use your debit card, keep receipts, and carry this one card everywhere.
At the meetings, we will also tell you about the currency in any country in which we travel, and how to get the best exchange rate, etc.

If you lose your wallet, money, or card, please inform the courier and your professor, and we will help where we can. Do not let a loss like this damage your program. Please inform us of any loss, and we will help you take the necessary steps to get emergency funding through your bank.

At the orientation meetings, we will give you the hotel numbers and the cell phone numbers of the Professor,Staff Member, or Director of the CGE who are traveling with the group as well as that of the courier so that all you have to do is get to a phone and we will come find you, or give you walking directions to us.

Otherwise, enjoy being lost, and carry the hotel card in your pocket to give to a taxi driver. Never worry—we will find you.

Books are heavy, and cumbersome in travel, so bring only some photocopies of materials you wish to discuss or learn. The professor may have other stipulations though about what to bring. You can examine the texts once you are back and often the group leaders will bring a text for everyone to use share and use, and places that text with the hotel personnel for you to check out if needed.

No, you are adults and will be treated as such. Late night walking alone in cities should never be considered; walk in groups and take taxis or buses if need be. Just remember, the bus leaves early quite often the next day, so be on time for breakfast, and prepared to fully participate in class activities for the day.

This can and does happen. First, let us know, and don’t just disappear into your hotel room. Second, we will take you to a hospital if hospital care is needed, but understand you will have to pay on the spot for most medical treatments in most countries. OU requires that you have medical insurance that will cover you while you are abroad. In addition, you must have evacuation/repatriation insurance, which OU will purchase on your behalf. This fee is included in the program cost.

Please consult with your doctor before you go on any of these programs about any specific medical conditions you may have and any medications you may need to bring with you. In addition, check the US State
Department web site for information on prescription medications that may not be allowed in particular
countries.

This is highly inadvisable and the reasons for not doing so are based in sound judgment. First, remember, you may or may not know the customs or the expected behaviors in personal or social relationships in certain countries, and no matter how well-read you are, you may still not know all of the nuances in any given situation.

It is best not to engage in any behavior that could compromise you, the university, or the country you represent. Think twice before going out on dates with anyone you do not know—good advice anywhere.

While this has never happened, mainly because Oglethorpe students are motivated, mature, and capable of adjusting to different cultures and customs, it could.

The only time the courier and the agency or the professor may insist on your returning early would occur when you have flagrantly violated the guidelines of the program, endangered others, or broken laws within that country.

If you know the guidelines—and we will discuss them and you will sign a statement indicating you will abide by them—then the program will be both illuminating for everyone and trouble-free.

Remember, these programs are not to be construed as vacations or time-off; rather, you are paying for an
unparalleled learning experience. Yes, you will have fun, and yes, you will also be doing some serious exploration of the culture.

Most importantly, students must abide by the same standards of conduct as expected of them while on Oglethorpe campus.

Your accompanying professor will provide you a syllabus, course requirements for the program, and expected outcomes: a visual project, a journal, and/or research papers are typical examples of what may be required.

When you return, you will work independently on what you experienced, meet occasionally with your professor, turn in the work by the announced deadline, and receive the credit and the grade for that course on your transcript, marked as a course you took while studying and traveling abroad.

Most assuredly—such programs offer you introductions to international travel and experience, global awareness, and important insights one can only get while actually seeing the art, the buildings, the historical landmarks, and visiting economic and governmental institutions which shape the modern world.

Many companies examine resumes for any international experiences or study abroad experiences, and see them as indicative of someone who is flexible, capable of adjusting to new situations, and aware of global
cultures.

Yes. We have many testimonies you can read about our programs from former students. These programs are life-changing, exciting and fulfilling.

Going alone would cost you much more, but going with a group you know and with friends you love only enhances the experience.

Call or email the Center for Global Education (CGE) at www.oglethorpe.edu (keyword: study abroad) and embrace the world.