The International Programs in Engineering (IPE) Office is delighted that your student is considering study abroad. We encourage you and other family members to browse our website and learn more about your student's chosen program. We also remind families that developing independence and problem solving skills are valuable components of an overseas program. To facilitate this learning, we suggest that students take the lead in managing pre-departure tasks such as travel arrangements, scholarships and visa applications. The following list of frequently asked questions can help you guide your students through the study abroad process and ensure a successful experience. As always, the IPE staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about our international programs.

• Options and Timing
• Academics
• Costs and Funding
• Passports and Visas
• Health and Medical Insurance
• Safety Abroad
• Staying in Touch While Abroad
• Returning to UM after Study Abroad

Options and Timing

Will my student still graduate on time if he or she studies abroad?

Spending a semester or a year abroad can be fit into four years of study. Your student should meet with his/her academic advisor as early as possible to find a suitable program and check that all degree requirements will be met. Early planning will also help ensure that your student does not miss a vital semester at UM or required course sequence in his/her engineering department.

I am aware that my student has a very structured curriculum. When is the best time to go abroad?

The timing of study abroad depends on your student's home department. Each engineering department has different curriculum requirements that may influence when your student can be off campus. IPE offers semester and summer programs that fit several engineering majors. IPE advisors can help your student compile a list of study abroad options, but the final decision about which term to go abroad should be made in consultation with your student's academic advisor.

Where can my students go to study abroad?

IPE cooperates with a number of UM offices to offer a broad range of overseas opportunities. For a detailed list of study and work abroad options, please visit www.engin.umich.edu/ipe.

Academics

Who will assist my son or daughter in choosing classes at the university abroad?

Your student will start with a list of courses offered by the host institution and then select courses that he or she is interested in taking. If your student is enrolling in an IPE program, he or she will complete a course evaluation request form and meet with an IPE advisor to have these courses approved for credit transfer prior to departure. If your student plans to participate in a Non-University of Michigan sponsored program, he or she will work with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions (ORA) to complete an online course evaluation form and request approval of courses and credit transfer before he or she goes abroad.

Will the credits from the classes he/she takes transfer to UM?

Yes. The IPE or ORA course approval form serves as a contract between your student and the College of Engineering. All courses and credits listed on the approval form will transfer back to the University of Michigan provided that your student meets the following requirements: 1) a grade of C or better is earned in each course, and 2) your student provides the College of Engineering with an official academic transcript from the host institution. In addition to course approval from the IPE or ORA offices, students should meet with their academic advisors to determine how these credits will be applied toward their engineering major.

Will the grades my student earns abroad be posted on his or her UM transcript?

The answer to this question varies by program. Some of our study abroad programs are led by UM faculty and include regular, UM courses. In these cases, students will earn letter grades for their courses that will appear on their UM transcripts. Other study abroad programs include courses that are offered by foreign faculty from the host institution. Participants in these programs will receive official transcripts and grades from the host institution and transfer credit to the UM. No letter grade will appear on the UM transcript and transfer courses are not part of the UM GPA calculation. We recommend that all students keep official copies of their foreign transcripts in case they are needed for graduate school admissions, scholarship applications, etc. Please consult with the IPE office if you are unsure about grading and transfer credit policies for a particular study abroad program.

Costs and Funding

How much will it cost to study abroad?

The bulk of the cost for study abroad consists of two components: tuition and living expenses.

• Tuition
  If your student attends a University of Michigan partner institution (GE3 programs and all non-British and non-Australian programs), he or she will be charged University of Michigan tuition as if he or she were still in Ann Arbor.

If your student attends a British or Australian program, he or she will be charged tuition directly from the host university. The University of Michigan is not involved in the billing process. It is your student's responsibility to contact the host university directly and obtain accurate tuition costs.

• Living Expenses
  Living expenses vary by country and city. Housing costs, food costs and estimates for miscellaneous expenses are provided by the host institution and are listed on each program web page.

Other expenses to consider include airfare to and from the host country, passport and visa fees, books and other academic supplies, and all extra curricular activities.

Will my student still receive financial aid for the time he or she is abroad?

If your student's program includes UM tuition, it is likely his/her financial aid will apply to study abroad. If you have specific questions about your student's financial aid awards, please visit http://www.ofa.umich.edu/apply_and_receive_aid/applying_for_aid/abroad.asp or contact the Office of Financial Aid at (734) 763-6600 or financial.aid@umich.edu.

Are there study abroad scholarships that my student can apply for?

Yes, there are several ways to search and apply for scholarships:

• IPE offers merit scholarships. We encourage all students with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above to apply.
• Search the scholarship database on the IPE website at www.engin.umich.edu/ipe/studyabroad/financial/index.html to find outside funding sources.
• Visit the Office of Financial Aid for need based grants and scholarships at http://www.ofa.umich.edu/apply_and_receive_aid/applying_for_aid/abroad.asp

How much should each student budget for personal expenses?

Once your student has been accepted to a program, he or she will be provided with program-specific cost estimates. Please note that personal expenses depend largely upon the lifestyle choices of your student. Additional travel, eating out, and other extra-curricular activities can increase the amount of money your student needs to budget. Another factor that influences budgeting for study abroad is the currency exchange rate of the host country. For more information on exchange rates, you can check websites, such as www.x-rates.com, www.xe.com, or www.oanda.com.

Passports, Visas and Other Pre-Departure Information

Where can my student obtain a passport?

U.S. citizens can obtain passport information on-line: www.travel.state.gov Click on Passports.

In Ann Arbor, students can apply for a passport at the following locations:

• U.S. Post Office: 2075 W. Stadium Blvd. (734) 665-1106, www.usps.com/passport/
• Vital Records Division, Room 106, Washtenaw County Courthouse, at the corner of Huron and Main, (734) 222-6720, www.ewashtenaw.org.

Does my student need a travel visa for study abroad?

Visa requirements vary from country to country. It is your student's responsibility to contact the appropriate consulate and prepare visa applications. IPE staff are available to help students with this process. Please visit www.embassy.org for embassy and consulate contact information.

Who is responsible for making the travel arrangements to and from the host country?

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the host country. Be sure to check the official arrival and orientation dates for each program before booking travel. There are two travel agencies on campus: STA Travel in the Michigan Union, or visit www.statravel.com, and Huron Valley Travel in Pierpont Commons, or visit www.huronvalleytravel.com. We suggest that students purchase an ISIC (International Student Identification Card) before making travel arrangements because many places will offer students discounts for cardholders. Students can purchase an ISIC for $22 at STA Travel. We encourage students to search several travel websites and talk to a travel agent before making their final plans.

Health and Medical Insurance

My student is covered on my own health insurance plan. Does he or she need other medical insurance?

Yes, all students participating in a University of Michigan study abroad program are required to purchase travel abroad insurance.  Please visit http://www.uhs.umich.edu/tai/ for detailed information on insurance coverage.

What happens if my student has a medical emergency abroad?

Instructions for handling emergencies abroad are discussed at our pre-departure orientation sessions. In case of emergency, students should contact the on-site program coordinator as well as the IPE office in Ann Arbor. All of our partner institutions also have our contact information and are able to help our students navigate local healthcare services.

How can I find out what vaccines or other preventive health measures my student will need before going abroad?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain an up-to-date website that provides detailed information on health risks in specific countries/regions. The CDC web site includes recommendations for pre-departure vaccinations, water and food safety, common diseases found in the area, and a host of other useful information. Visit www.cdc.gov/travel/ for more information.

Should my student get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC)?

Yes, an ISIC card is a great investment for only $22. ISIC cards can be purchased from STA Travel (www.statravel.com). The ISIC card provides basic health and accident coverage for trips outside of the U.S. However, this coverage does not meet the $50,000 minimum per accident or illness coverage. The ISIC card is especially useful for showing evidence of student status to receive discounts on airfare, rail or bus fare, and tickets to cultural attractions worldwide.

Safety Abroad

How can I find out about the health and security risks in my student's host country?

The most up-to-date information can be found on the State Department Travel Information website: http://travel.state.gov/. This site includes government travel warnings, consular information sheets (which include information on entry requirements), safety and security bulletins, health information, and other valuable, country-specific information.

What are the major security risks for students abroad?

Safety abroad is a priority for the University of Michigan as well as the IPE. Safety issues are discussed in pre-departure meetings and on-site orientation programs. Both students and on-site staff are well-informed of safety concerns and precautions. A few points to highlight include:

• Alcohol Consumption
  Students may have greater or lesser availability to alcohol depending on the cultural norms of the host country. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation and according to the local customs. Please discuss the potential health and safety risks of alcohol consumption with your student.
• Alcohol/Drug Policies
  Alcohol and Drug Policies abroad can be very different from those of the U.S. Students are reminded to use alcohol sparingly and responsibly. Using or possessing illegal drugs is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly. Sanctions taken abroad can include fines, imprisonment, and other penalties.
• Driving/Hitchhiking
  It is not advisable to rent or drive a car while abroad. Unfamiliar rules, signs, and road conditions (including driving on the other side of the road) increase the risk of driving accidents abroad. This risk is easily avoided by utilizing public transportation, which is convenient and efficient in most countries. We strongly discourage hitchhiking as a means of transportation abroad. Students should be aware of the risks and dangers that hitchhiking poses in any country.
• Records and Documents
  Please encourage your student to take copies of important documents such as passports, insurance cards, credit cards, etc, in case of lost or stolen luggage. Having copies of these documents can expedite replacement, if necessary.

Please see the IPE Pre-Departure guide for further information on Safety Concerns.

Staying in Touch While Abroad

How will I be able to communicate with my student while he/she is abroad?

First and foremost, please do not worry if you hear from your student less frequently. This is especially important while your student is traveling and settling into the host country. Although we know you would appreciate a quick phone call confirming arrival, it often takes time to secure Internet access or find a telephone with long-distance service. Once your student is situated in his/her local housing, there will be more time to purchase international calling cards, mobile phones, or email access Time differences also pose challenges and asynchronous communications (e.g. email) can help bridge the time gap. All students are required to check their umich.edu accounts while overseas, so please use these addresses when possible.

I am planning on visiting my son or daughter while he or she is abroad. Is there a good time for me to go?

First, if your son or daughter is planning to go abroad, it is also a good idea that you get a passport, if you do not have one so that you will be able to travel. Second, please be advised that the program on which your son or daughter is studying or working is as academically rigorous as the University of Michigan. That being said, it is suggested that you schedule a trip to your son or daughter's host country during one of his or her vacation times of before or after a semester. This way he or she will be able to spend time with you as your tour guide by showing you around and practicing his/her newly acquired language skills.

Is it advisable for my son or daughter to take a cell phone with him or her?

It is not necessary, nor in many cases suggested, that your son or daughter takes a cell phone with him or her. In many cases cell phones are more ubiquitous and cheaper abroad than they are in the US. Your son or daughter should be provided with information on getting a cell phone during their on-site orientation and the on-site staff can always answer any questions he or she may have.

Returning to UM after Study Abroad

How can I assist my son or daughter when she returns home from his/her experience abroad?

Experiences studying or working abroad tend be the most memorable and transformative during a student's undergraduate career. Therefore, when students return home, even after a short time abroad, they will be eager to share their experiences with you. It is a great help to your son or daughter to listen and be supportive while they transition back to their cultural norms. Once your son or daughter returns to UM, IPE offers some international activities and opportunities to re-integrate into campus life here and capitalize on his/her experiences while abroad.