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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

ACADEMICS

FINANCES

CHECK-LIST ………..15

TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS ABROAD.……………………………………….. 3

DETERMINING YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE ABROAD…………………………….4

CCB SEMESTER EXCHANGE LEARNING AGREEMENT…………………………...5

COURSE REGISTRATION ……………………………………………………………..6

ACADEMICS NOTES PAGE………………………………………………….……… 7

ADDITIONAL INFO ………………………..….14

CULTURE SHOCK ……………………………………………………….…….. . . . .12

OTHER PREPARATIONS …………….13

COST INFORMATION ……………….……….8

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION ……………9

SCHOLARSHIPS ……………………………..10

FINANCES NOTES PAGE…………………...11

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ACADEMICS

TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS ABROAD

Pay attention during the in-country orientation

Understand and follow your institution’s mode of communication

Attend classes regularly as you would at UNF (there may not be an

attendance policy, but it is still extremely important to attend class)

Notice cultural differences in schedules and study habits

Keep up with reading and other coursework, even if you do not have assignments

Get to know your professors’ policies and teaching styles

Understand what you will be graded on and what your host university’s grading system looks like in comparison to UNF’s grading system

Grade and credit charts are available on the host university’s page on our website

Find out if and when final exams and “re-sits” (final exam re-takes) are offered at your institution and when the deadline is to register for finals and re-sits

Note: if you need to take re-sits, this may mean that you will need to delay your flight back to the U.S.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your professor, other students in your classes, or your host university’s International Office

Student services abroad are more hands-off, which may cause you to be more patient and independent

Get involved on campus!

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ACADEMICS

WHILE ABROAD

7. Register for courses (sometimes this happens prior to departure).

8. Contact study abroad advisor immediately if you need to make changes to your schedule so that the advisor can determine how the new course(s) will count towards your degree.

9. Student, host university and study abroad advisor will complete page two of the learning

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

1. Meet with an academic advisor to determine what degree requirements you need to complete.

Refer to the Major Advising Pages (www.unf.edu/coggin/abroad/semester/Major_Advising_Pages.aspx) to see what degree requirements are best to fulfill during your semester abroad.

2. Navigate the host university’s course offerings to determine what courses you would like to take based on the degree requirements left to fulfill.

Links to course lists are available on the university’s page on our website. Contact your study abroad advisor if you need help finding courses.

3. Come up with a list of 4-5 courses you would like to take. Ideally, find 1-2 additional back-up courses.

4. Schedule a meeting with study abroad advisor to discuss your course schedule and how the courses will count towards your degree.

5. Study abroad advisor will gather syllabi from the host university and then contact UNF department chairs to approve courses to count towards the student’s degree.

6. Study abroad advisor and student will complete page one of the UNF learning agreement.

Refer to next page for more information about the learning agreement process .

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some universities do not release their course list or syllabi until right before the semester starts, or sometimes even when the semester starts. Students will need to work with their study abroad advisor to the best of their abilities to come up with their schedule, but it may not be determined until they get to the host university. This is often the case for language courses taken abroad since the placement test is given to students when they arrive.

DETERMINING YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE ABROAD

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ACADEMICS

CCB SEMESTER EXCHANGE LEARNING AGREEMENT

PAGE 1

PAGE 2

1. Study abroad advisor sends student the learning agreement via email around the second week of the start of the host university’s semester

2. Student fills out page two of the learning agreement with exact course schedule and credit hours and signs the bottom

3. Student takes learning agreement to International Office at the host university to verify courses and sign the bottom of page two

4. Student sends page two of learning agreement to study abroad advisor

5. Study abroad advisor signs page two and submits form to Financial Aid

6. Financial Aid is disbursed

1. Student and advisor determine course schedule

2. Study abroad advisor fills out page one of the learning agreement

3. Student and study abroad advisor sign page one

4. Study abroad advisor submits form to Financial Aid

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ACADEMICS

UNF COURSE REGISTRATION FOR NEXT TERM (WHILE ABROAD)

My XCH Placeholder course I will register for: _____________________________________________

XCH PLACEHOLDER REGISTRATION (PRE-DEPARTURE) The XCH4000/6000 placeholder course is a 12 or 15 credit course that you will register for at UNF for your term abroad. This course enables you to pay UNF tuition for the semester exchange program.

Register for your term abroad in the same manner as you normally would register for courses at UNF

Your study abroad advisor will send you information about the specific course title shortly before the registration period

Students going to UH (England), AUT (New Zealand), Abertay (Scotland), Bad Mergentheim (Germany) will register for the 12 credit XCH course and all other students will register for the 15 credit course

Make sure you do not have any holds on your account

Contact your academic advisor to discuss your course schedule

Make sure to verify your current course schedule abroad with your advisor in case any of the courses you are taking abroad are prerequisites

Register for your courses back at UNF in the same manner as you normally would . Regis-tration time tickets will post to your MyWings account and you register for your classes on the day stated on your time ticket

My registration day: _____________________________________________ Classes I plan on taking the term after my semester exchange:

1. 5.

2. 6.

3.

4.

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ACADEMICS

[NOTES] Use this space to write down questions to ask your study abroad advisor and academic advisor regarding courses abroad and UNF degree requirements.

Degree requirements I plan to fulfill for my semester abroad:

Classes offered at my host institution I plan to take:

1. Alternatives:

2. 1.

3. 2.

4.

5.

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FINANCES

COST OF A SEMESTER ABROAD The only expense that the student pays to UNF is 15 credit hours (12 credit

hours for some locations) of UNF tuition

Students can see the estimated costs for their semester at the host institution

on our website http://www.unf.edu/coggin/abroad/semester/

All_Undergraduate.aspx (under “Other Information” on each host

institution’s website)

Example:

NOTE: These are just estimates based on information that the host university provides or students who have previously studied abroad have provided. The cost varies per student based on their own spending habits, the cost of living in different cities/countries, how much the student travels, etc.

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FINANCES

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION Many need-based and merit-based scholarships & grants already received can be carried

over into students’ semester abroad. Examples:

Florida Bright Futures Alumni Association Journey Scholarship

Florida Prepaid Presidential Scholarship

Terry Scholarship Pathways: Adam W. Herbert, Hicks & Miyuki, Herbert Scheidel

*contact financial aid coordinator to see if yours apply

Financial Aid disbursement :

-Financial aid will be disbursed after the Financial Aid office receives verification of students’ enrollment at a university abroad (signed learning agreement). This will occur within the first few weeks of the start of classes at the host institution.

-The Cashier’s Office will post a tuition deferment if the student’s semester starts later than when the tuition is posted to the student’s account IF there is enough financial aid to cover the balance. If you see a late fee, let your study abroad advisor know.

-Financial aid is disbursed on Mondays and Wednesdays

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)   SAP is evaluated a er UNF grades are posted in order to determine whether students remain eligible to receive financial 

  aid.. Students must meet the following requirements:

Earn passing grades for 67% of term and overall cumulative hours attempted

Minimum term and overall 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates

Complete degree program within 150% of the published length of program

Good standing Warning Suspension

If you see an exit counseling requirement in myWings, you will need to

complete it in order to receive financial aid

Financial Aid contact for study abroad:

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FINANCES

STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS SAILS (Student Affairs International Learning Scholarship)

(http://www.unf.edu/intlctr/SAILS.aspx )

Amount: $2,500 for a full semester

Eligibility: must be in good academic standing

Application: 3 essays & 1 letter of recommendation submitted

through myWings account

Deadlines: must be submitted the semester before traveling

abroad. Study abroad advisor will inform students of date.

SAILS scholarship deadline for my semester abroad ____________________

Coggin Semester Study Abroad Scholarships

(http://www.unf.edu/coggin/scholarships/All_Abroad.aspx)

Amount: varies (typically $500-$2,500)

Eligibility: check website for GPA and other requirements

Application: form on website submitted to coggin.scholarships@unf.edu

Deadlines: must be submitted the semester before traveling

abroad. Study abroad advisor will inform students of date.

Coggin scholarship deadline for my semester abroad __________________

Additional scholarship opportunities - Other UNF Scholarships (there are ones specifically available for Honors and T&L students)

- World Affairs Council of Jacksonville Marilyn McAfee Scholarship

- Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship - Search online for more scholarships

- Your study abroad advisor may periodically send information about scholarships (check your email!)

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FINANCES

[NOTES] Use this space to write down important information regarding cost, scholarships, or financial aid and/or write down any questions you may want to ask the study abroad advisor or financial aid coordinator.

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CULTURE SHOCK

TIPS TO EASE ADJUSTMENT: Plunge into your host culture

Discuss your frustrations with a friend

Don’t isolate yourself

Connect with others whom are having similar ex-periences

Keep a journal or blog

Talk to other students who have gone to your host country to learn what experiences you may en-counter

Maintain perspective. Remember that thousands of other students are studying abroad and experi-encing the same things

Travel in in a spirit of humility with a genuine desire to meet and talk with locals.

Keep an open mind

Learn about your host country and it’s culture

Discard stereotypes

Experience and share your culture with others

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: What are you most excited about in regards to your upcoming study abroad experience?

What may be the most difficult or challenging thing to understand about your host country?

What do you think will be your biggest adjustment?

What are some coping skills you posses that will help you deal with culture shock?

CULTURE SHOCK: Phrase given to the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often occurs when a person moves from a familiar setting into an unfamiliar one

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PREPARATIONS CONTACT LAUREN HODGE (l.hodge@unf.edu) regarding:

VISA Every student typically needs a student visa if they plan on studying abroad for longer than 90 days. Students will need to meet with Lauren in order to determine what steps/documents are required to apply for a visa. Note: Students will need an official letter of acceptance from the host university in order to apply for their visa.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE UNF policy requires that students on UNF-affiliated international travel have sufficient health insurance while abroad. Students must meet with Lauren prior to departure to discuss coverage options.

OTHER

CONTACT HOST UNIVERSTIY REGARDING: Housing

In country orientation dates and information

Other country/university specific information

CONTACT FINANCIAL AID: Meet with a financial aid coordinator to discuss how your financial aid will work

towards your semester abroad

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Health and Safety (http://www.unf.edu/intlctr/Health_and_Safety.aspx)

Search the many resources available online (country/culture information, language learning resources, packing information, travel tips/recourses, etc.)

CONTACT STUDY ABROAD ADVISOR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH STUDY ABROAD ALUMNI

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INFORMATION ADDITIONAL

PAPERWORK—must be completed prior to departure Study Abroad Agreement: must be completed and submitted prior to departure for you to receive financial aid during your semester abroad. Please remember that your financial aid will not be disbursed until 2-6 weeks after your classes abroad begin.

SAP Form: study abroad advisor submits this form to Financial Aid after receiving and posting your transcript from the host university. Financial Aid to reevaluate your Satisfactory Academic Progress and update your status once you return from studying abroad.

UNF Academic Exchange Information Pack: must be completed and submitted to the International Center prior to departure. Allows the International Center to know when and where you are abroad and who your emergency contact is in case of emergency. You do not need to complete the insurance information page (p. 11) until you meet with the International Center to determine the international health insurance you will use for your time abroad.

Photo Release Form: by signing the photo release form, you are giving the International Business Flagship Program permission to use photos or videos containing your image for marketing/promotional purposes. If we choose an item that includes you for something more than flyers or posters, we will generally contact you to make sure it's ok.  

Coggin Semester Study Abroad Statements: Policies outlined by the IB Flagship office that students are required to sign for their semester study abroad program. Please read each statement carefully and

initial.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: Resources and information for parents, including frequently asked questions, can be found on our website at http://www.unf.edu/coggin/abroad/Parents.aspx

RECOMMENDED TRAVEL APPS: WhatsApp—messaging app

Ulmon City Maps to Go—downloadable city maps

HostelWorld—search for hostels & their prices

AirBnB—low price accommodation option where guests stay in a persons home/apartment

DuoLingo—language practicing app

Google Translate—language translation app

Packpoint—packing helper that creates a packing list for the specific time at the location

XE Currency—currency calculator

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CHECK LIST Complete your exchange application (if application is online)

Apply for scholarships

Register for XCH placeholder course

Meet with/email study abroad advisor list of courses from host institution

to start approval process

Meet with a Financial Aid Coordinator

Contact Lauren Hodge about health insurance and visa process

Apply for visa

Complete IC Information Packet and watch safety video by: ___________

Apply for/find housing

Purchase flights

Complete and sign UNF Learning Agreement prior to departure

GO ABROAD

Attend your in-country orientation

Register for courses at your host university

Complete and sign 2nd page of Learning Agreement for enrollment

verification (around 2nd week of classes)

Stay connected with UNF and inspire others to go abroad by posting

pictures to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #CogginAbroad

Contact your academic advisor about registering for UNF courses for the

next semester

Register for courses back at UNF

Fill out re-entry feedback form

Attend your mandatory Re-entry Workshop. Date: _____________________

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CONNECT

SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES WHILE YOU’RE ABROAD: Send your study abroad advisor pictures to be featured on Coggin Study Abroad’s

webpage, social media, and other marketing materials

(Marketing really likes to see you wearing UNF gear in your pictures)

Create a video when you return to help tell your story

Keep a blog (share with your study abroad advisor so that it can be put on our website)

Join the Coggin Semester Study Abroad Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/cogginsemesterabroad/ to connect with alumni and future study abroad

students

Post your pictures on social media, using the hashtag #cogginabroad

Send a postcard to your favorite study abroad advisor to add to her collection :)

Alyssa Kyff IB Flagship Office (10/2125) University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville, FL, USA 32224

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CONNECT WITH US!

@cogginabroad @CogginAbroad

Facebook.com/cogginabroad