Students traveling abroad this summer held their first mandatory meeting in SAHB 148 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 21. Participants of both the UCBA British Study Abroad and French Study Abroad in Quebec City were in attendance.
The orientation was designed to provide students with more information about their respective programs. Attendants also completed important paperwork.
One of the first tasks undertaken by the group was filing for an International Student Identification Card (ISIC). According to the University of Cincinnati’s official website, the card gives travelers worldwide proof of their student status.
The ISIC delivers a variety of benefits to holders. It provides health and travel insurance, reduced travel charges, and discounted entrance to attractions such as museums.
As stated on UC’s official website, “We strongly recommend that all UC students who plan to travel abroad purchase the ISIC card.”
Study abroad students took turns taking photos to be submitted with their card application at the beginning of the meeting.
Those participating in the French Study Abroad program were asked to bring $22 to pay for their ISIC; this price was included in the cost of the UCBA British Study Abroad program.
For more information about the ISIC, visit http://www.uc.edu/international/programs/students/pre_departure/isic.html.
Another important piece of paperwork students completed at the meeting indicated which course they are planning to take while traveling abroad this summer.
Those participating in the British Study Abroad program chose between a literature class instructed by Professor Sue Sipple and an electronic media course led by Professor Eric Anderson.
In addition to the paperwork, there was an orientation held by a representative from Main Campus UC International during the second half of the meeting.
The representative handed out important information to the students about the specific countries they plan on traveling to and about traveling abroad in general. Every student who plans on participating in a study abroad program at UC has to go to one of these orientations.
Although they are usually held at UC International’s Main Campus office, the representative made a special trip out to UCBA to hold the orientation for students taking part in the study abroad programs at UCBA.
As summer quickly approaches, this meeting provided students studying abroad more information about their trip as well as the opportunity to meet the individuals they will be traveling with.
Additional information about the programs will be provided at upcoming meetings.