Short Term Policies - Undergraduate Programs

Short Term Off-Campus Programs Undergraduate Policies and Procedures

Policies for Participation
Academic Information
Responsibilities and Discipline
Enrollment Information
Financial Matters
Financial Aid
Health Information
Travel Information

A word on participating in a Short Term Program:

Students at the University of St. Thomas are encouraged to incorporate intercultural and international aspects of education into their academic plans. Study Abroad assists students in identifying off-campus opportunities that will serve as an integral part of their academic program at the University of St. Thomas. Undergraduate and graduate programs may be available for January, spring or fall (embedded or break options) or summer terms. These off-campus programs offer one to six-week intensive learning experiences, directed by a faculty member. These programs are experiential, but are also rigorous academic experiences. They are often physically demanding as well, and students should not expect a lot of free time.
Please remember that you are a guest in another person’s culture, or home. Remember to be respectful and civil ¬— these values are to be practiced off-campus as well as in the Twin Cities. When you accept a place in one of these courses, you agree to support the policies and procedures developed to help ensure the success of the program. You also have a responsibility to make the program the best possible group, personal and academic experience. Remember that there are both freedoms and limitations, involved in community membership. Students applying for these programs are asked to sign the Off-Campus Study Application, as well as the Short-term Off-Campus Programs Agreement, stating that they have read, understood and will abide by the information contained in this handbook. These forms are part of the online application

Program Sponsorship

UMAIE
The Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education is a consortium of six institutions that share undergraduate students and faculty: Augustana College (SD), St. Ambrose University (IA), St. Catherine University, Elmhurst College (IL), Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of St. Thomas. All travel arrangements are coordinated by Seminars International, Inc., based in Chicago, and enrollments are coordinated by their Minnesota office. St. Thomas students must apply through Study Abroad in order to participate in UMAIE programs.

UST
St. Thomas sponsors its own graduate and undergraduate programs. St. Thomas faculty are responsible for the academic content of the course, and UST Study Abroad manages the enrollment and logistical arrangements.

Co-Sponsored
Many study abroad program providers (e.g. AIFS, IES, etc.) offer short term programs. Students will need to meet with Study Abroad prior to applying and must complete applications through both UST and the third party program provider. UST Study Abroad and the program provider must each approve students' applications.

Policies for Student Participation in Short-term Programs

Participation in off-campus study is not a right but an opportunity for which students must have institutional approval. There are established criteria for participation and a process for applying for a program. Off-campus study takes careful thought and planning, and the time to do both.

Criteria for Participation

A student should have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 when applying for a short-term program. Individual programs may require a higher GPA and prerequisites.
Students may not apply for, maintain an approved application, nor participate in an International Education program while on academic or conduct probation. Disciplinary records may be a consideration for approval in off-campus programs. NOTE: If a student is placed on academic or conduct probation after being approved, the student will be notified that they are no longer eligible to participate in off-campus study and will be subject to the cancellation fee schedule.
Students must complete at least one semester at St. Thomas before studying off-campus.
A student must complete an online application and receive approval for their program from Study Abroad.
Upon review of a student’s complete dossier, International Education reserves the right to require an interview with the applicant and the Study Abroad Advisory Committee to determine final approval.
Falsification of any information on personal data forms (e.g. listing an inaccurate GPA) may result in disqualification of participation.
A student is expected to conduct him/herself in a responsible and mature manner at all times. This includes being sensitive to members of the group and to the group as a whole, as well as to cultural norms and behavior.
The Rules of Conduct of the University of St. Thomas apply while students are off-campus. Therefore, students will be subject to disciplinary sanctions for conduct, that is detrimental to the good of the University or which discredits the University.
Exceptions to requirements for participation may be granted at the discretion of Study Abroad staff.

Academic Matters

10. If a student fails to show satisfactory interest in the academic aspect of the program, the faculty
director will warn the student of possible loss of course credit and will record the student’s academic
failure, if the warning is not heeded.
11. A student is required to attend all classes and scheduled excursions and events.
12. A student is obliged to follow the directions of the faculty director. Traveling with a group of people
requires organization and coordination. Schedules for site visits, movement at airports and train
stations, and other areas concerning travel arrangements will often necessitate a certain
regimentation that the faculty director must impose.
13. Faculty directors have full authority to act on behalf of the University of St. Thomas’ administration in
any matter concerning the academic program, travel procedures, student personnel, and financial
matters that fall within the limits of the program budget. The director may decide that a student must
be separated from the program because of violation of rules, or for conduct that could bring the
program or the university disrepute. Separation from the program will result in the student being sent
home at the student’s expense and loss of academic credit.

Financial Matters

14. Students will be billed by the University of St. Thomas for the cost of the program plus an Off-Campus
Study Fee.
15. A student’s account in the Business Office must be current or receive special clearance prior to
participating in an International Education program.
16. Students are subject to the cancellation policy of their specific program.
17. Students are responsible for reviewing individual program descriptions to know exactly what is and
what is not included in the program fee.

Academic Information

Requirements for Short-term Programs
Students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and who are in good disciplinary standing are eligible to study off-campus. Additional eligibility requirements may differ for each program. Specific requirements are listed on individual program descriptions.

Course Credit
Short-term programs usually carry four (4) undergraduate credits unless indicated on the program description. Students approved to study off-campus by International Education are guaranteed elective credit for their course work off-campus in which they receive a passing grade (D- or better). Certain courses have been approved to meet UST undergraduate core, major, minor or allied requirements. If you wish to use any short-term program to fulfill specific requirements that it has not been pre-approved for, it is your responsibility to obtain the approval signature of the appropriate department chair or designated faculty member. Students should use a Course Approval Record form, available from Study Abroad. Keep in mind that appropriate academic committees have already reviewed UST and UMAIE courses.

Course Approval Record - Co-Sponsored Programs
Students who wish to seek course approval for a course that has not been pre-approved to meet certain requirements must provide department chairs with course descriptions when seeking approval signatures (course syllabi are sometimes required as well). The student must obtain the appropriate signatures on the Course Approval Record:

for major coursework credit – signature of the department chair
for minor coursework credit – signature of the department chair
for core requirements – signature of the respective department chair

Course equivalents and/or substitutions for major/minor requirements must be indicated on the form by the appropriate department chair. Students are advised to get alternate courses (i.e., more courses than they will actually take abroad) pre-approved in the event that courses are cancelled or there are scheduling conflicts abroad.

The completed Course Approval Record must be returned to the International Education Center. Students should keep their (yellow) copy, and take it with them abroad. Students who do not submit a completed Course Approval Record prior to departure may be required to meet with the Transcript Evaluator upon their return

Grading
St. Thomas policies state that all courses must be assigned a letter grade by their faculty director. If your professor is not from St. Thomas, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the director that he/she requires a letter grade before departure.

Taking Courses S-D-R
St. Thomas does allow students to take courses S-D-R according to St. Thomas policies in the current course catalog. All S-D-R requests must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before departure.

Program Evaluation
Students are required to complete an online evaluation for their off-campus study experience sent by email at the conclusion of their program.

Auditing Courses
Students may not audit short-term programs.

Registration
Study Abroad will register students for all January and summer term programs. Students cannot register or drop their off-campus program through Murphy.
You will not be registered if:

your UST student account is not current (paid to date)
you have a health hold or other type of hold on your record
you have applied for a course for which you have not fulfilled the prerequisites or sought departmental permission, if required.

For spring/fall embedded programs, students register for the regular semester course via Murphy.

Transcript Notation
All students who are approved by Study Abroad to study off-campus will have a notation on their transcript including the program name, and country(ies) in which their coursework was completed.

Non-degree students
Non-degree students (interested participants who are not students or who are enrolled at another institution) may apply for a short-term program on a space-available basis with the permission of the faculty director and Study Abroad. Please notify Study Abroad immediately if you are not a degree-seeking student at the University of St. Thomas.

Participants’ family members and friends are not allowed to accompany undergraduate short-term programs.

Need for Academic or Physical Accommodation Off-Campus

Students in need of academic accommodation due to a disability must have formally registered with the UST Enhancement Program-Disability Services in order to request accommodation off-campus. Note the following process for making such requests when going off-campus:

Student has the UST Enhancement Program formally document the need for accommodation (students must present documentation of their disability to the Enhancement Program before the office can verify need for accommodation off-campus).
Student requests that the director of the UST Enhancement Program submit a letter to Study Abroad outlining the specific accommodation(s) requested.
If the student is participating in a non-UST program, Study Abroad forwards the request on to the program sponsor or organization abroad.
Student should follow-up with the study abroad program, making sure to talk directly with the program director once on-site, and follow any further procedural instructions as advised.

Kim Schumann is the Director of the Enhancement Program – Disability Services 651-962-6315.

Student Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures

Community Expectations
The University of St. Thomas is a private, comprehensive, regional Catholic university and is a community of scholars. As such, it expects all members of its community, regardless of age, to act reasonably, responsibly, maturely and appropriately at all times both on and off campus. Students are subject to disciplinary sanctions for conduct which occurs on or off campus when that conduct is detrimental or disruptive to the purposes and/or goals of the university. Violations of academic policies cited in the University Catalog or violation of policies cited in this Policy Book may result in disciplinary sanctions as outlined within this Policy Book.

Statement on Responsible Use of Alcohol Off-Campus

A student abides by the laws of the country in which they are studying.
A student does not miss any scheduled event due to the effects of alcohol consumption.
A student does not engage in inappropriate behavior toward other individuals, or destructive behavior toward property that is the result of alcohol consumption.
A student does not engage in behavior that causes embarrassment to the other members of the group, the faculty members or the hosts as a result of alcohol consumption.
Students in a group do not facilitate, encourage or ignore a fellow student who is abusing alcohol. Students are encouraged to discuss issues related to alcohol abuse by other members of their group with the faculty or program director.
Students are encouraged to use good judgment if consuming alcohol at private homes or other accommodations.
Students are responsible for knowing U.S. customs laws regarding the possession of alcohol upon returning to the U.S. (e.g., you must be 21 years old to legally bring alcohol into the U.S. from abroad).

Disciplinary Rights and Procedures for Study Abroad Programs: Academic and Non-Academic

In all study abroad and U.S.-based off-campus courses and programs, students are subject to the University of St. Thomas Rules of Conduct as stated in the Student Policy Book. In these cases the faculty or staff person who is in charge of supervising the off-campus program will have the full authority of the Dean of Students (for non-academic violations) and the appropriate academic dean (for academic violations) to adjudicate disciplinary violations of the Rules of Conduct. When feasible, the faculty or staff person in charge should make every effort to informally resolve problems that arise. However, if a formal process is required, the following procedures for adjudicating violations of the Rules of Conduct will be followed. (The internal disciplinary processes and procedures described in the Student Policy Book do not apply to an off-campus program).

The staff or faculty member who administers the program onsite will notify students of alleged violations in writing.
A meeting will be held between the student accused and the faculty or staff member after the student receives the violation letter to determine if the student violated the Rules of Conduct.
After the meeting, the faculty or staff member will determine whether or not the Rules of Conduct have been violated and, in consultation with the International Education staff and the Dean of Students or the appropriate academic dean, determine sanctions, if applicable.
The student will receive a decision letter stating whether it has been determined that the student violated the Rules of Conduct and the appropriate sanction, if any. A copy of the decision letter will be forwarded to the appropriate academic dean for inclusion in the student's disciplinary file.
There is no appeal of discipline occurring in connection with a study abroad program. Faculty or staff in charge of the administration of the program have full authority for imposing sanctions, including sending the student home prior to the completion of the class or program.
In extreme cases, the faculty or staff member who oversees the class or program may, in consultation with the International Education staff and the Dean of Students or appropriate academic dean, immediately suspend a student from the program and send the student home at the student's expense. The decision of the faculty or staff member is final. Due to the unique nature of an off-campus program, disciplinary decisions made by faculty or staff during study abroad programs are not subject to review by the Dean of Students. However, nothing precludes the dean from taking further disciplinary action if circumstances warrant.

Orientation Information
Attendance at your respective program orientation is required. J-term Orientation (UST and UMAIE) will be held in November. Comprehensive UMAIE orientations will be held online during the fall semester.
Summer Orientation will be held about one month prior to departure.
All students will be notified of orientation schedule, dates and locations in the semester prior to departure.

Enrollment Information

Application Dates
J-term 2014: Apr 2 - Oct 1, 2013*
Summer 2014: Nov. 2012 - March 1, 2014*
*Individual program deadlines may vary. See the application checklist for priority deadlines.

How to Apply
All students must apply online at stthomas.edu/studyabroad. Login using UST username and password. Select ‘Apply for a Program’ to search for a program and begin an application. An application is considered binding and all cancellations must be submitted by e-mailing studyabroad@stthomas.edu from the student’s UST e-mail account. The date that such notification is received is considered the cancellation date.

Students applying to a Co-Sponsored program will also need to submit application materials to their program provider.

Deposit
A $500 deposit is required at time of application for UST and UMAIE sponsored programs. Deposits can be made at the Business Office, or online. Instructions are found in the online application. If a student is not accepted into a program, a deposit refund will be issued. Students on co-sponsored programs will need to follow their program provider's deposit requirements, typically deposits for these programs are required on approval.

Once Accepted
Students will receive notification that an application decision (accepted, waitlisted, denied) has been made via their UST email account. They will then login to their online application to review the decision and, if accepted, approval details. Students will receive final paperwork the semester before departure.

Wait-Listed Students
If a UST or UMAIE program reaches its maximum enrollment, students may be placed on a wait list. When a cancellation occurs, the program sponsor notifies students of acceptance immediately. If no cancellations occur by the final deadline, students will be contacted and deposit refunded. There will be no monetary refund for passport/ID photos.

Confirmation of Program Status
UST and UMAIE programs are confirmed as soon as the minimum number of students for each individual program is reached. Decisions as to whether programs with low enrollment will be offered will be made two weeks before final application deadline.

Transferring Between Programs
Students enrolled in a UMAIE sponsored program may transfer between UMAIE programs, on a space available basis, until the application deadline. Students may transfer between UMAIE and UST programs on a case-by-case basis, with permission of Study Abroad staff. In order to change programs the student must e-mail studyabroad@stthomas.edu and request their application be transferred to the desired program. Students enrolled in programs that require a nonrefundable deposit will lose their deposit if they transfer to another program.

Applying for More Than One Program
Students may apply for a maximum of two programs. However, students may not apply for more than one UMAIE-sponsored program. When applying for more than one program two applications must be submitted, however only one deposit is needed.

If you are accepted into two January Term programs at the priority deadline, students must choose a program and inform Study Abroad in writing by June 1. After the priority deadline, students will have two weeks from the date of acceptance into the second program to inform Study Abroad of their program choice. Failure to abide by these time limits could result in cancellation from both programs.

FERPA and Off-Campus Study
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, affords students the right to authorize the release of education information to third parties. Study abroad requests that students authorize the release of education information to third parties by signing the Off-Campus Study Application. Students sign to the following statement and direct questions to International Education: I understand that the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, affords students the right to authorize the release of education information to third parties. I also understand that studying off-campus may involve circumstances that require the University of St. Thomas to release certain information to third parties, but for which it may be difficult to obtain my prior written permission. For these reasons, I herewith authorize university officials to release my education information to parties who, in their judgment, have an interest in the off-campus program contemplated by this document provided that those officials, in their judgment, are acting in my interests as well. This authorization is valid from the time I submit this signed document to UST Study Abroad through a period of one semester after my program ends.

Financial Matters

Comprehensive Program Fee
Costs listed are approximate and are based on a minimum number of students per program. Every effort is made to operate the program at the stated price. However, with fewer than the minimum number of participants, costs may be increased or the program cancelled. All program sponsors, including the University of St. Thomas, reserve the right to adjust fees due to dollar devaluation, fuel surcharges and general inflation.
The program fee includes tuition, round-trip transportation from MSP to program location; airport transfers; transportation to most program activities; visas (where required for U.S. citizens); CISI insurance for international programs (see page 8); meals as indicated; planned excursions, administrative costs; lodging, primarily in triple rooms in hotels, pensions, university dorms or family homes (where indicated); Roommate assignments are of the same gender.

Exclusions
Expenses and items not specifically mentioned herein are not covered, including but not limited to; passports; local subway, bus and tram fares; departure taxes (except U.S.); optional entertainment & excursions; room service charges; porter’s fees; laundry and cleaning; telephone & fax; personal tips; transportation to and from point of course departure.

Off-Campus Study Fee
A $250 off-campus study fee is charged for short-term programs, guaranteeing the posting of credit, keeping a student’s records up-to-date, and allowing St. Thomas to make program payment and to bill the student’s account. All students who study off-campus through a UMAIE program in either January or May/June will be charged both the Off-Campus Study Fee ($250) and the UMAIE Fee ($200). The Off-Campus Study fee will be forfeited for any student who cancels or returns early from their program after their account is billed for off-campus study.

Payment Schedule

January Term
Students will be billed in December. Charges will appear on the St. Thomas eBilling statement issued in December. The balance of payment is due in January.
Summer Term
Students will be billed in May. Charges will appear on UST eBilling statement issued in May. The balance of payment is due in June.
Spring/Fall Embedded
The tuition cost of the course will be billed to student accounts as usual. The program fee will be charged in February (spring) or October (fall).

Wait-Listed Students
Please reference the Wait-Listed Students section.

Cancellation Fees and Refunds - UST and UMAIE Sponsored Programs

January Term
Through September 16, 2013 - refund of $500 depsit.
From September 17 - October 1 - No refund; loss of deposit.
Oct 2 - Nov 26 - No refund guaranteed; Full program cost will be posted to student account, any recoverable costs returned following end of program.*
After November 27 - NO REFUND
*A refund for students who withdraw between Oct 1 - Nov. 26 is based upon recoverable costs. It is possible the entire program fee may be forfeited.

Summer Term
Through March 15, 2013, no cancellation fee.
March 15—29, loss of $500 deposit
After March 29, no deposit refund and possible loss of entire program fee*

Spring Embedded
There will be no cancellation fee until February 1, 2013.
After February 1, the deposit and program fee are non-refundable.

There is no monetary refund for passport/ID photos.
No refund is given to students who wish to omit portions of the itinerary.
Cancellations due to medical emergencies or U.S. government shut down (such as passport offices) do not guarantee a full refund, and in some cases, may involve no refund.

How to Cancel
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to Study Abroad by e-mailing studyabroad@stthomas.edu from the student’s UST e-mail account. Cancellations by phone or in person are NOT accepted.

Cancellation Fees and Refunds - Co-Sponsored Programs
Students are responsible for knowing and are subject to their program provider's cancellation policy. In the event a student must cancel from a co-sponsored program written cancellation must be submitted to BOTH UST Study abroad AND the program provider.

Financial Aid

Studying off-campus can be very exciting. You are embarking on a life-changing experience and making an investment in your future. Like any investment, studying off-campus requires careful planning, diligent management, creativity and perseverance. The rewards will last you a lifetime.

January Term/Summer Session Financial Aid Eligibility:
Financial aid at St. Thomas is typically offered for the academic year with half of the funds awarded for the fall semester and the other half awarded for the spring semester. The financial aid office combines J-Term with spring semester when awarding and disbursing your financial aid. While you register for these terms separately and the business office will bill you separately, your financial aid funds will be disbursed spring semester. Most students use their full eligibility for financial aid in the school year leaving little eligibility for summer session.

A student is expected to use personal funds to make any required study abroad deposits for January Term and/or summer session and have sufficient funds to cover all personal expenses associated with the program. Obtain the cost information for your program on the study abroad website: studyabroad.stthomas.edu.

To apply for January Term or summer financial aid, submit either a January Term or summer financial aid application to the financial aid office. The January Term application is available to download from the financial aid office website in early November; the summer application is available to download in early April.

Most financial aid funds require that you enroll as a full-time student each semester to receive the aid funds offered.   Provided you remain enrolled in your January Term course as of the 10th day of spring semester classes, your combined registration for January Term and spring semester will be used to determine your spring semester financial aid eligibility. Your financial aid funds may be reduced, returned or cancelled if you withdraw or do not enroll in the number of credits that your award was based upon.

In the summer, most financial aid funds require that you enroll as at least a half-time student to qualify. Your combined registration for all summer sessions will be used to determine your summer financial aid eligibility.

Supplemental Loans
A student may request consideration for supplemental educational loan funds to assist with the additional expenses associated with the short-term program expenses. Loan terms, eligibility requirements and approval are determined by the lender selected. Visit the undergraduate financial aid website for private and Federal Parent Loan options. Loan funds received prior to the posting of any off-campus study charges will first be applied to current charges. If your student account is paid in full, the Business Office will issue a credit balance refund.   You may request that the Business Office hold loan proceeds on your student account to be applied to your future off-campus charges.

For January Term
A student is encouraged to submit a supplemental loan application in the summer requesting the total amount desired for the upcoming school year, including your short-term expenses. One half of the loan funds will be disbursed to your student account following the 10th day of each semester provided you continue to meet all eligibility criteria at the time of each disbursement. You may apply for a supplemental loan one semester at a time if you prefer to budget on a term-by- term basis.

For Summer
A student is encouraged to submit any supplemental loan application before May 1. Loan funds are disbursed in installments that correspond with the last day to officially register for the classes for each session(s) you will attend provided you continue to meet all eligibility criteria at the time of each disbursement.

Study Abroad Scholarships
University-sponsored and private study abroad scholarship opportunities are available. Visit the scholarship section of the Study Abroad website for information, eligibility criteria, application materials and deadlines. Select “Costs & Financial Aid” at tudyabroad.stthomas.edu.

Recipients of the City of Minneapolis Scholarship, Dease Scholarship, Full-tuition Science, Math and Engineering Scholarship, Three Sixty Journalism Scholarship and some ROTC scholarships may request to use their scholarship for an off-campus study opportunity. As soon as your registration is complete, submit a January term or summer financial aid application to the financial aid office.

Spring/Fall Embedded Programs
Funding for any course that includes an optional or required short-term program during a break is extremely limited. If you are concerned about how you will finance this opportunity, meet with your personal financial aid counselor before making any deposit or commitment to the program.

Tuition Remission
The employee benefit of tuition remission does not apply to any January or summer session off-campus program. For semester-embedded short-term programs, tuition remission is only applicable to the on-campus portion of tuition and you pay all additional program fees. If you attend St. Thomas on tuition remission because you have a parent who is employed at one of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) or at one of the Catholic College Cooperative Tuition Exchange (CCCTE) schools, and you study overseas on a program sponsored by your parent’s ACTC or CCCTE institution, you may be able to make arrangements directly with the sponsoring institution to receive tuition remission. The granting of tuition remission is up to the sponsoring institution.

Health Information

Proof of Sufficient Insurance
Students must verify that they have sufficient insurance coverage while off-campus on their Short-term Off-Campus Programs Agreement and Health Questionnaire.

Insurance Coverage Abroad
St. Thomas requires that ALL students participating in international off-campus programs will be required to have a level of insurance that meets or exceeds the insurance provided by the University’s policy thru Cultural Services Insurance International (CISI). Insurance coverage through CISI is included in the program cost for UST and UMAIE sponsored programs.

Some co-sponsored program providers include insurance as part of the program fee. St. Thomas has carefully reviewed all co-sponsored insurance policies and has determined that some provide equal coverage to CISI. Students on these programs are exempt from the CISI insurance requirement but do have the opportunity of enrolling if they would like the additional insurance coverage. They will be notified prior to the beginning of their semester abroad. Students required to carry CISI will be automatically enrolled, and the premium posted to their UST student accounts. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure his/her insurance coverage is valid and sufficient while off-campus. US-based program participants should use their US health insurance provider for any medical needs while on the program.

Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
UST’s CISI Plan is designed specifically for students traveling abroad. In addition to providing health insurance, the plan covers medical evacuation and repatriation as well as security evacuations should they become necessary. Students enrolled in CISI will receive complete plan information prior to departure.

Mental Health Off-Campus
Studying off-campus is an exciting experience that is also challenging and can be stressful. If you have experienced depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns in the past, we encourage you to check in with your counselor or one of the staff at Counseling and Psychological Services to make a plan to ensure your success. If you are on any psychotropic medication (e.g. antidepressants, anti anxiety medication, etc.), remember to follow the advice under Prescription Medication. This is not the time to stop taking your medication!

General Health
When preparing for your upcoming travel it is important to address general health issues as well as any specific health concerns unique to you, and your destination. Some programs may require a statement of good health, or a physical before you leave. This can be obtained through a healthcare provider. If you have any chronic health conditions, such as asthma, migraines, seizures, anxiety, depression or other chronic health problems, be proactive and consult your healthcare provider prior to departure. Develop a plan of care should you have any problems. If you require a medical alert bracelet wear it during your travels. If you have a chronic disease, become familiar with the words that describe it in your host country’s language. If you have a chronic health condition, identify a health care facility and provider within your host country in case you should need to seek medical care. See your dentist prior to departure.

Prescriptions
If you take a prescription medication you need to arrange for an adequate supply of medication necessary for your travel duration. This needs to be coordinated through your healthcare provider and your insurance company. Keep all medications in their original containers. Do not mix different medications, prescription or over-the-counter, in one bottle. Know both the brand and generic names of your medications. Carry a copy of the original prescription with you. If you are bringing controlled substances such as ADD medications or antidepressants have your healthcare provider provide you with a letter stating they prescribed the medication and you are under their care. Make sure the medications are legal in your host country. This will help you avoid problems at customs. Reference the on-line Drug Translation Tool on the CISI portal for additional assistance.

Immunizations
Make sure you are up to date on your routine US vaccinations. This includes MMR, Tetanus, and Varicella vaccines (if you have not had chicken pox). St. Thomas makes the following recommendations to all students studying abroad:
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver spread via contaminated food and water. The Hepatitis A vaccine is a series of two vaccines administered over six to twelve months.
Hepatitis B is a virus spread through body fluids such as saliva and blood and can lead to significant liver failure. It is a series of three vaccines administered over one year.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain. It is a serious and sometimes fatal infection. It is recommended that all students be immunized for meningitis.
Seasonal influenza is a contagious viral respiratory infection, spread via respiratory secretions. It can cause mild to severe illness and sometimes death.
H1N1 Novel Influenza (originally swine flu) is a new form of influenza and is a contagious viral respiratory infection, spread via respiratory secretions. It can cause mild to severe illness and sometimes death.

Destination-Specific Health Concerns
Be familiar with health issues in your host country and any country you plan on making a side trip to. Areas in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have unique health concerns such as Typhoid, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and others, which require appropriate travel preparation to avoid illness. Appropriate vaccines and medications beyond the above listed routine recommendations need to be researched. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) details information regarding immunizations, health risks, and disease outbreaks specific to a destination. A formal travel consultation is recommended for such destinations for optimal travel preparation, ideally six or more weeks prior to departure.

Travel Preparation Resources
Consult with your primary healthcare provider regarding your individual health concerns and how to manage any chronic health issues you may have during travel. Confirm your routine vaccines are up to date.
The CDC provides information on both health concerns and vaccine recommendations within a country. The World Health Organization provides additional information on current heath conditions specific to a country. The St Thomas Travel Clinic (stthomas.edu/studenthealth) provides travel health education, required/recommended vaccines, and prescriptions for recommended medications specific to your destination.

Travel Information

Flight Deviations
Program Fees are based on group arrangements. Thus, a service charge plus any difference in fare will be levied for all flight deviations (with the exception of connecting domestic flights to/from MSP). Requests must be in writing.

Passports
Students are responsible for obtaining a passport on their own and applying in sufficient time so as to not jeopardize their ability to travel as planned. Application and renewal information is available at travel.state.gov. UST Study Abroad cannot issue, or ensure issuance of a passport.

Student Visas
If a program destination requires a visa the program provider will provide information to students upon acceptance. The ability to issue a visa rests solely with the host country. St. Thomas and the Study Abroad staff cannot provide legal advice, or ensure issuance of a visa. Students are responsible for obtaining a visa and applying in sufficient time so as to not jeopardize their ability to travel as planned. International students often have requirements differing from those for U.S. students and may require a visa when U.S. students do not. International students must notify International Student Services immediately upon acceptance to a study abroad program to learn about requirements for studying abroad.

Web Resources
If want to know more about your destination(s), check out the following web sites.
Travel advisories or warnings: travel.state.gov
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/travel
World Health Organization: www.who.int/country/en/
Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com