Frequently Asked Questions for OUSA Short-Term Trips Abroad

1. Where do I obtain an itinerary for a trip?
   
   You can get an itinerary, release forms, etc. from Dr. Collins, Director of International Programs, Philip Weltner Library, 2nd Floor, office phone 404.504.3452.
    
2. Who can go on these trips?
   
   Anyone affiliated with Oglethorpe University community, students, faculty, staff, and relatives. First priority is given to OU students earning credit for the trip. Family members and friends can also enroll for these trips, with the assumption that they are going for an educational experience, and not necessarily to obtain academic credit.
    
3. Can I earn academic credit for these trips?
   
   Yes, each trip will be assigned a number of credits by the Academic Program Committee. You will know how much credit each trip is worth by the first mandatory pre-trip meeting, and then you will be awarded these credits after the trip and upon completion of your paper or projects related to the trip during the following semester.
   
   Each trip will have an itinerary, a syllabus, reports, etc. and the student must fulfill the requirements set by the professor leading the trip. 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.
    
4. What are the dates for these trips?
   
   Usually, the trips will be planned for the spring, summer, and winter breaks. Typical examples are an Italy trip during the spring break, or a Greece or Spain trip during the May break, or an Art and culture trip or London Theatre and Shakespeare trip in June and July. The exact dates will vary, so it is important to check each itinerary and enroll early.
    
5. How will I hear about these trips?
   
   You will hear about these trips in a variety of ways. OUSA (Oglethorpe University Students Abroad) maintains a website which gives descriptions and deadlines for the trips, the Director of International Programs will give presentations at orientations and in selected classrooms, and a series of announcements will be made via bulletin boards, e-mails, and the campus newspaper.
    
6. Can I use financial aid to help pay for the trip?
   
   If you qualify, you may be able to use financial aid to help defray the cost of the trips. Please see your financial aid advisor for details.
    
7. Will I need a passport?
   
   Yes, and if you have not applied for one, do so now, or come by Dr. Collins’ office in the Philip Weltner Library on the 2nd floor, to obtain information on how to apply.
    
8. Will I need to know the language of the countries in which we will travel?
   
   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 trips.
   
   English is a quite common language in most of the countries OUSA groups will visit, so you will have no problem communicating.
    
9. Will I attend any pre-trip meetings?
   
   Yes, and these are vitally important. The pre-trip meetings are mandatory, and often take place on a Saturday morning at Oglethorpe, since many students and 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 thousand other smaller items to make the trip one both problem-free and memorable.
   
   There are at least three meetings before each trip.
    
10. Will I have a roommate on these trips?
    
    Yes, one you select, and only two per room on each trip. If you desire a single room, you will incur extra cost of course to the agency managing the trip, so you need to let the Director of International Programs know what you wish to do long before the trip 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 trip.
     
11. Will I miss any of my normal semester classes while on the trip?
    
    Usually not, although there may be instances when you may miss the first day of class on some of the trips due to flight schedules. Should this occur, all professors will be notified about your absence.
     
12. Will family and relatives know where I am at all times, in case of emergencies?
    
    Yes, the Director of International Programs publishes all the hotels, the telephone numbers, and a contact for your family and friends, and this info is given to you to photocopy.
    
    In addition, the Director of International Programs 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.
     
13. What do I pack, and what do I leave behind?
    
    People tend to over-pack, so 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 trips and what works, so attending the meetings will be essential. You are always responsible for your own luggage while traveling.
     
14. What kind of camera do I bring?
    
    Any 35mm will do; digital cameras are the best for these trips, since you can download from museums or sites 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.
     
15. How, and when, do I get the plane tickets?
    
    Tickets are sent to the Director of International Programs, Dr. Collins. At one of the mandatory meetings, tickets will be distributed, and it will be your responsible to take care of them, and of course to present them at the airline terminal. Depending upon what the group decides, sometimes the tickets are kept and given to you when you arrive at the airport, to insure no one loses a ticket before arriving at the airport.
     
16. Will we fly reputable airlines?
    
    Of course, usually Delta, British Airways, Air France, etc in cabin class.
     
17. What if I do not like my roommate?
    
    Please inform your courier and the Director of International Programs about any changes in rooming on the trip. If you pay for a double room, you must stay in a double room throughout, but we can switch roommates if requested.
     
18. What about the food?
    
    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.
    
    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 in most countries will be an extra expense.
     
19. Can I explore on my own?
    
    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 trip 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. 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.
     
20. What are some extra costs I may incur on these trips?
    
    Your total trip cost is all inclusive of airfare, all ground transportation, hotels, food, museum passes, tickets, etc. Now, you will need to budget for the following:
    
    Tips, snacks, film, shopping, lunches, drinks, postcards, etc.
    
    Everyone has of course different budgets, but it is best to bring at least 500. 00 to 1, 000.00 dollars spending money in case of emergencies. Borrowing from fellow students can often lead to hurt feelings and mistrust.
     
21. What about the kinds of credit cards or checks to bring?
    
    Most countries, unless we notify you in meetings, usually accept major credit cards. Now, 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 cards or ATM check cards, and ATMS are plentiful now in Europe; if we go on a trip outside of Europe, we will give you info on the best monetary methods to use.
    
    The best and easiest method is to use your ATM card, keep receipts, and carry this one card everywhere.
    
    At the meetings, we will also tell you about the Euro or the currency in any country in which we travel, and how to get the best exchange rate, etc.
    
    If you lose your wallet or money, or card, please inform the courier and your professor, and we will help where we can, so do not let the loss of such damage your trip. Please inform us of any loss, and we will help you take the necessary steps to get emergency funding through your bank.
     
22. What if I get lost on the trip?
    
    This can, and does, happen—on crowded streets, you look up, turn, and then, no one from the group in sight. At the meetings, we will give you the hotels numbers and the cell phone numbers of the Director of International Programs and 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.
     
23. What books will I need to bring?
    
    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.
     
24. Will there be a curfew?
    
    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.
     
25. What if I get sick on the trip?
    
    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. Also, be sure to check with your medical insurance coverage here in the US before departure to find out if you are covered abroad.
    
    In the meetings before the trips, we will also give you some info on temporary and inexpensive medical policies and that cover you while on the trip.
    
    Please consult with your doctor before you go on any of these trips about any specific medical conditions you may have.
     
26. Can I go out with any one I meet in a country on these trips?
    
    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 gong out on dates with anyone you do not know—good advice anywhere.
     
27. Under what circumstances could I be sent back home?
    
    This has never happened, mainly because Oglethorpe students are motivated, mature, and capable of adjusting to different cultures and customs.
    
    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 trip, endangered others, or broken laws within that country.
    
    This has never happened, and if you know the guidelines—and we will discuss them and you will sign a statement indicating you will abide by them—then the trip will be both illuminating for everyone and trouble-free.
    
    Remember, these trips 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.
     
28. How will I know what to do when I get back to campus?
    
    Your accompanying professor will provide you a syllabus, course requirements for the trip, 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.
     
29. Will such trips help me in the job market?
    
    Most assuredly—such trips 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.
     
30. Will I have fun, and learn?
    
    Absolutely. And we have many testimonies you can read about our trips from former students. These trips 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 Oglethorpe University Students Abroad at 404.504.3452 and embrace the world.