Study Abroad Pre-Departure Guide

Study Abroad Pre-Departure Guide

Each fall, many USC spring admits decide to venture abroad to study at American institutions in Europe and the United Kingdom.

This booklet will serve as a reference as you prepare for your semester abroad. It answers many commonly asked questions and provides practical tips for traveling and studying overseas. We encourage you to share this information with your family and keep this with you during your travels.

Study abroad can be transformative and will inevitably shape your USC experience. With proper planning, you will be able to spare yourself needless worry and fully appreciate this opportunity.

We wish you the best in this new adventure and look forward to working with you.

Student Responsibilities

In study abroad, as in other settings, participants can considerably influence their own well-being, health and safety through the decisions they make before and during the program—and by their day-to-day choices and behaviors.

Participants should:

• Read and carefully consider all materials issued by the study abroad school that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious conditions in host countries.

• Consider their health and other personal circumstances when applying for or accepting a place in a study abroad school program.

• Plan for a safe and healthy study abroad experience by sharing accurate information about physical and mental health issues as necessary with their study abroad school.

• Assume responsibility for all the elements necessary for their personal preparation for the program and participate fully in orientation programs at study abroad schools.

• Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage and abide by any conditions imposed by the carriers.

• Inform parents/guardians/families and any others who may need to know about their participation in the study abroad program. Provide them with emergency contact information, and keep them informed on an ongoing basis.

• Be sensitive to local customs and cultural norms in the host country.

• Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct and emergency procedures of the program. Obey the laws of the host country. Any violations of academic or conduct policies may result in a rescission of admission to USC.

• Be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Promptly express any health or safety concerns to staff at the study abroad school or other appropriate individuals.

• Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others, and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.

• Accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions.

• Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining emergency health and law enforcement services in the host country.

• Follow the study abroad school’s policies for keeping faculty and staff informed of students’ whereabouts and well-being.

EMERGENCIES AND NATURAL DISASTERS

Though rare, emergencies and natural disasters can happen. In such an event, students studying abroad should follow all instructions issued by the institution, as well as by local and national authorities.

They should also keep in mind that circumstances may change rapidly. It is up to each school’s discretion to decide how to proceed with their own academic plans.

Parent Responsibilities

• Be aware that studying abroad will be a time of great independence and personal growth for your student, in part as a result of assuming some important responsibilities.

• Discuss with your student any of their travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.

• Keep in touch with your student. But keep in mind that local conditions may prevent them from immediately responding to you.

• Be aware that your student, rather than the study abroad school, may most appropriately provide some information.

• Remember time differences when calling or texting your student.

Academic Expectations

Your Status at USC

While USC is pleased to facilitate study abroad for spring admits, we expect that your chosen study abroad institution will play the primary role in assuring your success in the fall. Each of these universities is an independent institution with its own policies, rules and expectations. Participants in these programs are not officially matriculated at USC until the spring semester of 2025, when they begin their USC classes.

Attendance Policies

You are expected to adhere to the existing attendance policy set forth by your program. In most cases, the attendance policy will be strict. Be prepared to attend classes consistently.

Selecting Coursework

In general, your goal should be to make progress toward USC General Education and lower-division writing requirements, if applicable coursework is available at your institution.

As you plan your fall coursework, you are encouraged to work with Student Development Programs to help you choose courses that will fulfill the necessary requirements.

Visit sdp.usc.edu for more information, or email sdpesd@usc.edu to get started.

You can also visit arr.usc.edu/springadmits-faq for answers to frequently asked questions.

As you plan for General Education coursework, you may find several courses unique to the study abroad institution. You are encouraged to explore intellectual pursuits during your studies abroad, as time allows.

Transcripts and Grades

At USC, students transferring coursework from outside institutions will have two separate GPAs: a transfer GPA and a USC GPA. USC will keep these separate until it is time to determine academic honors upon graduation.

Your USC transcript will not list actual course grades, but will show the units attempted, units earned, grade points and transfer GPA. If you apply to graduate school, medical school or law school later on, the institutions to which you apply may request a transcript directly from the study abroad school.

Study abroad schools will automatically send your official transcripts to USC at the end of the semester.

Housing Accommodations at Study Abroad Schools

London

Richmond, the American University in London, provides students with a wide range of options for managed student accommodation varying in price, location, size and facilities. Most are 20 minutes from campus door to door. Students can choose between single studios and shared apartments, all with private bathrooms and kitchenettes or shared kitchens. All accommodations are staffed by resident directors and assistants to support students through their semester abroad.

Rome

John Cabot University houses USC spring admits in the central and historic Trastevere neighborhood, located within walking distance of the university. Shared apartments have fully equipped kitchens, bed and bath linens, and a washing machine. Amenities also include Wi-Fi and 24-hour security. On-call JCU staff and a community of resident assistants provide support for students during their stay at JCU. Although not required, meal plans are available for purchase.

Paris

The American University of Paris provides housing accommodations to students in apartments throughout the city. Most students have a 30-minute, door-todoor commute from their apartments to AUP, either by walking or by public transportation. Apartments include cooking, serving and eating utensils; bed and bath linens; and a washing machine. AUP does not provide meal plans for purchase.

Lugano

Franklin University Switzerland offers eight residence halls in a suburban environment around the campus. Study abroad students usually live in triples, doubles or split-double apartments. Although all residence halls have kitchens, and students often cook some of their own meals, Franklin has two dining halls on campus with two to three meals served daily, depending on the day of the week or the break schedule. Each residence hall includes laundry facilities.

Prague

Anglo-American University offers student housing in newly refurbished dorms in an up-and-coming district in the heart of Prague. Only 25 minutes from the AAU campus by public transportation, this housing is also near shopping, parks and restaurants. Students may choose between single and double rooms, all with private bathrooms, and cook meals in a fully equipped, shared kitchen. Amenities include high speed Wi-Fi internet, a storage room for bicycles and luggage, a mailbox and laundry facilities. The dorms also have a 24/7 security service.

TRANSITIONING TO USC HOUSING

Applications for USC housing will be accepted starting at 9:00 a.m. PT on July 1, 2024. Spring assignments are made based on application date and availability and are not guaranteed. Those assigned will not always be placed in freshman buildings. USC Housing notifies students of their assignments in early December.

Pre-Travel Requirements

Passports

If you do not have a current passport that will be valid for six months after the end of your program, you should apply for a new passport immediately. Details for U.S. passports can be found at travel.state. gov/passport. Allow eight to 11 weeks for delivery.

You will need the following when turning in your application:

• An official copy of your birth certificate OR expired passport, OR a certified copy of your naturalization or citizenship papers. If you do not have a birth certificate with the official seal, write to the county clerk in your county of birth to obtain one.

• A photo I.D. with signature. Examples include a driver’s license, California I.D., or military I.D. Digital I.D.s are not accepted.

• Two identical passport photos in color, front view, 2” x 2” square, with a white background.

• A processing fee of $130 for both new and renewal applications, with an additional $35 acceptance fee for new applications. Add $60 to expedite the service. Visit the Department of State travel website for information about payment methods.

Visas

Granted by the authorities of your host country, a visa represents official permission for you to enter and remain in that country for a certain amount of time. It usually takes the form of a stamp or sticker placed in your passport.

The documentation and fees required to obtain a visa vary greatly from country to country, and even between different consulates of the same country. Consult your host country’s embassy and/or consular website for details and requirements.

Some countries will require a signed medical form, a letter from a physician or certain immunizations. Some require a tax return, bank statements or even background checks.

Some countries will require you to apply as soon as three months in advance. Most consulates will keep your passport while they are processing your visa application and may even prohibit you from visiting the country during the visa process. This may force you to alter pre-program overseas travel plans. Please note that for some visas you need to apply in person at the nearest consulate in the U.S. The study abroad school will also advise you on the visa process.

It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to obtain the visa. Be sure to follow all the procedures and requirements as outlined by your consulate or embassy.

Note: As of the printing of this publication, the United Kingdom does not require U.S. citizens to obtain a visa, but you will need special documentation to stay there as a student. Visa requirements are expected to change by the end of 2024, however. Please visit gov.uk/check-ukvisa or travel.state.gov to determine if you will need a visa.

Visas for Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are not a U.S. citizen, application procedures will differ from those for U.S. citizens. You should consult the nearest consulate of your country of citizenship and the nearest consulate of the country where you plan to study. It is important to initiate this process as soon as possible so that you can assemble the proper documents and allow adequate time for lengthy processing. Non-U.S. citizens should also determine if they will need a transit visa for any countries they will travel through on the way to their host country, and if they will need visas to travel to other countries during the semester.

Insurance

Your current health insurance plan may or may not be valid in the country of your study abroad school. Study abroad schools have varying policies and recommendations regarding health insurance. Check with them for more information about obtaining a valid insurance plan.

Packing for a Semester Abroad

Your study abroad school will provide a suggested packing list specific to your program, but the best advice is to travel light. Do not bring more luggage than you can comfortably transport by yourself.

You may find yourself having to walk long distances with your bags.

We also strongly encourage you to:

• Keep two copies of important documents: one for yourself as you travel and one for your family as a backup.

• Pack important medications and documents in your carry-on luggage.

• Check with your airline for carry-on and checked baggage regulations and fees. Baggage allowances may differ for international flights to and from the U.S. and flights between and within other countries. Rules also vary from airline to airline.

Communication

Consider bookmarking the “Next Steps Spring” page at admission.usc.edu/ admitted-students and sdp.usc.edu to stay on top of updates regarding the institutions available for this opportunity. Once you are abroad, please keep in mind that email is USC’s official form of communication with students and will be the easiest, most efficient way to contact us during the fall. Be sure to check your USC email regularly while abroad. Keep in mind the time difference when emailing USC staff.

We encourage you to check in with your family on a regular basis, especially if you travel outside your host country.

Embassy Information

We recommend that you keep copies of U.S. Embassy information with you at all times and register your travel plans with with the U.S. Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step. state.gov. This will ensure that you receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, allowing you to make informed decisions about your travel plans. In addition, the U.S. Embassy, as well as your family and friends, will be able to contact you in case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, civil unrest or family emergency.

Cell Phones

Many students opt to purchase cell phones overseas and buy minutes on a prepaid basis, as it is usually the cheapest and simplest option. If you bring your own cell phone, you can usually purchase a new SIM card overseas. Using your phone’s internet service while roaming can be costly. Check with your provider about international service fees. Consult with your study abroad school to see what their study abroad students usually do to ensure cell phone service.

Czech Republic

U.S. Embassy Prague

Tržiště 15

118 01 Praha 1 - Malá Strana

Czech Republic

Phone: (+420) 257 022-000 cz.usembassy.gov

France

U.S. Embassy Paris

2 avenue Gabriel

75008 Paris, France

Phone: [33] (1)43122222

Fax: [33](1)42669783

fr.usembassy.gov

Italy

U.S. Embassy Rome

via Vittorio Veneto 121

00187 Roma

Phone: (+39) 06.46741

it.usembassy.gov

Switzerland

U.S. Embassy Bern Sulgeneckstrasse 19

CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland

Tel: 031 357 70 11

Fax: 031 357 73 20 ch.usembassy.gov

United Kingdom

U.S. Embassy London

33 Nine Elms Lane

London, SW11 7US

United Kingdom

Phone: [44] (0)20 7499-9000 uk.usembassy.gov

Preparing for Your Semester Away

Money and Banking

We suggest that, if possible, you have multiple banking or funding options available to you in case you encounter problems. You should also determine the best way to transfer money in your host country.

ATM/debit cards and credit cards are the most common ways to access funds. Make arrangements with your bank for an ATM card that you can use overseas. Find out what fees they charge for international transactions and withdrawals. Ask your bank if they have a partner institution in your host country that will not charge ATM fees.

We strongly suggest that you bring a credit card with you overseas for emergencies, and to help secure accommodations, flights and other services. Credit cards typically offer the most favorable exchange rates.

In general, Visa and MasterCard are the most widely used overseas.

Major credit card companies charge service fees for currency conversion, so ask your credit card company about their fees. Some credit cards, such as airline or hotel rewards cards, waive foreign transaction fees.

Check your statements regularly and find out if your card offers fraud protection. Before going abroad, contact your bank or credit card company to find out if you need to place a travel alert on your account. Many major banks and credit card companies no longer require customers to register their travel plans, but smaller institutions such as credit unions may still require travel alerts. Without such alerts, they may mistake any overseas activity for identity theft or fraud and block all transactions if they detect suspicious card activity.

Calendar and Timeline

Study abroad schools follow a semester calendar.

Each school offers an orientation program that ranges from several days to an entire week before the first day of classes, either in late August or early September. Finals will end in early to mid-December. Refer to your study abroad school’s academic calendar for specific dates.

Please also plan to attend USC’s Welcome Trojans Orientation program. The program begins in December with Online Academic Advisement and Course Registration for spring 2025 classes. Student involvement activities will take place on campus in January 2025. Please visit orientation.usc.edu for more information on Welcome Trojans Orientation.

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For questions about compliance with the notice of non-discrimination, the University has designated a Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX Coordinator, Catherine Spear, who can be reached at eeotix@usc.edu, (213) 740-5086, USC Credit Union Building, 3720 South Flower Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-0704. For disability-related questions, the University has also designated an ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Christine Street, Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs–Institutional Accessibility and ADA Compliance, who can be reached at streetc@usc.edu, (213) 821-4658, 3601 Trousdale Parkway, Bldg. #89, Los Angeles, California 90089.