Study Abroad Office Home Page: http://www.pitt.edu/~abroad

E-mail (Pittsburgh Campus): abroad@pitt.edu

University of Pittsburgh at Titusville

504 East Main Street, Titusville, PA 16354

Phone 814-827-4474

Fax 814-827-5574

• Ms. Judy Berneburg, SU 218, 814-827-4465

• Dr. Margaret H. Peaslee, BDHST 103, 814-827-4474

E-mail (Titusville Campus) uptacad@pitt.edu

The Study Abroad Office is a student resource center that coordinates international education, internship and volunteer opportunities. We offer a place to explore international opportunities through faculty and university facilities. Our partnership and willingness will aid you in the where’s, when’s, and how’s of the study abroad process. Our goals include…

Every student is offered the opportunity to earn credits toward his or her degree while studying in another country. Students are strongly encouraged to add an international dimension to their education through study abroad, internships abroad, and/or service learning abroad.

It is the opportunity offered to earn credits toward a degree by studying in another country. Students are strongly encouraged to add an international dimension to their education through studying abroad.

A study abroad experience will enhance a student’s competitive edge in the job market. Employers are increasingly looking for students who have lived and studied abroad. Skills and qualities gained while studying abroad are highly valued by employers. Adding an international component to one’s education can definitely strengthen credentials.

Through studying abroad, students develop an understanding and appreciation of another culture and/or region of the world. International experience will enrich the academic background and provide new skills and knowledge that extend beyond classroom theory.

Sophomores, junior, and seniors in good academic standing are eligible to study abroad. Students who do not have the required GPA may make an appeal to the dean of their school for special exceptions. Knowledge of a foreign language is NOT a requirement for all study abroad programs, although students are encouraged to gain some knowledge of a foreign language.

Pitt requires students to have taken at least 24 credits on campus before they can go abroad. We advise students to begin looking and researching a study abroad program as soon as possible as the study abroad process does take some time. Students who want to study abroad during their last semester also need to obtain special permission from the dean.

Just about anywhere! Programs of study exist in almost every corner of the world. Foreign language proficiency is not a requirement, as there are some programs which offer courses taught in English.

Just about anything! Many programs offer courses in the humanities and social sciences, but opportunities also exist in business, education, engineering, and the natural sciences. Specialized programs provide in-depth study of a particular subject, such as environmental studies, zoology, and international marketing. International internships are also available for credit, providing students with valuable work experience.

With prior approval, the credits earned while overseas will be entered on the Pitt transcript and will count towards graduation. It is possible to fulfill major, minor, and general education requirements by studying abroad. In addition, College of Arts and Sciences students will automatically fulfill 3 or possibly all 4 of the CAS foreign culture requirements. Approval of the program is required from a study abroad advisor, your academic advisor, and the department from which credit is sought.

There are programs which cost approximately the same as in-state tuition, room, and board at Pitt. Most programs, however, are more expensive than Pitt.

Yes. State, Federal and campus-based financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work Study, will apply to any approved study abroad program. The amount of aid received can be based on the actual costs of the study abroad program and may affect the amount of a subsidized Stafford Loan one is eligible to receive. Please see the "Scholarships and Financial Aid" section on our website.

The earlier a student begins planning their study abroad experience the more options they have. Begin with a visit to your campus study abroad office or www.pitt.edu/~abroad, to explore the options. Advise students to sign up for an Essentials meeting.

Currency is money. Not all countries use the US dollar. Before traveling, you should know what the US dollar is worth in comparison to the currency used in that particular country. This will help you to determine how much money to take with you and how far your money will take you when you travel. In Europe, for example, most countries use the Euro. Currently, US$1 = Euro €0.80, which means that if you went to the bank to convert your money you would need to give them US$1.25 in order to receive €1.00 Euro. This means that your dollar is worth less in these countries than they are worth in America. An example where your money would be worth more would be the South African Rand. US$1 = 7.07 Rand, which means that if you went to the bank to convert your money you would need to give them US$0.15 in order to receive 1 South African Rand. This means that your dollar is worth more in this country than the US dollar is worth in America. For an international exchange rates calculator, go to

http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

UCIS provides services to students, faculty, and the community in the areas of international studies, international research, and study abroad.

UCIS offers a multidisciplinary program that allows students to combine a degree in any major field with a specialization in a world area. It is designed for students who want to learn about other cultures and societies as well as for those who are considering careers with international focus.

As a student:

As a job applicant:

As a person:

Amizade is a non-profit organization that facilitates global volunteering opportunities for individuals and groups. Amizade began with a volunteer project in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. "Amizade" is a Portuguese word for friendship.

The Amizade Center offers unique and exciting academic courses centered on cross-cultural service-learning experiences. In service-learning courses, a university faculty member integrates academic concepts are applied to community issues through service projects. While studying their chosen subject, students explore the globe, serve with people from other cultures, and enrich their understanding of the world. Amizade Center courses provide University of Pittsburgh credit and are open to students from any university.

* For more information on applying, cost, length of courses, requirements, and available coursework go to www.globalservicelearning.org.

Semester at Sea is designed to incorporate a global semester in students’ undergraduate experience. As academic sponsor of the program, the University of Pittsburgh grants academic credit for participation in Semester at Sea. The academic program is reviewed in its entirety with all faculty and courses approved through respective departments within in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The shipboard curriculum provides students with a series of insights into various cultures and societies and allows you to dissect and assess what you observe. Not only will they develop the ability to understand new cultures as they are encountered, but the ability to also gain the intellectual tools that will allow you to relate past experiences to future situations.

Similarly, students are called upon to examine the crisis issues of global concern, such as those relating to environment, population, foreign policy interrelationships and economics through the various nations and cultures visited. The ship truly becomes a campus on which students will work in the traditional classroom setting, and the world posing as a laboratory from which approximately 20% of the credit earned for a course if fulfilled. The integration of classroom and international fieldwork enables Semester at Sea to provide a learning environment unattainable on a traditional land campus.

* For more information on admission requirements, financial aid, cost, and sample itineraries go to www.semesteratsea.com.

Pitt requires you to have a 2.75 GPA even though some programs might not. Even if the program requires a 2.0, you still need to have a 2.75 for Pitt to allow you to study abroad. If the program requires a 3.0, then you have to have a 3.0. Look for the program’s academic requirements, language requirements, etc. to determine your eligibility and feel free to ask your advisor any questions regarding your eligibility.

With so many study abroad programs available, you should be able to find a program that will enable you to fulfill needed requirements for your major, minor and/or certificate program. You will need to obtain course descriptions to help you and your advisor determine what requirements can be fulfilled while you are abroad.

Are you ready for a change from Pitt’s atmosphere? Would you like to go to a big city or be in a small town? Would you like to be near a beach or near the mountains? These all are important aspects to consider when choosing a Study Abroad Program.

Is it important to you to be with other American students are would you prefer to be the only American within miles? You can find programs that go with a large group of students, programs where you are complete submerged in the host country’s culture, and programs that offer a bit of both.

If your main purpose for studying abroad is to gain confidence or fluency in a language, you may want to consider how many classes at your level are offered in that language. Remember too that opportunities outside of the classroom to speak the language are readily available in the unstructured format. (i.e shopping in neighborhood markets, socializing with natives, etc.)

A variety of program formats are available. You can find programs where all courses are taught in the hose language. If you are learning a language, you can find programs where the electives are taught in English. You can also find programs where all classes are taught in English.

There are many different types of housing arrangements. Homestays involve living with a host family with varying degrees of involvement in family life. While homestay students may have less independence, most students agree that this is the best way to take in the culture and learn a new language. Students who choose a residence hall or apartment option should consider the level of cultural integration provided. You might want to consider if the residence halls or apartments would have tenants from the host country, Americans, or other international students who are studying abroad. Also, make sure to find out whether your housing is included in the cost of the program.

Does the program include meals? Generally, if you live with a host family most of your meals are included. If you live in residence halls or apartments, check to see if a meal plan is included in the program cost, if meals are

On-site coordinator(s) are available to assist you with any difficulties you may have while abroad. They are also very knowledgeable of their location. It is important to find out who this is as soon as you arrive if you do not already know.

Professors can be from the host institution/program, from the host country but hired by the program, from the program-sponsored university, or from another country.

Grades earned on a Pitt-Developed program including Pitt programs, Semester at Sea, or Global Service Programs will earn actual letter grades that appear on the Pitt transcript and are factored into a student’s overall GPA.

Grades earned on all other study abroad programs are pass/fail. Students are registered for block credits that identify where the study abroad student is studying. Students are required to earn a C or better in each class taken abroad in order to receive an S grade for the term. Grades transferring as pass/fail are not factored into a student’s overall GPA.

Internships can be a valuable and rewarding opportunity for students. They can be a small or large part of overall experience abroad. These can also be a significant addition to your resume. Depending upon the program, internships may be available for all majors.

Planned excursions/field trips are offered by many programs and are often an integral part of coursework. Field trips can be included in the overall cost of the program or be an added expense. Check to see if any excursions or field trips are included in the program cost. If so, check to see how many and to where.

The University of Pittsburgh requires all students studying abroad to obtain international medical insurance. One required form is through the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which can be purchased at STA Travel (www.statravel.com). The STA Travel address in Oakland is located on 118 Meyran Avenue; Pittsburgh, PA 15213 and can be reached at 412-683-1881.  In addition to the ISIC, we require one other form of insurance. If your program provides insurance, or if your current insurance will cover you abroad, we will need proof of that. If not, you will have to purchase additional travel insurance.

In circumstances such as studying abroad, your housing contracts will release you of any obligation for the semester that you will be away. As long as your international opportunity is through your campus’s Study Abroad office, breaking your housing contract is permitted. Check with the Resident Housing Office for more information as each campus is run slightly differently. Be sure to let them know which semester you will be leaving.

Check to see if your program offers additional scholarships. Also check the study abroad website for updated scholarships and deadlines, www.pitt.edu/~abroad/finaid or www.ucis.pitt.edu.

State, Federal, and campus-based financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, will apply to studying abroad as long as one participates in a program approved by the Study Abroad Office. One is usually awarded the same amount of aid, as eligibility would allow if studying on campus. However, one can submit a completed Cost of Attendance Increase for Study Abroad Form from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in order to accurately reflect study abroad costs. (It is not necessary for Semester at Sea students to complete this form as the Financial Aid Office automatically reconsiders your cost of education).

Please be advised that an increase in the cost of attendance will not increase the student's eligibility for grants or campus based funds. It will, however, enable the student to borrow the maximum amount through the Stafford Loan Program and/or increase the student's loan eligibility for the Parent PLUS loan or other alternative loans. In order for these expenses to be reviewed, complete the Cost of Attendance Increase for Study Abroad Form and return it with the appropriate documentation from the Study Abroad Office to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

The Cost of Attendance Increase Form can be submitted at any time, but one must complete a financial aid application before it will be processed. Meeting this deadline will ensure receiving full consideration for as many sources of financial aid as possible. Missing this deadline will greatly reduce the amount of aid received. During the summer months, financial aid is limited to Stafford Loan funds and depends on how much you have borrowed during the Fall and Spring terms of the same academic year. You should meet with a financial aid counselor immediately to discuss your situation. The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, McKinney Hall, Room 210, 814-827-4495.

We encourage students to start planning for their study abroad experience at least one year in advance. Utilize our website www.pitt.edu/~abroad to find a study abroad programs.

All of our Study Abroad Advisors have first hand experience studying and traveling abroad. We also have a group of experienced interns, all of whom have recently studied abroad and are here to offer advice and answer any students’ questions.

The Study Abroad Contract is the legally binding document that will guide and inform University of Pittsburgh students of certain required policies and procedures regarding study abroad. It is mandatory to complete this Study Abroad Contract prior to departure.

What the Contract does…

How to get the Contract…

Before turning in the Contract…

Once the student has…

Return the Contract to the Study Abroad Office prior to departing for the study abroad program.

What the Health, Safety, & Security Orientation does…

The passport application process can take several weeks to month, so it is a good idea to apply as early as possible. You can apply for a passport in a variety of places including federal, state, and probate course, many post offices, some libraries, and a number of county and municipal offices. Note: There are two forms, DS-11 when applying for a new passport and DS-82 when renewing passport.

You will need to apply in person if you are …

When applying, be sure to bring …

If you are over 18 years of age, this passport is good for 10 years. In addition, you can obtain a passport application at most post offices. You may download an application via the Internet as www.travel.state.gov/download_applications.html or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-4USA-PPT.

If you already have a passport, please check that it has not expired, and that it will be valid for at least sex months beyond your planned return to the United States.

The DS-82 form may be used if your passport needs to be renewed. You may use this form if your previous passport …

Be sure to include the following when mailing your renewal forms…

* Your previous passport will be returned to you with your new passport

Mail in padded envelope to: National Passport Center