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Study Experience Abroad Frequently Asked QuestionsSEA-USA Study Abroad FAQs has the answers to specific concerns you may have.SEA-usa provides Study Experience Abroad FAQs covering general, SEA questions, flight, academics, home stay, money and general study abroad travel. General Questions:
Q: Will I have contact from SEA while on the trip? FlightAcademics
Q: How transferable are my credits? Homestay
Q: How is my family chosen? Money
Q: How much money will I need during my stay? General Travel
Q: Do I need a passport? General SEA QuestionsWill I have contact from SEA while on the trip? A: In addition to planned afternoon activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, students
will also see the SEA on-site staff during weekly meetings, and daily at the SEA office when they stop by to check
e-mail/ request tutoring, etc. Every weekend students will participate in either a day excursion or overnight excursion,
both of which are led by the SEA directors. Plus, the SEA staff is always available and on call if students ever need
anything, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How many students will be in my group? A: Depending on which program location and dates you choose the number of students may vary from 1, on an Individual program to 30 on the group program. The summer programs tend to have more students.How much interaction will we have with the local citizens? A: SEA can help students to arrange a partnership where a native speaker helps you with Spanish or French and you help them with English. We encourage students to make friends with the locals as soon as possible, and to try not to spend all of their free time with Americans and other English speakers. Your host family will also provide a natural source of interaction with the people of the host country.Any weekend trips included? A: That depends on which program and how you want your personalized program put together. There can be several day trips and overnight trips included in each program. They are normally scheduled on the weekends, so they don't interfere with classes. The program partner agent organizes and guides these tours.Is independent travel allowed on weekends? A: SEA students are not allowed to travel outside of the program city during the official program dates unless on an organized SEA excursion. However, SEA students are welcome to arrange additional travel before or after the official dates of the program, but only with written parental permission.Are my parents allowed to visit? A: Parents are encouraged to visit the students only after the official SEA program has ended. Please inquire with the SEA Tipton Office if you need help planning your trip.Will SEA give us a cell phone? A: No, but you may rent a cell phone in the country of destination. SEA will give you information on where you can rent a cell phone before you leave for your experience. All communication and payments will be conducted directly between you and your provider.Cell phones are commonly used by SEA students abroad so that the students can make plans amongst themselves, so the directors may contact a student if need be, and so parents may always feel in contact with their child. Are SEA Rules very strict? A: Students who violate the rules outlined in the SEA Code of Conduct will run the risk of not receiving academic credit, being sent home from the program early, and possibly having something put on their academic record! Even if a student waits until the last night of the program to stay out past curfew, SEA can still withhold the university transcript.FlightIs this a group flight? A: Unless you are traveling on a custom program designed by SEA for your school, the airfare is not included in
the SEA program price. However, all students who arrive on the correct starting date and between the designated arrival times
will be met at the arrival airport by SEA staff.
Can I have a delayed return after the program? A: Many families join their children to travel once the study abroad program has ended. SEA requires written parental permission clearly stating the date, location of student pick-up and the full name/relation of the person meeting the student.AcademicsHow transferable are my credits? A: The acceptance of transfer credit is ultimately at the discretion of the receiving university and should be given equal weight as any other transcript issued by an accredited college or university. Credit received at any university abroad will be college level creditHow many semester credits are allowed to earn? A: SEA students can earn college credits based on their program. An example is the 33-day and 35-day Spain/France programs include 4 - 5 semester college credit hours.Is tutoring available? A: SEA will sponsor tutoring during the week (Monday - Thursday), in the event that you need help with the language, homework or just general questions.Will my classes be in English? A: All classes will be conducted in the language of the host country.HomestayHow is my family chosen? A: The SEA international staff personally interviews all of the families before placing students in their homes. In addition, all students fill out a Housing Questionnaire before leaving, so that we can match them with a family and a roommate with whom we think they will be compatible. SEA has used many of these families for several years, and we continually update home stay information based on the previous student evaluations.What if I can’t get along with my family? A: Requests for family changes are extremely rare. However, if there is a problem, SEA will make sure you are moved to a new family immediately. There is an on-site director who is available to help the students at all times. Students are encouraged to inform their director, immediately, of any problems and they will be resolved as soon as possible. Don't forget: The key to successfully living together with someone is communication and respect. Be sure to share your likes/ dislikes with your host family!Do I get to pick my roommate or can I stay with a friend? A: If you want to live with a certain person, simply request that person as your roommate on your Housing Questionnaire. However, please make a pact with your friend to only speak the native tongue with each other, especially when at the home stay. Speaking in English with your roommate in front of the family member(s) may make them feel excluded, especially as they may not understand what you are saying.Will my family speak any English? A: Most members of the home stay will not speak any English. However, they are accustomed to receiving international students, and will enjoy helping you learn to communicate in their language and enjoy their culture. We encourage students to spend as much time as possible with their home stays!What kind of food will I have? A: The food is great and typical of each host country. Be sure to let the home stay know when you like or dislike something, but please be willing to at least try a few new things!MoneyHow much money will I need during my stay? A: It depends. Based on student responses from past programs, we recommend about $150 - $200 a week for most countries and $75 - $125 in Mexico and Costa Rica (provided you don't eat out a lot and go shopping everyday).How much money should I bring for travel and entertainment? A: Your hotel room and your breakfasts on overnight trips are included in the cost of the program. However, you will need to bring money for lunch and dinner while you are traveling (plan on about $25.00 a day).General TravelDo I need a passport? A: Yes. All students traveling to Europe, Central America and South America are required to have a valid passport. Although not required, SEA strongly recommends that all students traveling to Mexico have one as well. However, students in Mexico may use their driver's license and a certified copy of their birth certificate in lieu of a passport.How do I get a passport? A: Your local post office has passport applications. You must process the application and required fee ($85 in 2004) at your central post office or personally process the paperwork at the nearest U.S. Passport Agency. Give yourself at least 6 weeks to get your passport! You can get more information on passports at http://travel.state.gov/passport/.Do I need a Visa? A: It strictly depends on the country you will be visiting.Will SEA suggest what I should take with me? A: There will be a list of what to bring in your General Orientation Handbook, which you will receive in the spring as your departure date approaches. Plan, however, on packing light!Is there on how many suitcases I can take with me? A: YES! Please check with your airline because each one has a different policy. Normally, you can check two bags and carry one bag on the plane. International weight limits are normally 70 pounds; however, this could change. DON'T BRING MORE THAN YOU CAN CARRY.Is the water OK to drink? A: In Spain and France you can drink the water; however, bottled water is still common. In Latin America we recommend that you ALWAYS drink bottled water. (You should never drink the water on trains!)Will I get culture shock? A: Students may experience some form of culture shock. Reading the section titled "Cultural Adjustment" in your General Orientation Handbook, will help you understand what you are going through and, hopefully, make it easier.Will there be books in English or should I bring them with me? A: Books in English are available, but they are very expensive. If you enjoy reading, consider purchasing a book in the language of the country where you are studying. The SEA staff or the university professors are more than happy to recommend reading materials that are appropriate for your language level. Be sure to bring the native tongue grammar book because the English explanations can be very helpful.Visit our CONTACT PAGE to complete your preferred way of contact. When we receive your request, you will be contacted and with no obligation. We appreciate your interest in learning more about SEA Member Programs and exchange. |
