Education Abroad, Feb. 3, 2023
Education Abroad Webinar, Feb. 3, 2023Question and Answer
Q: Recommendations for trip insurance: any preferred companies? When do we need to purchase?
A: Great question! Our Office for Global Health and Safety has a page on trip cancellation insurance. We don't have a recommended company but there is a company listed that you can look at as an option and to compare to other companies. Here's the link: globalsafety.isp.msu.edu/travel-during-covid-19-pandemic/pre-travel-considerations.
Q: Do MSU scholarships apply with direct enrollment programs?
A: Yes, they do.
Q: Do students have to be members of the MSU Credit Union for those scholarships?
A: No, they don’t.
Q: Can you be accepted to a program that isn’t directly related to your major?
A: Yes, you can earn credits that are elective or integrative studies credits or related to other areas beyond your major that are still relevant for your overall MSU degree.
Q: Will this Zoom be available to watch (download) at a later time? I would like to watch it with my student.
A: The recording will be available mid-week next week at family.msu.edu under the communications tab.
Q: Can the student visit your office and will they help them navigate?
A: Yes, students can visit the Education Abroad Advising Center in the International Center or set up a Zoom advising appointment as well.
Q: My daughter is going to Spain this summer. How does she get to the host family's home from the airport there?
A: I would recommend that your daughter speak with the program director about this, as arrangements vary by program. It is likely that there is a plan in place – or recommended logistics – for this local transfer.
Q: If students have flight benefits through a family member, are they able to fly on an airline/timeline that works for them?
A: Most likely, yes. Students are rarely required to take a particular flight. But, your student should check with their program's director. With regard to timeline, they must arrive by the designated program start date.
Q: Where can the student find a listing of faculty lead programs?
A: Our program list is available in the education abroad database, which students can reach when they create a traveler profile in our Via Traveler system. Program types (faculty-led, direct enroll, exchange, etc.) will be clarified along with each program's description.
Q: Is there a GPA requirement to apply?
A: Each program has a GPA requirement listed. In cases wherein students don't quite reach the GPA requirement, they can speak with an education abroad coordinator or the program's faculty director about eligibility.
Q: Is the tuition for the Research abroad program in Dusseldorf charged through MSU or paid directly to the abroad school?
A: For that program, students pay tuition through MSU as well as a program fee to cover their on-site cost.
Q: Are programs the same every year? If not what usually changes (is it a drastic change, etc.)?
A: The program list changes every year as programs are added an sometimes removed based on the availability of faculty to travel abroad, security concerns, etc. Many of the programs remain annually because they are so popular, but there are always some new programs and some removed (or paused) programs.
Q: I’m not able to copy the links you sent in chat; where would we find those after the seminar?
A: We will copy this information and place it on the webpage with the recording link!
Q: How far in advance does a student need to apply for an exchange or direct enrollment program? This is for an incoming junior.
A: Students should begin their planning one year in advance, if at all possible and be prepared to apply by the stated deadline for the specific program they are interested in.
Answered Live in the Webinar
The below questions were answered live during the webinar. Responses can be seen in the recording of the webinar here.
Q: Has this first-year program always been offered?
Q: If our student was selected to travel this summer for the 1 month study abroad program in Belgium, should they work with their adviser in JMC to identify the classes or would they work with an adviser in your office (or both)? Will there be additional meetings with the specific groups that are traveling specifically?
Q: Flat rate credit for tighter budgets was previously stated. Give an example, of when you don't use a flat rate credit, what are you using?
Q: If our student was offered a scholarship for study abroad, can that be applied to all types of programs?
Q: Is there a link to example cost scenarios?
Q: Does cost include airfare? Especially for the faculty lead?
Q: Do the study abroad scholarships cover program fees and other expenses or just tuition?
Q: What about summer programs regarding financial aid?
Q: When are students notified if they will receive an Office for Education abroad scholarship? My Spartan checked "yes" on their application to be considered for scholarships. They applied to the program and were accepted for this summer.
Q: Can you speak to internship more?
Q: Can you go over one of the Europe summer costs examples?
Q: Does Financial Aid etc. need a new application for summer broad (faculty-directed), and do they fly in the day before the start date or on the start date for summer abroad? I guess, my question is: Will these travel details about flights bookings days/times be provided soon?
Q: Even if you pay out of pocket for airfare, do the students usually fly together under suggested flights by the program?
Q: Do the students get to know who else from MSU is going to the study abroad they have selected?
Q: From your website, I only see a cost worksheet and no way to log in. Do you have to select Apply to login and to see program costs and other details?
Q: If you are out of state, can you fly from home for fall semester or would you need to fly out of Michigan.
Q: Regarding the American University in Rome: Would courses be taught in English? And are rigorous science courses offered? Example students in pre-med/pre-dental who have rigid schedules: would they be able to take their science classes and labs in English?
Q: My student wants to extend his trip and do some travel on his own. Can he talk to someone about suggestions for planning?
Q: How likely/unlikely is it for a student to not get accepted to any program (how many students are commonly rejected)?