Aug 28

Top 5 Tips for Using Credit Cards for Study Abroad

By Missy Gluckmann International Education Tools, Travel Tips, faculty led study abroad, safety abroad 2 Comments »

Study abroad takes a great deal of planning and careful thought regarding finances.  Here is Melibee’s top 5 list on using credit cards overseas.

1)  Read the credit card agreement. Most people never bother to do this, so have no idea what policies apply to using your card, domestically OR abroad. The agreement will cover transaction fees, late fees, APR (annual percentage rate), credit limits and more.  You should also visit your local bank to know if  you can use your debit card abroad and if there are associated fees. In my experience, this can often be the most cost effective way to pay for services abroad and to obtain cash. However, read on, as there can be issues with these too!

2) Have a plan for when you will and won’t use the credit card. Will it be for emergencies only?  Will it be for specific purchases such as souvenirs or hotels?  Know the cost/benefit of using the card in these cases. For example, if your credit card comes with a rewards program and you plan to use the card to obtain airline miles (or that “gift” electronic gadget that you’re only 1000 points away from scoring), realize that it could easily cost you the same amount, or more, in transaction fees to reach these reward program goals. It is necessary to take the time to understand the consequences of purchases abroad.  You will need a strategy!  For example, what service fee will be charged?  (It is often a % of the purchase amount vs a flat fee.)  Charging purchases in the adrenaline rush of international travel and study can quickly snowball into a staggering bill and years of payments when not managed properly. Not managing the budget can result in issues with credit scores (in the US) – which is a lifeline for future credit.  Take it seriously!

3) Notify the credit card company of your upcoming study abroad and tell them where you plan to study and travel. Your card can and often will be frozen if there is an unusual pattern of purchases.  Carrying a 2nd, back up, card can help if this does happen even after calling your card company.  You can ask for a back up copy of your main credit card, but don’t activate it abroad unless your first card is frozen.  And have a back up plan in case the card isn’t available – keep a reasonable supply of cash on you.  A reasonable amount will depend on where you are studying and traveling.  Ask whether you’ll need to show ID (such as your passport) when using the card abroad.  This is often the case in some locations or venues.

4) Chip cards with a PIN (personal identification number) cards can often be more efficient abroad. Many other countries will not be able to process credit (or debit) cards that only have a magnetic strip, which is the type of card that the US likes to issue.  The US is very behind in this area and it has caused many woes for travelers abroad.  In these cases, there is often no ability to manually punch the card number into the machine either.  And be forewarned that some establishments (in the US and abroad) will not accept the American Express card (chip or no chip) simply because their processing fees are higher than Mastercard and Visa.

5) Sign up for on-line bill payment.  This will allow you to quickly see your purchases and associated fees, as well as receive emails with the due date of your payments. This will help you to avoid any late fees and allow time to adjust your budget, based on your spending patterns, if needed.

And here is a bonus tip for program administrators and faculty:

6)  Study Abroad programs should include a policy/plan regarding students who, despite all of these tips, still are unsuccessful using their cards abroad. I have worked with many faculty who are asked, in a moment of student desperation, to foot the bill when a student’s credit card does not work abroad and they have no funds for something as basic as meals. (It does happen – and you’ll often hear about it from other students who notice that another student hasn’t eaten in 2 days!)  All students should be asked to sign a document (pre-departure) that confirms that they will need to reimburse the program (within “x” number of days) for any funds that were spent due to an emergency.

I hope these tips are useful.  Be sure to comment if you have other advice to share on the subject!

Tagged with: • • • • •
Aug 07

Study Abroad: How are Muslims Being Impacted by Stereotypes?

By Missy Gluckmann Middle East, Multicultural Lives, Muslims, Uncategorized, safety abroad 2 Comments »

The Wisdom of our Youth

The New York Times recently reported about the increased number of American students studying abroad in the Middle East.  The article, Life Lessons in the Middle East, covers several students’ experiences at institutions such as the American University of Cairo and the American University of Beirut, documenting their language study and travel.  The article states that these students have been not been met with any anti-American sentiment, rather with the occasional disagreement regarding foreign policy.  This in an uplifting piece, suggesting that despite increased conflict in the world, we still seek to learn about each other and to explore our commonalities, moving beyond the negative stereotypes that are frequently perpetuated about this region of the world.

Sounds peachy, right?

I thought so, until I heard a radio interview about the recent situation that Mr. Yahya Wehelie, a 26-year-old Muslim/US citizen, found himself in while attempting to return home to the US after a period abroad.  Mr. Wehelie was born in Fairfax, Virginia to Somali parents and he spent 18 months studying in Yemen. He left in early May, only to be told upon arrival in Egypt (where he was to change planes on his way home to Virginia) that he was on the “no fly list” and could not board the plane.  Why? Because he had spoken with some questionable people who were being watched by the FBI while in Yemen. He claims that he had shared no more than polite conversation with these people and that he simply wanted to return home to “his mother’s cooking.” Despite being questioned by the FBI several times, he was not permitted to return home until 2 months later, and only after legal intervention.

Ironically, Mr. Wehelie had gone to Yemen to study Arabic at his mother’s request.  According to MSNBC’s article, Wehelie’s family said “it was natural for the family to send him there to study. Many Somalis live in Yemen, and educational opportunities there are cheaper than in other parts of the Middle East.”

Muslims abroad are increased targets for discrimination, even when simply attempting to earn educational credentials to further their careers. Mr. Olugu Ukpai, a Christian Nigerian PhD candidate studying in England, wrote a heartfelt op-ed in the New American Media (NAM) that was picked up by the Muslim Observer earlier this year about his experience as a student in England.  Prompted by the media’s reporting about Mr. Umar Faruq Abdulmutallab’s failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner in December, Ukpai describes his concerns about Nigerians being labeled as being from “the hotbed of Al Queda,” as the media seemed to describe his home country after the December incident. As a result of one Nigerian’s involvement in an attempted terrorist attack, Nigeria is now on a list of 14 countries whose citizens will be singled out for additional screening when coming to the US. (My humble opinion is that this is ridiculous; have we not realized that anyone, including an American, can be part of Al Queda’s network?)  Ukpai also writes about the fear that Nigerian parents have of sending their children abroad, skeptical of “cults” that their children could be exposed to. The article also cites a study by the University of Notre Dame in 2009 that found that parents tended to know only 10 percent of what their children were doing abroad.

We all want to live in as safe a world as possible, yet how does our nation strike a fine balance between protecting our citizens and not discriminating against Muslims?  It is not ironic that the number of Americans going abroad to study in the Middle East are being countered with increasing numbers of Muslims studying abroad landing on the no fly list (pun intended) once outside of the US? Education is supposed to be about having new experiences, yet if one portion of the potential student equation is constantly questioned about their role in the intercultural dialogue, how can we ever move forward to a more peaceful world?  Don’t we create more of the same old “us/them” mentality this way?  And isn’t that completely counterproductive to learning in a cross-cultural setting?

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts and experiences around this issue.  Feel free to comment.

(Note:  I have edited this article since its original posting to clarify two points: 1) Mr. Ukpai is a Christian Nigerian and 2) Mr. Ukpai’s original op-ed was published in the New American Media.  It was picked up at a later date by the Muslim Observer, which is where I read the piece initially.)

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • •
Jun 15

Reflections on the World Cup and South Africa

By Missy Gluckmann Career, International Education Tools, Multicultural Lives, Uncategorized, safety abroad 2 Comments »

Guest blogger, Stefanie DeLeo

I am delighted that Ms. Stefanie DeLeo has written today’s guest blog.  (Please be sure to read her bio below.) I am equally delighted to disclose that Stefanie is my cousin. She has an extensive travel background, supporting the theory that it must be something in our gene pool!  Please enjoy her commentary on the World Cup and South Africa.

When asked to write about opinions on the World Cup in South Africa, I didn’t know where to begin.  I am an American who lived and worked in South Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two and a half years.  My relationship with South Africa became a love-hate relationship that stretches my emotions from immense joy to blood boiling frustration.

I first learned about the World Cup being held in South Africa long before I was slated to move there.  I had always had a desire to go to South Africa, and my only real thoughts about the Cup being held there was, “wow, that’s so cool.”  Flash forward a few years, and I can remember being in South Africa and seeing huge countdown signs on every street and in every restaurant reading “739 days until kickoff…738 days until kickoff…”  Hard to believe we are now in the midst of it.  My thoughts after living there were no longer, “cool,” but rather, “how on earth will this country pull it off?”

In 1997 Nelson Mandela invited and welcomed the Peace Corps into South Africa with the purpose of educational reform and community development in rural black villages.  By the time my group arrived in 2007, the Peace Corps decided to expand its work into the Afrikaner community, and I was one of four volunteers selected to live in town working in a racially diverse school.  While there, I used my graduate training from New York University in Educational Theater to rewrite curriculum and use theater as a tool for socially conscious dialogue.

Though my experience was the most amazing of my life, it had its share of challenges.  The high violent crime rate, which was once just an abstract idea, was now part of daily life.  Like the local people, we lived in houses with burglar bars over the doors and windows, and going out after dark was unheard of.  All of my local friends had had brushes with crime.  The Peace Corps group before us joked that we wouldn’t officially be true South African volunteers until we got mugged – at least twice.  Another frustration included a slower pace of life and very different work ethic.  As a fast paced New Yorker, it was a daily struggle to acclimate to my new host culture.

The crime and slower pace of life, underscored with political and racial tensions, certainly left many of us wondering how a World Cup could be pulled off successfully, and yet, so far, the games have gone on without major incident.  The stadiums were completed, contrary to predictions made by the international sporting community.  In addition, the police force has mobilized and acted swiftly to keep the 350,000 plus visitors safe.

The harder thing to fathom, which has less impact on the World Cup and more impact on the country’s post-Cup life, is the racial and political tensions.  While rugby has often been considered the “white” sport, soccer has often been perceived as the “black” sport.  This is evident both in the color of the athletes, and by the majority of spectators in each sporting event.  Would the country be able to ban together to support such a huge soccer event in the same way they came together for the 1995 Rugby World Cup?

The film Invictus demonstrated how sport has served as both a political and racial unifier.  What I witnessed in the two and half years in South Africa was a shift from skepticism to pride.  Many of my South African friends shared their doubt that their country could pull this off.  By the end of my time in South Africa, many of those same people were wearing FIFA shirts and telling me how proud they were to be South African.  People of different races, cultures and languages waved the same flag as South Africa surprised everyone by tying Mexico, while the whole world watched.  This Cup has been a chance for people to be proud of where their country has been, where they are and where they certainly have the potential to be.

About the Author:

Stefanie DeLeo graduated from Eastern Nazarene College in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) in 2004, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Theater.  After taking a year off to direct a show at a Boston middle school, she moved back to her native New York to earn her Masters Degree from New York University, in 2006, in Educational Theater.  Stefanie also recently returned from two and a half years in the Peace Corps, serving in South Africa, where she focused on theater for social change in rural schools. She has traveled extensively and has worked as director, playwright and English teacher, with two of her plays being produced in New York .  Stefanie writes for an online travel site – please see her travel video and photo that were entered into a contest. (You can feel free to vote for the video/photo if so moved). Feel free to contact Stefanie at NatalilyS@aol.com.

South Africa's school children

Johannesburg, one of the World Cup host cities

(Photos courtesy of Stefanie DeLeo.)

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
May 31

Amanda Knox in Court for Slander Case

By Missy Gluckmann Amanda Knox/Meredith Kercher, safety abroad 13 Comments »

Amanda Knox is expected to be in court on Tuesday, June 1st, regarding her accusation of abuse by Perugia police.  Ms. Knox has claimed that she was struck in the back of the head during questioning and this resulted in cries of slander by Prosecutor Guiliano Mignini.

Amanda Knox

While scouring the news this morning, I came across a post by the Barbie Latza Nadeau, a journalist for the DailyBeast.com. She is also the author of the book “Angel Face”, the first book about the case written by a bi-lingual journalist who attended the trial (she is fluent in English and Italian). Ms. Nadeau poses 10 questions to Amanda Knox in today’s blog on the DailyBeast.com. The questions are of the variety that are meant to provoke the Knox camp – and they have responded en force.

I am a study abroad administrator and not an attorney or juror. I again will state that it is not my role to form an opinion on whether Ms. Knox is guilty.  What I will say is that the 10 questions and comments under Ms. Nadeau’s post are full of strong opinion, passion and rage in support of both sides.

As a study abroad administrator, this case again reinforces for me how necessary it is to have frank dialogue with students about the serious consequences of being accused of committing a crime abroad. While pre-departure orientation tends to focus on the academic processes, travel logistics, cultural adaptation and such, it tends to gloss over the challenges of how being treated under local laws in a foreign country can land you in a different cultural pot of hot water.  As I do not know the details of the pre-departure study abroad orientations at Ms. Knox and Ms. Kercher’s home schools in the US and England, I will refrain from commenting about the specifics of what “should” have been covered in the pre-departure orientations.

Most US based schools review policy about the use of alcohol and drugs in pre-departure orientation materials and/or group meetings.  However, the focus is often of the institutional policy position related to the home school’s student code of conduct and often speaks to representation of the home school, home country, etc.  The Knox case adds a whole new layer to the seriousness of engaging in ‘recreational’ use of illegal drugs. It is clear that Ms. Knox’s confession of smoking marijuana the night of the murder has certainly diminished the credibility of her recollection during the trial.

Let me again remind you that I am an international educator with no firm answer as to “whodunnit.”  It isn’t my role to argue a position and it would be irresponsible of me to form an opinion based on press reports, tabloid media, and pressure to do so. But what I can express, with a heavy heart, is that two young women who left their home countries to embark on an exciting academic and personal experience in Perugia, lost their lives the night that one was murdered in Perugia.

Tagged with: • • • •
Apr 14

Study Abroad “Bill of Rights”

By Missy Gluckmann Professional Development, Uncategorized, safety abroad No Comments »

This past month, I attended the Forum on Education Abroad’s conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. I participated in the Standards of Good Practice Institute “Beyond the Basics of Health, Safety and Security.” Being in the US, much of the conversation included liability and as a result, the dialogue, as it often does, turned to “what not to do, rules, policies and regulations.”

Before I continue, I must share a personal experience. This past weekend, I was trusted by a dear friend to participate in her family’s gathering at the beside of her husband who was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  Sadly, he passed away early on Saturday morning and it was a rough weekend.  During our time in the ICU, I repeatedly found myself encouraging my friend to push back at the multitude of medical people (and maintenance people) who kept entering her husband’s sacred space as he simply tried to heal and rest.  I kept repeating to her – “Where is the patient’s bill of rights? You can remind the staff that you have the right to refuse treatment and to know what the intent of these people is when they enter his space.”  Every time she felt weak, I reminded her of her rights. The hospital often reminded her of what they “couldn’t or wouldn’t do”, which appeared to come from a place of fear and potential liability.  Despite all of their intent to provide care, it was hard not to feel the liability issue driving many of their actions.

In my life experience, I have learned that decisions and actions made from a place of fear are never the best for growth.

My experience at the ICU this past weekend reminded me of my reaction to comments about legal issues discussed at the Institute.  Liability issues kept surfacing, leaning the conversation toward what students should not do versus what they could be encouraged to do.

I kept thinking – what if we flipped the script?  What if we focused on what students CAN and SHOULD do to more fully experience another culture?  What if we ignored liability, our legal advisers, our fear of lawsuits….and created a bill of rights for students?  What would your bill of rights for your students look like?

Would your fantasy student bill of rights include these?

1) You have the right to receive respectful support in an environment free of fear driven U.S. legalese.

2) You have the right to ride a moped without a helmet, take local transportation even if it means riding in the back of a pickup truck without a seatbelt, and to drink alcohol responsibly  – knowing that you could get seriously injured and remembering that you do represent your own personal character, integrity, family, college and country.

3) You have the right to ask your mom, dad and/or guardian not to try to fix all of your problems for you.  You have the right to think for yourself (even if your brain is not fully developed), practice problem solving skills, reflect, work through your “stuff” and talk with your peers about what challenges you abroad.  And if you feel that you need help, you are warmly encouraged to talk with your program’s support team – in your home country, host country or both.

4) You have the right to travel outside your host country if that is what you feel you will most enjoy and learn from at this stage in your young life.

5) You have the right to not fill out an evaluation if you believe that it is too soon to properly reflect upon your experience abroad.

Now, I realize that these may be seen as a bit extreme to most – but wouldn’t it be interesting to explore the concept of a study abroad student bill of rights?

What are your thoughts on the subject?  Please comment so that we can generate some meaningful dialogue.

Tagged with: • • • • • •
Mar 24

Forum on Education Abroad Conference: Day 1 (March 24, 2010)

By Missy Gluckmann Forum on Education Abroad, International Education Conferences, International Education Tools, March 2010, Professional Development, Research, Travel Tips, safety abroad 7 Comments »

I must begin this post by commending the Forum on Education Abroad  for starting this conference off on the right foot.  I attended the Standards of Good Practice Institute (Beyond the Basics of Health, Safety and Security) and it easily met my expectations.  The depth of knowledge was exactly what I had hoped for while the format of a mix of roundtable discussions, panels and case studies did not let me down.

Before I go any further, I must describe the scene in Charlotte.  I arrived to a rambunctious group of Mexican soccer fans at the Westin Hotel! Apparently the Mexican soccer team is playing against a friendly game against Iceland tonight. This photo is of fans outside the hotel today, waiting for the team to leave the hotel. There were HUNDREDS of fans!

Fans of the Mexican soccer team await their heroes outside the hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina

 

I attended the day long Standards Institute – each session was 90 minutes with a plenary over lunch.  As much was covered, I will simply share some highlights.

Session 1:  ”You be the Judge: Case Studies in Risk, Negligence and Risk Management” was an excellent overview of legal terms and the definition of negligence. Presenter Julie Friend, JD, International Analyst for Travel, Health, Safety and Security for Michigan State University schooled us in legal terminology. She spoke about negligence (the careless performance of a legally required duty or the failure to perform a legally required act) and how a plaintiff must establish 4 elements:  duty, breach, causation and damages. She explained that if you plan not to follow a State Department travel alert suggestion, you must carefully document why you did not heed the government’s recommended standards.  If you do not do so effectively, you could be considered a breech of duty because the institution failed to conform to recommended standards. She recommended an article by Hoye (2006) :  “Legal Issues Influencing International Study Abroad Programs.” 

Session 2:  ”Where Does Student Responsibility for Student Health and Safety Begin and End?” That is the million dollar question for many of us in this field.  Of course, we all think that students should generally be more responsible than they are!  The highlight of this session was the presentation by a student, Ms. Sarah Hager.  She studied abroad in Morocco Fall 2009 and reflected on her orientation and how useful many of the tips and suggestions were.  She provided examples of using logic and following carefully doled out advice.  Then she spoke about the challenges of the rules of her program – for example, students were not permitted to surf even though there were free surfing lessons available. She could not ride a motorbike even though it was common practice in the country.  

Sarah chose to conduct research on the treatment of homosexuals in Morocco.  She and her translator traveled to Casablanca to go to an underground gay party, where she intended to conduct interviews for her research. After her first interview, the manager of the establishment kicked her and the translator out, afraid that they were investigating his property. Upon reflection, she realized that she could have been arrested and how that would have been a very difficult situation. Isn’t hindsight ALWAYS 20/20?

Her experience and perspective were refreshing – she was home, safe and sound and could articulate, diplomatically, why she felt the need to “break” some rules along the way. I smiled, and while slightly horrified at the thought of dealing with any issues related to her decisions, I was educated by hear her frank remarks, youthful perspective and solid determination to study a sensitive subject abroad.

Study Abroad student, Sarah Hager

Sarah Hager presents on her experiences in Morocco.

 

Keynote:  Dr. Eric Shaw. “Risk Measurement, Management and Mitigation as Best Practices Before, During and After.”  Dr. Shaw is an Associate Professor in the US Naval War College and a very engaging speaker.  He covered a lot, but I might suggest that you take a look at the GAR model, a risk assessment tool used in the US Coast Guard.

Dr. Eric Shaw (US Naval War College) and Bill Frederick (School for Field Studies)

 

Session 3:  ”Assessing Adequate Coverage: Case Studies in Disability Accomodations and Insurance Planning.”  This session covered some very useful gems:

 - the new health care bill does not apply to study abroad programs because it is considered a supplementary insurance plan.

- accommodation is a very fine line – it is often obligatory to provide accommodation in the classroom, but there is much more leeway with non-academic issues such as housing.  

-be creative about excursions.  Nine of out ten times, you can find a great excursion that will be more inclusive for all of your students.

Session 4:  ”Beyond the Basics: Case Studies Amidst Psychological Challenges.” 

Dina Nunziato, Director of Counseling Services at Sarah Lawrence College, spoke about the human brain and how it actually continues to develop into our early 20s.  The late adolescent brain is designed to be impulsive and respond with a “gut reaction.”  This prompted much discussion in our break out groups about how the freshman experience abroad really IS more demanding and how we can restructure orientation and communication to better support the young, developing brain!

I must digress for a moment – I hear many cars honking outside – I think Mexico won that game!  :)  Will do my best to blog tomorrow. I look forward to your questions and comments meanwhile.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Jan 20

Thoughts on Travel Into/Out of the United States

By Missy Gluckmann Travel Tips, safety abroad 2 Comments »

I have been daydreaming recently about how easy it used to be to fly.  For those of us who traveled before 9/11, our biggest worry may have been ‘what movie is being offered on the plane?  Or should I ask for the pretzels or peanuts?’

Boy, travel sure has changed since then.

Thanks to the antics of the “Christmas Day bomber” over Detroit, the rules and processes for entering the US resulted in a bit of Transportation Security Administration lunacy.  First, we were told that airlines landing in the US would not be permitted to allow passengers to stand one hour before arrival.  Then we were told that no one could cover their lap with a blanket, jacket or anything else, including a magazine.

I had to ask myself the obvious questions: Couldn’t someone light their undergarments 1 hour into a flight (vs 1 hour prior to landing)?  Or couldn’t someone ignite something hiding in the sleeve of a shirt (vs on their actual lap)?  Wasn’t this getting a bit silly?  I mean really, if you’re willing to blow your private parts up for the sake of terrorism, I think you could get up an hour and ten minutes before landing and achieve the same outcome in the toilet vs. in your seat?

I don’t mean to minimize the importance of security.  I want to be safe at the airport and on the plane as much as the next person. Yet, when I really stop and think about the number of flights going into and out of any major airport in the States, I am humbly reminded that safety cannot ever be guaranteed.  That is, unless each person that attempts to get on a plane arrives 6 – 10 hours before a flight, is strip searched, has a body scan, has every item in their possession analyzed and tested for chemicals and after the trauma of all of that, likely will need some emotional comfort before proceeding to their seat! (After all, we do love our therapy in the US!)

But really now – who wants to live in a world that has to operate this way?

Considering the number of flights that depart/arrive in the US each day, we seem to have relatively few security issues.  Statistically, we are doing pretty well.  Yet when something does go wrong, the TSA’s response is to come up with knee-jerk, laughable rules that last a week until someone sits down and realizes how truly ridiculous they are.

Somehow, instead of laughing, I just feel rather sad about the whole thing. I feel such a deep loss that a young man could be convinced that setting off an explosion in his underwear would be a useful and productive way to communicate a message of anger and hatred.  I even feel sad about the loss of his future, one that once appeared so promising. I feel for his parents and imagine their confusion and horror. I feel for the people on that flight who could have lost their lives. I think of their families and friends, particularly since I went to high school with a remarkable young woman who died on Pan Am 103.  How does one go on when such a tragedy occurs to a loved one?

And at the same time, I cannot help but think -  Is  it more ridiculous to blow up your undies than to have to monitor how much water you drink on a flight because you can’t get up 60 minutes before you land?

And today I am asking myself – what went wrong in this world that I have to write such a horrific blog post?

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
preload preload preload