{"id":4137,"date":"2023-10-16T11:50:27","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T16:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=4137"},"modified":"2026-02-19T16:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T22:07:09","slug":"preparing-students-to-study-abroad-away","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/preparing-students-to-study-abroad-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing Your Student to Study Abroad\/Away"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Sunset Over the Front Arch\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_4172.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&#038;ssl=1');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-6a0490510c981 {\n\t\t\t\theight: 500px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-6a0490510c981\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay site-panel__img-overlay--teal\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studying abroad\/away offers students the opportunity to engage with people, places, events, and\/or cultures other than those in their daily life on the Hill.\u00a0 Our hope is that students will come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation for their own cultures and life experiences as well as host communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title h3\" id=\"prior-to-departure\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Prior to Departure<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"is-style-default c-caption__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"is-style-default \" alt=\"A Peaceful Flight\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/files\/2023\/03\/26AD9113-50DB-4F4A-875D-55B9287708FA.jpg?resize=600%2C350&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before your student goes abroad\/away, please consider the following items for discussion:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunication from Smith Center\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Email:\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:smith.center@stolaf.edu\">smith.center@stolaf.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Office phone: +1-507-786-3069<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>24 Hour Emergency phone: +1-507-321-2100 (true emergencies only please; calls only \u2013 no texts)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From now through departure, the Smith Center office or the student\u2019s program host may use <\/span><b>email<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>google drive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to provide updates to your student.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students must check their email and google drive program materials frequently for any last minute changes to their program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students must check online with the airlines about their flight schedules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTalk about money and finances\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you reviewed your student\u2019s program <a href=\"https:\/\/stolaf.studioabroad.com\/\">budget sheet<\/a> to know what expenses have been billed to their student account and what expenses must still be paid for out of pocket\/after arrival?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is your St. Olaf <a href=\"https:\/\/sis.stolaf.edu\/sis\/landing-page.cfm\">student account<\/a> up to date and paid in full? Has any student account credit balance been refunded to your student for costs to be paid out of pocket while abroad\/away?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you arrange for your student to have BOTH a<\/span><b> credit card <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(for emergencies) and a <\/span><b>debit card<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (for ATM withdrawals)?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you review the cancellation policy for the program?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThink about your student\u2019s health and mental health\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your student struggles with physical or mental health challenges, take seriously the question of whether this is the best time for your student to study abroad\/away.\u00a0 Too often, students and their families are so excited for the opportunity to study abroad\/away that they discredit the challenges, the risks to the student\u2019s well-being, and the impact to other participants of their student\u2019s needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\">If your student is in need of mental health support, they can visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/timelycare\/\">https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/timelycare\/<\/a>\u00a0for free 24\/7 medical and mental telehealth care.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your student must cancel their participation, remember that the cancellation policy applies and fees can be substantial, rising as the departure date approaches.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDiscuss medications\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your student takes a medication, ensure they have enough to last the entire semester and have checked if their medication is legal in their destination country.\u00a0 This may require assertive follow up with your care provider and pharmacy and with your insurance company. You cannot legally ship medication within the U.S. or abroad.\u00a0 Many medications and dosages are not available in other countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students must carry their medication on the plane with them, not in their checked luggage.\u00a0 If refrigeration is required, check with the airline for regulations and plan ahead for what to do if arrival is delayed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReview student&#039;s insurance\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review your student\u2019s U.S. health insurance and what it covers, especially when \u201cout of network.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eiia.org\/international-travel\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EIIA insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that is automatically available to students going to international destinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students generally have to pay out of pocket for medical care while abroad\/away and then seek reimbursement via insurance.\u00a0 A credit card is often the only acceptable payment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDiscuss family emergencies\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop a plan for what the family will do in the event of an emergency at home (e.g., the death of a grandparent).\u00a0 Will your student return home or remain with their group until the end of the program?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-6\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-6\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tConsider risks\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergency response time in other locations may be significantly different than what would be typical on campus.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fire safety protocols such as smoke detectors may not be the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Responsiveness to allergies and intolerances to food and medication may differ.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the unlikely event of an emergency affecting your student, you will be notified.\u00a0 <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your student is abroad, determine if at least one family member has a valid passport so that if a student needs family assistance in an emergency, a family member is prepared to travel promptly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-7\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-7\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"7\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSet expectations about connections with home\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-7\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-7\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"7\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do <strong>not<\/strong> travel with your student to their program site. They should arrive alone and plan to participate in the group orientation activities to get acquainted with other students, their housing, and their destination.\u00a0 Students are often very busy upon arrival with move in, registration and other exploration activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give your student at least a day or two to check in with you upon arrival. No news is generally good news!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some students choose to text, email, video call, and\/or blog to share their daily lives with home.\u00a0 Some communicate nearly daily, others much less frequently.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We encourage you not to expect excessive communication, as time spent on electronic communication reduces the time spent interacting with their program counterparts and local people at their site.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hope to visit your student, plan ahead to do that during their semester break only.\u00a0 Students need to prioritize their classes over visits with family. Remember that break dates should be finalized before you book a flight!\u00a0 Ideally, wait for the end of the semester to meet with your student, as many students make friends and prefer to travel with their classmates during semester break. If your student is abroad\/away during the January term, your travel with them should be limited to the winter break before the program begins or the J term break after the program ends before spring semester begins. J term programs are highly scheduled, even on weekends, and family should not plan to visit during the month of January. Smith Center staff cannot assist family members with any travel arrangements. Under no circumstances can visitors stay in program-provided housing. This is for safety and liability reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Check your student&#8217;s individual program on housing details. There are many options that they can choose from depending on the program (i.e., program affiliate housing, homestay).\u00a0 Housing information will be sent directly to your student.\u00a0 Please ask them for all housing and in country information.\u00a0 This way you are able to contact them directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-8\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-8\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"8\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReinforce St. Olaf\u2019s expectations for appropriate use of alcohol\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-8\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"8\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many student accidents and incidents could be avoided if alcohol were not a factor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The St. Olaf alcohol policy applies off-campus. Local laws for purchase or consumption of alcohol also apply.\u00a0 Each student has signed a statement indicating he or she will not drink irresponsibly or use drugs (other than by prescription) while off-campus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many parents fear unknown or news-worthy risks when sending their students off-campus, too few take seriously the risk that alcohol poses to their student\u2019s health and safety.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-9\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-9\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"9\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRegister for STEP\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-header-9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510dd42-content-9\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"9\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We ask all students participating in a semester or year program to register with the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/step.state.gov\/step\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to enable participants to receive timely notification of events in any country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>All semester and January Term programs led by a St. Olaf faculty member, the Smith Center will register each participant.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our office monitors several sources daily to ensure we are up to date on world events and we have local contacts whom we can ask for a real-time assessment of on-the-ground conditions throughout the semester.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title h3\" id=\"contact-the-smith-center\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Contact the Smith Center<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Email: <a href=\"mailto:smith.center@stolaf.edu\">smith.center@stolaf.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Office phone: +1-507-786-3069<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>24 Hour Emergency phone: +1-507-321-2100 (true emergencies only please; calls only &#8211; no texts)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"returning-home-and-or-to-campus\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Returning Home and\/or to Campus<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTips for Welcoming Returnees Home\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n<li>Understand that &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/m\/fsi\/tc\/c56075.htm\">reverse culture shock<\/a>&#8221; is a real possibility that comes in all shapes and sizes.\u00a0 Become familiar with its symptoms so that you can recognize it and support your returnee during its various stages.<\/li>\n<li>Understand that returning home\/to campus may be more challenging or stressful than you or they imagined.<\/li>\n<li>Understand that your returnee is, in some way, different than they were when they left for study abroad\/away.\u00a0 They&#8217;ve experienced a variety of things (culture, food, academics, friends, autonomy, etc.) during their study abroad\/away experience.\u00a0 They may still be working to understand some or all of what they&#8217;ve experienced and how they&#8217;ve changed.<\/li>\n<li>Be aware of your own expectations of your returnee. Your returnee also has expectations for what their return will be like and how things will be.<\/li>\n<li>Create opportunities for your returnee to share about their experience.\u00a0 Listen with care.<\/li>\n<li>Understand and acknowledge that your returnee may be experiencing a sense of loss for what they have had to leave behind with their study abroad\/away experience.\u00a0 They may be missing friends, food, their sense of independence and autonomy, an exciting environment, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage continued contact with friends and connections from their study abroad\/away experience.<\/li>\n<li>Expect your returnee to have new perspectives on home, culture, and lifestyle &#8212; at times they make make critical comparisons between their home and host culture.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTravel and Immigration Related Federal Policy and Legislation Updates\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-6a0490510e3f5-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>St. Olaf webpage: <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/communications\/federal-changes\/\">Monitoring Federal Changes<\/a><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4103,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4137","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4137"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9086,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4137\/revisions\/9086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}