Academic Interests
Academic Interests
Students studying abroad are eligible to acquire up to six (6) credit hours. Some of these hours can come from language courses and service learning activities, or they can result from completing only international service learning hours.
Requirements and preparation details are listed below:
- Pre-departure orientation
- Pre-departure check list
- Preparing to study abroad
- While you are abroad
- After you return
Pre-departure Orientation
Every student going abroad is required to attend the pre-departure meetings organized by study abroad team leaders. These sessions are designed to convey information about specific programs and countries. Southern University mandates attendance at these meetings in order to ensure that all study abroad participants are aware of program policies and expectations. Failure to attend these sessions will jeopardize a student's chances of studying abroad.
In the event that the time period for the pre-departure meetings presents a conflict with your academic schedule, please call Nadia Gadson in the Center for International Education at 771-2613, or send her an e-mail to nadia_gadson@subr.edu.
Pre-Departure Checklist
- All necessary personal needs
- Regular camera, video camera, portable CD's/cassette players
- Negatives, adapter, cartridges
- Batteries (AA) or particular to your needs
- Repellent
- Notebook, pencils, pens
- Bi-lingual dictionary
- Calculator
- Filled prescriptions (to last three weeks)
- Hand sanitizer
- Comfortable clothing (shorts, jeans, etc.)
- Comfortable footwear (tennis shoes, sandals, house shoes, casual shoes
- Swimming outfit
- Imodium
- Sun block
- Shower slippers, beach shoes, shower cap
- Inexpensive jewelry
- Small umbrella, poncho
- Aspirin, cold medication
- ATM card
- 2 suitcases (airline allows only 2)
- book bag
- sunglasses, eyeglasses
- hand towels
- Antibiotic cream (Neosporin)
- Headgear (caps, hats)
- Pajamas, robes
- Small iron
- Warm-up suit
- Windbreaker
- Copy of your passport
- Never do anything that will embarrass your university, your culture, or your family. We expect you to always exemplify high levels of proper behavior.
- You are expected to abide by the laws of your host country.
- Maintain regular communication with your family back home. Use the internet frequently, and minimize use of the telephone. The net is less costly to use than the telephone system.
- Spend your money wisely. Remember that you want to spread out your personal funds adequately to cover the period of time you will be out of the country.
- Do not pull out large amounts of money in public. Also, do not wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry.
- Never go anywhere alone. Always travel with someone else and let some other person know where you are going.
- Always carry a copy of your passport and your driver's license with you. Immigration officials might stop you anywhere to ask for your documents.
While you are abroad...
The pre-departure session will apprise you of the University's expectations. However, it is imperative to remember that, while studying abroad, you arte an ambassador of your institution, your culture, and your family. Here are some important things to remember:
- Do not leave your luggage unattended in airports or public areas, and never accept packages from strangers.
- You will attend classes daily from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., and receive a grade.
- You will perform community service hours every day, and receive a grade.
- Academic exams will be given almost daily, so you must study and prepare well for class everyday.
- You should always respect your host family's house rules and the laws of the country where you are studying.
- Always carry your host family's address and phone number, the phone number of the host university's international office, and the phone number of your program coordinator.
- Contact your host family to let them know what time you will return from an event. They especially worry about you at night when you are absent from their home.
- Respect your advisors and follow their instructions. They always have your best interest in mind.
- Avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
- Do not participate in demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
- We strongly discourage participation in discussions that are politically charged. You should also avoid discussions about religion.
- Maintain a daily log of your activities. These entries will serve as a diary of your study abroad experience.
After you return ...
After you return to Baton Rouge, your grades will be submitted to the Registrar's Office. Those of you whose program completion extend into the week after your return to the campus, must work with your program coordinator to bring everything together.
Transcripts for non-SUBR students will be sent to the appropriate university.
Center for International Education
P.O. Box 9772
Southern University
Baton Rouge, La. 70813
Monday- Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
225-771-2613