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International Programs (IP) is a unit of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point dedicated to providing low-cost, academically based travel‑study for students. Participants often consider our programs to be the highlight of their university career. Perhaps no other opportunity can teach you as much about your world, your country, and yourself.
The hallmark of our programs has been extensive travel partnered with academics. All of our study tours have ambitious itineraries. Most tours give you an overview, rather than an intensive experience. We are necessarily frugal including housing in pensions and hostels, train travel, and backpacks as the preferred luggage. |
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You are eligible if you have a 2.25 Grade Point Average (GPA)
or are in good standing at another college or university. Check with
International Programs about special application requirements and study abroad
opportunities. Our language specific based programs in France; Germany; Spain
and Mexico require a minimum 2.5 GPA and our semester in Limerick, Liverpool,
Sydney and Christchurch require a 3.0 GPA. Generally, a GPA of 2.75 is needed
for the London Internship program. |
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Our programs generally give preference to students who have prepared themselves
by taking coursework related to the host country. |
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Four of our programs require some language ability. Students applying to go to
Mexico: Oaxaca, Spain: Valladolid, Germany: Marburg, or France: Caen must have
completed the equivalent of four semesters of college-level language courses.
Other program sites have no language prerequisite. |
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Check out our Semester Programs. We
offer a variety of programs!
Our short-term
programs are generally theme oriented (i.e. environmental studies, cultural
geography, or art and design) and change on a regular basis. |
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Give serious consideration to your academic and vocational aspirations. Any
experience abroad will add to your future employability and broaden your
personal horizons, but those that link to your long-term goals will be even more
valuable. Some programs are less expensive than others, but all offer an
incredible experience. Your primary consideration should be how the experience
will help fulfill your goals. We welcome appointments to talk about your
specific needs, or just stop by the office. |
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All credits earned abroad are granted through UWSP. In general they are 300
(junior) level or above and many are general degree requirement (GDR) courses.
Though we cannot offer every student every class they need, our offerings
highlight the culture of our chosen countries while helping students proceed
toward graduation. In some cases independent study options are also available.
To ensure that overseas courses fit into your overall academic program, plan
early and consult your adviser. |
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Yes, though it is more expensive than staying in Stevens Point, studying abroad
is still an affordable way to gain a full semester of credits and experience a
foreign country. |
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For UWSP students, if you are eligible for financial aid, it will apply in at
least the same amount you receive on campus. In most cases, additional loan
money is made available to you. Please contact the Financial Aid Office, Room
106 Student Services Center, 715-346-4771, finaid@uwsp.edu, for details.
Eligible students from other schools may or may not receive financial aid
from their institution. Application to UWSP may entitle them to financial aid.
The IP office arranges to collect financial aid monies since it arrives after
you depart and to send refunds, if any, to the address you give us. |
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There is a good webpage which explains the process. Please click here to get details. |
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You will receive a calendar with information about orientation meetings
during the semester prior to the study abroad or summer travel‑study you have
selected. The meetings will provide more detailed information for current
programs.
You are ultimately responsible for preparing yourself for a semester abroad.
Attend the orientation meetings. Listen attentively, ask questions, and take
notes. Frequently students return and tell us that they wished they had prepared
better.
Our brochures, fact sheets, and files will give you some of the specific
information you seek. Late in the semester before you depart, an intensive
Saturday Departure Workshop is held. Attendance is required for regional
participants. |
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Every student participating in a semester abroad must be admitted to
UWSP as a regular or special student. If you intend to apply for
financial aid at UWSP, you must fill out the regular admission application and
send transcripts as requested. If you are financing your own trip, ask us for a
guest matriculant form. Credits are treated as resident UWSP credits. Grades and
credits will appear on transcripts in the usual manner and be transferred to
your home school. It is up to you to make sure your home university will accept
the credits. |
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When you are accepted as a group member, signify acceptance by sending us a
nonrefundable deposit of $250. If you choose to delay your semester abroad or
transfer your application to another of our programs, you may do so without
penalty. The deposit applies toward the announced price of the program. You will
receive a payment schedule with your acceptance letter. All fees are due prior
to departure. If you are receiving financial aid, we will wait until your aid
arrives. Please supply us with verification of aid eligibility. |
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Program costs include:
- Full-time undergraduate Wisconsin resident tuition; Minnesota resident
students pay a reciprocity fee. Other out-of-state students must pay a $1,000
nonresident surcharge.
- Round trip international airfare for most programs; most flights depart from
Chicago or another Midwest airport. When air is included, airport departure
taxes, where applicable, are also included.
- Lodging and food for the semester including travel‑study tour; a lunch
allowance is usually included. Check your fact sheet or ask your faculty
leader.
- Travel expenses including train or bus fare are included for most programs;
see individual program fact sheets for details.
- CISI health insurance for your "official" time abroad; all students
participating in UW System study abroad programs are REQUIRED to have the state
mandated health/travel insurance coverage. UWSP IP builds this cost into your
program price. Under no circumstances are you allowed to opt out of this
mandatory coverage. The UW System policy covers:
Accidental Death per
Insured
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$15,000.00 |
Medical expenses (per
accident
or sickness): Basic Medical |
$100,000.00 at 100% |
| Emergency Medical
Reunion |
$5,000.00 |
Medical
Evacuation/Repatriation/
Return of Mortal Remains |
Combined limit $50,000.00 |
| WorldNet ID# 577UWIS |
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In addition, all participants in UWSP study abroad programs may also buy
their own health insurance to cover extra medical/hospital costs in the event of
sickness or injury while abroad. The choice of insurance is yours. IP can assist
you by providing information on special health insurance coverage for foreign
travelers.
- An International Student ID card;
- Area field trips required as part of class requirements while at your major
site;
- Guest lecturers and guides.
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Students may sign up for a maximum of 17 credits during the semester. Each
student must take a minimum of 12-14 credits depending on program requirements.
In rare cases, noncredit participation is permitted on our short-term programs,
if the student agrees to attend class regularly and pay the announced price.
An independent study credit option (1-3 credits) is available in some
programs. Graduate credit may be available. Contact the IP office for more
information. |
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You will be receiving instruction in the study center of a university or an
adjacent location and will not, in most cases, be attending classes with
students from your host country. Core courses are mostly humanities and social
studies. Classes will be small and often held in unusual locations or
nontraditional classrooms.
Be aware that professors from the site country may have accents. Professors
accompanying the group may well adapt their material and delivery to the
location. Class schedules are not set up until after your arrival. |
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Students may allocate their free time consistent with class
responsibilities. These are academic programs so students are expected to attend
the classes for which they have enrolled. There is ample free time. Most
weekends are free but check with your leader to be sure. Do not make extensive
"break" plans until you arrive in the country to verify class dates. |
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The faculty leader or our designated on-site coordinator administers all aspects
of the program. The administrator has the right to terminate the participation
of any individual whose conduct disrupts the program, offends persons in the
host country, breaks the law, or endangers someone. |
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No one can say for sure what you will find. You will be going
to lands of contrasts, enigma, and paradox. You may be traversing a continent,
but you will see only a small piece of it. Undoubtedly, you will see things you
do not understand, but if you keep an open mind, you will broaden your horizons
and find yourself asking new questions. |
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Yes, acquisition of a valid passport is the responsibility of the student.
Information on the process will be given to you with forms and an appointment
for passport picture-taking sessions. It will save all of us additional stress
if you start this process immediately upon ACCEPTANCE to a study abroad
program.
When visas are required, this office will obtain them for students who turn
in their passports on time. When passports are required to gain a visa, they
will be returned to students at the airport at the time of departure. |
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Currently there are no vaccinations required for travel in Europe, but a health
advisory letter will be distributed to participants electing programs in
countries where immunizations are recommended. Immunization recommendations can
also be viewed on the Center for Disease Control's website: http://www.cdc.gov. |
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Yes, but only with proper documents, insurance, and preparation. |
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When a participant withdraws
from a program before departure or returns to the U.S. before completion of a
program, the individual must communicate directly with UWSP International
Programs as soon as possible to ensure all essential university
procedures are followed and to receive the fullest refund possible.
Airlines and international service providers, including foreign
universities and their affiliated agencies, often require advanced payments and
impose large cancellation fees. In case of a participant
withdrawal, UWSP International Programs will strive to refund payments as much
as possible to the individual, but UWSP International Programs is not liable for
fees and charges imposed by partner agencies and universities.
UWSP International Programs
does not purchase cancellation insurance for individual participants.
Participants are encouraged to investigate trip cancellation
insurance to determine if such insurance is in their best interest to purchase
privately.
Withdrawal before the
Official Program Commences.
A.
Up to one hundred (100) days prior to
the official program start date: UWSP International Programs will retain the
non-refundable application fee and the arrangement fee. Both fees
are transferable ONCE and only to another UWSP International Program offering.
B.
In the period from one hundred (100)
days to thirty-one (31) days prior to the official program start date: UWSP
International Programs will assess penalties for any purchased or reserved
transportation and accommodation arrangements as well as any other program
expenditure incurred to the date of withdrawal. Application and
arrangement fees are transferable in this period as outlined in point
A.
C.
Thirty (30) days prior to the
official program start date: UWSP International Programs will assess the
penalties listed in point B and any instructional or arrangement costs that
on-site providers assess UWSP International Programs. The
application fee is transferable once as outlined above, but the arrangement fee
is no longer transferable.
Withdrawal during
Official Program: Generally, no refund of any part of the
program costs is possible.
NOTE:
Individual participants are responsible for all expenses and fees charged
for their participation. Any outstanding payments due may be
applied to the participant’s UWSP Billing Account. |
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Put some serious thought into studying abroad. If all you want is a vacation,
your money may be better spent with a travel agency. Studying abroad can be
exhilarating as well as frustrating, fascinating and frightening. It is a
commitment to education as well as step outside of the norm.
UWSP and IP exist to open doors for you. You should approach a study abroad
experience with humility, with an open mind, and with a spirit of discovery, in
the hope that you may learn about new cultures and other parts of the world. In
that spirit, IP invites you to share this adventure.
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