about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid   other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: about (trends & statistics)

Our statistics show that including Fall 2007, 317 Millikin students have studied for a  semester abroad since Spring 1997; and 134 of those students have spent that semester in London.

abroad view "magazine and Web site ... provide a ... unique forum for the communications and exchange of travel experiences and cultural perspectives between and among college students, graduate students, faculty, and recent alumni." The Spring 2004 issue is focused on "finding culture in countries that feel like home," such as England, Ireland and Australia.

USAToday article (Feb. 1, 2004) on studying abroad with programs shorter than a semester. The article refers to the findings of the Open Doors 2003 report, and discusses the pros and cons of such abbreviated travel-abroad experiences.  "Elon University officials acknowledge the potential drawbacks of short-term programs. But if courses are designed to include cultural awareness as a component, as they try to do, `even in a short time you can't help but have your eyes opened a little bit,' says Elon's Nancy Harris, a biology professor and associate dean who co-led the Belize program."

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid   other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: organizations 

IES (the Institute for the International Education of Students), a consortium of more than 150 highly selective U.S. colleges and universities, is a global non-profit educational organization with programs in 22 cities throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America.

Millikin University's affiliation with IES makes it possible for qualified Millikin students, ordinarily in their junior year, to study abroad for a year, a semester, or a summer session in approved IES centers.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators promotes the exchange of students and scholars to and from the United States.  "Our members share a belief that international educational exchange advances learning and scholarship, builds respect among different peoples and encourages constructive leadership in a global community."

• NAFSA Region V (Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin)

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) "was established in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster the exchange of security related information between the U.S. Government and American private sector operating abroad. ... Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, is provided timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investment, facilities, personnel and intellectual property abroad."

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid   other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: helpful websites from other academic institutions

Curriculum integration at the University of Minnesota: a site with a lot of interesting information and a great many useful resources.

Kalamazoo College's Center for International Programs. Policies, procedures and resources for a Study Abroad program at a smaller (1,300 students) school.

Carleton College, Northfield MN: pre-departure information page. Another Millikin-sized institution with an ambitious study-abroad program and helpful web site.

University of Michigan International Center. Information  for studying and working abroad. "Whether you're looking for a volunteer experience, a short-term job, or an international career", this page can help significantly.

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid   other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: vote in US elections while abroad (absentee voting)

The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides information for U.S. citizens who reside outside the United States and wish to vote. Includes "Ten Things to Help Ensure your Absentee Vote is Counted. "  The form for requesting the absentee ballot is available online.

Democrats Abroad "is the official Democratic Party organization for some six million American citizens who live outside the United States." 

Republicans Abroad "is the International Arm of the GOP and was formed to enlist the personal energy and leadership of Republicans living overseas."

Illinois State Board of Elections. Includes Illinois election results.

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid   other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: health insurance

Your own insurance company can add a rider to your existing policy. Ask for a letter that states that this rider is in effect for the duration of your time abroad.

Alternatively, your insurance company may have international coverage that you can purchase. Ask them.

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Services sells  international health insurance policies. Check the web site or call (866) 510-8780. (Note that Millikin does not specifically endorse this option. There are also other companies that offer this type of insurance.)

The ISIC card provides limited health insurance, but is no substitute for a full policy.

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid    other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: Travel and Safety Websites 

US Department of State: http://www.state.gov/

"Internet Resources for Education Abroad." (Prepared by Bill Nolting, University of Michigan International Center, for NAFSA's Education Abroad Knowledge Community at the request of the Education Abroad National Team.) http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/swt/study/resources/internet2000.html

Health/medical and personal safety:

"Information on Health and Safety Abroad." (A Joint Venture of AIEA, NAFSA, Council, NASPA other professional organizations, and a number of study abroad providers) http://www.secussa.nafsa.org/safetyabroad/default.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Traveler's Health: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

CIEE Health Check for Study, Work and Travel Abroad: health alerts. http://www.ciee.org/health_safety/health/alerts.aspx

about Study Abroad   organizations    health insurance   work abroad    safety & travel absentee voting    financial aid    other institutions' helpful sites

Study Abroad: Financial Aid

Millikin University's International Fellows Program , initiated in Spring 2008, provides need-based support options for both semester and immersion (short) programs.

For students going with an IES program, IES offers both merit and need-based scholarships.

"The [federal Congressionally funded] Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means" to study abroad. You must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant when applying or during your time abroad. 

The Phi Kappa Phi honor society offers a range of merit-based scholarships and awards, including study abroad grants, through annual competitions. (Millikin has a PKP chapter.)