Office of the Vice President for Global Engagement

Community and Alumni

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Increase your sphere of influence by supporting study abroad

Are you a parent of a student interested in studying abroad?  Are you a past participant of a SAO program interested in staying involved?  Do you find yourself sharing stories about your study abroad experiences with everyone you meet?  Are you a member of the broader ASU or Tempe communities who would like to support our mission of making study abroad a reality for as many students as possible?  SAO is pleased to work with our past participants and community members to help make ASU study abroad opportunities available to as many students as possible. 

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Advice for Parents

If your student is considering study abroad, you probably have a lot of questions and/or concerns.  We appreciate your interest in your child’s decision to take part in the educational adventure of a lifetime and we are happy to assist you at any time!  This page is designed to address some common concerns you might be thinking about, but also give you advice to use through the entire process from choosing a program to your student’s return home.

The Study Abroad Office (SAO) at Arizona State University offers study abroad programs all around the world.  This is a unique opportunity for students and we hope you share our enthusiasm for what is surely one of the most significant academic experiences of your child’s career.  We also share a concern for your student’s well-being while abroad.  SAO takes participant safety very seriously.  If you would like to receive copies of safety materials or program information distributed to students, we would be happy to send them to you. Please feel free to contact our staff with your questions and concerns.

Will my student be safe?

SAO works diligently to minimize the risk of danger to our students, though total safety cannot, of course, be guaranteed abroad just as it cannot be guaranteed in the United States.  ASU is committed to taking the necessary steps to maximize student safety at every program site. We have certain protocols and guidelines in place to minimize risk to our students:

  • We monitor U.S. Government advisories, considering both those issued by in-country embassies and consulates and by the Department of State in Washington. D.C.
  • Our Program Coordinators are in contact with all students abroad, and students are kept updated on travel warnings or potential threats in their area.
  • SAO maintains an emergency telephone number for students abroad. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Students attend mandatory pre-departure orientation sessions during which health and safety issues are covered in detail.
  • Every program participant has access to a special account with iJET Travel Risk Management services.
  • Students need to leave contact information with advisors, including destinations and hotel information, when traveling from their overseas program sites.

How can I help my student?

There are a number of steps you can take to help ensure that your student’s experience is a positive one. Here are some suggestions:

Pre-Departure Preparation

  • You may want to research the program and destination that your student is considering to alleviate any concerns.  What type of program is it?  Where will my student be living?  How does the program ensure the safety of my child?  Why has my student decided that this is the right program for him/her?  Communicate with your student!
  • Be informed about the program and review program orientation materials given to your students.  Your student may need assistance in determining everything from how to pay for their program to what to pack.  
  • Students may need visas, vaccinations, special documents and so on.  Ensure your student has the appropriate documentation well in advance of departure.  
  • Keep copies of important documents for your student. This includes a copy of the student’s passport and visa cover pages, medical prescriptions, credit card numbers, and social security number.
  • Have your student provide you with all relevant contact information, so you can reach him/her in case of emergency. Remember to get names and phone numbers of Academic Advisors here at ASU and Resident Directors or contact persons abroad. 
  • SAO is required to adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) http://students.asu.edu/policies/ferpa. You may want to have your student file the Consent for Access to Educational Records form on your behalf with ASU so we may provide you with information about your student if needed.  Every student is required to indicate an emergency contact with our office.  Encourage your student to make you that emergency contact.

While Your Student is Abroad

  • Be supportive of and confident in your student, and always keep lines of communication open. 
  • Make sure your student has an easy way to contact you while abroad. Your student should know every possible way to contact you including home phone, work phone, cell phone, fax, email address and so on. As well, you should have a way to contact your student while abroad and should be sure to have SAO contact information for your student while abroad.  
  • Keep track of dates and times you have contact with your student. This makes it easier to locate your student in case of emergency.
  • Try to remain calm if your student doesn’t call at the designated time. Travelers change their plans often…and usually at the last minute! Have a backup plan to reach your student.

Coming Home

  • Your student may return home a changed individual. Your student may be more independent and mature and could possibly have difficulties readjusting to life back home.  Help your student connect with resources that can help with the process of adjusting to life back in the United States.  Ask them questions.  How can you help them?

Useful websites and publications

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Upcoming Events

Throughout the year, the ASU Study Abroad Office (SAO) coordinates and/or participates in a number of events on campus.  We use this page to highlight upcoming events designed for community involvement, continued alumni connectedness and student engagement. 

International Education Week
November 17-21, 2008
All ASU campuses

Have an event that you’d like to see listed here?  Send an email to cges@asu.edu and we’ll get back to you.

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Join Global Devils

Consider joining an ASU student group founded by past participants of SAO study abroad programs.  The mission of the Global Devils student organization is to provide a friendly atmosphere for meeting people from around the world and engaging in cultural exchange. It will help to foster an understanding and appreciation of international issues and other cultures. It will strive to encourage ASU students to get involved with international students, through helping them to feel more comfortable upon their arrival at ASU.

The Global Devils student group would love to have you as part of their exciting organization!  Members of the Global Devils include former study abroad program participants, international students, and anyone else interested in socializing and networking with like-minded people.  Will you consider joining?

ASU Global Devils Leadership

President: Megan Carle
Advisor: Michelle Laws
Vice-President: Jill Carle

E-mail: global.devils@gmail.com

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Devils Go Global 2008 Digital Photo Contest

Increase your level of exposure – show us where in the world you have been!

Do you have exciting photos from your study abroad experience that you would like to share? Enter them in the Study Abroad Office (SAO) Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. Email us your best photos (carefully following the instructions below), from your SAO program.

Who can enter?

You must be a current ASU student and have participated in a Study Abroad Office program. Photos will only be considered from participants of Academic Year 2007-08, Winter 2007-08, Spring 2008, Summer 2008, Fall 2008, or Academic Year 2008-2009 ASU study abroad programs. Photo submissions must be original work (no professional photos will be accepted) and must have been taken by the contestant during his/her study abroad program.

Contest requirements and prizes

  • Digital images ONLY. No hard copies or prints can be accepted.
  • Color, black and white or sepia-tone photos may be submitted.
  • Images should be high resolution—300 dpi or more.
  • Photos should be sent as attachments—preferably as JPGs—one per e-mail.

Photos will be evaluated on the basis of photographic quality and subject material and will be judged in three categories: People, Places, and Artistic Merit. One overall grand prize winner will be awarded. Three first place prizes will be awarded, one in each category.

  • Grand Prize: $300 Travel Voucher, courtesy of STATRAVEL
  • First Place Prizes: To be determined; $50 approximate value

All winning photos will be displayed in the ASU Study Abroad Office at Tempe Center and will be included in an exhibition held during International Education Week (November 17-21).

How to submit an entry

  • All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2008
  • E-mail your digital images to cges@asu.edu
  • The subject line of your e-mail must read: ASU Devils Go Global Photo Contest
  • The body of your email must include your name, the title of your photo, description of what is depicted in photo, your study abroad program and term, and the identity of any other ASU students in the photo (please secure permissions before submitting entry).

Terms of participation

By entering the ASU Devils Go Global Photo Contest you give the ASU Study Abroad Office permission to use your photo(s) in various marketing activities, publications and/or on the Web for the purpose of promoting study abroad at Arizona State University. All photos submitted—both winning and non-winning—will become property of the ASU Study Abroad Office. If you submit a photograph it is understood that you have agreed to these terms.  

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Make a Donation

There are many ways to give to the Study Abroad Office (SAO).  We look forward to working with you to help provide a better future for students participating in a SAO study abroad experience. 

Please contact our office so that we may discuss giving opportunities.

Study Abroad Office
Arizona State University
P.O. Box 874311
Tempe, AZ 85287-4311

(480) 965-5965
cges@asu.edu

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