FAQs about International Opportunities and Faculty-Led Trips
1. How can I find out about short or long-term international opportunities available through WSU or ICN?
Contact Carol Allen, International Programs Coordinator at the ICN, carola@wsu.edu for information on all international opportunities and to plan for future trips. Check the Global Learning Opportunities section on the ICN web site regularly as all short term faculty-led trips will be listed here. For study-abroad courses during the regular semester or summer contact the Study Abroad staff at WSU International Programs.
2. I speak only English can I still go on a short-term service learning opportunity?
Yes, some opportunities such as the faculty led trip to Belize require only English, as do most experiences in Africa. Spanish is an asset in Peru and is required for undergraduate students on the Ecuador and Honduras trips. Read information concerning the experience you wish to participate in carefully to determine language requirements.
3. I took Spanish (or another language) in high school but I am rusty and don’t know any medical terms in the language. How can I improve my language skills?
a. Take a class focusing on the language of your choice. A medical Spanish (SP 362) course is taught in Spokane and qualifies as at Tier III course.
b. Watch movies, listen to radio or TV programs, and/or read magazines, books, or web sites in the language of your choice.
c. Buy a CD language program and listen while you drive.
d. Look for a conversation partner and practice together. A good source for conversation partners are ESL programs such as those at EWU or GU or find a student who is a native speaker and have coffee once a week.
e. Practice at every opportunity and don’t worry about making mistakes. I once told my roommate who spoke only Spanish that her head was falling off!!!
f. Unless you are fluent you will need an interpreter to assist with history taking and giving instructions to clients.
4. What is the average cost of a short-term learning opportunity?
Costs vary widely depending on the length of the program or trip, the location, and the food and housing costs. Transportation (airfare) is usually the greatest cost and airfares are rising. The trip to Belize has averaged around $1700.00 and includes housing in a local hotel. The Peru trip was about $2500.00 with housing and meals provided by the sponsoring organization. The trips to Ecuador and Honduras have cost around $1200-1500. Costs for shopping, additional meals, and sightseeing side trips are additional.
5. Are there scholarships, loans or fundraising opportunities available to help with the cost?
a. You can write travel costs into your financial aid request if you plan in advance.
b. Some loans and scholarships are available through WSU International Programs as well as from various groups that sponsor international learning opportunities. We hope someday to have an ICN international Travel Scholarship.
c. Students have held garage sales, bake sales, car washes, etc to raise money. Other students have raised money through their churches. More suggestions can be found on the International Volunteer Programs Organization web site http://www.volunteerinternational.org/index-principles2.htm
6. What semester do I have to be in to apply for a global learning opportunity?
a. You may apply during any semester however we do not recommend trying to participate in an international opportunity during your first semester. Trip organizers will identify the level of nursing skills required for each trip. On some trips students from a variety of program levels will be included on others only students who have completed specified courses will be able to participate.
b. We recommend that you talk to Carol Allen (carola@wsu.edu or 509-324-7262), the international programs coordinator as soon as you know you want to participate in an international experience even if you don’t know which one you want to try. Early preparation helps to make a better learning experience.
7. What measures are in place to ensure my safety?
a. Faculty arranging trips consider safety when developing programs in new locations and closely monitor US State Department Travel Advisories and news reports prior to and during trips.
b. You are insured through WSU international programs office (this involves a fee of $25.00 for short term programs during the school year and $75.00 for summer programs). The insurance covers medical expenses and evacuation costs if needed for medical reasons. In addition International Programs registers all student/faculty travelers with the US Embassy in the destination country, provides a satellite telephone, and constant monitoring of events that might pose a risk to travelers.
c. Although all efforts are made to assure student and faculty safety, travelers are reminded that any place in the world can become unsafe due a medical or natural disaster, social unrest, or political upheaval. Every effort will be made to protect student travelers but no one can guarantee absolute safety.