FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Study Abroad Programs sponsored by the Center for International Business at the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration.
- When can I apply for 2010?
- What is required as part of the application process?
- Which destinations/courses are offered for 2010?
- Is it possible to enroll in 2 courses and go on 2 trips?
- Who is eligible to enroll in the courses?
- Is it possible to go on a trip without enrolling in a course?
- Can spouses or friends go on the trips?
- How many students will be accepted for each trip?
- What are the associated costs?
- If I apply and then cannot attend, what kind of refund is available?
- Are scholarships or financial aid available?
- What additional information is there for study abroad from UMKC?
- I am a Kansas resident and I want to do two trips. How will this impact my fees?
- How will these credits apply to my program?
- What is the workload like in these courses?
- Do I have to attend any special classes or meetings as part of the trip?
- I don't have a passport yet. How do I apply for one?
- I've never been abroad before. Are these trips appropriate for me?
- Why should I consider a pre or post trip?
For additional information about each of the individual courses/trips see pages for the individual courses: China, Germany, and England.
Address additional questions to the professors teaching the individual courses or to Nancy Wilkinson in Student Services, wilkinsonn@umkc.edu or 816-235-2217.
Answers:
1. When can I apply for 2010?
We are currently accepting applications for all courses. Fully completed applications will be reviewed by faculty and staff on a rolling admission basis. Once reviewed you will be notified quickly. You should await booking airfare until you are notified that the course has sufficient enrollments.
The priority application deadline is December 1, 2009. Classes will start in February and meet during the spring. Students should apply as soon as possible since courses will likely fill quickly. No applications will be considered after classes have started.
Students should contact Nancy Wilkinson in Student Services or the faculty member leading the trip to determine whether spaces are available. If your first choice is filled, please consider another destination. All of the trips should be amazing experiences!
2. What is required as part of the application process?
A completed application includes the application form, letter of recommendation, statement of purpose and deposit. Only completed applications will be accepted. The deposit amount is $500 per trip and can be paid by check (payable to UMKC) or by credit card.
3. Which destinations/courses are offered for 2010?
In 2010, there are courses designed around three exciting destinations; one in Asia and two in Europe.
- Shanghai, China
- Munich, Germany
- London, England
3 hours of undergraduate (MGT 470) or graduate (MGT 5552) credit may be earned per course up to six hours total.
4. Is it possible to enroll in 2 courses and go on 2 trips?
It is certainly possible to enroll in 2 courses and take 2 trips! The scheduling of the courses is designed to facilitate this. In the past, approximately 25% of the participants took 2 courses.
No more than 6 hours may be earned within a Bloch degree program. Students who enrolled in one or two of the courses as an undergraduate Bloch School student may generally take the courses again if they are now pursuing a graduate degree through Bloch.
Of course, students should always check with their advisor to ensure all courses will count toward their degrees.
5. Who is eligible to enroll in the courses?
Preference for spots is given to degree-seeking Bloch School students and those pursuing the Business Minor. However students from other academic units at UMKC are welcome to apply. To be eligible, you must have completed one semester at UMKC prior to the start of the trip in May. Undergraduate applicants must have a 2.75 UM GPA. A transfer GPA will be reviewed for students who entered UMKC in fall 2009. Graduate students must be in good standing.
Students from other universities may apply as well. Beyond the application, these students will need to apply for admission to a UMKC degree program or for entry as a non-degree-seeking student. Certain restrictions apply to non-degree seeking enrollment. Please take a moment to review our visiting student requirements.
The university may have additional requirements for participation in study abroad programs that must be met. See the Center for International Academic Programs Web site for more information.
6. Is it possible to go on a trip without enrolling in a course?
No. Students must be enrolled in the appropriate course and pay tuition in order to participate in the study abroad program. It may be possible to audit the course.
7. Can spouses or friends go on the trips?
Not unless they are enrolled in the course. Of course, students can travel with them before or after the trip.
8. How many students will be accepted for each trip?
Generally up to 24 students will be accepted for each trip. The limit is set at this level as this tends to be the maximum number of guests some of our business visits can accommodate. Additionally, much of the in-country travel is done via public transportation. Moving groups larger than this would require special arrangements that could potentially be more costly to the participants.
9. What are the associated costs?
The Bloch School is extremely committed to delivering this program at an affordable rate for our students by using inexpensive accommodations and modes of transportation wherever possible.
The Bloch School collects deposits at the time of application for each program to cover accommodations and some transportation expenses while abroad. The amount of the deposit for each course is $500. These deposits are refundable (less a $100 fee) until arrangements for accommodations must be finalized (by January 31st). The deposit is fully refunded in the case of rejected applications to the program. (Due to currency fluctuations and changes in the costs of accommodations, additional funds may be collected prior to the trip). The deposit may be paid by credit card or check (payable to UMKC).
Students are also responsible for:
- 3 hours tuition/fees per class/trip. (Paid and counted as Summer 2010 tuition.)
- Airfare to/from the international destinations.
- Meals during the trip.
- Local public transportation costs.
- Entrance fees for cultural visits.
- Incidentals.
- Passport, if you do not already have one.
- Visa, if traveling to China or if you are an international student required to have a visa to enter England or Germany.
- University required HTH Health Insurance.
Please note that the tuition and fees associated with the study abroad classes are the same as that charged for "regular" Bloch School course work.
Click here for 2009 budget information. Note: your actual costs may vary depending on exchange rates, participation in pre or post trips and what you do in your free time.
10. What if I apply and then cannot attend, what kind of refund is available?
The $500 per trip deposit collected at the time of application can be refunded in part, less a $100 fee, until accommodations have been secured. Because of the number of hotel rooms being reserved, we have to make payment well in advance of the trip to secure accommodations. Payments are usually made at the end of January unless the hotel requires money at a different time.
Deposits are refunded in full if a student's application is rejected.
11. Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes. Information about and applications for Bloch School scholarships are available.
In particular the Azima and Dick scholarships are designed for study abroad programs. Additionally, we will award a number of scholarships exclusively for Bloch School study abroad students.
The early deadline for Bloch study abroad scholarships is December 1, 2009. Six $500 study abroad awards will be made to students who apply for scholarships and study abroad by December 1. The Azima and Dick scholarships, four $500 study abroad awards and all of the general Bloch School awards will be available in spring (February 1 application deadline). Please clearly indicate on the application that you wish to be considered for a study abroad scholarship. Students who apply for scholarships by December 1 and list non-study abroad awards on their applications will not need to turn in a new application to meet the February 1 deadline unless they seek to amend their original submission.
Other scholarships may be used to assist with tuition costs. Financial aid is often available to defray tuition as well. For information on using financial aid toward your trip, please contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
Please note that any financial aid or scholarships received are applied to your student account to pay for tuition. Because these classes are part of the summer semester, any refund you are due would not come until after the trips. You should budget knowing that any money coming in to help defray costs will probably come after the fact.
12. What additional information is there for study abroad from UMKC?
The Center for International Academic Programs at UMKC has additional policies and information that apply to all UMKC students while studying abroad. This information is available on their Web site.
13. I am a Kansas resident and want to do two trips. How will this impact my fees?
Domestic students who are not Missouri residents may be charged out of state fees if enrolling in more than three credit hours between study abroad and summer semester courses. The non-resident fee is waived for part-time students who enroll in three credit hours or less in the summer term. These study abroad courses are considered part of the summer semester.
Students whose state of residence (at the time of application/admission to UMKC) is Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota or Wisconsin, may be eligible to pay a reduced out of state rate (Midwest Student Exchange rate) when enrolling beyond the limits set for the non-resident tuition scholarship. To apply for reclassification as a Midwest Student Exchange Student, contact Noelle Seufert in the UMKC Office of Admissions, 816-235-5215 or by e-mail at seufertn@umkc.edu.
14. How will these credits apply to my program?
Undergraduate students can earn up to six hours of study abroad credit to count toward the elective requirement in the BBA or BS Accounting programs. Those students admitted under the "old" BBA program (admitted to the junior/senior program summer 2007 or earlier), can use three hours of study abroad to satisfy their BMA 410 (now MGT 370) requirement. Students pursuing the business minor can use up to three credits of study abroad to satisfy the business elective requirement. If pursuing another degree, please talk with your advisor to learn how study abroad credit fits into your program.
Graduate students can earn up to six hours of study abroad credit. In the MBA program these credits will count as elective, however students in the international business emphasis will count three hours of study abroad credit toward the emphasis area requirement. In the general management emphasis, study abroad credit can be used for the international area of study. Any additional hours will be considered electives. Students pursuing the MPA or MS Accounting degree would generally use these credits as elective, but should confirm this with their faculty advisor before applying.
15. What is the workload like in these courses?
The bulk of course work for study abroad takes place during the spring term. Assignments for the class can include (and are not limited to) attendance at all required course meetings; active participation at all business and cultural visits on the trip; group or individual presentations on a business sector, specific company or culturally significant attraction or event; group or individual papers; summary information in the form of a handout for classmates; readings to complement course content; discussion boards; guest speakers; video presentations; trip/class journals.
Each of these destination cities is unique and has different business/cultural/economic issues and attractions. As a result, no two classes will be the same. Work assigned in one class may not be appropriate in another class, for example, learning some basic expressions in Chinese, would only help those students traveling to China.
To give a better idea of the type of work required in these classes, review the syllabi from the 2009 trips to London, Munich and Shanghai.
16. Do I have to attend any special classes or meetings as part of the trip?
An organizational meeting will be held on a Saturday morning in early February to allow students the opportunity to meet. This session will also include the University's required pre-departure orientation that will be conducted by a member of the Center for International Academic Programs staff.
Three additional class meetings will take place during the spring semester--one in February, one in March and the last in April. The trips will take place in May and early June. Final class meetings will be in late June and early July. Classes meet on Saturdays to avoid conflicts with other classes or work obligations. Additionally, they are usually scheduled so that students participating in two trips can attend both classes in the same day.
Attendance at all sessions is required unless pre-approval has been granted by the faculty coordinator.
17. I don't have a passport yet. How do I get one?
Click here to link to the US Department of State to learn about the process to appy for a passport. Be sure to start this process early!! During peak application times it may take up to 10 weeks to get your passport. If you are traveling to China, you will need your passport to get a visa. Additional information about the visa process will be provided in class, but generally the process is started in April.
18. I've never been abroad before. Are these trips appropriate for me?
YES, absolutely!! Each year we have a number of students who have not traveled abroad previously. This is a very comfortable way to have an international experience. The faculty members leading the trips have been to these cities many times and will help orient you. You will be provided with suggestions on how to book airfare, information on what to expect when you arrive and how to get from the airport to your hotel. Often maps or links to public transportation websites are sent out shortly before departure. Often times students will coordinate their arrangements to travel together. This is not required, but encouraged if you are uneasy about traveling on your own.
Faculty coordinators usually arrive a day or two in advance of the start of the trip to get ready for the students' arrival and to make any final arrangements. If there are changes to any of the information provided, they will send e-mail or add a new post to the class Blackboard site.
Once at your destination, much of the early travel is done as a group. After a day or two most students are comfortable enough to travel on their own or in small groups during their "free time."
19. Why should I consider a pre or post trip?
The pre and post trips allow students the opportunity to extend their trip and experience other exciting cities. Students often think that since they have to pay for the airfare one way or the other, they will take advantage of the opportunity to visit other locales.
The focus of the pre and post trips is on cultural and tourist attractions and does not include business visits. Students benefit from having a knowledgeable faculty member lead the trip and make all of the travel arrangements. A non-refundable administrative fee of $100 is charged for participation in a pre or post trip. Additionally students are asked to make payment for accommodations or transportation at the time arrangements are made. This will be during the spring term and prior to departure.
Students are usually asked to commit to pre or post trip opportunities in February and payments may come due shortly thereafter. Arrangements are made early to assure availability and the best possible price.
