LIFE STUFF
1. How should I connect with other students who may be in my Host city from other partner U.S. universities?
Vienna: Meet them at the NEURUS conference in Groningen and stay connected upon your return to your host institution! The facebook page is handy too.
Groningen: In Groningen, Paul van Steen does a great job of introducing all NEURUS participants (regardless, you will most likely meet each other via email correspondence, language course, and/or other NEURUS or University events in September). It is also possible to obtain emails of NEURUS participants from Paul van Steen upon request and/or willingness to share contact information.
2. How can I meet new people and make friends in my Host city?
Vienna: Get to know people in the host department. Get to know people in your language class. Get to know any room-mates you have.
Groningen: The intensive language course in August is a great way to meet a diverse range people and can also help to acclimate upon arrival. The University of Groningen also has an international student group called ESN (http://www.rug.nl/prospectivestudents/information/uponarrival/index) that hosts a welcome week filled with various social events.If this is not of interest to you, the language course you take as well as the Spatial Policies, Spatial Problems course will allow you to meet people.
3. What should I do if I have a medical emergency in my Host city? Am I eligible for UIUC travel medical insurance? Where I can I find out more information on this subject?
Vienna: The UIUC Study Abroad office also has guidance on this: http://www.studyabroad.illinois.edu/faculty_staff/planning/student_mgmt.aspx
Groningen: The study abroad office has a form for international insurance for those participating in an independent international program: http://studyabroad.illinois.edu/earlyplanning/independent_activity.aspx As the SAAF form describes, once you turn in this form, you will also get registered in the study abroad system, and you'll just need to fill it out as specified. (We don't really do anything more with the SAO, but it's good to have your information in their system in case anything happens when you're abroad.) By registering with the UIUC travel insurance, there is an option to opt-out of certain fees (Mckinley health fees), but you must request and sign an additional form.
1. How should I connect with other students who may be in my Host city from other partner U.S. universities?
Vienna: Meet them at the NEURUS conference in Groningen and stay connected upon your return to your host institution! The facebook page is handy too.
Groningen: In Groningen, Paul van Steen does a great job of introducing all NEURUS participants (regardless, you will most likely meet each other via email correspondence, language course, and/or other NEURUS or University events in September). It is also possible to obtain emails of NEURUS participants from Paul van Steen upon request and/or willingness to share contact information.
2. How can I meet new people and make friends in my Host city?
Vienna: Get to know people in the host department. Get to know people in your language class. Get to know any room-mates you have.
Groningen: The intensive language course in August is a great way to meet a diverse range people and can also help to acclimate upon arrival. The University of Groningen also has an international student group called ESN (http://www.rug.nl/prospectivestudents/information/uponarrival/index) that hosts a welcome week filled with various social events.If this is not of interest to you, the language course you take as well as the Spatial Policies, Spatial Problems course will allow you to meet people.
3. What should I do if I have a medical emergency in my Host city? Am I eligible for UIUC travel medical insurance? Where I can I find out more information on this subject?
Vienna: The UIUC Study Abroad office also has guidance on this: http://www.studyabroad.illinois.edu/faculty_staff/planning/student_mgmt.aspx
Groningen: The study abroad office has a form for international insurance for those participating in an independent international program: http://studyabroad.illinois.edu/earlyplanning/independent_activity.aspx As the SAAF form describes, once you turn in this form, you will also get registered in the study abroad system, and you'll just need to fill it out as specified. (We don't really do anything more with the SAO, but it's good to have your information in their system in case anything happens when you're abroad.) By registering with the UIUC travel insurance, there is an option to opt-out of certain fees (Mckinley health fees), but you must request and sign an additional form.