Summer 2008 closed

May 12 – June 1, 2008

Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation in the College of Veterinary Medicine

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Students in this program will have a unique opportunity to learn about the evolution of civilization in Egypt – from the Pharonic and Roman times to present day – and the demands placed by these societies on the Egyptian aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources. The program will provide an overview of the impacts on natural resources and how these impacts were addressed, mitigated or remain unresolved by the rulers or managing authorities at each time period. Students will learn about wildlife and fish populations and their management, and how historically veterinary medicine has evolved.

The program will begin in Alexandria where students will learn about the challenges facing the Mediterranean and Nile delta ecosystems. Students will then go to Sharm El-Sheikh, where they will study the coral reef and mangrove ecosystems. The program will end in Cairo, where students will learn about the health and management issues of the Nile River basin natural resources. Throughout the course, several field trips will be arranged including visits to historical monuments and bazaars.

Students majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Zoology, Natural Resources, Animal Science, and those in STEPPS, CARRS, and James Madison College will find the program relevant and attractive, but any student interested in learning about Egypt’s historical and current natural resource management, economics, pollution and diseases will find this program enriching.

Where does it take place?

The program will take place in Cairo, Alexandria, and Sharm Elsheikh.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of five (5) credits, maximum of six (6), from the following courses:

FW 480	International Studies in Fisheries and Wildlife	3-6 cr.
FW 491	Selected Topics	1-5 cr.
ANR 475	International Studies in Agriculture and Natural Resources	2-6 cr.
ANR 491	Selected Topics	1-4 cr.
VM 290	Special Studies in Veterinary Medicine	1-3 cr.
VM 690	Special Problems in Veterinary Medicine	1-3 cr.
PTH 891	Special Problems in Veterinary Pathology	1-6 cr.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students will be required to submit an essay stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will stay in tourist-class facilities throughout the program.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Mohamed Faisal
Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation
S110 Plant Biology Lab
Phone: (517) 432-8259
E-mail: faisal@msu.edu

Dr. William Taylor
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
13 Natural Resources
Phone: (517) 353-0647
E-mail: taylorw@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $2,500 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• breakfast and dinner
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu

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