Summer 2008

4 weeks (June 1 - 29, 2008)

Sponsored by the Office of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies in the College of Education and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Offered in collaboration with the Office of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (ORDS) in the College of Education and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) at Michigan State University, this summer program in Dublin, Ireland will provide students a unique opportunity to increase awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of various aspects of disability in the U.S. and abroad. Students will have a variety of opportunities to explore their own attitudes and beliefs about persons with disabilities through formal instruction, as well as an experiential learning component. The program will appeal to both students with and without disabilities who have an interest in disability studies.

By combining coursework and experiential learning in an international setting, students will gain knowledge and experience in this field as it applies to academics (through the classroom setting), other cultures (through field trips), personal experience (through the intentional blending of diverse student groups), and the profession (through experiential learning opportunities). This unique experience will impact the lives of students without disabilities who can, in turn, influence those individuals they encounter in their future careers and personal lives.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits in the following courses:

Graduate credit is also available.

Discussions, lectures, multimedia, and experiential learning opportunities will be utilized to help students develop competencies in understanding, awareness of, and knowledge of persons with disabilities including:

UNDERSTANDING

• how disability has been conceptualized historically and the resulting impact on societal attitudes, values, and beliefs about persons with disabilities

AWARENESS OF

• personal values, attitudes and beliefs about persons with disabilities
• how culture/ethnicity, gender, economic status, age and type of disability interact and impact life experiences of persons with disabilities.
• a variety of community resources available to assist persons with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential and to participate fully in all aspects of society.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• how disability is defined from a variety of social, legal, and political perspectives and why disability is a diversity issue in our society.
• current legislation and public policy that impact persons with disabilities, employers, educators, and society at large.
• how people with a variety of disabilities are able to live a quality lifestyle as the result of technology, social policies, and shifts in public attitude.

What are the requirements?

All majors, with or without disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

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.

Students must also submit an essay with their application 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 be housed in comfortable apartments on the campus of Dublin City University. Each apartment has five double bedrooms with ensuite facilities. These deluxe accommodations have a cable connection, internet access, TV, kitchen, dining/living, and study area.

Breakfasts are included with the room arrangements. The campus is served by several restaurants which offer a wide variety of selections.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Lachandra Donnell
459 Erickson Hall
Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
Phone: (517) 432-0259
Email: cdonnell@msu.edu

Dr. Timothy Tansey
464 Erickson Hall
Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
Phone: (517) 432-0273
Email: ttansey@msu.edu

Valerie Nilson
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
120 Bessey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9642 ext. 226
E-mail: nilson@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 $3,067 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• lodging
• some meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

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

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

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.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

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 deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer 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.

Scholarships are available for students with a documented disability and demonstrated financial need. Contact Valerie Nilson (nilson@msu.edu) for details.

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; however, students are urged to apply by December 1st in order to process a reasonable request for accommodation.

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.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.