 |
 STUDY ABROAD: A GUIDE FOR WOMEN
Introduction • Access to Information • Where to Find Information on Study Abroad
Other Important Considerations • The Testing and Application Process
Selection/Interviewing Issues • Terms and Conditions of Your Scholarship • Going Abroad
Terms and Conditions of Your Scholarship
Ask Questions
Receiving a scholarship for international education is a significant achievement, and worthy of celebration. The competition is intense, and if you are accepted you have every reason to be very proud. And while it is exciting and an honor to be offered a scholarship, you will now be faced with many other issues.
Be sure you study very carefully the written materials you are sent by the program to ensure that you understand the conditions and restrictions of your award. You may also want to consult existing reference materials to help prepare you for your experience abroad. In general, though, if you have areas of concern, or if you are confused about anything at all do not be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS. Assumptions are very dangerous and if you simply assume that certain things will or will not happen in your host country you may be in for unpleasant surprises. You will not jeopardize your award, nor will anyone think you are overly inquisitive, silly or nervous if you write or call for more information before accepting. This is a big change in your life and a number of people—program and university staff—are there to help you and to ensure that you have a successful experience.
Terms and conditions of the many scholarship programs vary greatly. For some government-administered programs, these parameters (which are often heavily regulated by law) can be quite specific and non-negotiable. Some programs have very thorough guidelines for grantees, others do not. Regardless of the program, there are several broad areas that you may want to think about as you consider your award.
Financial Issues
It is the very rare scholarship that will cover all your expenses for study abroad, including all travel, living costs, health insurance, etc. In the U.S., for example, higher education is extremely expensive, in some cases approaching $20,000 for tuition, room, board and other living expenses. The financial aid situation is complex and ever-changing.
In general, in addition to your scholarship funds, you must ensure that you have adequate financial resources to cover all of your expenses of studying abroad. Moving to a new country without sufficient funds may well bring on serious problems. A worst-case scenario could include eviction, lawsuits for non-payment of bills, a loss of matriculating status due to non-payment of tuition, and subsequent loss of visa and perhaps even deportation. So, be sure you know exactly what costs are covered by your scholarship, and what you need to supplement with your own funds or funds from other sources. Once you have received a scholarship, it may be possible to get additional money from other sources. Go back to those same information sources mentioned earlier in this booklet, and ask for suggestions.
Family Issues
Most scholarship programs are not geared primarily toward supporting a family to accompany the award-winner. If you know in advance that you must bring family members with you, you should seek out those scholarship programs that make special provisions for the family—they are very uncommon, but they do exist.
In general however, if you plan to bring along a spouse or children during your study abroad, you must take steps to ensure that you have other funds available to cover their expenses. It is almost guaranteed that you will have to cover most of these costs from your own family funds. Program staff may be able to make recommendations, or help you with some red tape, but these costs will ultimately be your responsibility. If you are bringing your spouse or other family members, it would be helpful for you to seek out the advice of others in a similar situation who have studied overseas and brought their family. Things to consider well in advance:
-
Employment opportunities and/or academic opportunities for an accompanying spouse. (Be sure to check whether their visa status abroad will permit employment.)
-
Necessary documentation for spouse and/or children to get visa approval.
-
Adequate financial resources to support a household (rather than a single person).
-
Availability of schooling and/or day-care for children—and their language capabilities.
-
Health insurance for family (in addition to your own health insurance).
Occasionally a married couple will apply jointly for scholarships for international study. Again, few programs are set up specifically to accommodate a couple's special needs, and in some cases couples are specifically discouraged. Keep in mind that you need to consider every part of your life—personal, academic, social, professional—and that it is unlikely that any program will necessarily meet your needs in all areas. But, if you speak up and let program staff know of your situation, they may be sensitive to your concerns and be able to help you. There are many variables, and you need to be very clear on your goals—and the compromises you are willing to make—as an individual and as a couple before embarking on such a path.
Although family considerations must be weighed carefully when you are deciding whether or not to accept a scholarship, you alone can set your priorities and make a responsible, realistic choice. It is unfair to other candidates if you send in an acceptance and later have to withdraw for family reasons, particularly if you withdraw late in the process. Of course, emergencies do arise, and unforeseen circumstances may necessitate a change in your plans. But remember that scholarships for international education are highly sought after and many, many people vie for them. If you find that you cannot accept, you should let the appropriate people know as soon as possible so that someone else may benefit.
Health Insurance
Health insurance varies widely from policy to policy, program to program, university to university, and country to country. It is a very complex situation, and (at least in the U.S.) health insurance issues are hotly debated and the situation is very fluid. Health-related expenses that are covered on one policy may not be covered on others. Prescriptions written in other countries are generally NOT HONORED by pharmacies in the U.S. And pre-existing medical conditions—including pregnancy—are generally NOT COVERED by U.S. health insurance companies. So you need to be prepared to cover such expenses, which can be surprisingly expensive (at least at U.S. hospitals).
Be prepared and be an educated healthcare consumer. Find out specifically about anything that is important to you in terms of your own health care needs. You should bring a copy of your medical records, including dental records and x-rays with you, if you will be abroad for more than a few months and if you have any special medical concerns. Bringing an extra pair of eyeglasses, and a sufficient supply of any regular medication you take may also be advisable. Keep in mind that medical coverage varies widely by country and by culture. Some plans may cover prescription drugs, birth control, pregnancy-related costs, abortion services; some may offer coverage for mental health services; some may emphasize preventive and/or holistic care; some may provide little beyond hospitalization in case of emergencies.
Even though many scholarship programs offer health insurance to grantees, some universities refuse to accept this coverage and require grantees to pay an additional fee to participate in the university's own health care plan. These university plans are often quite inexpensive, and are worth paying for even if you have to do so out of your own funds, especially if they include access to a campus-based medical clinic for you and accompanying family members. If at all possible, get a copy of any health plan in which you will participate, with all of its details, in writing.
Although this is by no means an exhaustive list, what follows are some issues and questions to consider concerning medical insurance:
-
Do you have a special medical condition (for example, asthma or diabetes)?
-
Do you require regular medications (for example, allergy pills, birth control pills, pain control pills)?
-
Are these medications available in the country where you will be going to study? (For example, many drugs available without a prescription in other countries are strictly regulated in the U.S., and may require a U.S. doctor's prescription. Some may not even be available, so you may need to bring an adequate supply with you.)
-
Is dental insurance available and how much does it cost?
-
Are prescription eyeglasses covered by your insurance? If not, bring an extra pair with you.
-
Will your visa application require advance certification that you are free of various communicable diseases?
-
What advance immunizations are required (for example, tuberculosis)?
-
What, if any, is the "deductible" on the health insurance policy? (The deductible is what you must pay, in cash, before the insurance company will pay for other costs incurred.)
-
What is the additional cost for coverage for spouse and/or children? Whatever those costs, you must be sure to include them in your coverage, since many countries (including the U.S.) require health insurance for all family members accompanying a sponsored international student.
|
|
