Work Abroad

Careers

Announcements

Alumni & Friends

Jump to... Walk-in Advising Appointment Request Advising Resources Advising Workshops Course Lists FAQs New Curriculum Info

Advising

• Advising Staff & Contacts
• Advising in the International Studies Program
• Make an Appointment with the Advisor
• How to Prepare for your Advising Meeting
• Resources for Students
• Advising Workshop Schedule

Advising Staff & Contacts

Rebekah Pryor Paré, Advisor
ISMadvisor"@"ismajor.wisc.edu
608.262.8431
226 Ingraham Hall
*Rebekah advises on all questions about the major.

Shannon Ghere, Peer Advisor
ISMadvisor"@"ismajor.wisc.edu
608.263.6916
226 Ingraham Hall
*Shannon specializes on advising students with the following concerns: introduction to the major, major and certificate declarations/cancelations, registration, determining whether students should choose current or new curriculum, introductory information on study abroad, and DARS instruction.

Advising in the International Studies Program

Fall 2009 - IS advising policy changes!

Beginning the Fall 2009 semester, the IS Program's advising will move to an appointment-based system. This new system should address student concerns about long waits for advising.

Appointment Eligibility
Students may request appointments with an IS Advisor if they have either declared the major or have 1) completed IS 101 (or the equivalent) and Econ 101, AAE 215, or 111 and 2) attended an Introduction to International Studies workshop.

Exceptions to the Rule
Students who have been accepted to a Study Abroad program must see the IS Advisor before departure even if you haven't completed the above requirements. These students may request an appointment.

How to Request an Appointment
Students should fill out an online form to request an appointment. Students will be contacted via email with their appointment time. Appointments may not be made through email or phone. IS staff review the appointment requests regularly and priority will be given to situations the IS Advisor deems an emergency.

In addition to appointments, here is an overview by year of how to get advising in the IS Program:

First-Year Students

• Come to an Introduction to International Studies advising workshop.
• Come to a Study Abroad for International Studies workshop.
• See your assigned advisor for help with advising.
• See an IS Advisor during walk-in hours on Thursday afternoon if you have not yet declared the IS Major or if you have questions after the Intro or Study Abroad workshops
• If you have completed the first two prerequisites to the major, come to a Declare Me! advising session to declare.

Second- & Third-Year Students

• Come to an Introduction to International Studies advising workshop.
• Come to a Study Abroad for International Studies workshop.
• See your assigned advisor for help with advising.
• See an IS Advisor during walk-in hours on Thursday afternoon if you have not yet declared the IS Major or if you have questions after the Intro or Study Abroad workshops
• If you have completed the first two prerequisites to the major, come to a Declare Me! advising session to declare.
• Make an appointment with the IS Advisor if you have been accepted to a Study Abroad program.
• Attend workshops geared toward career preparation.

Fourth-Year Students and Beyond

• If you have completed the first two prerequisites to the major, come to a Declare Me! advising session to declare.
• Make an appointment with the IS Advisor when you return from Study Abroad or if you have been accepted to a Study Abroad program.
• Check the Events schedule for walk-in Senior Graduation Check advising times to ensure your graduation. Students may attend the graduation check if they are beginning their final semester or are registering for their final semester.
• Attend workshops geared toward career preparation.

How to Prepare for your Advising Meeting

Students who prepare in advance for their advising meetings save time and get more out of their meeting with the advisor.

1. Academic advising is more than preparing for the upcoming semester.
Your advisor is there to assist you in navigating the university, college, and major policies. It is up to you to make sure you are meeting your requirements and completing your program in a timely fashion. If you are not sure about something ask before acting! With our curriculum changes, there are many rumor circulating about. Understand that some of these rumors are just that...rumors and not the truth. Remember to trust your facts and don't forget what they say about assuming...

2. Look over your DARS before your meeting.
Give yourself a moment to look over your courses, where they count, and what you think you have left. The advisor can then help you navigate some of the tricky spots or show you how to find answers in your DARS.

3. Review the IS curriculum and the L&S general education requirements.

4. During registration periods, choose your courses before coming in for advising.
In most cases, students know what they have left to complete. The IS advisor can then confirm for you whether you are fulfilling the categories you need. IS advisors will not choose courses for you.

5. Prepare a list of questions or topics for discussion.
You may have very specific advising questions about registration or the IS curriculum, but also take the time to think about the big picture and how your courses and extra-curricular activities will effect your future. Feel free to talk with your advisor about any support you may need. If the advisor cannot provide those services, she will gladly refer you to somone on campus who can.

6. Be prepared to be asked a number of questions about study abroad, career aspirations, and extra-curricular activities.
Students ask whether they should study abroad. With a major in IS, it's a no-brainer response: of course! Study abroad takes planning and resources. Go to the study abroad page for information to guide you along the process. One of our goals is to get you thinking about your general career direction as soon as you step into our program. Your career aspirations will change and develop over time, but let's start talking about it and planning before graduation is upon you! A significant part of career planning is developing skills that are marketable in your field. Extra-curricular activities such as internships, volunteering, working, participating in a student organization can help you develop some of these important skill sets.

back to top

226 INGRAHAM HALL | 1155 OBSERVATORY DRIVE | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI 53706
PH: 608.263-6916 | FAX: 608.265-7817

© 2009 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: pare"@"ismajor.wisc.edu