JumpstartTU

What is Jumpstart TU?

Jumpstart TU is a week long program designed to prepare students for university life prior to beginning their first year as a college student. The University of Tulsa is committed to providing the necessary preparation and skills for incoming students and national research shows that students who are connected with peers, faculty and staff prior to beginning college are significantly more successful in transitioning to college.

How does it work?

Students selected to participate in JumpstartTU will receive detailed information regarding the program by mid-April. Students will be expected to complete some readings and exercises that will prepare them for the week long experience in Panama or Mexico. The application process provides information on the process, deadlines, and the scholarships available. The application deadline is March 15. Students will be notified of their status by April 1, 2023.

Are there travel grants?

Yes. Need-based travel grants are available. High need and first-generation college students are encouraged to apply. Instructions on how to request travel grants are included in the application process.

Who is directing the program?

This program is organized by the Center for Global Engagement. The CGE team is experienced in student services and university life and are in contact with our partners in both Panama and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. There will be TU representatives with the students throughout the entire program.

How will the students get to either Panama or Mexico?

TU staff will work with each student to make sure the details are in place. We are currently in the process of making airline reservations and depending upon the demographics of the Jumpstart students, we may have two departure cities—Tulsa and Houston or Dallas. Jumpstart students will be accompanied by TU faculty and staff. More details will be included with registration.

Do students need to have a passport?

Yes. Passports can take 6 to 8 weeks to process, so it is recommended that if students do not have a current passport, they begin the process now. The passport is good for 10 years, so it is well worth the investment whether or not the student goes to Mexico or Panama. You can get an expedited passport in approximately 2 weeks; however, it is more expensive. Most countries require that a passport have at least six months left prior to expiration. If the passport will expire within six months, we recommend you have it renewed now.

What is included in the program?

The Program is designed to be a complete package, meaning students will be provided flights from Tulsa to San Luis Potosí or Panama City and back and transportation between the airport and the hotel. Transportation is provided throughout the week guided by our local experts and TU faculty/staff. All entrance fees are taken care of and the 3-day field experience is guided by our local experts. Students should be prepared for $30 U.S. dollars per day for meals. Breakfasts are included as well as 3 dinners and a closing banquet.

Can current TU students apply for JumpstartTU?

JumpstartTU is tailored specifically for incoming freshmen, so other students are not allowed to go as participants. However, there are opportunities to go as a Global Engagement Mentor. A Global Engagement Mentor (GEM) is responsible for acting as a student leader, mentor, and liaison during the trip. If you are a leader at TU and interested in this opportunity, visit the Center for Global Engagement website for more information.

Where do students stay?

The City of Knowledge is a foundation located on what was previously the U.S. base when the United States operated the Panama Canal. It is a full-scale campus with new residence halls with 24/7 emergency information, local markets, an open-air pavilion and other amenities. Students and TU staff will stay at the Holiday Inn, Panama Canal at the City for Knowledge.

Who are our Panamanian Partners?

JumpstartTU has a number of local partners that we have worked together for many years. Here are some of them:

• Voces Vitales: http://www.vocesvitalespanama.org/
  • Luna Llena de Tambores: http://www.lunallenadetambores.com/
  • Geoversity: https://geoversity.org/
  • Urban Farms Global: http://www.urban.farm/

What is Panama like?

Panama is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Being the major trade hub with the Panama Canal, companies from across the globe trade through Panama. In the heart of the rainforest, Panama is a humid and tropical, yet a beautiful country surrounded by the Pacific to the south and the Atlantic to the North. Because of the U.S. control of the Canal until 1999, Panama utilizes U.S. Currency and there is just one-hour difference in time. And yet it is culturally rich, making it a wonderful location particularly for individuals experiencing another country for the first time.

Do students need the COVID Vaccine to participate in this program?

The pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives and has made international travel more complex. TU has the health and safety of our students in the forefront of all decisions, and we are constantly monitoring travel regulations and the best mitigation measures. Currently, there are no COVID-19 entry restrictions in Panama. However, some establishments may require proof of vaccination before entering, and most public places require masks. The Center for Global Engagement highly recommends either receiving the vaccine or testing before departure. Students should also be careful both before and during the program to avoid getting sick. As COVID-19 regulations are ongoing and constantly changing, you can check here for the most up to date information.

Do students need any other vaccines?

Please consult your healthcare provider to determine whether or not you need to have any other vaccines. For your information, we do have walks in the rainforest and national parks in the Panama City area. We do not travel deep into the jungles near Colombia, for example.

Where do students stay? Students and staff will be staying at a hotel in the historical center of San Luis Potosí, a 40-block well-conserved area that was declared a World Heritage site by the United Nations in 2018. It is a beautiful district full of Spanish colonial architecture and verdant parks. Who are our Mexican Partners? The JumpstartTU program in Mexico originated from the Sister City relationship between Tulsa and San Luis Potosí. This relationship was itself set up by former TU students! Now, TU has an exchange agreement with our partner university in San Luis Potosí. We have a number of local partners there, some of whom have longstanding relationships with Tulsa. Here are a few of them: • Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí: https://www.uaslp.mx/ • Instituto Temazcalli: https://slp.gob.mx/temazcalli/Paginas/Inicio.aspx • Espartec Manufacturing: http://www.espartec.com.mx/ What is San Luis Potosí like? San Luis Potosí is a medium-sized city of about two million inhabitants. It is located eight hours south of the US border and five hours north of Mexico City (driving time), just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Founded by the Spaniards as a mining town, it has grown in industrial importance due to its strategic location in the middle of the country’s three largest metropolitan areas: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. San Luis Potosí is the capital of the state of the same name, located between the state’s northern desert and eastern rainforest regions. Do students need the COVID Vaccine to participate in this program? The pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives and has made international travel more complex. TU has the health and safety of our students in the forefront of all decisions, and we are constantly monitoring travel regulations and the best mitigation measures. Currently, there are no COVID-19 entry restrictions in Mexico. However, The Center for Global Engagement highly recommends either receiving the vaccine or testing before departure. Students should also be careful both before and during the program to avoid getting sick. As COVID-19 regulations are ongoing and constantly changing, you can check here for the most up to date information. Do students need any other vaccines? Please consult your healthcare provider to determine whether you need to have any other vaccines. For your information, the itinerary is set to include a journey to the Huasteca area of eastern San Luis Potosí state, a region of dense tropical vegetation, rivers, and waterfalls.