JumpstartTU

What is JumpstartTU?

JumpstartTU is a weeklong 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 to prepare them for the weeklong experience. The application provides information on the process, deadlines, and available scholarships.

The application deadline is April 1. Students will be notified of their status April 15, 2025. Students have until April 30 to commit to the program after acceptance. JumpstartTU operates on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that the earlier students apply, the greater their chances of securing their preferred location and of receiving a travel grant. Once a location’s capacity has been hit, students will be waitlisted or invited to participate in one of the other locations.

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 directs 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 all locations. There will be TU representatives with the students throughout the entire program.

How will the students get to the U.S. departure site?

TU staffers 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 JumpstartTU students, we may have multiple departure cities. Students will be responsible for travel to the designated departure site. JumpstartTU students will be accompanied by TU faculty and staff on site. More details will be included with registration.

Do students need to have a passport?

Yes. Passports can take six to eight 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 travels on JumpstartTU or not. You can get an expedited passport in approximately two 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 to and from Tulsa as well as 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 three-day field experience is guided by our local experts. Students should be prepared for $30-$50 (U.S.) per day for meals. Breakfasts are included as well as three 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 participate. However, there are opportunities to go as a global engagement mentor. A mentor is responsible for acting as a student leader and liaison during the trip. If you are 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
• Luna Llena de Tambores
• Geoversity
• Urban Farms Global

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 a one-hour time difference. And yet it is culturally rich, making it a wonderful location particularly for individuals experiencing another country for the first time.

Do students need any vaccines?

Please consult your health care provider to determine whether you need any 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 stay 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 established 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
• Instituto Temazcalli
• Espartec Manufacturing

What is San Luis Potosí like?

San Luis Potosí is a medium-sized city of about 2 million inhabitants. It is located eight hours south of the U.S. 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, 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 any vaccines?

Please consult your health care provider to determine whether you need any vaccines. 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.

Where do students stay?

Students will spend the week in the city of Siegen, a small university town situated in North Rhine-Westphalia, about 52 miles from Frankfurt. Students will stay near the University of Siegen campus in a local hotel with TU staff and faculty. Students will also visit neighboring towns such as Bonn and Cologne.

Who are our German partners?

The University of Tulsa is proud to partner with the University of Siegen. The JumpstartTU program in Germany started from our long-standing exchange partnership with the university.

Check out their website for more information:

• Universitat Siegen

What is Siegen like?

Siegen is a small German city home to historical palaces, churches, and museums. The Oberes Schloss and Unteres Schloss are two of the more notable sites in the town as around 80% of the town was destroyed during World War II. Siegen is also labeled the greenest German city with 60% of the land being wooded. Students will be able to enjoy both the more natural scenes in Siegen as well as the city life.

Do students need any vaccines?

Please consult your health care provider to determine whether you need any vaccines.

Where do students stay?
Students and staff stay in the area of Mail Avenue in Dubai (subject to change) and around Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.

Who are our Emirati partners?
The JumpstartTU program in Dubai/ Abu Dhabi will tour Khalifa University. This opportunity came from our long partnership with GE3. While abroad, students will get to hear from the minister of energy and infrastructure, a TU alumnus.

What is Dubai like?
Dubai is a large city of about 3.6 million. It is located in the United Arab Emirates, along the western shore of the Persian Gulf. Today, Dubai is a major natural gas and crude oil exporter and is also a tourist destination. It is great for shopping and has a vibrant atmosphere. Dubai has many large world-known skyscrapers and other beautiful architecture.

Do students need any vaccines?
Please consult your health care provider to determine whether you need any vaccines. View the CDC website.

Where do students stay?
Students and staff stay at the China University Petroleum located in Beijing (No.18, Fuxue Road, Changping District, Beijing 102249, China)

Who are our Chinese partners?
China University Petroleum Beijing (CUPB) is a top national public Chinese university. A group of students from TU, had the opportunity to stay at the university this summer. While abroad, the students engaged in lectures and dialogue with their Chinese peers on climate change and global solutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field of green energy. We have several local partners, some of whom have longstanding relationships with Tulsa.

What is Beijing like?
Beijing is the capital of China located in the Hebei province in northern China. It is a large city with about 22 million inhabitants and one of the oldest cities in the world. A city full of art, architecture, history, business, economics, politics, research, and more, every student will find something of interest there!

Do students need any vaccines?
Please consult your health care provider to determine whether you need any vaccines.

Honors students have the option to participate in trips to Germany, Mexico, Panama, Dubai, China or Rome. Please note that JumpstartTU Rome is limited to admitted Honors College students.

Apply for JumpstartTU Rome

Professors: Don Prudlo, Jennifer Frey, and Daniel Walden

Contact: Dave Kobel, david-kobel@utulsa.edu

Learn more about the Honors College.