Travel Information
Introduction
Adjusting to and living in a new culture can be an exhilarating, personally rewarding and intellectually stimulating experience. Adapting to a different set of norms also can have its frustrations.
People usually experience a variety of emotions when acclimatizing to a foreign culture, ranging from excitement and interest to depression and fear of the unknown. Most experts agree that some difficulties and emotional insecurities, in one form or another, are inevitable.
You can prepare yourself with these recommended books and websites:
Books:
- Lonely Planet travel books
- Rick Steves’ travel books
- Let's Go travel books
- Rough Guides travel books
- Footprints travel books
- Culture Shock by Susan Roraff
- A Fair Go for All by George W. Renwick
- Maximizing Study Abroad: A Student’s Guide to Strategies for Language and Culture Learning and Use by R. Michael Paige
Recommended Websites:
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Passport
If you do not have a passport yet, acquire one long before departure as there can be a lengthy processing time. Forms are available at most major U.S. Post Offices and online at the U.S. State Department's website. If you already have a passport, make sure it will not expire during the course of the program. Keep in mind that some countries require your passport be valid up to six months after your return date.
Leave a photocopy of the first page of your passport, visa stamp (if applicable) and travel itinerary at home and send copies of each to the USAC Central Office prior to departure.
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Visa
If a visa is required for your program site, you will receive information regarding the visa application process from the USAC Central Office after your application has been accepted. USAC does not recommend that you attempt to enter a foreign country without a visa, if it is required.
A visa is official permission to stay in a country for an extended amount of time. Visas are granted by the government of the country in which you are studying or visiting. Visa formats vary considerably, from a simple stamp imprinted on one of the pages in your passport prior to entering the country, to an official document with your photograph attached. It is ultimately your responsibility to determine whether or not you will be required to obtain a visa prior to departure, compile the necessary documentation and complete the application process. You should begin researching your visa application process immediately. Some visas require lengthy processing time and if they are not started in a timely manner, could affect your ability to leave by your departure date.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, it is important that you contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be studying to find out what requirements will be necessary and to obtain any forms for a visa, if one is required. Contact the USAC Central Office in a timely manner if you need additional documentation from us.
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Group Visa Applications
Many foreign consulates in the U.S. now require students to apply in person for their visas at the consulate, which can require some students to travel long distances in order to make a personal appearance. USAC has established relationships with a select number of consulates that allow us to submit groups of student visa applications on behalf of our students. If a group submission is available for your program, you will be informed of this opportunity by USAC through your Student Gateway account.
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Flight Arrangements
For many programs, USAC organizes group flights from central departure points in the U.S., often with an east or west coast departure option. A USAC representative will greet students on these flights when they arrive. For your convenience, connecting flights can typically be added. Specific information will be provided on your Student Gateway account once you have been accepted into the program. It is ultimately your responsibility to sign up and pay the travel agency directly for the group flight. The group flight is designed to accommodate those students who also are planning to participate in a pre-session tour, if available. If you take the group flight but are not participating on a pre-sessional tour, if offered, you will need to travel to the USAC program site on your own. If you choose not to book the group flight or if a group flight is not offered for your program site, you must book an independent flight and you will be responsible for your own transportation to the program site. When making your flight reservations, be sure to arrive in time for your program orientation and to depart after the final examinations. It is required that you be at the program site for both. It is your responsibility to book and pay for a flight to your program site, as airfare is not included in the program fees.
Websites:
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Packing Tips
Pack light! Each year students find they have taken too much luggage and regret it. Remember to keep it minimal. You don't want to carry too much and you also want to have extra room to bring back purchases from abroad. It is best to bring neutral clothing that you can layer and mix and match easily. In most cases, you will be able to buy what you need while abroad. A good tip is to lay out what you plan to bring and take half of that. After acceptance you will receive a suggested packing list in your USAC Student Handbook.
If you bring more than the allotted number of items or if those items surpass the weight or size guidelines, you may be charged additional fees by your airline(s). Check with your airline(s) for specific baggage requirements.
If you are living with a family, you may want to consider taking a welcome gift, which can be a good icebreaker. Items such as a local craft or book of photographs of your city or region make great welcome gifts. The gift should be nothing too expensive; it’s more something that represents where you are from.
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Rail Passes
For those traveling in European countries, a rail pass can be a great economic option for students who wish to visit several different countries during their stay abroad. You can reduce the expense of train travel in most countries by buying a rail pass, which, for a certain price, offers you almost unlimited travel for a specified period of time. Typically rail passes are most beneficial if you plan on doing a lot of continual traveling either before or after your program. You will receive information about rail and other forms of local travel during your on-site orientation. You also can begin researching your options online or contact the USAC Central Office for tips and suggestions.
Websites:
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Suggested Pre-Departure Checklist
| Preparations |
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Obtain a passport |
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Obtain a visa, if required |
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Pay remaining program balance or make sure a copy of your financial aid award is sent to the USAC Accounting Department |
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Determine whether your file with USAC is complete |
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Sign up for the group flight through the USAC recommended travel agency, if offered, or book your own flight |
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Send your flight itinerary to USAC Central Office, if not participating on a group flight |
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Read your Arrival Update for site-specific arrival instructions (a photocopy will also be sent to your home address for your parents or other family members) |
| Documents to Copy |
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Passport/Visa |
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Front and back of all credit cards, ATMs/debit cards and traveler's check numbers |
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Identification cards |
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Prescriptions (vision and medication) |
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Flight itinerary |
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Arrival Update (to leave with someone at home and to bring one with you in your carry-on) |
| Legalities |
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Register with the U.S. State Department |
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Fill out Power of Attorney form |
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Get information about absentee voting, if applicable |
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Get information about filing taxes abroad, if applicable |
| Health |
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Get all vaccinations required for the countries you will be living in and/or visiting |
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Get generic prescription medication |
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Have sufficient quantities of prescriptions to last through your time abroad |
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Visit a doctor, dentist or optometrist for a check-up |
| Health Insurance |
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Contact the insurance company about extending coverage if you plan to travel before or after your program dates |
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Obtain letter confirming full-time student status, if necessary for your private insurance plan |
| Communication |
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Gather all phone numbers, addresses (physical and email) of friends and family |
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Gather phone numbers and email addresses of your university advisors, financial aid office and registrar |
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Determine whether your cell phone will work (if you plan on using it while abroad) |
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Buy an international calling card and/or set up an international calling plan on your home phone |
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Establish an email account that can be accessed from abroad (Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail) |
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Make sure family and friends understand international dialing instructions and have contact phone numbers to reach you while abroad |
| Journal/Blog |
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Buy a journal (if you want to record your memories in a written form) |
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Establish an online journal or blog |
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Begin writing in your journal or start blogging prior to departure to capture the entire experience |
| Money |
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Contact your bank to make sure your ATM card will work in ATMs abroad/set up 4-digit PIN number and be aware of any fees charged by your bank |
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Look into theft insurance and replacement policies with your ATM and credit card companies |
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Inform your credit card company and bank that you will be out of the country and making transactions from abroad |
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Research the local currency of the country in which you will be studying/traveling; know the current exchange rate prior to departure |
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Purchase some local currency at the international terminal of the airport or from a local bank prior to departure |
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Put together a budget for your time abroad of estimated and fixed expenses |
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Sign up for Internet banking option |
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Check with your bank to see if they have any international alliances with other banks to help minimize bank fees |
| Electricity |
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Determine the voltage of the country where you will be living |
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Purchase voltage converters or kits |
| Course Registration |
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If you are able to pre-register, check your course registration to make sure you are in the correct courses |
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Get the courses you plan to take pre-approved by an advisor at your home institution |
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Purchase required textbooks in the U.S. if notified of these books in your Student Gateway account |
| Culture |
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Research the country you will be visiting |
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Research the local weather for the timeframe you'll be living abroad |
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Read books on the culture/general area |
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Purchase a guide book to use abroad |
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