Prepare
Preparing for traveling abroad requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, from securing necessary documents to researching cultural norms and packing essentials.
Preparation Timeline
9 Months Out
- Do you have a passport?
You must have a passport to leave the U.S., so go ahead and check that off your list. And, if you’ve got one already, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your planned return date. Visit the Travel.State.Gov website to start the process. - Do you need a visa?
While you’re at it, check to see if you will need a visa to visit any countries on your agenda. You’ll want to check on this early enough, so you have plenty of time to go through the process before your planned departure date. - Start saving
It’s never too early to start saving for your trip. Go ahead and start planning and being aware of your finances now so you can take full advantage of your time abroad.
6 Months Out
- Brush up on the region
Before you step on that plane learn about the place you want to visit. What is the culture like? What languages are spoken there? What are some of the can’t miss sites? Now is the time to get excited about where you’re headed. Here are some resources:- U.S. Department of State Students Abroad Page
Learn about local laws & special circumstances in your travel destination. This page also provides resources for passport & visa services, customs & border information, and travel preparation - Centers for Disease Control
Learn about required and recommended health precautions for your destination. Make a plan to travel safely and intelligently with your current medications, etc - Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Free Services from the Department of State to enroll your travel with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Get critical travel safety & security update while you are abroad - AllAbroad.us
Helping all students study abroad. A resource for students, parents, faculty, and administrators, with answers to common questions about study abroad - eDiplomat
Resources on cultural etiquette, customs, dining and body language around the world
- U.S. Department of State Students Abroad Page
- Sort out your priorities
The options for things to do and see while you were traveling abroad are a plenty. Based on your research and personal interests, start creating a plan for your trip. - Get familiar with the language
There are thousands of languages spoken around the world. So why not take advantage of the free resources for learning language? Pronunciator is free for everyone at the University of Arkansas through the library’s resources.
3 Months Out
- Purchase a flight
Take the leap. Word on the street is this is a great time to book flights for the best bang for your buck. There’s also a theory that Tuesday afternoon will serve up the best bargains. - Check in with a doctor
This is also the time to check with your physician about any immunizations. You may need an any health conditions you have. He can also check to see if there are any issues with prescriptions you might be taking with you. Visit the Pat Walker Travel & Immunization Clinic. - Get a cell phone plan
Do not forget to look into your options for an international cell phone plan. Our phones are so smart now that it’s easy to forget that in most cases, there are major fees for cell phone usage abroad. Contact your provider and look into your options ahead of time to find the best deals.-
13 Must-have apps for study abroad
You already use your smartphone constantly in your day-to-day life back in the US, and just because you’re studying abroad doesn’t mean it will be any different -
Consumer Reports: How to keep costs down when using your phone abroad
Learn how to avoid high costs of cellular service and data fees when traveling outside the U.S. -
Other Technology Tips:
Turn off your data to prevent surprise charges while abroad.
Buy a watch, you don’t necessarily want to pull out your phone.
Converters and adapters: if technology is your life, you need to make sure you can charge things. Get the correct converters and adapters for the regions you are going.
Wi-Fi: Take advantage of places with free Wi-Fi. This is another great perk to coffee shops and if all else fails McDonald’s usually sports in advantage of places with free Wi-Fi. This is another great perk to coffee shops and if all else fails McDonald's usually sports an open connection.
Open the lines of communication: avoid extra expenses and download apps that allow you to talk and chat for free like Skype and WhatsApp.
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1 Month Out
- Contact your bank
Take off will be here before you know it, so find out how you can access money abroad. Contact your bank to see if there are any fees or surcharges. You should expect when you use your cards overseas. Also getting some of the local currency before you leave so that you have cash on hand when you arrive in the country is never a bad idea. Notify your bank and credit card companies to let them know the dates you will be traveling and where you will be during your trip. They should avoid them thinking your cards are stolen and freezing your assets.
2 Weeks Out
- Photocopies
Make copies of all your important documents (passport, Visa, credit cards) make sure you have copies with you and leave a few with your emergency contacts back home. - Don’t forget the good stuff
Find a cultural gift to take and hand out while you were abroad. Something that represents your home, institution, your hometown, or your state. Traveling abroad is full of international exchanges, and a gift from home can be a perfect way to share your culture with others. - Register with the U.S. State Department
This is an underrated resource that can help a lot. By registering, you will be able to receive important information from the US Embassy in your host country about safety and emergency information.
48 Hours Out
- Packing: Know the rules
Before you start packing, review the TSA in your airlines rules and regulations. Pay attention to rules about how much your suitcase can way, how large it can be and what is allowed in your carry-on. Follow the 311 rule (3 oz bottles, 1 quart-sized bag, 1 bag per person) when you pack liquids in your carry-on bag. - Get the Forecast
Make sure to check the weather in the country you were going to in order to pack the right clothes. The rest of the world tends to measure in Celsius. - Just Carry-On
Along with your important documents in electronics, make sure to pack a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on just in case your check luggage takes an unplanned adventure of its own before arriving.
24 Hours Out
- Check in to your flight
Most flights let you check in electronically 24 hours before they takeoff time and then have your boarding pass ready on your phone or tablet. You can also get alerts about your flights this way. - Double check your luggage
Before you leave, review your bags to make sure you have everything you need. Don’t forget to leave things you’ll need while traveling, like your passport, in your carry-on. There’s nothing worse than taking off, and realizing your charger is still sitting on your bedside table, ending in a seven-hour flight with no music games or movies. - Arrive 2 hours early
The day of your flight make sure to arrive at least two hours early to the airport. Better safe than stuck in security and missing your flight.
Health & Safety
Following Best Practices
The University endorses the recommendations and best practices established for health and safety in the field of education abroad by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Forum on Education Abroad. We align ourselves with those best practices by having our professional staff and faculty participate in risk management training, give conference presentations, and hold leadership positions in a variety of professional associations. That active engagement provides our office and greater community with experience and knowledge to create policy and practices to best support the health, safety, and security of our students.
While abroad, we expect our students to:
- Stay informed on developments in the country/countries where they spend time.
- Continue to check their U of A email and respond to program leaders appropriately.
- Make sure that the emergency contact information that they provide in their HogsAbroad application is up to date.
Insurance While Abroad
All students studying abroad need comprehensive international health insurance in addition to maintaining their U.S. health insurance. The Office of Study Abroad contracts with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to provide insurance coverage to students that includes 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and security evacuation.
The CISI policy is usually included as part of the required program fees paid to the university for study at U of A administered programs. Most study abroad (external) program providers include international health insurance as part of the program fees. Students participating in a study abroad program that does not include international health insurance may enroll themselves directly in the CISI policy. It is important that students understand their coverage before departure.