International Education and Programs

Pre-departure (new)

General pre-departure

Now that you're just about ready to take off and start your new abroad experience, there are some points that you should consider. From money to medicine, housing to what to pack, there are many things you should begin thinking about. Have a look through our pre-departure guides for you to both inform yourself and begin the pre-departure dialogue with your parents, advisors and program specialist.

What to Expect When Abroad

Information for our semester and summer students.

What to Expect on a Quarter Course

Quarter course and course with travel students select here.

Program-specific pre-departure

As the world is different so is the information regarding your program. In addition to the general pre-departure guide above, you will also find program-specific details in your online account. This information will include everything from arrival information to specific what-to-do's for that country.

Travel safety

Students and their families should be aware that the U.S. Department of State maintains a website for U.S. citizen students who are, or will be, studying abroad. It may be found at www.studentsabroad.state.gov and addresses the following subject areas:

Enrolling one's presence abroad with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the STEP (Smart Traveller Enrollment Program)
Checking country-specific conditions as well as travel warning and alerts
Offering students travel safety and other traveling tips provided

Additional resources

We at the Office of International Education and Programs want to make sure that our students are as informed as possible. This includes providing you with tips and suggestions from students who have previously studied abroad with us. Below you'll find an ongoing collection of resources grouped by topic.

General Travel Tips

Do your research - Visit the U.S. Department of State's website about travel abroad as a U.S. citizen. It would also be a good idea to read the country-specific recommendations for your travel destination.
Health check - When traveling to different regions of the world, it never hurts to check the health precautions outlined by the World Health Organization, organized by country. The Center for Disease Control website is another great resource.
Make copies of everything - Make 2-3 copies of important documents like your passport, visa, insurance cards, etc. If anything happens to these documents, you'll be glad you have copies! Leave a copy at home with your parents and carry a couple copies in various places in your luggage just in case!
Write contact information on paper - It is important to write phone numbers, emails, addresses, etc. down on a piece of paper and carry it with you. This will be very important if your phone or computer is ever lost or stolen. Make an extra copy and keep copies in different places throughout your luggage.
Tipping - This custom differs based on country, service, and more. It is best to do a quick search and read about the customs in your destination country before arriving.
Ask at the hotel - The staff at your hotel/hostel can be an amazing resource. They will probably have extra maps, coupons, and suggestions for your trip. Ask them about restaurants, directions, tours, and more!