Preparing to Go Abroad
You’re
getting ready to go!
But there are a few more steps, and a few more things to consider.
The Pulliam Center for International Education holds a pre-departure information session each semester for students going abroad. You will be notified of the
date by email (usually near the end of the semester).
The following items will help prepare you further for your
journey:
Enrollment Forms
- Complete all of your assigned
Enrollment forms in your online account.
- Remember that you can access
these forms before and after you depart.
Students are responsible
for all costs outside of the items that are included as a part of their course,
so students may want to visit other museums, cultural sites, or plan other
activities in non-class time. These costs, along with evenings out with
friends, can add up quickly! Study abroad recommends that students create a
daily budget and stick within these boundaries. It will help you if you will be
traveling for some time and have to continue to purchase food and other things.
Prices will vary around the world as well, so remember that the cost of things
in Charlotte is not the same as the cost in London or Beijing! Have a look at a
travel guide before you leave to get a good sense of the costs in other parts
of the world.
Students
must always consider that programs have a cost- even if the study abroad
office does not charge a supplement. Students should consider things like:
- How
many meals per day am I provided?
- How
much money will I need for my free time?
- How
many souvenirs will I buy?
- Are
there extra things that I would like to do abroad that will cost money?
- Do
I want to stay after the trip has finished and continue to travel?
Learn more about your Host Country
- Basic Facts (location, size,
history, language, religion, cultural values, etc.)
- Current Events (economic,
political, social movements, athletics and entertainment, etc.)
- Tourist Information (important
things to see and do, weather, transportation systems)
- Health and Safety (U.S. State
Dept. Information, CDC, etc.)
Packing
Many students also like to have a new camera,
need some new gear or need to buy travel items before they leave. All of these
can add up quickly too! Make a packing list and remember that less is generally
more. Check the local weather so you know how you can be prepared with the right
clothing and remember that in some places in the world you will need to show
respect by wearing long sleeves, long pants, and sometimes covering your head.
Plan ahead so that you won’t miss out on any experiences by being unprepared.
- Try not to over pack!!
- You can find American and
American-style products in most countries throughout the world, so it
isn't necessary to take everything you think you might need to live for
the entire term abroad.
- Make sure that you take
prescription medications in their original bottles with original labels
and take extra copy of the written prescription from your physician.
Some prescription medications allowed in the USA are not legal in some
other countries. Thus, it's important that you ask your physician to
check and see if your specific medication is legal and refillable in
your host country.
- Extra baggage and too-heavy
luggage can add very expensive costs to you at the airport (and not
allowed on some airlines). Be sure you know the luggage requirements for
the airline(s) you will be traveling with.
Airport Departure
- Check your flight status before
leaving home to see if you can tell if your flight is delayed or
canceled.
- ARRIVE EARLY! Processing for
International flights takes longer than domestic flights. Especially if
you are a first-time traveler, you will need extra time to navigate the
airport check-in process and getting to your gate. Most airlines
recommend that international travelers arrive at least three hours prior
to boarding.
- Carry the contact information
for the person expected to meet you at the airport at your destination,
and take it in your carry-on luggage. In case your flight is delayed or
cancelled you should contact the arrival staff.
- DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!!!
