Copy down all names, phone numbers, postal
and e-mail addresses of campus people and offices with which
you MIGHT need to have contact during your time away.
Before departure you should have done ALL the following:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS:
Copy down all names, phone numbers, postal
and e-mail addresses of campus people and offices with which
you MIGHT need to have contact during your time away.
Attend ALL general and program orientation sessions to
which you are invited.
Declare your major, if you have not already done this.
Arrange for all required course approvals, for major
and/or elective credit.
Clear all registration holds and make sure all outstanding
balances are paid.
Get your International Student Identity Card
If eligible for aid, complete FINANCIAL AID application
materials.
Sign the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan or University Loan
Promissory Note. If a note is not signed before you leave
campus, it will be sent to your home address unless you notify
your campus Loan Office differently.
If you have been declared eligible for receiving
financial aid for study abroad, submit the Student Aid Report
(SAR) to your campus Financial Aid Office for certification.
If SAR is revised either by this office or by you and the
revised copy of the SAR has not reached you at home before
your departure, alert your parents to forward it to your
campus Financial Aid Office without delay.
Notify Registrar's Office of your re-admittance plans.
If you are away during spring semester, get a Renewal
Financial Aid Application (usually available in February) and
submit before deadline (usually by April 15 on most campuses)
so as not to jeopardize your chances for aid when you return.
Send your campus Financial Aid Office written instructions by
the beginning of January if you want your renewal packet sent
to a different address. Otherwise, it will be sent to the
address which is on the Registrar's data base as home address.
Terminate all current contracts with residential living,
dining service, etc.
Arrange with your Campus Mail center to have any mail
which comes when you are away sent to your home address.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult with a foreign
student adviser to make sure your visa and other papers are in
order.
Especially if you are seeking an 'internationalized'
career, contact the campus career services office to find out
what they recommend and to open a reference file.
Make sure your campus has the names and addresses of those
persons who should be contacted in the event of an emergency.
B. PROGRAM PREPARATION THINGS:
Apply for your passport. If you already have a passport,
make sure that it is valid well past the date of your
anticipated return; if it is not, renew it ASAP.
Make flight arrangements, on your own or as part of a
group flight sponsored by your program.
Collect documents required for your visa (if the country
you are going to requires one for entry). Apply for and
obtain the visa.
Collect any other entry documents you are required to take
with you (e.g. entry documents, immunization records, etc.)
Pay all required fees to the sponsoring program. Discuss
any problems with campus staff.
C. LOGISTICAL AND ECONOMIC THINGS:
Plan a budget. Bring
an emergency fund (minimum: $250)
Prepare to bring the recommended amount of money for
start-up costs.
Arrange with your bank to have $100 in local currency to
bring with you.
Make sure you have the credit cards, bank
cards, telephone cards, etc, which you are planning to use.
Obtain rail passes, hostel cards, etc., as needed.
If you intend paid work overseas before or after your
program, obtain your visa to allow this (note: only selected
countries) from CIEE.
Consider purchasing insurance for personal liability
property loss, trip cancellation, etc.
Arrange for 'power of attorney' for the person handling
your financial affairs in your absence (if not parent or
guardian).
Discuss safety and terrorism issues with your family, and
emergency contact procedures.
Arrange for absentee voting in any election which will
occur before you return (where you are registered to vote).
Bring all medication, prescriptions, saline solutions,
extra glasses or contacts, etc.
Make sure you understand how your Health Insurance plan
covers you, actually works. Go over the International Student
Identity Card coverage. Get additional insurance for
additional coverage, as needed. BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARDS.
Bring several extra passport-size photographs (for misc.
use)
Have a physical, dental check, eye examination, etc. Make
sure you receive all appropriate inoculations.
