Traveling Abroad Rachel Gould Director of Study Abroad Sign in to this session at Study Abroad Pre-departure Social Wednesday, December 2, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Klingenstein Lounge, Campus Center Come meet others going abroad this summer and in the spring semester, ask questions, and take a break from the end-of-semester craziness! Pizza will be provided. Passports If you do not yet have a passport, apply for one immediately. Passport must be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return to the U. S. Make several photocopies of the photo page of your passport and always keep a copy of it with you. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen while abroad. In Ithaca, you can apply for a passport at the at the main post office on Warren Rd. or the County Clerks office on N. Tioga St. You will need to bring with you: 1 official passport picture Original birth certificate (or old passport if renewing) Drivers license $110 application fee, $25 processing fee Visas Go toto learn about visa requirements for the country you are going to. A visa is a stamp/document that is placed in your passport. A visa authorizes entrance and travel in a particular country Visa requirements vary by country. Your study abroad program should provide you with information about whether you need a visa, and how to get one. Apply for your visa as far in advance of your departure date as possible. Visas may take a long time to be issues, and you may need to make a personal visit to the embassy or consulate. Working Abroad You may be able to work abroad legally if you are going to the U.K. or Australia (with appropriate student visa) Most other countries do not permit U.S. citizens to work. International Calling Intl cell phones/SIM cards can be rented/purchased for abroad, often for a minimal cost. Pay-as-you-go mobile phones available in most countries Existing U.S.-based cell phone provider not likely to be most economical option; check with provider about options if you want to take your existing smart phone abroad. Many utilize Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, etc. with WiFi on smart phone for communication with home, and use basic pay-as-you-go phone for in-country communication. Property Insurance You may want to consider insuring the personal items you bring abroad, such as laptops, digital cameras, and iPods. Your parents homeowners insurance may cover such items double check with insurance company to be certain You can purchase property insurance from Haylor, Freyer & Coon that will cover your items while at IC and abroad On-line enrollment and policy information available at Call with any questions $2,000 coverage costs $65-70/yr, additional $2,000 increments can be added for small additional cost. Health Insurance Many IC students going abroad are required to purchase insurance through the College. Students going on IC exchange or short-term (winter/summer) programs, as well as those going on certain affiliated programs, will automatically be enrolled in the international health insurance plan. The cost is about $50/month that you are abroad. Coverage is through UnitedHealthcare Global (UHG). Documentation is available at UnitedHealthcare Global 24/7 Assistance: call collect If you are going on a non-affiliated program that does NOT provide international health insurance, we recommend finding a policy designed for international usage and the study abroad student. ISICard All IC students going abroad may wish to purchase an ISICard. They can be purchased at ISICard provides: Student discounts on travel, transportation, entertainment, museum entry, etc. Passport replacement insurance Baggage/Trip delay insurance 24/7 Help Line emergency service Medical Needs Inform your study abroad program of any medical conditions that you may have. Before you leave Have a physical exam and a dental check-up Bring along an adequate supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication (consult with UHG for advice on this) Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses The Program Director, Study Abroad Center or International Office can assist you in getting any medical care you need while you are abroad. Staying Healthy Abroad Jet Lag Try not to sleep during the day when you first arrive. Doing so will delay your bodys adjustment to the time difference. Diseases related to food, water, insects Your study abroad program should inform you if you need vaccinations, or need to be aware of these issues where you are going. Additional information is available from the Center for Disease Control atDiet If you are unfamiliar with the diet consumed in the country youll be in, do some research to better prepare yourself, especially if you have any food allergies, sensitivities, or are a picky eater. Hammond Health Center Travel Clinic Any student travelling outside of Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Japan Travel Clinic visit should be scheduled for at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure Health Center Travel Clinic can provide: Immunizations, including yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, MMR, meningococcal, polio, typhoid, varicella and Tetanus (Tdap). Can also special order Rabies and Japanese encephalitis vaccines Malaria prophylaxis Education about prevention and treatment for common health concerns based on students health history and destination. The Travel Clinic visit is not: a physical examination, nor a visit to complete a form for medical clearance to participate in a program. Student must schedule a separate visit for this. Hammond Health Center Travel Clinic (cont.) There is no charge for the visit. Call to schedule They do charge the cost to the Health Center for vaccinations. Some vaccines are covered by insurance but several of the common travel vaccines are often not covered by insurance. Malaria medication can be expensive and is often not covered by insurance. Students going to the Travel Clinic should bring: A completed pre-travel questionnaire Prior vaccine records Detailed itinerary of their trip Culture Shock Safety abroad Beware of pickpockets keep your valuables safe. Always carry valuables in a money belt or pouch while traveling, not in a backpack or shoulder bag. Never leave your bags unattended. Dress and behave discreetly. Be aware that the message your dress and behavior may be communicating will be different in different cultures. Travel in pairs or small groups. Keep Study Abroad staff informed of travel plans. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not be an oblivious tourist. Try not to stand out as a group or an individual Standing out as an American may make you a target for crime. Certain brand names or types of clothing will identify you as an American, even from a distance. Study abroad in 2015 OIP and your study abroad program keep in contact with the U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Embassies, and other study abroad programs to stay informed about current security information. Take time to learn about current events The people you meet abroad are likely to be very knowledgeable about current events, and will want to discuss with you the role of the U.S. in world events. You may feel that you are held responsible for U.S. policy/ actions. It is helpful to have an understanding of current events so that you can express and defend your position on the issues. Foreign Law The U.S. Embassy in other countries can provide legal advice, but they will not intervene with foreign governments on behalf of U.S. students arrested for drugs or other serious infractions. You are permitted to drink alcohol at age 18 in most locations outside of the U.S. Keep in mind that drinking to excess, however, will make you more vulnerable to crime. Exchange Rates Remember: rates fluctuate! For updated rates, check the following website: Bringing Money Abroad Packing Be sure you can manage to transport all of the luggage you bring, all at the same time!! If you take any liquids, gels,etc. in your carry on, all containers must be 3.4 oz. or less, and must all fit in one quart-size, zip-loc plastic bag. Large backpacks, suitcases with wheels and retractable handles are easiest to carry. Check with your airline for luggage restrictions. Be prepared to pay $ to check 2 nd bag (and sometimes also 1 st bag). Think about your plans while packing: will you be travelling, going to clubs, doing an internship? What is culturally appropriate attire for where youll be studying? Electrical voltage is 220v in most countries, as opposed to 110v in the US. Electrical plugs are shaped differently in other countries. Purchase electrical items there or bring a converter and/or an adapter. Bring enough prescription and over-the-counter medication to last the entire time you will be abroad. Ithaca College Details Orientations Thursday, Nov. 12, 12:10-1:00, Textor 101 Tuesday, Dec. 1, 12:10-1:00, Textor 101 Monday, Dec. 7, 7:00-8:00, Textor 103 Have a great winter break or semester abroad!!