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| Tips for Students |
- With astute planning, anyone can afford study abroad. To economize, study in a country where the U.S. dollar is especially strong and/or study for a shorter duration.
- If you aren't sure about how you'd fare alone, consider going abroad with a close friend.
- Study the political climate of the country to determine if it is safe to visit.
- Learn about museums, architectural landmarks and other famous sites, and then explore them.
- Attend all program orientations. They're a great source of information.
- Research the host country's culture, religion, history, current events, and economy. This will help reduce subsequent culture shock and home sickness.
- Learn about traditional day-to-day behavior. What may be polite in one country—i.e., tipping—may be offensive elsewhere.
- Try to learn a few handy local phrases of the local language. The more you know of the language, the better you'll adjust.
- Record the address and telephone numbers of the nearest Embassy or Consulate, and keep this information with you at all times.
- How expensive or difficult is a local Internet connection? Online access lets you contact family and friends via email, and keep informed of events back home via the Web. All this will help reduce culture shock and home sickness.
- Keep a journal. When you return, your journal will remind you of interesting sites and events you might otherwise have forgotten. Moreover, your journal may be a helpful resource if you subsequently write about your experiences or advise future study abroad students.
- Find out what the typical weather pattern in the selected country during the time period.
- Research how many pieces of luggage can be taken on an international flight and what is the allowed weight limit is for each piece.
- Make sure the luggage meets all of the safety and customs requirements for international flights.
- Be conscious of whether the student be required to carry all of this luggage for any length of time or distance.
- Leave extra room in luggage or bring an empty backpack, which can be used for souveniers that the student plans to bring home.
- Always keep valuables such as money, passport and camera equipment in a carryon bag, which should stay with the student at all times during the flight.
- Insure the baggage and personal effects for the full period abroad.
- When traveling with a camera, buy a lead-lined film bag. Contrary to posted airport claims, some X-ray devices ruin film.
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| The most important factor in your safety abroad is likely to be your behavior. It's wise to do the following: |
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't wander through unfamiliar areas alone, and always remain alert.
- Don't go out alone at night. Even when you're with friends, stick to well-lit streets where there are a lot of people.
- Don't flash jewelry, expensive cameras, or electronic equipment.
- Use caution when walking or jogging. Remember that in some countries, drivers use the left side of the road. In certain areas, drivers may not expect anyone to be running along the road.
- When crossing streets, keep in mind that pedestrians may not be given the right of way.
- Be careful with alcohol. If you drink, make sure it is only with people you know and trust, and designate one person to remain sober. (Drunk driving laws abroad are sometimes much more severe) Although they may be legally permitted to drink abroad, students are advised to drink with great care while studying abroad. Alcohol can mix with trouble overseas the same way it can at home.
- Don't attract attention to yourself with provocative or expensive clothing or boisterous conversation in public. Observe local students' behavior, and try to mimic it.
- Use only official taxis. Unless meters are used, agree on the fare before you get in.
- Before you travel from your program site, find out what methods of transportation are safest and whether any roads should be avoided.
- Read the local papers to find out where high crime areas are and whether civil unrest is brewing.
- Stay away from demonstrations or any kind of civil disturbances. Even innocent bystanders can be hurt or arrested.
- Protect your passport. Keep it with you, in a front pocket or your purse. Be careful when displaying it.
- In general, avoid being engulfed in a crowd. This is the preferred environment of pickpockets.
- Accidents can happen anywhere. If driving, know what local traffic laws are and follow them. Always use a seat-belt. Make sure you understand local road signs and signals.
- Remain alert when walking. Before crossing streets, remember to look both ways; in some countries, traffic will be coming from the opposite direction from what you would expect.
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