Students travelling abroad

 Prepare for your program  Stay safe and maximize your experience while abroad  Know what to expect when you return

 Documents to IEGE!  Visa  Money Matters  Health (Immunizations, medicine, etc.)  Packing  At the airport  Research

 Travel and Academic Documents to IEGE  Review today your study abroad file for completeness. The review will save you headaches!

 Visa  Required by all countries for semester study abroad.  May be required for short term summer/winter programs.  Lengthy process—plan ahead.  Make the appointment NOW with the host country consulate.  If visa application is submitted upon entry into country, gather all required documentation NOW.  Triple check for completeness.

 Confirm with Financial Aid expected payments and availability of funds.  Create a budget for your time abroad. Stick to it.  Get to know the local currency and the currency conversion rate. Be prepared for changes.  Host country students are most knowledgeable about inexpensive things to do and eat.

 Inform your credit card company and bank that you will be abroad.  Chip your card!  Pay attention to international transaction fees.  Consider changing bank to get a lower rate.  Have a few different forms of payment (Cash, ATM, credit card, etc.) and do not have them all in one place.  Do not use a credit card to withdraw funds.

 Read about your host country as well as countries to which you plan to travel on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Website.  Take all required and recommended immunizations, vaccinations and medicines (such as malaria pills)  Discuss with the IEGE study abroad advisor and your host program any health issues and concerns you may have.  Purchase personal care items upon arrival; Do not carry shampoo and toothpaste from home.

 Bring a full supply of your medications to last the duration of your program WITH the Doctor’s prescription and original packaging  Contact your host country program or CISI insurance to confirm your medication can be brought into the country and alternative plans if that is not possible.  Ask the doctor to write out the components, not the brand name.  Different countries have different laws in terms of medicine and prescription drugs; Be aware of the local law regarding any medicine you bring with you.  Some US approved medications are not approved in host countries.

 Upon arrival at host institution, locate the medical clinic, a doctor, and a dentist that you will use if you need medical or dental assistance.  Staying healthy means getting enough sleep and eating a proper diet.

 Make sure your luggage is appropriate for travel.  Check your airlines policies regarding what you can and cannot bring in your luggage and in your carry- on.  Know the weight limit and luggage count for your airline. You will have to pay a large fee if you exceed the limit.  Mark your luggage with a tag or ribbon so you can easily identify it  Check ALL airlines you are using for weight and size limitations

 All travel documents you need upon arrival, to get through customs, and to get to your accommodation. Leave copies at home and in your suitcase.  Passport, money, and address/directions to your accommodation  Medicines. Dr’s prescriptions, original packaging, glasses (take extra pair in luggage).  Phone numbers and for contacts at host institution, accommodations and IEGE.  Reading material, an empty water bottle, some packaged snacks.

 Pack lightly and plan to wear layers- You can always purchase what you need abroad, over-packing is an unnecessary burden!  Pack lightly.  Research the weather patterns in your host destination.  Get to know local dress codes and dress expectations. In general, other countries dress much neater and more formally than in the US. Think business casual.  Dress appropriately and respectfully for your destination.  Pack lightly  Plug adaptors. Also check voltage for your appliances.

 Arrive a minimum of three hours early at the right airport.  Have all documents, carry on, and luggage prepared the night before.  Research your airport of departure and know where you are going within the airport.  Research your arrival airport and know how you will get from there to your accommodations.  Have directions, contacts, and a plan for getting to your accommodation from the airport.

 Before you go, do lots of research on your host destination.  Weather.  Cultural norms/Things not to do.  Travel warnings, dangers, and things of which you should be aware.  Buy a guide book like Lonely Planet or Rick Steve’s  What to expect

 Culture “shock” and getting over it  Health and safety  Academics  Communication  Maximizing your experience & cultural immersion

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Arrival First weeks Next few weeks Coming up for air and being part of things

 CISI Health/Travel Insurance Plan. Read it.  Local health insurance.  Emergency phone numbers.  Medicine.  What to do when you are sick.  Research local crime and dangers and know what to avoid.  Do not rent a car or motorbike while abroad.  Do not take drugs or abuse alcohol.  Take all the normal safety precautions you take at home and apply them abroad.  Title IX and sexual harassment.

 Understanding Title IX Guidelines  Read through the handout understand the process, your rights and your responsibilities.

 Complete a BC IEGE Course Equivalency Form before you leave. Let IEGE know if you adjust your intended coursework abroad.  Take your academics seriously. It may be more demanding than at Brooklyn College.  Different countries approach education and class participation in different ways. It is very important to learn early on the host institution expectations for exams, class attendance and academic work. Be ready to adjust your time management and academic habits to suit the host institution’s expectations.  If you experience difficulty, reach out early on to your professors, the host institution’s study abroad advisor, or IEGE.  Enjoy your time abroad, but remember academics come first.

 Have a plan for communicating with your family and friends at home- skype, phone calls, Whatsapp, WeChat (China) etc.  Remember you are abroad to learn about the new country, have new experiences, meet new people.  Do not be over-connected with family or friends at home.  Phone plan-pay as you go phone.  Check your s, be in contact with IEGE. Be sure to use the and don’t be shy!

 Talk to locals, reach out to people in the host country, make new friends, don’t isolate yourself.  Learn and practice the language, at whatever level is comfortable.  Continue an interest, explore a new one.  Explore the arts, food, architecture, history, and cultural differences in your host country.  Buy a guide book like Lonely Planet or Rick Steve’s  Take photos, draw, write, keep a journal or blog.

 Don’t expect everything to work or function the way it does in The US.  Know what to expect- read blogs, articles, talk to students that have gone abroad before.  Keep an open mind and put yourself out there!  Cultural immersion is not always easy, talk to people about your experience, including us.

 Tell your host country institution to send your transcript to IEGE, 1108 Boylan Hall, Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York  Your foreign transcript is matched to your completed Course Equivalency Form. Only when the two are matched will your coursework be posted to your Brooklyn College transcript.  Please visit IEGE when you return and tell us about your experience.  Leverage and apply your experience in your personal life, academic career, and professional pursuits.

Questions???