UW Oshkosh

Health, Safety and Travel Planning: a guide for students on non-UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs

You may be responsible for some or all of the following preparations. Know which ones you are responsible for, and then do them far enough in advance so that minor problems don’t keep you from your study abroad experience! You will certainly have other responsibilities which are not covered below.

Health & Insurance

Purchase Health Insurance

Do I have insurance for medical and emergency services while studying abroad?

UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs

YES - but only during your official program dates! UW System requires all participants on UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs abroad to purchase insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This insurance is included in your study abroad program fees; your coverage will begin on the first day on which you are required to be in the host country and end within a few days of the last day on which you are required to be in the host country. If you plan to arrive early or depart after your program has ended, you can purchase additional insurance by following the link above. UW System does not allow for the exemption of any student for any reason.

In addition to CISI, all students studying through an Australian, German or New Zealand university are required by the foreign government to carry additional health insurance.

You will receive instructions and the necessary paperwork to obtain your insurance card at your host university’s orientation.

Iin addition to CISI, all students studying in Fiji or completing an internship or short course through AustraLearn will be covered under an AustraLearn-purchased health insurance policy.

Non-UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs

You will not have insurance which covers medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation or emergency medical reunion unless you purchase this on your own or your sponsoring program purchases this for you. It is highly recommended that you purchase this if your sponsoring program doesn't offer it; these benefits are not found in domestic policies.

What does CISI cover?

CISI coverage can change from policy year to policy year. All benefits are clearly explained on the current Description of Coverage. If your program begins

Additional Comprehensive Security Evacuation Insurance is outlined on a separate Description of Coverage, available from http://culturalinsurance.com/pdf/security_evac_comprehensive_ace.pdf.

How do I access information about my CISI coverage and print my insurance card?

Instructions on accessing information and printing your insurance card, among other things, are available from http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/myCISI.pdf.

In addition, use the CISI Participant Portal to

  • View, print and email your
    • Consulate letter (if you are applying for a visa to enter a foreign country, you may need this),
    • Claim form (submit this directly to CISI)
  • Access travel-related sites.
  • Research country specific information.
  • Access a personal security assistance website.
  • Extend your coverage (prior to or following your program dates).

I will be abroad prior to my official program dates and/or after my official program dates. Do I need to extend my insurance coverage if I'm on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored program?

YES! If you don't extend your insurance coverage, you won't be covered! Follow the instructions available from http://www.uwosh.edu/oie/abroad/handbook/myCISI.pdf to extend your coverage. You must pay for the additional coverage directly at the time that you request the extension.

Can I use my personal health insurance plan without purchasing additional insurance for travel abroad?

UW Oshkosh-sponsored Programs

No.

All Other Travelers

Sickness and accident coverage while in a foreign country may be included in your personal health insurance plan, but it is rare for personal health insurance plans to cover medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation or emergency medical reunion. BEFORE you travel you should be familiar with the type of coverage you have and the steps you need to take in order to use your policy abroad. If you are not satisfied that you have sufficient coverage abroad, you can purchase a temporary policy.

My insurance company requires me to be a full-time student in order to take advantage of a lower premium. Will study abroad affect my ability to keep this premium?

Your insurance company may require you to be a full-time student in order to take advantage of lower premiums. IF you are NOT enrolled in classes at UW Oshkosh for a full semester (i.e. you are transferring credits back to UW Oshkosh at the end of your study abroad program), AND you are NOT enrolled for full-time credit through another accredited U.S. institution, this may affect your premiums. Information on your enrollment status is automatically extracted from UW Oshkosh records and sent to a Clearinghouse, which many insurance companies monitor. You will show up in the Clearinghouse as “not enrolled” at UW Oshkosh IF you are not enrolled for courses AT UW OSHKOSH, and your premiums may be affected.

In order to avoid problems, contact your insurance company BEFORE leaving for your study abroad destination. Your insurance company will either give you a form or a list of information which they need. You can fax this form/list to the institution abroad for verification of full-time status while studying there.

Please note that if you are on Academic Leave of Absence, you are being reported by UW Oshkosh as "not enrolled."

What are some insurance alternatives?

At $22, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a popular option for students. The ISIC can be purchased on line; policy details are available from https://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/Travel/Main.aspx?MenuID=5004.. To call STA Travel: 1-800-329-9537 (menu option “Student, youth and teacher identity cards”). A second option is to search on the internet or contact your local travel agent. There are many other insurance companies that will cover you during your time abroad.

What are medical evacuation, security evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion?

Medical evacuation, security evacuation and repatriation benefits cover the insured when the insured is moved to a location outside of the host country or returned to the U.S. because a medical condition cannot be treated locally, because of a security risk at the site abroad or because of the death of the insured. Medical reunion benefits cover a family member who travels to the location where the insured is undergoing medical treatment. If you have medical reunion, identify one or more family members who have a valid passport as your emergency contact. Anyone not holding a valid passport will need to apply for one before being able to take advantage of emergency medical reunion.

Is the insurance offered through CISI sufficient?

CISI insurance is not comprehensive. It is each participant's responsibility to review the policy for sufficient coverage. If you feel that coverage is insufficient, purchase additional coverage through your insurance agent. Do not cancel your health insurance policy in the U.S. while you are gone! In most cases, your international policy will cover you while you are gone and/or bring you back to the U.S., but once you return, your domestic policy will need to provide coverage.

Do I need trip cancellation insurance or baggage insurance?

Because the UW Oshkosh OIE runs all programs on a cost-recovery basis, it is not possible to make exceptions to the withdrawal and refund policy for any reason, including withdrawal for medical reasons or family emergencies. To protect yourself, purchase TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. If you choose not to purchase trip cancellation insurance, study abroad fees assessed by the OIE will be your responsibility regardless of your reason for withdrawing. Trip cancellation insurance may provide reimbursement for CERTAIN financial losses UNDER A LIMITED SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Read policies carefully and shop around. Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions.

Baggage insurance typically provides coverage related to lost or delayed luggage. Because there are fairly low limits on the claims you can make, you may also need to purchase insurance riders through your home insurance policy to cover items such as digital cameras or other expensive equipment.

Consider Insurance for Loss, Theft or Damage of Personal Property

If traveling with valuable personal property such as cameras, laptops or equipment, your (or your parents') rental or homeowner's policy may provide sufficient coverage or you may need to purchase a rider to cover specific items; items normally covered without a rider may not be covered while traveling.

Consider Security Evacuation Alternatives

If traveling to parts of the world which are difficult to reach or are considerably less safe than you are accostomed to, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance to cover security or medical evacuation (above and beyond what is provided by the university insurance or by your own insurance). Two options are International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/en/) and Global Rescue (https://www.globalrescue.com/).

Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Site for Immunization Information

The Center for Disease Control provides health information on specific destinations, information about specific diseases that can affect travelers, immunization recommendations, tips on avoiding illness from food or water and more through it's web site. For information specific to your destination/s, see http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/.

When reviewing the CDC information, it's important to understand the distinction between "recommended" and "required" immunizations.

  • Required immunizations are those immunizations which a foreign country requires that you prove you have had in order to enter that foreign country. For example, a country that requires the yellow fever immunization will you to present your "yellow fever vaccination card" when you show up in the foreign airport. If you don't present this, you may be required to get the immunization (and pay for it) on site or you may be sent back to the U.S. (at your own expense).
       
  • Recommended immunizations are those immunizations which the CDC recommends that all travelers have prior to visiting a particular foreign country. Unless you face serious health risks if you receive a particular immunization, it is extremely unwise to ignore these recommendations. If you think you'll save a bit of cash by not getting the recommended immunizations, think again! If you were to contract a disease overseas, you could be faced with $1,000's of dollars in medical expenses upon return. In addition, depending on the disease, you may miss a semester or more at UW Oshkosh upon your return. This can happen! A UW Oshkosh student did not to get the Hepatitis A vaccination prior to traveling to Peru, contracted the disease and was too ill to attend UW Oshkosh over the semester following her program abroad.

If you can't afford an immunization, you may be eligible for a financial aid loan.

If you aren't sure whether you've already had a particular immunization recommended by the CDC, you may be able to check your records with your healthcare provider or on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

 

Visit the Student Health Center or Your Healthcare Provider

The student health center offers the most frequently used immunizations, and can get others on order with advance notice, at lower fees than travel clinics and other healthcare providers. Make an appointment with the student health center (424-2424), a Travel Health Clinic (listings for Aurora available through International Travel Clinic) or your healthcare provider at least 6 weeks before leaving for a foreign country. Some immunizations must be administered over time in order for them to be effective. You will be asked to provide information on your specific destination/s (within each country), date of departure, length of stay and childhood immunizations (bring a copy of the actual record, if possible) either when making the appointment or during your visit.

Travel to an unfamiliar environment can increase stress levels; honestly evaluate your mental health in relation to support systems you can reasonably maintain while studying abroad. If traveling to a developed country, consider setting up an e-mail and phone-support system with friends and family before you leave. Keep in mind that some study abroad sites have very limited means of communication.

The Student Health Center can also provide certification of physical and mental health if needed to apply for a visa. Take care of all dental work, eye exams, and other things which may be offered at a different level of quality or standard of care efore you leave for abroad.

Put Together A Personal Medical Kit

Many prescription and over-the-counter medications available in the U.S. are not available abroad or cannot be found in the same form or at the same quality. Carry all prescription medications AND a letter from your doctor describing your condition and your prescriptions (using both the generic names and the drug name which appears on the prescription container) in your carry-on luggage. All prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs must be carried through customs in original containers. Consider bringing a medical ID bracelet if you have allergic reactions.

For those who wear glasses or contact lenses, carry an extra prescription or extra lenses. Not all countries use the same scale for determining prescriptions, so arrange to have someone send a replacement pair in an emergency. Contact lens supplies can be rare and expensive, so bring saline and cleaner or wear glasses.

Find English-speaking Doctors

U.S. embassies often maintain lists of English-speaking doctors by city. For a list specific to your destination, find the embassy or consulate nearest your destination city using the link above, click on "American Citizen Services" and look for a "medical" list.

Pack to Walk!

You will walk a lot. Codes pertaining to the height and depth of steps, sidewalk conditions, the height of signs (this is for you tall people!) etc. may be different. Avoid foot and ankle injuries by packing appropriate shoes, socks and lots of bandages!

 

Safety

Check State Department Country-specific Information, Travel Alerts & Travel Warnings

The U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs regularly publishes country-specific information, travel alerts, travel warnings and warden messages.

  • Country-specific Information includes health conditions and crime and security information. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security.
       
  • Travel Alerts describe short-term and/or trans-national conditions related to danger, security or instability. Alerts may be issued due to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, election-related violence, or major international conferences or sporting events.
       
  • Travel Warnings describe longer-term conditions related to danger, security or instability.  These may also be issued when the U.S. Government closes an embassy or consulate or is operating on reduced staff.
       
  • Warden Messages relate to safety or travel information for U.S. citizens abroad, may be issued worldwide, regionally, or just in one specific country and are communicated to overseas citizens through U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. To ensure that you receive these messages, register on the State Department's Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP).

View Country-specific Information, Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings (http://travel.state.gov/) for your destination.

Check State Department Travel Publications

Read relevant Consular Affairs Brochures , available for free at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_brochures.html. These should answer many of your questions about traveling abroad.

Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP)

The Smart Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service which allows you as a U.S. citizen to record travel details which help the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad locate you when you need them the most.

All UW Oshkosh students traveling abroad are required to (and responsible for)
completing the registration at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.

The UK, Canada, New Zealand and Japan have similar systems for their nationals.

Develop a Family Communications Plan

Develop a reasonable family communications plan that includes contingencies for emergency situations. Use the Emergency Communication Form to record important information; leave a copy of this form, your itinerary and other important information with someone back home.

Upon Arrival (this could take more time than you had planned!)

It's not so easy to contact friends and family upon arrival! By the time you get off the plane, go through immigration & customs, travel to your accommodation, purchase an international calling card, learn how it works and locate a public phone or an internet cafe, all when you're jet lagged and dealing with a new environment, you may not be able to call or email until the next day.

Email

You may or may not have easy access to reliable email from hotels, internet cafes or universities, depending on your study abroad site. In some countries where crime and computer theft are problems, internet sites may be protected by guards. In this case, avoid sites which are open to the street or are not guarded.

When using UW Oshkosh Titan Mail:

  • Turn off the pop-up blocker on the computer you are using.  Titan Mail WILL NOT WORK with the pop-up blocker turned on.
       
  • Remember that staff & faculty at UW Oshkosh will continue to use your UW Oshkosh email address.  If you are away for an extended period of time, you must continue to check this!

Snail Mail

Sending mail to the U.S. can take two to several weeks, depending on your location. Choose DHL to ship important items and USPS for regular mail. If staying in hotels or hostels, you will not be able to receive mail and you will not have an address abroad. If staying with a host family, your address will be the same as the host family's address, but ask friends and family to use both your host's name and your name when addressing the envelope. At USA Summer Camp, you can send mail from some camp sites but not from others. If possible, buy stamps in Japan before you get to the camp. Mail should be sent to your host family's house rather than to the camp so that it can bereturned to you if you are no longer in Japan when it arrives.

Telephone

  • It's best to use pre-paid phone cards purchased in your destination country. If you purchase these in the U.S., call the customer service number on the back of the card before departing from the U.S. to get the access number from your destination country!
  • Avoid using an international phone card tied to your phone number in the U.S. It’s very easy to rack up a $100-200 phone bill in just a few nights.
  • Do not make international phone calls from your hotel room, even with a calling card or pre-paid calling card, without asking the hotel desk clerk whether or not you'll be charged by the hotel for time spent on the telephone line! Hotels are notorious for charging for time spent on the phone, regardless of how you are paying for the actual call.
  • Never call the U.S. from your host family's phone without a calling card. This is expensive, and it will be difficult to pay the family for the calls after you return to the U.S.
  • Wisconsin in Scotland: international prepaid calling cards purchased in the U.S. do not work on the phones in Dalkeith House.

Cell Phone

While most cell phone companies will tell their customers that their U.S. cell phone will work abroad, the reality is that some U.S. cell phones work abroad and others don't. In some cases two people with the same cell company experience different results. In many cases cell phone customers have been unpleastantly surprised upon returning home to enormous phone bills. Unless you have a cell phone which is specifically designed for use outside the U.S. or you have successfully used your U.S. cell phone abroad, use your U.S. cell phone at your own risk!

If you plan to use your cell phone a lot while outside the U.S. and perhaps plan to continue traveling into the future, consider purchasing a phone which will work anywhere in the world. Otherwise, consider renting a phone. There are lots of options available on the internet - here's what you're looking for:

  • GSM Quad Band (850/900/1800/1900)  
  • It must be unlocked!    

You will also need to purchase a SIM card. Your phone number will be on the SIM card (not on the phone). Without a SIM card, your phone is useless.

  • If you plan to be abroad short-term, for most countries you must now purchase your SIM card PRIOR to traveling. In many countries, you now need to show that you'll be residing in the country for a significant period of time before you can purchase a SIM card in-country. If purchasing before travel, consider purchasing a card which can be replenished on line.
       
  • If you plan to be abroad long-term (a semester or longer), you may want to purchase your SIM card in-country after speaking to other students in the area to find out which company is currently offering the best deal for international students.

 

Don't Drive!

Check the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet for driving conditions at your destination before deciding whether or not to drive while abroad. Generally, it is not recommended since you will not know the rules of the road. If you do decide to drive, get a permit to use a U.S. driver’s license abroad. These are available at any AAA office. Bring two 2"x2" photos. Check with the embassy of the country you will visit before you leave to find out about driver’s license, road permit (these take the place of paying tolls) and auto insurance requirements. Keep in mind that the permit to use a U.S. driver’s license abroad is not valid in all countries and that driving rules differ dramatically from country to country. Read the first few pages of the guidebook you purchased for your trip for recommendations on driving.

In some countries, it is legal to rent a car but ILLEGAL TO DRIVE without the proper auto insurance. In other countries, everyone involved in a car accident (even the one who gets hit) is arrested and taken to the local jail until matters have been resolved. If you don't know the rules, don't drive!

 

 

Travel Planning

Purchase a Travel Guide

Purchase a travel guide for your study abroad destination for current information on money/currency, customs & duties, staying healthy, public transportation, travel tips, telephones, sending mail, tipping, and a lot more. Choose the guidebook which fits your needs, and make sure it is current for the year in which you are traveling!

Get a Valid Passport & Find Out Whether You Need a Visa

Passports

Timing Your Passport Application

You must apply for your passport as soon as you know that you'll be studying abroad. Apply as early as possible as the processing time for YOUR passport may not fit the standard processing times.

Mistakes on Passports

The Office of International Education has recently been hearing from a larger number of students with mistakes on passports than we have in the past. Therefore, in order to meet the OIE deadline for applying for a passport, we require that you complete your passport application on line (see below) BEFORE going to apply in person.

Procedures for Applying for a U.S. Passport

Applicants for U.S. passports should electronically enter personal information online and then print the finished form. The electronic entry system allows for the generation of a 2D barcode on the printed form. Once the application form is printed, the data provided to generate that form is automatically deleted. The online form may be accessed at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport. Passport application forms completed using the on-line data entry system must still be submitted per the instructions below, along with accompanying documents.

  • Complete your passport application on-line (for first-time passport applications, you'll need form DS-11).
  • PRINT THE FORM ON TWO PAGES. PASSPORT AGENCIES CANNOT ACCEPT BACK-TO-BACK FORMS.
  • Do not sign the form.
  • Go to your hometown courthouse or post office in person or apply in Oshkosh. In Oshkosh, Winnebago County Courthouse is just 2 blocks east of campus on the corner of Algoma and Jackson (415 Jackson St, room 419; Telephone: 236-4848).
  • As of April 2011, you must present the following when applying for a U.S. passport:
    1. your driver's license.
    2. two passport photos (you can have them taken at Walgreens).
    3. a certified birth certificate (with the raised seal and the full names of the applicant's parent(s)).
    4. a check (to be made out to Passport Services).
    5. cash or a separate check (to be made out to the Clerk of Courts). The total cost for a passport is approximately $97 plus approximately $7.50 - $15 for the passport photos.
  • When you receive your passport,
    • immediately sign it and fill in page four.
    • Enter your passport details into your on-line study abroad application (passport tab).

If you choose to submit digitized photos, they must meet the same requirements of all passport photographs. Digitized photographs are produced on digital printers, some of which will produce a photograph in which the dots are seen or which make the picture look grainy. Acceptable photos have a continuous tone image that looks very photo-like.

If you already have a passport, check to make sure it is valid through the end of your projected time abroad. Some countries require your passport to be valid for up to six months after your projected date of return. If you need to renew your passport, follow the instructions for renewing a passport at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get_renew.html.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the Office of International Education in Dempsey 146 so that we can begin the visa paperwork right away.

To check on the status of your passport application, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

If you have other questions regarding passports, visit the U.S. State Department web site for passports at http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

Live operator assistance is available from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays (1-877-487-2778; TDD/TDY: 1-888-874-7793). Passport customers may also contact the National Passport Information Center at any time during the day or night for automated information or, if a passport is needed within 14 days, to make an appointment at a Passport Agency.

Passport Card

The passport card may be used at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda only. The card may not be used to travel by air.

Visas & Residence Permits

What is a visa?

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country on a U.S. passport that makes it possible for the bearer to visit that foreign country. In some cases, U.S. citizens and citizens from other countries can enter a foreign country without applying for a visa in advance, instead receiving their visa at the foreign airport. In other cases, U.S. citizens and citizens from other countries must apply for a visa in advance.

Do I need a visa to study or teach abroad?

To check whether you will need to apply for a visa in advance, check the web site of the foreign embassy. You can access these web sites from the U.S. State Department list of Foreign Embassies in the U.S. Once you are on the web site of the foreign embassy, look for their "consular services" or "consular information." You will find information pertaining to visa applications there. Very often the information presented on these sites is more confusing than clarifying. Stop in to see staff in the OIE or call the embassy/consulate directly if you have questions.

Most countries do not require U.S. citizens to obtain a visa before entering as a tourist for a short time, and some do not require visas for unpaid teaching or for study of one semester or less. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the OIE immediately so that we can determine whether or not you will need a visa for the country you plan to visit.

Faculty-led and Student Exchange Programs

Visa requirements, if any, are listed on your program's web page.

Student Teaching

Educators Abroad (EA) will let you know whether you need a visa for your program. It is your responsibility to apply for the visa if needed.

How do I get a visa?

If you are on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored faculty-led or student exchange program and you need a visa to study abroad in a particular country, the Office of International Education will make the forms and instructions for applying available to you via the web page for your program. Getting a visa can take anywhere between 24 hours to three months. Applications are always done through the foreign country's local consulate or embassy, generally located in Chicago or in Washington D.C. Sometimes, individuals must travel to the consulate in person to obtain a visa. Other times, individuals can apply by mail. Information on applying for a visa is always listed on the web pages of the Foreign Embassies in the U.S. .

You will need, among other things, a valid passport in order to apply for your visa, so be sure to apply for your passport early!

Residence Permit

A residence permit entitles foreign nationals to the right of residence within the issuing country.

In some cases, U.S. citizens and citizens from other countries can remain in a foreign country without applying for a residence permit. In other cases, U.S. citizens and citizens from other countries must apply for a residence permit either before traveling or after having arrived in the foreign country.

Faculty-led and Student Exchange Programs

Residence permit requirements, if any, are listed on your program's web page.

Student Teaching

It is your responsibility to know, before traveling, whether you need to apply for a residence permit. It is best to check with the Office of International Education to confirm and to ask staff in the OIE to check your residence permit application (if applying before traveling) and other required documents before sending the application to the appropriate consulate or embassy in the U.S. Keep in mind that if you must apply after traveling, you will need to arrive in the foreign country with all of the proper application documentation.

To check whether you will need to apply for a residence permit in advance, check the web site of the foreign embassy. You can access these web sites from the Foreign Embassies in the U.S. list. Once you are on the web site of the foreign embassy, look for their "consular services" or "consular information." You will find information pertaining to residence permit applications there (often under the "student" visa section). Very often the information presented on these sites is more confusing than clarifying. Stop in to see staff in the OIE or call the embassy/consulate directly if you have questions.

Airline Tickets

If you are responsible for finding and purchasing your own airline tickets, monitor priceline.com for awhile so that you know what a reasonable price is for the route you want. Then, check the web page of the airline offering the low-fee ticket; you may find the same route to be $10-$20 cheaper when purchased on-line directly from the airline. When purchasing your ticket, remember that the first and last names on your airline tickets must match your name as it appears in your passport EXACTLY. If your credit card includes travel insurance, consider purchasing your airline ticket using your credit card. When you receive your tickets, check the dates and times listed on all of your tickets to be sure they are accurate. Also check to make sure that the first and last names on your airline ticket match the first and last names in your passport EXACTLY. Middle names shouldn't matter.

Covering Personal Expenses (Bringing Money Abroad)

In addition to advertised program fees, you will be responsible for other expenses. The budget estimate for your program is based on an average person's expenditures and takes into account pricing for goods and services at the destination. It is unreasonable to think that you may spend significantly less than the estimates for your trip. If you enjoy shopping or plan to spend evenings out, bring more than the budget estimate! Official exchange rates are available from the Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com.

Cash (foreign currency)

It is least expensive and recommended to purchase foreign currency once you arrive at the international airport at your destination unless you are traveling to Japan or Mexico, where currency exchanges & ATMs may be closed (Japan) or extremely unsafe (Mexico). You may also purchase most (but not all) foreign currencies before traveling from a currency exchange outlet at an international airport or by ordering through your local bank or credit union. For up-to-date locations and hours of operation for Currency Exchange at O'Hare Airport, see http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/travel_tools/foreign_currency_exchange.html.

Traveler's Checks

Purchase enough traveler’s checks at your bank or credit union to cover you when a credit or ATM card cannot be used or is stolen. PROs: given increasing credit, debit and ATM card fees, traveler's checks may be less expensive. CONs: traveler's checks can only be cashed at the airport, in banks, at money exchanges and in SOME hotels. Expensive hotels tend to give bad exchange rates for traveler's checks. If there is an American Express office in the city you plan to visit (and you are on a program with a flexible enough schedule to conveniently get there), cash your traveler's checks there. American Express will not charge commission.

Credit, Debit & ATM Cards

Plastic is extremely convenient in some parts of the world and useless in others. Use your guide book to determine whether this type of currency is accepted at your destination. You'll be charged a percentage of each transaction; this fee is "rolled" into the exchange rate and can be the daily rate of exchange plus 2.5% or higher. You may also be charged per transaction by your bank and/or by the foreign bank (owners of the ATM machine).

In order to use your cards abroad, you must let your credit/debit/ATM card company know you plan to travel abroad. If you don't, it's quite common, even for regular travelers, to find that their card has been red flagged and cancelled by the issuing bank's computer system. In addition, for security reasons some cards are not validated for overseas travel and may be confiscated by a machine even after entering the correct PIN. *At least one area Credit Union has cut off all access to ATM's from abroad due to fraud.

Global VISA ATM locator
Global MasterCard ATM locator
Global American Express ATM locator

Credit Cards: Bring VISA or MasterCard only. American Express may be used at American Express offices. PROs: credit cards typically offer protection against unauthorized use provided you follow the company's reporting policy. CONs: numbers are often stolen; credit card cash advances are extremely expensive and require a PIN. *Know your credit card limits--charging over the limit is an arrestable offense in some countries. Paraphrase from a US State Department Consular Information Sheet: Credit card fraud is on the rise in many countries, and both theft and 'number skimming' are common. Retain all your credit card receipts and check your accounts regularly to help prevent unauthorized use of your credit cards.

Debit Cards vs. ATM Cards: In the U.S. we typically use debit cards rather than ATM cards. Debit cards allow users to withdraw cash using a PIN or make purchases WITHOUT using a PIN. In other countries, because of the high incidence of theft, ATM cards are a better choice because they always require a PIN. PROs: In developed countries (except Japan) ATM cards are typically the most convenient way to access money. CONs: Your account can be emptied if your numbers (or numbers and PIN) are stolen. You should keep only the money you plan to spend on your trip in your account; remove overdraft protection. To protect your PIN

  • never access cash from machines visible to other people
  • always shield both your hand and the PIN pad to protect against cameras planted near ATMs
  • avoid ATM machines which require you to swipe your card in order to open the door to the ATM booth
  • Paraphrase from a US State Department Country-specific Information publication: avoid using debit cards for point of sale purchases, as a skimmed number can be used to clean out an account.

Money in an Emergency

Sending Money by Wire Transfer

To send money by wire transfer, you will need the following information from the institution/organization/individual you are paying:

  • Name of the institution/organization/individual
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Account # (at the bank)
  • Fax Number (optional)
  • Email (optional)

You will also need the following information from the bank which will receive the money. The institution/organization/individual you are paying will give this information to you.

  • Bank Name
  • Bank Address
  • Bank phone
  • Bank Fax
  • Branch Number
  • ABA
  • Sort Code
  • Swift

When requesting a wire transfer at your local bank or credit union, present the information above and ask that the bank "cover the wire transfer fees at both the sending and the receiving banks." If you don't cover the wire fees at the receiving bank, your payment will be reduced by the amount of the fee and you will end up still owing.

When you order the transfer, you do so in foreign currency. Therefore, you will typically be charged in U.S. dollars after the transfer has been processed. Your fee will include the equivalent of the wire transfer in U.S. dollars plus a bank fee (ask how much this is before ordering the transfer).

Wire transfers typically take 3-5 days to process. Be sure that you make payments by wire transfer far enough in advance of payment deadlines.

Bank Drafts in Foreign Currencies

To make a payment in a foreign currency by check, you will need to order a "bank draft" in that foreign currency through your local bank or credit union.

When you order the draft, you do so in foreign currency. Therefore, you will typically be charged in U.S. dollars after the draft has been processed. Your fee will include the equivalent of the draft in U.S. dollars plus a bank fee (ask how much this is before ordering the draft).

Be sure that you make requests for drafts far enough in advance of payment deadlines. Bank drafts take at least several days to process before being mailed to the bank and then to you. Plan for an additional 10 days to mail the draft to a foreign country.

Pack

Check with your program leader or program director to find out what to pack and what the dress requirements are for your program.

Identification

Bring a student ID to take advantage of student entry fees. Make sure you have both your passport and a second official form of identification (e.g. driver’s license), especially if hiking the Inca Trail (you may be asked to present your ORIGINAL DRIVER'S LICENSE to enter the Inca Trail).

Electricity

Avoid bringing electrical appliances if possible; buy adapters (plug shape) and a converter (to change voltage) if necessary and use both. Try to AVOID purchasing an UNFUSED adapter (otherwise the charge goes either into the appliance or into the wall if it blows). For more information on adapters and converters, go to http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/wwelect.htm.

Dalkeith House: Unfused adapters are prohibited. You will be asked NOT to use any adapter you've purchased before travel and to purchase an approved adapter on site instead.

Pack to Stay Safe!

For you own safety, follow this simple rule: Don't bring anything that someone else may want. Don't pack clothing or accessories that will make you a target for theft. Leave name brand clothing at home and don't wear any jewelry. Empty your wallet or purse before traveling. Remove extra credit cards and other items you won't need.

Pack to Walk!

You will walk a lot. Codes pertaining to the height and depth of steps, sidewalk conditions, the height of signs (this is for you tall people!) etc. may be different. Avoid foot and ankle injuries by packing appropriate shoes, socks and lots of bandages!

Luggage

Limit yourself to one reasonably-sized check-on piece of luggage and one small carry-on. Leave extra space for things you buy abroad to avoid paying fees for going over luggage limits on your return. Label every piece of luggage both inside and out and buy TSA-approved locks (so that your locks aren't removed during airport inspection) for use at hotels. If you can't carry your luggage (all of it at once) up and down the block, you have probably packed too much. Check the web site for the airline you will be flying for luggage limits.

International flights can take anywhere from several to fourteen hours. Generally, passengers are offered food and beverages, movies (depending on the airline and length of the flight) and music channels & headphones. If you think you might require other entertainment, you'll need to bring it with you.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security's list of prohibited items

Packing List - Sample

Packing List - USA Summer Camp

Packing List - Wisconsin in Scotland

Fly

Procedures at U.S. International Airports

Arrive at a U.S. international airport (O'Hare, Minneapolis, etc.) a minimum of 3 ½ hours early so that you complete your check-in 3 hours early. Passengers who show up later to check in on planes which are oversold don’t always get a seat assignment. Go through security immediately after checking in; if you run into trouble with security you may still have enough time to get cleared and make your flight. You must be through security a minimum of ½ hour to 45 minutes (the exact timing depends on the airport) before your plane is scheduled to BOARD. If you aren't, you may not be allowed through security and you will miss your flight. Boarding times are typically 30 to 45 minutes before scheduled take off. Anyone who is not flying will not be allowed to pass through security.

For airport maps, terminal information, parking information, etc., check the appropriate web pages below:

O’Hare: http://www.flychicago.com/PassengerInformation/AirportMaps.aspx
Milwaukee: http://www.mitchellairport.com/
Minneapolis/St. Paul: http://www.mspairport.com/MSP/
Outagamie County (Appleton): http://www.atwairport.com/

Customs Declaration Form

Either just prior to check-in or while on the flight, you will receive a customs declaration form; be sure you have the form for U.S. citizens (unless you are a citizen of another country) written in English. Complete this form—front and back—either before check-in or before the plane lands. You will need this form to go through customs (explained elsewhere in this guide).

Immigration

When you go through immigration, officials inspect your passport and may ask for your hotel/host family address and telephone number; it's a good idea to carry this information with you. If asked what you will be doing in the host country:

  • short-term programs with NO ENROLLMENT in a university or school ABROAD, “I'm here on a cultural visit with my U.S. professor.” Do not say “to study” or "for international business."

  • short-term programs WITH ENROLLMENT in a university or school ABROAD (LdM, Germany, Spain), "I'm here to take classes at (institution name) for # (number) weeks."

  • semester or longer, “I'm here to study at (institution name).”

  • USA Summer Camp, “I'm here to participate on a language camp.” Do not say "to work at a summer camp."

  • Wisconsin in Scotland, present a letter to immigration officials (included in a packet sent to your permanent address before departure)

  • Even if you hope to find a legal job later, do not mention working.

If you say “to study,” "to work," or “for international business" when you are not studying at a university or getting paid for work, you will confuse immigration officials, who may assume that you then need a special student or work visa.

Photographs and Fingerprinting

Just as the U.S. does with foreign nationals entering the United States, you may be photographed and fingerprinted upon entry in the foreign country. Data collected may be checked against a database of international terror and crime suspects, checked against domestic crime records and/or used for other purposes. The U.S., Japan and Brazil are photographing and fingerprinting.

Customs

After immigration, you will go to the baggage claim to get your luggage and then head through customs. At this point, officials will decide whether or not to search through your luggage. In general, you cannot bring meat or agricultural products across borders. These items will be confiscated. For more information on customs regulations, see the U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/) for your destination. If you are traveling to Japan with prescription drugs, it is extremely important that you understand Japanese Customs Regulations.

Get Yourself from the Airport to Your Accommodations

You may be responsible for getting yourself from the host country's airport to your study abroad site. Check in advance for the safest convenient mode of transportation (not necessarily the cheapest!), or check your Travel Guide. If you will be traveling with quite a bit of luggage, public transportation systems may not be the way to go; climbing stairs, crowded conditions and/or theft can make traveling with lots of luggage difficult.

Jet Lag

To avoid jet lag on flights where there is a large time difference, it is best to immediately adopt the sleeping schedule of your destination; this means either attempting to sleep or to stay awake according to the time of day (or night) it is at your destination before arriving. You should begin doing this at the front end of your trip (i.e. while riding to the airport if someone else is driving or immediately upon take-off on the first leg of your trip).

If there is a large time difference between Wisconsin and your destination and you arrive at your destination during the day, DON’T SLEEP! If you can manage to stay awake on the first day, jet lag will be less difficult for you during the days to come. You're going to be extremely tired either way, so it’s best to fight it at the very beginning of your trip so that you can enjoy the days to come!

Find Out Whether You Need to Carry Proof of Legal Entry & Stay

In some countries, foreigners are required to provide proof of legal entry and stay to authorities upon request. This means that foreigners may be required to carry their passports (e.g. in the Netherlands or Japan) or identity documents issued by the foreign government (e.g. Japan if staying for a longer period of time) at all times. Check the Entry/Exit Requirements section of the U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/) for your destination for details.

 

Return Home

Know how early you must arrive at the international airport in order to get through security in time; every airport has its own rules. If traveling on a faculty-led program, your faculty leader will let you know what time your group will meet to leave for the airport.

Airport exit fees are often, but not always, included in the cost of your airline ticket. Know whether you must pay these at the airport and in what currency so that you don't exchange all of your money back into U.S. dollars too soon. Check your guidebook or the  U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/)  for your destination for more information.

 

This page was last updated on: March 25, 2009