UW Oshkosh

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

Depending on the type of program you chose, you may be responsible for some or all of the following preparations. Make sure you know which ones you are responsible for doing, and then make sure you do them far enough in advance so that minor problems don’t keep you from your study abroad experience! Remember that this list is not all-inclusive. You will certainly have other responsibilities which are not covered below. Be sure to contact your program director for information related to your particular program.

Health & Insurance

Purchase Health Insurance

Am I required to have insurance for medical and emergency services while studying abroad?

UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs

YES! UW System requires all participants on UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs abroad to purchase medical evacuation/repatriation benefits provided through the UW System international health insurance policy. For UW Oshkosh-sponsored programs, this insurance is provided through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and is included in your study abroad program fees. Information on this policy is available at http://www.culturalinsurance.com/uwis0066/. UW System does not allow for the exemption of any student for any reason from the mandatory health insurance policy offered through CISI.

Australia & New Zealand: in addition to CISI, all students studying through an Australian university or university in New Zealand are required by the foreign government to carry health insurance purchased in Australia or health insurance purchased in New Zealand. This insurance coverage is more comprehensive than the coverage offered through CISI. At your Australian university's orientation, you will receive instructions and the necessary paperwork to obtain your insurance card.

AustraLearn (Fiji, short-term & Internship programs): in 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 are not required to carry health insurance which covers medical evacuation/ repatriation but it is highly recommended. Every year students travel abroad and learn too late that their home health insurance policy will not sufficiently cover them while abroad. Evacuation, repatriation and emergency medical reunion benefits are rarely found in domestic policies. See "What are evacuation, repatriation and emergency medical reunion?" below for more information on these provisions.

Who is eligible for UW System CISI insurance?

This insurance coverage is available to faculty, staff and students who engage in university-sponsored educational activities occurring outside the United States. A student is any person who is enrolled in a course or academic program at a UW System institution. Eligibility for this insurance does not extend to relatives or dependents of participants in courses or programs abroad.

Participants on programs for which no fees are charged by UW Oshkosh or through which no academic content is provided are not eligible for CISI insurance and may be required to be covered under a different policy.

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

UW Oshkosh-sponsored Programs

No. UW System policy requires that the UW Oshkosh OIE purchase health insurance through CISI on your behalf. The cost of this insurance is included in your study abroad program fees.

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 repatriation, evacuation or medical reunion. BEFORE you travel abroad 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.

Most insurance companies require you to be a full-time student in order to stay on your parents’ health insurance policy. 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 eligibility to remain on your parents' insurance. 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 since you are not enrolled for courses AT UW OSHKOSH, and your eligibility 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. It provides basic accident, sickness and emergency evacuation/repatriation insurance while traveling outside the U.S. It does NOT, however, include medical reunion. The ISIC can be purchased on line, but look over the information at https://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/Travel/Main.aspx?MenuID=5004 for insurance policy details before purchasing. 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 evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion?

Most international health insurance policies, including the CISI policy used by the UW System, provide for evacuation, repatriation and medical reunion. Evacuation/ repatriation benefits cover the insured when the insured is moved from to a location outside of the host country or returned to the U.S. either because a medical condition cannot be treated locally 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 emergency medical treatment. If you have this type of insurance, you may want to identify one or more family members who have a valid passport as your emergency contact. Anyone not holding a valid passport would 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 program participant's responsibility to look over the CISI insurance policy to make sure that sufficient coverage is offered. If a program participant feels that coverage is insufficient, additional coverage can be purchased (see "What are evacuation, repatriation and emergency medical reunion?" above).

See "Am I required to have insurance for medical and emergency services while studying abroad?" for policy details.

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 needing to withdraw.

Trip cancellation insurance provides reimbursement for financial losses due to a withdrawal from a program BUT ONLY UNDER A LIMITED SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. If you decide to purchase this type of policy, read the entire policy very carefully and shop around before purchasing. Trip cancellation insurance often allows for coverage in the case of "illness, injury or death" (among other things). In addition to the insured, some policies cover cancellation or interruption of your trip because of illness, injury, or death of a close family member. Be aware that not all policies cover preexisting conditions (for you and/or a close family member).

Baggage insurance typically provides coverage related to lost or delayed luggage. Whether or not you purchase this type of insurance should depend on the value of the items you are carrying. 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 Liability Insurance for Student Teachers

According to the SWEA representative in Madison, student teachers are covered with liability insurance when abroad as long as they are participating in an experience that is sanctioned by the IHE and leads to certification or completion of their education program. The cost is $29 per year with the "year" starting on September 1. You can apply with a credit card on WEAC site (information is valid as of 2006)

Consider Insurance for Loss, Theft or Damage of Personal Property

For students traveling abroad with valuable personal property such as musical instruments or equipment, your (or your parents') homeowner's policy may provide sufficient coverage already or you may need to purchase a rider to cover specific items while abroad.  It is important to keep in mind that items normally covered without a rider may not be covered while traveling or while traveling abroad. Check with your insurance agent to find out exactly what is and isn't covered and what you need to do to ensure coverage while traveling abroad.

Consider other Types of Insurance

Other types of insurance may or may not be included in your trip fee depending on which travel agent is working on your program.  If you feel you would like to purchase insurance for trip delay/missed connections, loss of life or limbs, pre-trip cancellation, lost luggage, or other additional types of travel insurance, contact your insurance company or a travel agent for more details.

Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Site

The Center for Disease Control provides health information on specific destinations, information about specific diseases that can affect travelers, immunizations 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/. Then, make arrangements to get any recommended and/or required vaccinations for the country and/or area of the country you will be visiting.

 

Visit Your Healthcare Provider

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider, the student health center (424-2424), or a Travel Health Clinic (listings for Aurora available through International Travel Clinic) for immunizations at least 6 weeks (even earlier for the student health center) before leaving for a foreign country. Some vaccinations must be administered over time in order for them to be effective. The usual procedure at the health center or a travelers clinic is as follows:

Information will be obtained regarding your destination, date of departure, length of stay, childhood immunizations (bring a copy of the actual record, if possible), etc. This information will be compared to the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations to determine the appropriate immunizations. The student health center carries the most frequently used vaccines and can get others on order (you should make your initial appointment about 3 months before departure just in case the vaccine you need isn't in stock). There is a charge for most vaccines, but the student health center typically charges much less than travelers clinics and other healthcare providers.

In addition, some countries require certification of physical and mental health in order to receive a visa for full-time study abroad. You may obtain documentation of well-being by scheduling an appointment for a physical examination at the Student Health Center or with your healthcare provider.

Honestly evaluate your mental health, the stresses you could face, and the support and medication available at your destination. Set up an e-mail and phone-support system with friends and family before you leave, if necessary, so that you have a familiar person to communicate with. Check with family doctors, travel specialists or student health services to see if they do e-mail consultations. Do not take yourself off of medication for depression, etc. without first consulting with your doctor. Remember that you will be traveling to an unfamiliar environment and that the level of stress you feel once there will likely be greater than you are used to.

It's also a good idea to visit other personal healthcare providers, such as the dentist, before leaving. Have all dental work, eye exams, etc. taken care of BEFORE you leave for abroad. These types of things are typically not covered by international health insurance, the quality of the care provided abroad may be questionable in some parts of the world, and taking care of these things while abroad means spending valuable time doing some not-too-exciting things!

Put Together A Personal Medical Kit

Many medications which are available in the U.S. are not available in other countries. Bring prescription medicines which may be difficult or impossible to find in the foreign country, especially medicines which are used for potentially life-threatening situations such as asthma, allergic reactions, etc. Consider bringing a medical ID bracelet if you have allergic reactions. Write down and bring the generic names for these drugs and carry a letter from your doctor describing your condition and the prescriptions you must take.

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.

Bring Good Walking Shoes!

You will spend a lot of time walking when you study abroad, and you may even come to understand just how much walking Americans don't do. You will also come to appreciate the standardization of the U.S. city! When choosing walking shoes, remember that codes pertaining to the height and depth of steps, sidewalk conditions, the height of signs (this is for you tall people!) etc. did not exist when many of the cities that you will be visiting were built. Americans are forever tripping, twisting ankles, and bumping into things when traveling through foreign cities. Good walking shoes can help prevent foot and ankle injuries. Packing good walking socks and a few bandages will also help soothe any blisters.

 

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 and travel warnings. 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.

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

Check State Department Travel Publications

Read relevant U.S. State Department Travel Publications, available for free at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_brochures.html. These should answer many of your questions about traveling abroad.

Register with the U.S. Embassy

U.S. State Department Travel Registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties. However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. By registering your trip, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most.

Registration can be completed through the State Department's web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp.

Other countries have similar systems for their nationals, including the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

 

Develop a Family Communications Plan

Each program participant should develop a reasonable family communications plan that includes contingencies for emergency situations.

Always leave a copy of your itinerary and other important information with someone back home. Use this form to record important information and refer to the list of attachments:Emergency Communication Form

Communicating with People Back Home - Not as Easy as You Might Think!

Upon Arrival

Friends and family will be eagerly awaiting your call from abroad to let them know you've arrived safely, calculating your exact arrival time at the foreign airport and counting down the minutes and hours until you've finally been able to contact them. Unfortunately, most will not receive the phone call when expected and may be worried unnecessarily. Let friends and family know that you will probably not be able to contact them upon arrival. By the time you 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 contact them until the next day. Besides, if you're on a faculty-led program you'll want to go exploring with others from the group when you first arrive! If you're on an exchange, it may take longer than expected to arrive at your accommodations and your host may spend more time with you than you anticipated. If you really don't arrive at your destination as expected because of an emergency, someone at the OIE will know and will call your emergency contact person on your behalf. Let friends and family know that they shouldn't worry while waiting to hear from you!

Email

Email can be checked and sent from internet cafes and some hotels (if you are staying there), but don’t make plans with anyone back home to correspond regularly or to correspond at definite times. Public sites may be difficult to find or filled with patrons, or you may make plans with others in your group and become unavailable.

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. Your Travel Guide will give you more information if internet sites are unsafe in your host country.

Snail Mail

Sending letters or postcards to the U.S. by regular mail can take two to several weeks, depending on your location. Anything which you need to arrive in the U.S. within a short period of time or which has any value should be sent by DHL. If you make purchases that later refuse to fit in your luggage, mail is a less expensive option than paying the “excessive luggage” penalties imposed by airlines.

Friends and family may also be able to send mail to you, depending on the type of accommodations you are in and the length of your stay. For more information on sending mail internationally, see http://www.usps.com/global/sendmail.htm.

At USA Summer Camp, you can send mail from some camp sites but not from others. If possible, buy several stamps in Japan (for example, at the airport in Tokyo if there is time) before you get to the camp so that you can send letters from the camp site to anywhere. Mail should be sent to your host family's house so that it can bereturned to you if you are no longer in Japan when it arrives.

Telephone

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 direct from abroad to the U.S. using your host family’s phone. This is extremely expensive, and it will be very difficult for you to pay the family back for the calls after you return to the U.S.

Avoid using an AT&T or MCI international phone card. It’s very easy to rack up a $100-200 phone bill in just a few nights using the international numbers supplied by AT&T and MCI. Rather, use ONLY pre-paid phone cards (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!). When staying in a hotel, make calls only from public phones.

Wisconsin in Scotland

International prepaid calling cards purchased in the U.S. do not work on the phones in Dalkeith House.

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

One of the best sources of travel information and resources for trip preparation is a travel guide for your study abroad destination. The introductory “essential information” sections of your travel guide will give you current information on money/currency, customs & duties, staying healthy, rail passes, travel tips, using telephones and public transportation systems, sending mail, tipping, and a lot more. There are many to choose from, and all offer a different range of information. Choose the guidebook which fits your needs the best, and make sure it is current for the year in which you are traveling!

Read two more books on life in/living in the host country; one written by a U.S. author and the other written by an author from the host country. These books, along with many of the people you meet will prove to be important resources while abroad!

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 2008, you must present the following when applying for a U.S. passport: your driver's license, two passport photos (you can have them taken at Walgreens), a certified birth certificate (with the raised seal), a check to be made out to Passport Services, and 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. Bring a copy to the OIE.

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

Beginning in the spring of 2008, the Department of State will begin issuing the 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.

Purchase Your Airline Tickets

Depending on the program you've chosen, you may be responsible for finding and purchasing your own airline tickets.

I monitor priceline.com for awhile so that I know what a reasonable price is for the route I want. Then, after finding a good ticket price, I check the web page of the airline offering the low-fee ticket; I almost always 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.

Bring Money

Bring at least the amount of money listed in the budget estimate for your program (on the web) so that you will have enough to cover you for meals, transportation, spending money, etc. Official exchange rates are available from the Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com.

Traveler's Checks

Get Traveler’s Checks even if you plan to use a credit card. Bring enough in traveler’s checks to cover you when a credit card cannot be used or is stolen. Traveler’s checks must be purchased at a bank or credit union. Given the increasing fees charged for use of Credit, Debit and ATM cards, traveler's checks may (as of August 2006) prove less expensive than using a card. Traveler's checks can typically only be cashed at the airport, in banks, 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.

Cash

Get cash. You can order foreign currency through your local bank or credit union before traveling, though it is costly to do it this way. Currency must sometimes be purchased several weeks before your trip (the bank may have to order the currency you need). It is best to change money once you arrive at the international airport at your destination (unless you are traveling to Japan). If you are leaving directly from an international airport, a third option is to use the currency exchange outlet. For up-to-date locations and hours of operation forCurrency Exchange at O'Hare Airport, see http://www.ohare.com/ohare/passenger_services/service_facilities.shtm.

If traveling to Japan, purchase currency BEFORE leaving the U.S. Exchange in Japan is not possible, even with a Debit or ATM card, outside of banking hours. If your plane is scheduled to arrive outside of banking hours (or is delayed), it will be IMPOSSIBLE to get any cash in Japan.

Credit, Debit & ATM Cards

Exchange rates USED TO BE better with a credit/debit/ATM card than with other forms of payment because in the recent past, you didn't have to pay transaction fees. This is changing. Debit/ATM card users are increasingly finding that they are charged bank fees by their own bank, by the foreign bank and through a percentage rate change (not in your favor!) of the daily exchange rate (look for cards which offer 2% - anything higher than 2% should be avoided). Dalkeith, Scotland note: as of August of 2006, several banks in Dalkeith do not charge an extra fee for extracting money from ATM's with a debit card.

Credit Cards

Generally speaking, VISA and MasterCard are the two most widely accepted cards abroad. You will very likely not be able to use Discover. American Express may be used at American Express offices, but probably not in many other businesses.

Credit cards offer protection against unauthorized use--typically, the credit card owner has no financial liability for unauthorized purchases, but check with your credit card company in advance to find out what you will and won't be responsible for if someone else uses your card. Your company will have a reporting policy which will require you to report your card lost or stolen or to report unauthorized use within a certain number of days.

Make sure that your credit card has International ATM privileges (you'll need a PIN for emergency cash advances). Credit cards with ATM privileges can offer extra security in the case that traveler’s checks are lost/stolen or a medical emergency arises (many countries require payment up front with personal reimbursement by your insurance company; you can use your credit card for a cash advance). Be aware, however, that credit card numbers are often stolen while abroad and that cash advances come with heavy fees. *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

Most people in the U.S. currently use debit cards rather than ATM cards. Debit cards allow users to withdraw cash from ATM machines (requiring a PIN) but also allow users to use the card much like they might use a credit card to make purchases WITHOUT using a PIN.

ATM and debit cards DO NOT offer much protection against unauthorized use--typically, the card owner is financially liable for a large percentage of each unauthorized purchase. Check with your card company in advance to find out what you will and won't be responsible for if someone else uses your card. Your company will have a reporting policy which will require you to report your card lost or stolen or to report unauthorized use within a certain number of days. You should be aware that your account can be completely drained and that you may not be able to recover any of the stolen money. If you travel with an ATM or debit card, it is advisable that you have only the money you plan to spend on your trip in your account and that you DO NOT HAVE overdraft protection on the account connected to your ATM/debit card.

Use an ATM card, rather than a debit card, if possible. Because ATM cards can NEVER be used without the PIN number, they offer more protection against theft than debit cards do (someone who steals your debit card or skims your numbers can use it like a credit card, without supplying a PIN). Never travel with a debit card unless absolutely necessary.

Don't expect to be able to use your ATM (or debit) card abroad.
At least one area Credit Union has cut off all access to ATM's from abroad due to fraud.

ATM skimming is pervasive in Canada and the U.K. Avoid ATM machines which require you to swipe your card in order to open the door to the ATM booth, if possible.

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.

Let your credit/debit/ATM card company know you plan to travel abroad so that your card isn't cancelled on you! It is 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 immediately by a machine, even after entering the correct PIN just once into a machine that would normally take foreign cards.

There is at least one area Credit Union which does not allow foreign access to ATM machines for any of its debit or ATM cards. Check with your bank/credit union to be sure your card can be used abroad!

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

Make Payments in Foreign Currencies from the U.S.

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. Remember that you don't need everything you own "just in case!"

Identification

Bring a student ID. Many programs require the ID to take advantage of student entry fees on field trips.

Make sure you have a second official form of identification in addition to your passport (i.e. a Driver’s License which will not expire while you are abroad).

Electricity

Electricity abroad is not always 110V. Avoid bringing electrical appliances if possible; buy adapters (plug shape) and a converter (to change voltage, though these rarely work) if necessary. Use both or you may melt your favorite appliance (it could happen anyway, prepared or not!). For more information on adapters and converters, go to http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/wwelect.htm.

Pack to Stay Safe!

Don't pack clothing or accessories that will make you a target for theft. Leave the name brand jeans and jackets at home, and don't wear any jewelry. For you own safety, follow this simple rule: Don't bring anything that someone else may want.

Don’t just grab the wallet or purse that you use in the U.S. and take it along without first emptying out everything you don’t need to take with you. Extra credit cards and anything you don’t want to lose should stay at home. It’s easier to leave it behind than to try to remember everything you need to replace if your wallet or purse is stolen!

Luggage

You will be subject to luggage limits set by the airline you fly. Check the web site for the airline you will be flying for details.

Limit your luggage to one reasonably-sized check-on piece of luggage and one small carry-on. Leave extra space for things you buy abroad. This way, you can avoid paying extra fees for going over luggage limits on your return flight. If you can't carry your luggage (all of it at once) up and down the block, you have probably packed too much.

Label every piece of luggage both inside and out. For suitcases or packs which don’t lock, buy small combination padlocks to slip through the two zippers for use at hotels, but don’t lock your suitcases before checking in at an airport.

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 to keep them occupied. 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. This should give you plenty of time to park, get to the ticket counter and complete your check in 3 hours early. It’s important to arrive this early not only to give you enough time to get through security, but because 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. This way, if you run into trouble with security you may still have enough time to get cleared and make your flight. Family or friends who come to the airport with you will not be allowed to pass through security. They will need to say good-bye to you before you go through security and won’t be allowed to go with you to watch your plane take off.

Be sure that you are 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 are not through security a minimum of ½ hour to 45 minutes before your plane BOARDS, you will not be allowed through security and you will miss your flight. Boarding times are typically 30 to 45 minutes before scheduled take off.

Customs Declaration Form

While on the flight, each passenger will receive a customs declaration form. Forms are available for U.S. citizens and for citizens of other countries and are written in English and in other languages; be sure to get a form for U.S. citizens (unless you are a citizen of another country) which is written in English. You MUST read the directions on this form—front and back—and fill this form out completely—front and back—before the plane lands. You will need this form to go through immigration and customs (explained below).

Immigration

At immigration, officials inspect your passport and the customs form that you filled out on the airplane. When you go through immigration, it is a good idea to carry your itinerary (complete with your hotel/host family address and telephone number) with you. If asked what you will be doing in the host country:

  • if you are on a short-term program, answer “to sightsee.” Do not say “to study” or "for international business."
  • if you are an exchange student or you will be studying at a university/language school, answer “to study at X university/language school.” Even if you hope to find a legal job later, do not mention working.
  • if you are going to USA Summer Camp, answer “to attend an international student camp and stay with a host family.” Do not say "to work at a summer camp."
  • if you are on Wisconsin in Scotland, you will need a letter to immigration officials from the Program Director. Your letter to immigration officials will be included in a packet of information which will be sent to your permanent address before your departure.

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. As of October 29, 2007, the U.S., Japan and Brazil are photographing and fingerprinting.

Check Customs Regulations

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 at all times. Check the U.S. State Department's Country-specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/) for your destination for details. Foreign Entry Requirements for all countries are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/americans1.html.For example, Country-specific Information for the Netherlands, dated 6/28/06, reads: Everyone age 14 and above is required to carry identification at all times while in the Netherlands.  Accepted forms of identification for U.S. citizens are either a Dutch residence card, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a U.S. passport.

 

Return Home

When returning to the U.S., be sure you know how early you must arrive at the international airport in the foreign country in order to get through security in time to board for your flight. The amount of time this takes varies by airport; security lines are typically longer than in the U.S. and there are often multiple phases in foreign countries. 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 generally included in the cost of your airline ticket in the U.S., but this is not always the case in foreign countries. Airport exit fees often must be paid in the local currency, but unless you check into these in advance, you may not know about them until you have exchanged all of your money back into U.S. dollars and passed through security. At this point, it's too late to get the money, and many Americans end up borrowing from complete strangers in line! To find out about airport exit fees, check your guidebook or the US State Department's Country-specific Information for your destination.

 

This page was last updated on: January 31, 2008