Study Abroad Bloggers

Staying in Touch

Don't use your usual cell phone - Great, your cell phone works in Mexico. Beware or you'll be spending Mexico's GDP on calls. Look to see if you can buy a SIM card that fits your cell phone, and make sure you get on an appropriate calling plan. However, you are better off if you buy a new phone with the correct SIM card because your calls with be cheaper, and some plans offer free incoming calls. If you don't mind short battery life and poor call quality you can buy a prepaid phone after you arrive.

Always use a calling card - Even if you have a great local cell phone plan, use a calling card to get the lowest rates when calling home. Never direct dial from a hotel and avoid the telephone offices, which both have significantly higher rates.

Use email or Internet chat - Most programs have Internet-connected computers for student use, but even if you need to pay at an Internet cafe, it is likely to be less than using a telephone.

Items to Pack

Duct Tape - A lifesaver whether fixing a suitcase or insulating a window to stay warm.

Hardware - Eyeglass kit, sewing kit, Swiss Army knife, rubber bands, resealable plastic bag to put toiletries in, and a universal rubber drain stopper if you like to wash or shave with a sink full of water.

Combination Lock - Keep your valuables locked in your suitcase to avoid any "misunderstandings". Why a combination lock? Keys get lost.

Documents and Reminders

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

Getting There

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

When Yes Doesn't Mean Yes

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

When Now Doesn't Mean Now

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

When Sarcasm Meets Sincerity

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

Are Language Skills Enough?

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!

Welcome!

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience. Even if you are arranging your program through an agency, there are still many areas that require meticulous planning. In an effort to increase global awareness, the United States government has launched a new website (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/) dedicated to study abroad. Perhaps most important of all, this website provides up-to-date information about passport and visa requirements, what to do if you lose your documents, and even a program that locates your nearest passport office. In addition, the site includes information on how to register your trip with the United States embassy, a smart choice that allows the embassy to contact you should there be any sort of emergency while abroad. Many students often wonder what vaccines they should receive before arriving in their new country. Due to ever changing medical opinions, many travel agencies and schools are hesitant to provide information. However, this website provides information about basic requirements and links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the foremost authority on required and recommended immunizations. Finally, this website provides general information that every student should know, such as where to purchase travel insurance, how to secure an absentee voter ballot if you will be out of the country during an election, local laws, and current travel warnings. The key to a great, unstressed trip is planning everything before you leave, so that you are free to enjoy your trip worry-free. This website allows you to do just that, so be sure to bookmark it and plan accordingly!