Pre-Departure Tips

If you will be abroad in November 2008, don't forget to plan ahead and request an absentee ballot!

The State Department has put together an excellent website that outlines all of the important things you should consider before going overseas. Make sure you take a look before you go! 

Academics

• Make sure that all University of Maryland paperwork is complete before you leave Maryland. This includes a completes Permission to Study Abroad Form. Paperwork is due by the last day of classes the semester before you study abroad (so, early December for winter & summer programs and mid-May for summer, fall & full year programs).
  
• Cancel any courses that you may be registered for at Maryland during your semester abroad. For more information on Maryland pre-departure requirements, please click here.

Visas and Passports

• If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as you decide to study abroad. The process can take up to two months, so apply immediately.
• If you do have a passport, ensure that the passport is valid until six months after the end of your study abroad program.
  
• Make two copies of the passport and keep one at home for use in the event that your passport is lost or stolen.
  
• If you need a visa, apply as soon as possible. Some visas can take months to process. Required documents can be found on the country's embassy website.

Health Issues

• Check the US Center for Disease Control to see if any vaccinations are required for your host country. If you do need immunizations, you can contact the Maryland International Travel Clinic at (301)314-8184.
• If you are on medication, you must ensure that you will have a sufficient quantity for your time overseas. You should also bring copies of any prescriptions with you. Although most countries use different medical brands, the active drug ingredient should be internationally recognizable. If you plan to bring medication with you, you should carry your medications in your carry-on luggage in their original, labeled containers.
  
• All students studying abroad should have basic health insurance. In addition, the University of Maryland recommends that every student have medical evacuation insurance. If your current health insurance provider does not cover this (and many do not!), please contact the Study Abroad Office. We can help you purchase an International Student Identification Card.
  

Money

• ATM debit cards work in most ATM machines around the world. If you plan to use your ATM card to access funds while abroad, contact your bank to discuss whether or not there is a limit to how much cash you can withdraw in one day. It is also a good idea to alert the bank to your plans to be overseas.
  
• If you plan to use a credit card, alert the credit card company of your plans to study abroad. International transactions can cause companies to suspect credit card fraud.
  
• Be sure that you have a number of ways to access funds while overseas. Reliance on one method can be problematic if the one chosen method does not work for some reason.

Miscellaneous

• If you will be abroad in the spring, plan ahead for tax season. If you will need your parents to sign any legal documents on your behalf, you need to complete Power of Attorney paperwork before you leave the country.
• Many students choose to take computers or other electronic devices overseas. Be sure to check the electric current used in your destination country. You may need to purchase an adapter in order to use American appliances overseas.
• Establish a way to communicate with your parents once you have has arrived in your host country. Most countries have internet access, so email is a popular choice. To dial internationally, you will need to dial 001 before dialing numbers in the U.S. Of course, you should plan to spend very little time on the phone during your time abroad. Immerse yourself in your host country! Your friends and family will understand that study abroad is a rare opportunity to surround yourself with new and exciting situations.