1. Welcome, lone traveler from Ashburn!
Students
Students
Getting Ready for Your Trip Overseas-Travel Tips for Students
Get a Head start Getting Your Passport:
Sometimes getting a passport can take a great deal of time. Sometimes problems arise or documents are lost. You may even need a visa depending on where
you go. Make sure you can get there by taking care of these issues first. Don't book your airfare or make any plans until you have your passport in
hand!
2. Main article
Do Your Homework Before You Depart:
Don't start reading about your destination on the plane ride over there. Find out about the place weeks in advance. Learn about the people and their
culture and any issues in the country that might affect your travel plans.
Get Online:
Check out the embassy web site make sure to read the Consular Information Sheet. Consular Information Sheets provide up-to-date travel information on
any country in the world that you plan to visit. They cover topics such as entry regulations, the crime and security situation, drug penalties, road
conditions, and the location of the U.S. embassy, consulates, and consular agencies.
3. References
Check for Travel Warnings & Public Announcements Prior to Departure:
There are sometimes instances where travel to a country isn't advisable. Make sure your destination is safe and there aren't any upcoming weather
issues or other dangerous conditions.
Register Your Trip:
Visit travel.state.gov and register your trip. You need to know where the nearest US embassy or consulate is before arriving just in case. Consular
officers can advise you in emergency situations.
Perform Due Diligence:
Are you teaching overseas. Find out what your home school offers. Student advisors can tell you about working abroad opportunities and can advise you
ahead of time about some trips that could be scams. This should be your first stop before you travel.
Find out about the organization and what it offers before committing yourself or your finances,. The majority of private programs for vacation, study
or work abroad are reputable and financially sound. However, some charge exorbitant fees, use deliberately false "educational" claims, and provide
working conditions far different from those advertised. Even programs of legitimate organizations can be poorly administered.
Know Your Rights:
Everyone has heard horror stories of college students being imprisoned abroad or worse because they didn't know anything about where they were. Don't
wish you had known something after the fact. Be proactive and protect yourself. Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan
to visit before you travel.
Reckless behavior in another country can have dire and permanent consequences. Your vacation could be completely ruined; you could be imprisoned for a
very long time or worse. It pays to know the risks beforehand and to avoid them entirely if possible. You are representing your school you're your
country when you travel. If you misbehave others may view this as normal and other students could suffer for your misdeeds. Avoid risky behavior at all
costs!
