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| Be Prepared to Studying Abroad |  Aside from studying a new language and learning new customs, international students usually must plan for the period of their trip whether it is a semester or a year. This includes preparation for unexpected situations that can happen when being away from home for an extensive period of time.
Here are a few pre-departure tips for making the study abroad experience easier:
- Back up your significant records. Make three photocopies of your passport, visa and other important documents, such as traveler’s checks. Leave a copy at home, keep one and give one to your study-abroad leaders. Having copies of these documents will expedite substitution if the originals are lost or stolen.
- Buy international student health insurance. Each year, thousands of students studying abroad have need of emergency medical treatment and are not ready for the high costs involved. Reasonably priced plans usually meet most program requirements while proposing complete coverage.
- Buy pre-paid phone cards or an international cell phone to make calling home easier and less expensive. Remember to pack a current address book and take all important phone numbers for family and friends, the number for your own embassy and contacts at your college or university.
- Organize your finances. Make sure you take enough cash to exchange when you arrive. Also, check with your local bank to make sure you will have access to your account.
- Fill prescriptions to cover your needs at the same time as you are away. Also, verify that the prescriptions you are taking with you are not considered controlled substances abroad.
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