1 to 3 Months Before:

• Check student visa requirements and if needed, apply for visa.
• Notify everyone who depends on you about your departure.
• Email host university your itinerary, see if airport pick-up is available and make other arrangements if not.
• Attend your pre-departure orientation and sign up for a comprehensive physical;
  • Get vaccinations and immunizations, if needed. You might have to include your medical record with your study abroad package. Get an international yellow vaccination card from your doctor.
  • Stock up on any prescription drugs you take. Have your doctor’s note authorizing their use (and refills). Make sure that any medication you carry is legal in the host country.
  • Stock up on contact lenses and contact lens solution, if needed. It would also be helpful to take along a copy of your eye prescription in case you lose contacts or eye glasses and need to get replacements.
  • If you need further health coverage than the international travel accident and sickness insurance required by USU, research health insurance options for your time abroad.

A Few Weeks Before Departure:

• Fill out a change of address form and have it forwarded to your permanent address while you’re away. Update your USU online account with your permanent address.
• Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to address final concerns about your plans and coursework.
• Double check that all financial documents (scholarship applications, loans, and FAFSA renewals) are up to date. Know your disbursements dates, amounts, etc.

1 Week Before Departure

• Buy a small gift for your host family or for a local who may help you out.
• Make multiple copies of all important documents–leave one set with your parents, take one for yourself, and consider a place online where you could store your documents if you need them.
• Exchange a small amount of currency for foreign currency at your local bank. Ask for small notes in addition to larger ones.
• Call your bank and all credit card companies to make sure your ATM card will work in your host country and to let them know when and where you will be traveling (don’t forget layover cities). Make sure you know what the fee is for international withdrawals/transactions.
• Confirm your flight.
• You may want to buy both a plug adapter as well as a voltage converter if you want to take electronics such as an electric toothbrush, hair dryer, or electric razor, iPod, etc.
• Review airline luggage restrictions and start packing. Be sure you can carry it all easily on your own.
• Review the Pre-Departure Orientation packet and any documents/emails you received from the institution abroad.