Short-Term Pre-Departure Orientation Student Handbook

Short-Term Pre-Departure Orientation Student Handbook 1. Important Paperwork and Documentation 2. Health and Medical Insurance Coverage Abroad 3. Bringing Medications and Filling Prescriptions 4. Staying Healthy While Abroad 5. Alcohol and Drug Use 6. Dietary Preferences 7. Safe Travel Abroad 8. Money and Budgeting 9. Communication 10. Packing 11. Travel Tips and Information 12. Important Numbers 13. Culture Shock 14. Valuable Information Worksheet Study Away Programs Jim D. Morris Center, 403 301 S. Jefferson Ave. Springfield, MO 65806 (417) 836-6368 Fax: (417) 836-6146 studyaway@missouristate.edu 1

1. Important Documents Passport if you do not have a passport, you need to get one immediately. You will probably have to have it rushed, which will cost extra. Passport information can be found on the US Department of State s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport-1738.html. BE SURE TO CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE OF YOUR PASSPORT! If your passport expires within six months of your intended travel date, you MUST renew your passport before you depart. Some countries will NOT allow entry into their country if your passport is within 6 months of expiring. REMEMBER: Make photocopies of your passport identification page. Your faculty leader should have a copy and you should leave a copy with a friend or family member. If your passport gets lost or stolen, you MUST have record of it in order to expedite a replacement. International Student Identity Card (ISIC) The International Student Identity Card is required of all students studying abroad through Missouri State University, and it is included in your program fees. The card provides emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance along with discounts for hotels, attractions, travel, memberships, and many other items in the United States and around the world. 2. Health and Medical Insurance Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000.! Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a short-term policy that does. There are health insurance policies designed specifically to cover travel. Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations. The names of some of the companies offering short-term health and emergency assistance policies are listed on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1215.html. 3. Bringing Medications or Filling Prescriptions If you have a preexisting medical condition, you should carry a letter from your physician describing the medical condition, any prescription medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics. 2

If you wear eyeglasses or contacts, take an extra pair with you. Pack medicines and extra eyeglasses in your hand luggage so they will be available in case your checked luggage is lost. To be extra secure, pack a backup supply of medicines and an additional pair of eyeglasses in your checked luggage. If you have allergies, reactions to certain medications, foods, or insect bites, or other unique medical problems, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet. You may also wish to carry a letter from your physician explaining required treatment should you become ill. Women: if you are taking an oral contraceptive or using another prescription birth control method, please plan on taking a large enough supply of the contraceptive to last the entirety of your trip. You may want to consider bringing extra as well, in case some is lost or stolen. 4. Staying Healthy While Abroad It is important to stay healthy while you are studying away. Catching the flu or even dealing with a sore throat has the potential to ruin a trip. Realize that medical care abroad will be much different than in the United States. Don t assume you will be able to buy the same medications you use at home. If you are sick and want medication, try talking to a pharmacist. S/he may not give you what you expect, but it is probably what everyone in that country uses and could very well work. Just exercise caution and don t use something that seems dangerous. (You might need to bring someone who can translate to the pharmacy). Learn what the pharmacy symbol is in the country you are visiting, and realize that most pharmacies are not open 24 hours a day as they are in the United States. Good health is a MUST to an enjoyable stay abroad! You may be exposed to unfamiliar climates, food, medicine, and health care systems. In many cases, a good measure of common sense and a healthy respect for your own body (and its limitations) will help to avoid medical problems. A few preliminary precautions can spare you a good deal of unpleasantness. Get medical and dental check-ups before your trip! It is a good idea to review your travel plans with your physician. Remember: only your physician knows your personal medical history and can advise you if your situation warrants some alteration of the general preventive guidelines outlined here. There are a number of precautions you can take while abroad to ensure that you stay healthy: Monitor your health. Do not run yourself into the ground trying to see everything and to sample all the culinary delights! Moderation will pay off in the long run. Eat a well-balanced diet. Watch what you eat when traveling. If you are traveling to countries other than your host country where there might be issues with the safety of water, fresh fruit and vegetables, etc., check guidebooks before you go. Take measures to reduce the risk of exposure to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Intimate contact could expose you to different bacteria or viruses that could lead to infection or contraction of STDs, including AIDS and Hepatitis B. Know where to get treatment. When you settle in, find out where health care facilities are located and check with the on site staff or your faculty leader(s). 3

5. Alcohol and Drug Use Neither the Study Away Programs nor Missouri State University endorses the use of illegal drugs and alcohol. Nevertheless, we are aware that some students will choose to partake in these activities, whether they are illegal or not in their host country. Should you choose to use alcohol or drugs, please abide by these tips: Know the laws. Know what is legal, illegal, decriminalized, banned, etc., and know what these terms mean. Be aware of age limits and requirements, it is YOUR responsibility! Know your rights. As an American citizen, you need to know your rights in other countries. However, being an American does not give you any sort of immunity from enforcement if you break the law. Know who you can call (embassies, lawyers, parents) in case of an arrest. Be safe. Safety should be the number-one concern of all students at all times. Always remain in groups and ask at least one or two friends to remain sober to keep an eye on the group. Know your limits. It is unwise to drink or take drugs in high quantities while out in an unfamiliar place. Know your limits and do not cross them, no matter what. Keep your inhibitions. Consider that these substances lower your inhibitions. Do not do anything you may regret once you sober up. Look out for your friends. Just as you expect them to look out after you, it is important to look out for your friends. Be prepared. Understand that there are consequences for every action you take, and that you could end up in trouble or come home with a substance abuse problem. Know the customs. Even if you are being safe with your habits, consider the culture of your host country. Know how to carry yourself without causing a scene. Know what you can and can t bring back to the U.S. Obviously, you will not be able to bring back illegal substances to the United States, but be aware that if you are of age, you may bring back alcohol as a souvenir. Know how much you are allowed to bring back, and make sure you aren t bringing back anything that isn t legal (absinthe, for example). Always use common sense. 6. Dietary Preferences If you have special preferences, you ve probably considered your dietary needs and how they will be met when you are away. Make sure you know what will be available to you when you are in your host country. While some countries may have a growing population of vegetarians, not all countries may be able to accommodate every preference. Be aware of where you can go and what you can eat when traveling. You may find that maintaining a vegetarian diet abroad can be a challenge since many countries use meat as a staple of their cuisine. It may be difficult to obtain enough quality fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy diet, and meal plans may or may not include vegetarian offerings. Research the cuisine and foods offered in your host country. You may wish to bring protein powder, vitamins, and other dietary supplements with you to ensure good nutrition while abroad. Check with your faculty leader regarding resources or suggestions to help you maintain your diet. Finally, you may need to find a tactful way to deal with social situations in which you are offered specially prepared meals that include meat. If you are headed to Europe, check the Rick Steve s Graffiti Wall for information on traveling as a vegetarian in Europe. Learn how to translate the difficult words in ingredient lists into the host language. 4

7. Safe Travel Abroad As you prepare for your trip, make sure you research the culture you will be living in. Know what to expect and behave safely so that your trip isn t ruined by one bad decision. Be aware: our students have had computers, cameras, and number of other belongings stolen while abroad. As a foreigner, you make an easy target so use common sense. Keep your passport and money safe in a money belt or small pouch that can be worn underneath your clothing. Wearing a bag on the outside highlights where you keep money and valuables; moreover, it can easily be the cut or ripped from your shoulder. If possible, don t carry a handbag at all. Develop a plan for receiving emergency money abroad. For example, if your wallet is stolen, will your family be able to wire you money? Guard carefully at all times your passport, visas, and other documents that you carry with you and do NOT leave them in the outer pockets of your bag. Make photocopies of all important papers and documents. Keep a copy of your passport and credit cards at home with someone you can contact. Know what to do you if lose your passport or it is stolen. You must report it immediately! If you are abroad, you will need to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are in the United States or need help finding the nearest consulate abroad, call 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877- 487-2778) TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793 Passport Information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays. Once you report your passport as lost or stolen, it cannot be used, even if you find it later! Stay in touch with your faculty leader. Let them know where you are going when you travel. This makes them more comfortable while you are away, but they will also know how to contact you in an emergency. 8. Money and Budgeting Do s and Don ts DO plan a budget around the amount of money you are going to have. DO check the exchange rate often as it may fluctuate. DO learn the currency, especially the coins, as quickly as you can. One easy way to spot a tourist or foreigner is if they know the money system. You ll be less likely to be taken advantage of if you can learn it quickly. DO notify your bank and card companies that you will be abroad tell them how long you are going to be gone and where you will be. DO find out your bank s policy on international card use, whether it is in ATMs or in stores and restaurants. DO be sure to know what your bank s transaction s fees are for using another bank s ATM. DO withdraw cash from ATMs for the most current exchange rate; however, only do this periodically (i.e. once a week or less) as you may be charged for international card use. ATMS can often be found at train stations and airports, and at most local banks. DO KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR ATMs ARE IN THE COUNTRY YOU VISIT. 5

DO remember that Visa really is the most accepted credit card. Master Card, American Express, and Discover are rarely, if ever, accepted. Make sure to keep a copy of credit card numbers at home with a friend or relative. DO NOT carry large amounts of cash. Don t carry it with you, don t leave it in your room. DO NOT keep valuables in plain sight. DO NOT count money in public. Try to be discrete about any money and valuables on your person. DO NOT forget to write down your expenses. You don t want to be overdrawn abroad. Keep track of your accounts through online banking, but don t forget to log out so no one else sees your information. DO NOT take large amounts of money or other valuables out if you will be consuming alcohol or drugs. Make sure you ALWAYS bring some form of ID. Exchange and Currency Sites www.exchangerate.com www.xe.com 9. Communication Abroad Be sure to let your friends and family know that you have arrived safely, but do limit the amount of time you spend on the computer or phone communicating with friends and family back home. After all, you are abroad to travel and learn, right? If you have access to the internet, just use Skype! For more information, see http://www.skype.com/. You may have to teach your parents to use it, but it will save everyone a lot of money if you can! International Phone Cards Using a refillable international phone card is a fairly convenient and affordable way to call home. Make sure you know how to use it before you get on the plane! Global Calling www.globalcalling.com CALLINGCARDS www.callingcards.com ZAPTEL www.zaptel.com Cell Phones There are many options when it comes to using cell phones overseas. You may want to get a phone here and use it abroad, although that can be expensive and the phones may not always work. You can check with your own cell phone provider before you leave to see what their options are, or you can purchase a plan from a different provider. Some useful companies are as follows: ISIConnect Available through Council Travel, check www.isic.org for information. UniverCell Global Cellular phone rentals check www.rentalcell.com or call (800) 765-2355 x 8146 for information. Telestial through GSM global wireless no brochure, but website has a lot of information; www.telestial.com. 6

10. Packing, To Bring or Not To Bring? When packing for your study abroad trip, the key is to PACK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! Here are a few tips to help minimize your packing: Weight the lighter, the better. You never know where you are going to have to carry your luggage. You will find yourself carrying it through crowded train stations, airports, or city streets. Elevators may not be as accessible as they are in the U.S., so you may end up carrying your luggage up several flights of stairs! Documents Make sure you have multiple copies of your passport in your luggage in case your original passport get stolen. Remember, you cannot come home without your passport! Clothing Here s a savvy traveler s trick: Lay out everything you think you need, and then remove half of it.! Traveling is not a time for making a fashion accessory statement; you WILL HAVE to wear things more than once. Seasons consider the season where you will be traveling. In the southern hemisphere, seasons are the opposite of what they are here. If you are going in the summer, only bring one sweatshirt or coat in case of cold weather. Check the weather conditions online before you leave. Shoes Shoes take up a lot of luggage space and you don t need as many pair as you think. ONLY pack comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking everyday. Extras Think in terms of what you can do without. Things like heavy coats and hoodies may not be necessary. The same goes for items such as laptops, hair dryers, and curling irons, which will require electrical adaptors and/or converters anyways. Souvenirs You WILL have souvenirs to bring home! Always leave space in your luggage when you leave, or plan on not bringing certain items home. You also might like to buy clothing while you are away as well. Packing is not a one-day exploit. Be sure to give yourself a few weeks to set out items you may want to take and repack as many times as you need to. Whatever you bring with you, know you will be bringing extra stuff back. Know the weight limits and leave yourself room for extra stuff for the return trip home. 11. Travel Tips and Information Many students take the opportunity to travel while they are abroad. Traveling is one of the greatest benefits of studying away once you are in your destination, traveling to nearby countries or cities will be more accessible and less expensive. When you plan your trips, be sure to research the location and always find a good map. Always follow safety measures when traveling and DO NOT GO ALONE! 1. Talk to other people who have traveled where you will be going. Usually former study away participants can give you excellent advice. 2. Take trains. They rock. (If you take an overnight train, don t expect to get any sleep.) 7

3. Hostels also rock. If you plan to stay at them often, you may want to invest in an Hostel International membership. 4. Buy a good guidebook. Make sure it has good maps and lots of tips on finding affordable accommodation. A good guidebook will list important places to see, things to do, and good places to stay. It should also include hours of operation, contact information, and costs. 5. Look for student discounts everywhere. 6. Buy a back-packing backpack. It s easier to run for a train or a flight with a backpack than a rolling suitcase. 7. Try not to eat around tourist areas if you can avoid them. Restaurants in those areas usually have mediocre food at very high prices. 8. Take a water bottle with you, but don t forget to empty it before you go through airport security. 9. ALWAYS go through security before you eat, go to the bathroom, shop, or do anything else. Those lines are usually the longest, and many people have had to sleep on the floor of an airport because they missed a flight. 10. Don t be afraid to get off the beaten path. (Just don t get lost or end up somewhere dangerous.) It s usually more interesting to see something other than landmarks. Basically, live like a local. 11. Try to visit a few art galleries and museums, but make time for other cultural experiences as well. Sometimes, eating cheese fondue with Swiss army guys can be much more rewarding and insightful than a history museum. 12. Important Numbers and Information Study Away Office Emergency Phone Numbers Phone number 417-836-6368 Fax 417-836-6146 Email studyaway@missouristate.edu State Department Telephone Numbers Overseas Citizen s Services: 1-888-407-4747 Overseas Emergency: 202-501-4444 After Hours Duty Officer: 202-647-1512 Missouri State University Numbers Missouri State University Switchboard: 417-836-5000 Financial Aid Office: 417-836-5262 Office of the Registrar: 417-836-5520 Emergency Hotline: 417-836-5509 For Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation *Coverage through STA Travel Insure America Travel Guard International Toll-free inside U.S.A. & Canada: 1-877-370-4742 Collect from anywhere in the world: 1-715-342-4104 8

Personal Insurance Information Provider Identification numbers, claim numbers, etc. Phone number Contact Information Passport Information Name as it appears on passport Date of Birth Place of Birth Passport Number Date of Issue Place of Issue Credit Card Information Type of Card Number Name Expiration Date Number on back Number to call if lost/stolen Credit Card Information Type of Card Number Name Expiration Date Number on back Number to call if lost/stolen Debit/Credit Card Information Type of Card Number Name Expiration Date Number on back Number to call if lost/stolen 9

13.Culture Shock You will experience a range of emotions while abroad, and this is perfectly normal. Initial disorientation is just part of adjusting to a new culture. Even though your experience will be brief, know that the below W curve is a natural progression that people experience when coping with a different culture. 10