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Preparations for Departure
Passports
Student VISA Information
International Student Indentity Cards (ISIC)
International Calling Cards
EuroRail and other Rail Passes
Travel Arrangements
Packing
Baggage Allowances
Congratulations on your admission to a study abroad program through MSU! You have just made a very important decision but there are still many things to do before you leave home. Your first few weeks in your new country will be much more enjoyable if you take the time to plan ahead. This page will give you an idea about what kinds of pre-departure preparations you should be making.
Passports
If you do not have a passport, order one now!
U.S. citizens need a passport to travel outside the United States, except when traveling to Canada or Mexico. You should apply as early as possible to avoid the tourist rush, unexpected delays or just general bureaucratic slowness. Passports cost $55 for the passport itself and $30.00 for the execution of the application. Expediting the process is an additional $60. While the cost may seem hefty (especially on a student's budget!) your passport will be valid for ten years. Passport applications can be picked up in Bozeman at the Clerk of the Court office located in the Law and Justice Center at 615 South 16th Avenue, or you can go to any major passport office located in your state. It usually takes 4-6 weeks for a passport to be ready. If you are applying to a country from which you will need a VISA, you need to apply 2-3 months before you plan to go abroad. The application must be returned, along with valid proof of citizenship (e.g. a certified copy of your birth certificate or an expired passport), proof of identity (e.g. a valid drivers license) and two (2) passport ready (2 x 2 inches) photos taken within six months of submitting your application. These may be purchased in Bozeman at Kinko's Copies, Photo West, or Costco (if you have a Costco membership). Costco is usually the least expensive. Please do not attempt to take your own passport photos or bring in your senior pictures. They will be rejected. If you lose your passport while you are abroad, call the following number and they may be able to track your passport for you: 1-888-362-8668. This number does cost money and you will need a credit card number for this phone call.
Student Visas
You will need a student visa to enter almost any country. YOU NEED TO BEGIN THE VISA PROCESS 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. Each country will have its own specific requirements and regulations, so if your program sponsor does not send you information on how to obtain a visa, check with them and/or the nearest consulate. For ISEP and MSU direct exchanges you may get the necessary information from the following website: http://www.travel.state.gov/. Many embassies now have home pages on the World Wide Web. A directory of embassies located in Washington D.C. may be found at http://www.embassy.org/embassies/. There is almost always a fee attached to the visa application, and the process can take several weeks. It is important not to wait until the last minute to obtain a visa. This is a critical component of your time spent abroad and delays can cause you to miss your plane. Some standard items usually required in the application are:
- Visa application form
- A current, valid passport
- One or more passport-type photographs
- A visa application fee
- Letter of acceptance from host institution
Sometimes you may also be required to provide evidence of financial support during the period of time you will be
studying abroad, a negative HIV test, or proof of medical insurance.
For more information about visa requirements, contact Nick Myers, Study Abroad Coordinator.
International Student Identity Cards (ISIC)
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is available through the MSU Office of International Programs and STA Travel. Although its focus is mainly on Europe, this card is a bargain. It costs only $22.00 and is the only internationally recognized form of student identification and entitles you to some insurance coverage while traveling, reduced airfares and entrance tickets to cultural events and visits. Your MSU One Card (student ID) may not be accepted as legitimate proof of your student status while traveling abroad. The application can be picked up at the Office of International Programs and processed there. You can also order one through any branch of STA Travel. To find out where the nearest STA travel sight is, go to their web sight www.statravel.com. Or you can order a card over the phone at 1-800-781-4040. The ISIC card is good until December 31st of the year of your application, meaning that if you apply in September your card will only be valid until December of the same year. (See section on Healthcare Issues Abroad for more details on ISIC coverage.)
Another card that may be useful to you is the Youth Hostel card also provided by the Council on International Educational Exchange.
International Calling Cards
Sometimes making a simple call home from a foreign country can cause a lot of stress. You always have the option of calling home collect and hoping that Mom or Dad will accept the charges, but you can now access all of the major U.S. long-distance telephone carriers (AT&T, MCI and Sprint) from most countries. An access number usually is required and your long distance carrier can provide you with a small card showing the access numbers around the world. These numbers will connect you directly to the carrier's operator in the United States, and all calls will be charged directly to your calling card (or your parent's). You may also have the option of putting the call directly on your credit card. There usually is no charge for accessing this number, but you may want to check with an international operator before using someone's telephone to call home. Another option is the Go Bananas telephone card. These cards can be found in just about any train station and offer up to 3000 minutes for $50. You may obtain further information about calling cards, international long distance calling plans and international access codes by contacting one of the major long distance carriers or by contacting your local phone company. (See section on Staying in Touch with Home.)
Eurail and Other Railroad Passes
At some point during your study abroad you will want to take the opportunity to travel. Since your budget may be limited, flying to other destinations may be cost-prohibitive, depending on your location. Still, you are not stuck at your host institution for the duration of your study abroad. An economical solution to traveling, especially around Europe, is to buy a Eurail pass or another type of railroad pass. It is usually necessary to purchase these passes before you leave the United States, so it is a good idea to check into railroad passes before you depart.
Eurail Passes are the most common railroad passes. A variety of rail passes are available enabling you to travel to as many or as few European countries as you like. You can choose from the 17 country Eurail Pass to individual country passes. It is even possible to customize a pass to your itinerary. Travel bonuses include discounted fares on Eurostar, the channel tunnel train between Paris and London or Brussels and London, free or discounted travel on selected ferries, lake steamers, boats and buses, such as Brindisi (Italy) to Patras (Greece) ferry, and ferries from Ireland to France or Sweden to Finland. A complete list of bonuses is included on the complimentary Eurail map you will receive with your pass. It is the experience of other students who have traveled abroad that you do not need to purchase one of the numerous Eurail travel guides on the market. You will be better off using the information that is provided by Eurail when you purchase your pass.
Two different types of rail passes can be purchased depending on your travel needs. Consecutive day passes allow you to travel from day one each and every day for the duration of the pass. For instance, if you purchased a 21-day Eurail Pass and began traveling on May 1, you could travel each and every day, until May 22. You have until midnight on the last day of validity to complete your travel. Flexipasses provide the option of traveling and using the rail days as needed within the validity of the pass. The travel days need not be used consecutively. Example: By purchasing a Eurail Flexipass for 10 days of travel within 2 months you would be able to use a travel day, spend some time in the city and then travel again. You could continue this routine until you used all the travel days or the pass expires. If you purchase a Flexipass (Eurail, Europass, German, ScanRail) and wish to take advantage of the Overnight Rule. If the overnight train leaves after 7:00 p.m. and arrives the next day, you would write in the next day's date on your pass before departure. Since a majority of travel takes place the next day, you are only charged for that day.
If you are in Europe for more than a semester, look into the Inter Rail pass. These passes are about half the price of Eurorail with all the same benefits, but is only offered to people who live in Europe or people who have been in Europe for more than 6 months. So if you are planning on staying in Europe for the year, definitely look into this.
Other countries, such as Japan, also have discounted railroad passes for students. You should consult a travel guide for your country of destination to see if you will need to purchase the pass in the United States. Eurail Passes can be purchased at most travel agencies, as well as through STA travel. You will need to show proof that you are a student in order to buy a Eurail Pass.
Public transportation via bus or train is more common in most other countries than in the United States. Often these services provide student rates (with your ISIC) and are an effective way to save money on transportation costs as a student.
Travel Arrangements
You should arrange your flight as soon as you know when you are supposed to arrive in your host country. The sponsoring organization or host university can assist you with information about your arrival, including the distance from the airport to the campus and the most reliable form of transportation. However, most of your travel will be done by plane. In order to save money, consider the different flight options: regular, stand-by, open-jaws, air-hitch, etc. The Office of International Programs does not book flights or seats for students. In fact, it seems that the best deals are found when you gather the information on your own and set the arrangements. In addition to contacting a local travel agency, you should always compare prices with student travel agencies. Whether or not you choose to use a regular travel agency or a student one, always ask for student fares! STA travel (www.statravel.com), as mentioned previously, offers low student fares for travel, as well as a number of other agencies. These agencies tend to be perpetually busy; be sure that the agent gets your basic information into the system so you don't have to start over if you call again. They will want to know specific information on dates, arrival destination, etc. If you don't know what airport you should fly into, just tell the travel agent where you want to go. Go to www.studentuniverse.com for more information on prices and on destinations. You may buy a round-trip (return) ticket or two one-way (single) tickets. If you plan on traveling after you finish your exchange, you may want to look into buying an open-ended return ticket, which usually has a one-year limit. Another good source for student fares is Transitions Abroad magazine, available online and in the Resource Room, which often has advertisement for overseas flights.
Packing
This is the tough part. It is nearly impossible to pack everything you want. In many cases it is more difficult to pack what you really need. The trick is to pack what you can carry. Unless you are willing to sacrifice some items to the great luggage gods (the same ones to whom you will be praying for your luggage to actually arrive at the airport) you must pack carefully. Parents or friends can always mail items later if you discover that you need them. Also, packed items that you realize are unnecessary upon arrival (like the heavy wool sweater you brought to Australia) can always be mailed back home. Remember that there are no absolutes, just suggestions.
Here are a few tips that may come in handy while you are deciding what you should bring with you abroad. The number one thing to remember is that you will only be gone for one to twelve months and you will buy a lot of things while you are away. There is a lot of potential for over packing.
Suitcases
It is much easier to have two smaller bags than one large suitcase, and backpacks are easier to carry and they leave your hands free.
Suitcases with wheels or portable baggage carts don't always work well on streets or sidewalks but may be helpful on long airport corridors.
Pack what you think you must take; then carry your baggage around the block four times and up and down three or four flights of stairs. You may re-evaluate your decision of what is really necessary.
Put your address on a luggage tag and inside your suitcase also, in case the suitcase breaks or is lost during your travels. You may want to invest in a cheap plastic or leather luggage tag since the paper airline tags fall off easily when luggage is being loaded and unloaded.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR BAGS UNATTENDED, ESPECIALLY IF THEY CONTAIN VALUABLES INSIDE. THE EASIEST TARGET FOR THIEVES IS AN UNWATCHED BAG.
Clothing
A rule exists called the 20-80 rule. In essence this rule states that we wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time and 80 percent of our clothes 20 percent of the time. When you are packing ask yourself when was the last time you actually wore that shirt or blouse and if it is likely you will wear it while you are traveling. In other words if you don't wear it at home you won’t wear it abroad.
Take interchangeable clothing that can be layered. Solids are a good choice because they are easily matched with other outfits. Accept the fact that you will stand out in a crowd with your American clothes on. Pack fewer clothes and take more money to buy clothes when you get there. After all, as you will be seeing so many new ways of dressing and new kinds of clothes when you get there, it makes sense to want to break out of your traditional American mode of dressing.
Since you will probably be abroad through at least two seasons--plan ahead and take some clothes for changing weather. Also, consider the climate of your host country. Are heavy winter clothes really needed? A good idea would be to prepare a box with warmer or cooler clothes for your parents to mail to you once you've settled in. It is also a good idea to bring one comfortable article of clothing that reminds you of home. This can range from a ragged tee shirt to a sweatshirt with the MSU logo on it to your favorite pair of flannel boxers. Something like this can help you get through the periods when you are really missing home, family and friends.
When packing, distribute the weight evenly; breakables and light-to-medium light clothing in the hard-sided suitcase(s); heavy sweaters, shoes, etc., in the packs or duffels.
Potentially hazardous materials
Double-check all container caps. Few things are worse than finding upon your arrival that your shampoo has leaked all over your toothbrush. Better yet, put shampoo, toothpaste, etc., in sealed plastic bags. Airplane pressure can open bottles. Aerosol cans should be carried on board. They can explode if checked in a decompressed luggage compartment.
Important Documents
An enormous black market exists for stolen American passports, so make sure that you carry them on your person at all times. Make sure they are secure yet readily accessible at immigration. The same goes for money, credit cards and traveler's checks. Make two copies of your important documents (passports, visas, airline tickets etc.) and keep one at home and take one set with you.
Film
Airport X-ray machines generally do not harm film. The general rule of thumb is: ASA400 or lower (200, 100 etc.) is okay through X-rays; anything higher (e.g., 1000) should be hand checked by airport officials.
Medications
Take extra prescription medication, such as allergy medicine, asthma inhalers, birth control pill, etc. The amount should last you throughout your stay and should be kept in the original packaging. Pharmacies in other countries will be able to fill most prescriptions, but the medication may be slightly different and cause side effects. Getting a new prescription will also necessitate a visit to the doctor. (See section on Health Care Issues Abroad.)
Contact lenses/glasses
If you wear contact lenses, bring an extra set of contacts, cleaning solutions and extra glasses. Cleaning solutions and replacing lenses can get very expensive abroad. (See section on Healthcare Issues Abroad.)
Surface mailing
If you decide to mail ahead, surface mail is relatively inexpensive. Just remember that it may take six to nine weeks.
Baggage Allowances
Each airline has its own requirements. Generally, two pieces of luggage may be checked, with one shoulder bag allowed on the flight. The dimension of the bags (total 106'') seems to be less important than the poundage these days; a seventy- pound limit is average. However, if you want to take more than the limit you may pay an additional fee. If you want to take your bicycle many airlines will allow you to take it as one of your checked bags, however an additional fee may also apply. Your travel agent or the airline on which you fly should be able to help you with these questions.
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