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Pre-Departure Resources

Students in ParisPassports

A valid U.S. passport is required for participation in all international programs. Application for a U.S. passport is filed in person at the Arcata Post Office. For application instructions and fees, click here.

If you already have a passport, please check that it is still valid and that it will remain valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation
Every Humboldt student going abroad is required to attend and complete the pre-departure orientation.  The pre-departure orientation will be offered in-person, online or options to complete it independently.  Dates, times, locations and modalities of the pre-departure orientations will be emailed to all confirmed study abroad students near the end of each semester. You only need to attend one of the sessions, or complete the course independently online.

Documents

Check your specific Cal Poly Humboldt GoAbroad Portal and any provider portals to make sure you have completed everything.  Many students change their class schedule when overseas and you may need to contact advisors to get approval for changes.  Make sure you have the email address and phone number for your academic advisor and department chair. If you are taking courses from other departments, then take the email address and phone number for those department chairs too.  Your Credit Transfer Agreement will be uploaded to your application on the Cal Poly Humboldt GoAbroad Portal so you can refer to this when you need to.

We recommend downloading a password storage app or find some mechanism to safely and securely keep track of bank account numbers, passwords, bill information etc. to take with you if you can’t remember them.  We recommend that you find a secure way to store copies of your important travel documents so that you can access them in the case of losing the originals. Scanning documents and sending them to your e-mail is one way to make copies but not all e-mail is secure.
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • ISIC Card, Driver’s License, and any other Identification cards
  • All credit/debit cards (front and back)
  • Health Insurance Information
  • Immunization Record
  • Power of Attorney letter (Notarized)

Money

Get a money belt or secure bag (that zips shut)  or wallet in which to carry your passport, cash, traveler’s checks, ATM card, credit cards, airline ticket, vaccination records, health insurance card and that company’s customer service contact information.  Keep the belt/bag/wallet stored in a safe place at all times. Take dollars in small denominations in case of an emergency. Make sure you have a four-digit PIN for your ATM and credit card (longer PIN’s are not valid in some countries). Contact your bank to let them know that you are using your credit and debit cards abroad or they might put a hold on them and you will not be able to use them. Also, ATM withdrawal fees vary - check the penalties. Check with your bank to see if they have a partner bank in your host country – you may avoid some fees. Students going for longer that one semester will want to look at opening a bank account abroad.  Many students report success using a Charles Schwab account as a way to avoid ATM fees when withdrawing money abroad.

Finances & Budgeting

Get your finances in order before you leave.  If you receive financial aid (this includes loans) you MUST meet with the Financial Aid Office before leaving the country. Your aid will not disburse until you verify to the Financial Aid Office that you are on your program and provide proof that you are enrolled in your classes abroad. Notify your bank, student loan company and credit card company that you will be living in another country and operating from there. Provide them with your contact information in the host country.  Give Power-of-Attorney in writing to someone you trust so that they can handle all your financial and legal matters on your behalf.  Remember, financial aid will disburse according to the Humboldt academic calendar.  You should be prepared to pay for some costs upfront in case of any delay in financial aid disbursements.

Budgeting tips:  Check out this Travel Cost Calculator for countries around the world.  Here's another one to check out too!  And, here is a list of recommended Travel Budget Apps to download before your trip.

Health Insurance

All study abroad students must have study abroad health insurance. Make sure you have read your insurance policy before traveling and you know how to use it if needed. Take the insurance card and contact phone number with you. Be aware that if you are going on a Bilateral Exchange, CSUIP, or Cal Poly Humboldt
Program your insurance only covers you during your program dates. If you want coverage during travel or extended dates, it is up to you to purchase it. Third party programs have varying insurance plans. Be aware of yours.

It is your responsibility to understand your insurance and take any additional safety measures if needed.

Talk to the coordinator, resident director, faculty leader about any physical and mental health issues you have that may be important for them to know about.

Medication and Prescriptions

If you need particular medications, contraception, eye wear (glasses or contacts), feminine hygiene products, hair products, motion sickness medicine etc., research if they are available in the host country.  If not, bring enough to last your whole time abroad.  Take your immunization records with you!
Take care of all your medical and dental checkups and needs prior to leaving. You do not want to have surgery or get a root canal while studying abroad!
  • Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor
  • Keep medicines in original drugstore containers
  • Take extra glasses and bring a copy of your prescription in case you need to have them replaced.
  • Over-the-counter medication in the U.S. may not be legal in other countries.
  • Do not stop taking your medication while abroad, especially if you are taking medication for anxiety or depression. 

Staying in contact

Make sure you leave your contact information with people at home who need to know. Develop a realistic communication plan. Parents and loved ones worry about you.  Have an agreement on how often you will contact them.  Stick to it!  Email, Skype, Messenger, Whatsapp etc. are a great way to stay in contact.
Discuss safety with your parents/loved ones.  Let them voice their concerns and listen to them (believe it or not, they may have some good suggestions!) The more your loved ones know about your program, the less they will worry.  You can also start a blog to inform friends and family.

If your phone is unlocked try buying a SIM card in-country, or buy a cheap phone in-country and use phone cards (shop around). Some US phone companies will have international plans. 

Emergency Contact

All important university documents and financial bills or disbursements will be sent to your permanent address in Peoplesoft and/or your Humboldt email address. Is that where you want them sent?  If not, make sure to update your records prior to departure.

The emergency contact you entered in the Cal Poly HumboldtGoAbroad Portal is the person who will be contacted in case of an emergency – make sure it is correct and let that person know they are the contact.

Make sure your personal e-mail and your Humboldt e-mail accounts are connected. Check your Humboldt e-mail regularly.
 

Electrical Equipment

If you decide to bring a laptop, get it insured and back-up files regularly!  Laptops are popular targets for theft in most countries. Do you need any adaptors or power regulators? Look up the voltage used abroad and make sure you have the appropriate adapter and/or converter.  Take as few electrical appliances as possible. Check what plug you will need here: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/

Booking a Flight

Look for airline tickets early! The closer to departure you get, the more expensive the ticket will usually be. Buy from a reputable company that has good customer services and stands behind their tickets. Get multiple quotes from various sources. Some search engines you can check are: Google Flights, Kayak , Faretracker, STA, Student Universe, Hopper, Skyscanner, Scott's Cheap Flights, Momondo, JustFly, Airfare Watchdog, and Travelzoo. Specify if you want special meals and seat preferences.  Join the airline’s frequent flyer program and start racking up those miles towards free travel!

Some countries require you to show that you have a return flight before you are allowed into the country. Even though search engines are helpful for finding cheaper flights it is a good idea to check on the airline's website to compare prices.

Some useful websites:
http://www.gooverseas.com/articles/tips-getting-flight-deals-study-abroad
Student Travel Association
Student Universe

Packing

Check baggage allowances (you will be surprises how little you can take without incurring an extra fee!) and security regulations. Lay out everything that you think you need and then get rid of half of it.  If you can’t carry your luggage up three flights of stairs unaided you are taking too much! Bring at least one nice outfit that you can wear at a more formal event, such as a wedding, important meeting or presentation.
These web sites have some interesting packing tips:

http://www.hercampus.com/life/travel/ultimate-study-abroad-packing-list
https://www.studyabroad.com/student-guide-study-abroad-packing
http://www.studyabroadspotlight.com/blog/dos-and-donts-of-packing/#sthash.cp1tfH9y.dpbs
http://usac.unr.edu/travel/packing/pack-half-full
http://thestudyabroadblog.com/how-to-pack-two-suitcases/
http://halftheclothes.com/

Research

Read this: A Letter to the Students About to Leave to Study Abroad.

Learn about your country. The more customs, communication styles, and gestures you know, the less shocked you will be on arrival and it will ease potential homesickness. Remember to be AWARE, PREPARED, and OPEN-MINDED to avoid unwanted surprises.

Look at maps and travel guides, like Afar, Lonely Planet, Thorn Tree, Trip Advisor, WikiTravel, Rough Guides, Rick Steves, Let's Go, Fodors, Frommers, and CultureGrams.

Read the State Department’s information about country you are going to, and the CIA factsheet.

Network

Consider taking some business cards (you can make these before you go) and your updated resumé . You never know when that perfect job might come along!

Conduct and CSU Policy
Any student studying abroad on one of our approved study abroad programs will be held to all Cal Poly Humboldt and CSU Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities.  You can find comprehensive information on the Dean of Students website:  https://studentrights.humboldt.edu/ 

Odds and Ends

Applying for Graduation: You need to do this if you have reached junior standing (60 units) and it is strongly recommended that you apply for graduation at least three terms prior to your expected term of graduation. For more information: http://pine.humboldt.edu/registrar/students/graduation.html

Voting - How do you vote when you are abroad? https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm or https://www.usvotefoundation.org/Study-Abroad-and-Vote-Toolkit
 
International Student ID Card (ISIC) - Prove your student status where ever you go.  Access over 150,000 student discounts and offers in around 130 countries.  Access student services and facilities internationally.  A good card to have, learn more:  https://www.isic.org/