Study Abroad in Mexico

A Step by Step Guide to Planning your Excursion

Step 1

Register for AHA study abroad program

Deadline April 16 Requirements:

Sophomore standing 2.5 GPA

How: Some universities allow students to apply online directly to AHA, while other universities require students to apply directly to their home campus study abroad office before applying to AHA.

APPLYING THROUGH AHA INTERNATIONAL

If your university allows you to apply directly through AHA International, follow these steps:

1. Create a profile in the AHA online application system. Go to the program page for the location you intend to apply

for, and click the “apply now” button. You will be prompted to fill out your

personal details and create a log-in account. Then, you can select the term you would like to apply for. If you would like to apply for more than one term, select the “apply now” button again, and follow the prompts to select your second term. The AHA online system is where you will access important information throughout the process of studying abroad.

http://www.ahastudyabroad.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=9767C83E-0E7F-1B20-9A942D62F2686B76&Link_ID=1C080A3C-19B9-D317-A36BF1F799773F89

APPLYING THROUGH AHA INTERNATIONAL

2. Read university-specific application instructions Once you have created a profile and logged in, please read

the Application Instructions page for further details regarding the application process for your campus. Campus processes vary, so it is important to pay close attention to the details listed on the Application Instructions page.

Step 2Apply for a U.S. Passport

You must apply in person if:

You are applying for your first U.S. passport or

You are under age 16 or

Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16 or

Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged or

Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago or

Your name has changed since your U.S. passport was issued

Complete and submit form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. passport)

Submit evidence of U.S. citizenship

Present Identification

Submit a photocopy of the identification document presented

Pay the applicable fee ($95.00 + $25.00)

Provide two passport photos

Step by step instructions for first time applicants

Helpful LinksApplying for a U.S. Passport

Passportshttp://passports%20http//travel.state.gov/passport/passport1738.html

Step by step instructions for first time applicantshttp://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

Link to form DS-11http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html

Special Passport Requirements for Minors 16 & 17 Years of Age

Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican citizen under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry: notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not

traveling with the child to or from Mexico.

This permission must include: the name of the parent the name of the child the name of anyone traveling with the child the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s).

The State Department recommends that…

• The permission should include – travel dates – Destinations– airlines – a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel.

The child must be carrying the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as: proof of the parent/child relationship

(usually a birth certificate or court document) an original custody decree, if applicable.

Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate for current information.

Travel Visa

Visas are not required for studies in Mexico:

- lasting six months or less - up to 180 days as a tourist.

Step 3

Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate

Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country.

Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.

Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate

In order for the US Embassy to assist you - in the event of an emergency,

leave your contact information, including:

- a valid e-mail address - a phone number where you can be reached - the address where you will be staying

Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate

Register here:https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

For specific questions regarding registration contact:ConsularMexico@state.gov

Up to date travel advisories for travel in Mexico:http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

Step 4All Things Health

•Insurance

1. Check with your insurance company for health coverage when traveling abroad.

2. The CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.

See your Health Care Provider 4 - 6 weeks prior to departure

Get necessary vaccines:

Information on vaccines, etc. the Centers for Disease Control website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mexico.aspx

To contact the CDC: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

2. Prevent Insect Borne Illness

Travelers can reduce their risk of getting dengue fever by protecting themselves from mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy. Travelers should follow the steps below to protect themselves from mosquito bites:

1. Where possible, stay in hotels or resorts that are well screened or air conditioned and that take measures to reduce the mosquito population. If the hotel is not well screened, sleep under bed nets to prevent mosquito bites.

2. When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. If sunscreen is needed, apply before insect repellent.- Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535.

3. Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. For greater protection, clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.)

If you return from a trip abroad and get sick with a fever, you should seek medical care.

Be sure to tell the doctor or other health-care provider about your recent travel.

Medications to take with you:

And Don’t Forget:

1. Iodine tablets and portable water filters in case purified water is not available

1. Recommended filters: - Look for the words "reverse osmosis" - "absolute 1 micron" filters - look for the NSF trademark plus

the words "cyst reduction" or "cyst removal" on the product label information

2. For more information or to see if your filter is safe: http://www.nsf.org/certified/DWTU/info@nsf.org

2. Antibacterial hand wipes

3. Sunblock

4. Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes

5. Bed nets treated with permethrin, if you will not be sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room and will be in malaria-risk areas

1. Carry prescription medication in your carry-on and make sure it is enough for the duration of your trip

2. Anti-malarial drugs if going to an area with malaria

3. Medication for diarrhea

4. Over the counter medications

Step 5:Cellular Phone Coverage

Check with your cellular phone service provider prior to departure to confirm that your cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks

Step 6Airline Tickets

Here are a fewTrip advisor browses the top online sites for the best

prices and is fairly easy to navigate.http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights

Others include http://www.sidestep.com/http://www.expedia.comhttp://www.vayama.comhttp://www.lowfares.comhttp://www.kayak.com/http://www.hotwire.com/http://www.cheaptickets.com/

Every internet search done for low airfare, results in more sites and more options.

Airline Tickets may be purchased nearly a year in

advance.

Thursday travel seems to be the optimal time for more

reasonable rates.

Purchasing tickets directly through the airlines triples the

cost of airfare.

There are many competitive online sites to purchase

reasonably priced tickets.

Alerts can be created to have you notified via email when a

fare drops

Step 7Now It is Time to Pack Your Bags

Now that airport security is so much tighter, due to the threat of terrorism, it is less easy to pack for a trip than it once was.

Here are a few guidelines(For a more comprehensive list)

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

A Few More Guidelines

• 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.

• Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.

• 3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.• Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast

milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

References

• United States. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Apply for a U.S. Passport. February 1995. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://travel.state.gov/about/about_4955.html

• United States. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. U.S. Visas. February 1995. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

• Mize, K. ESOL/Bilingual Education, Summer Morelia, 1999. Western Oregon University. Web. 7 June 2010. http://www.wou.edu/education/teacher_ed/esol_bilingual/morelia-flyer10summer.pdf

• AHA International Study Abroad, Application Process FAQ. 1999. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.ahastudyabroad.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=9767C83E-0E7F-1B20-9A942D62F2686B76&Link_ID=1C080A3C-19B9-D317-A36BF1F799773F89

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your Online Source for Credible Health Information. 1999. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mexico.aspx

• Transportation Security Administration, Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1. 2009. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

• TripAdvisor. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights • SideStep, Inc. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.sidestep.com/ • Expedia, Inc. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.expedia.com/ • Vayama. 2006-2010 Airtrade International Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010.

http://www.vayama.com/jsp/aboutUs/aboutus.jsp?s=345266901 • LowFares.com. 1995 - 2010 LowFares.com, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.lowfares.com/ • Kayak. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.kayak.com/ • Hotwire. 2000-2010 Hotwire, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.hotwire.com/ • CheapTickets. 2002-2010, Trip Network, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.cheaptickets.com/