STUDY ABROAD SERVICESSpring 2012Pre-Departure

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Safety and SecurityHealth InsuranceHealth and Mental WellnessFinance and Travel InformationAcademic InformationCommunication &Returning HomeAnnouncementsUpcoming Country-Specific

SessionsQuestion & Answer

Being alone at night in an isolated area

Carrying large amounts of cash

Wearing expensive jewelry

Excessive alcohol consumption

Sleeping in an unlocked place

Being out after a local curfew

Leaving property unattended

Helpful Hint: Avoid handbags, use inside pockets and use sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest.

Be aware of your surroundings Use common sense Travel in small groups Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys or

poorly lit streets Don’t discuss travel plans or other

personal matters with strangers Be aware of strangers who approach you,

offering bargains or to be your guide Try to seem purposeful when you move

about, even if you are lost

Standing out or attracting attention could cause you to be targeted

Act responsibly and remember that you are not in your country.

Leave the USA logos at home

ALWAYS lock your door. Know the location of the nearest exit. Whenever possible, ensure that your

room has a peephole, a deadbolt lock, or a chain-and-slide bolt.

Be aware of unsolicited room calls. Keep belongings on or about your

person while sharing rooms with strangers. Hostels should provide you with a locker and a key.

Strength of alcohol varies by country. D.U.I. laws tend to be stricter than U.

S. You could be held responsible even as

a passenger in some countries. Legal age for consumption tends to be

lower, so act responsibly. Alcohol affects your normal faculties

i.e. ability to see, hear, walk, talk, judge and etc.

Falls, traffic accidents and drowning are most common accidents

Occur at night & after alcohol consumption.

…Use common sense!

Laws about drugs vary widely. Find out what is acceptable.

More than 1/2 of the 2,500 U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad annually are held on DRUG CHARGES.

Penalties can be severe for even small amounts.

Bail and jury trials are not granted in many countries when drugs are involved.

Long periods of pretrial imprisonment are common place.

Many countries have harsh penalties for possession of even small amounts of marijuana.

U.S. Embassies and consulates will not Get you out of jail Cash checks or lend money Act as your attorney

U.S. Embassies and consulates will: Notify you of area warnings (register

with the embassy/consulate in your locale)

Provide a list of local attorneys Facilitate communications with home Provide emergency evacuation in

limited circumstances

State Department Web site https://travelregistration.state.gov/

U. S. C. Student Travel Information www.usc.edu/dept/education/globaled/

irl/personalsafety.htmlTravel Safety for Women

www.gonomad.com/womens/0011/bodnarchuk_miniguidewomens.asp

Health Insurance CISI Insurance Your program’s health insurance

Emergency Medical Assistance AIG Assist (CISI)

UF sponsored & exchange programs, you are automatically enrolled.

Enrollment dates – three days before, and two days after the official dates of your program.

Enrollment cards – your card will be sent to you by email by CISI.

Coverage information is on-line at the UFIC website. Should you need to show proof of enrollment,

our office can provide you with a letter upon request.

To find a generic copy of the card, go to the Study Abroad Services website: Click Study Abroad

Students Click Once Approved Click Health Insurance Scroll to the bottom

of third paragraph and click the link.

Or Email your Study Abroad Advisor

Handling Money Abroad More than one source of funding:▪ Credit Cards (VISA or MASTERCARD)▪ ATM Cards▪ Travelers’ cheques ▪ Cash (both local currency and USD)

Inform credit card company of travel plans!

Check with your bank and credit card company regarding ATM policies and fees

Check to see if your bank has a sister bank in your host country

Opening a bank account abroad Good option for semester students Less ATM fees Will not be able to do until you are

abroad

Check with bank about how to wire money from a US account to an International account

Handling Money Abroad Record travelers’

cheque and credit card numbers and company contact numbers in case of theft/loss

Do not take personal checks!

Reconfirm flight time 72 hours prior to departure

Check-in at least 3 hours prior to departure for international flights

Luggage Check with airline for :▪ Max. number of bags you can check-in plus carry-on▪ Weight limits (it varies by airline carrier)

Pack light!!! Pack an extra bag inside your suitcase

for souvenirs and weekend trips.Avoid Jet Lag

Adjust watch to new time zone on plane

Drink plenty of waterLeave copies of all travel

documents at home (Keep original travel documents with you!)

Bring a 10’ Ethernet (network) patch cable

Bring foreign AC plug converters

• Bring a USB Flash Drive

• At least 2 GB in capacity

For even more portability than your laptop

Bring a headset with built-in microphone

USA uses 110 – 120 volts

European countries use 220 – 240 volts

Bring only essential electronic devices!

Need adapters ? …

Passport Must be valid 6 months past final

travel date Visa

Student visas - Contact embassy or consulate

Do not delay as visa requests can take a month or longer

If traveling outside host country: ▪ CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS

Obtaining a visa is YOUR responsibility Make copies of all documents in case

they are lost

Attend on-site orientation Important information on safety, health,

and academics Locations of the nearest embassy and/or

consulate Make friends

Housing Host Families▪ Be respectful of host family▪ Take a small gift as gesture of thanks

Apartments/dorms▪ Be respectful of residents and roommates.

Student Honor Code “We, the members of the University

of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.”

Conduct Code Standards of conduct indicate how

one should behave based on moral duties and virtues.

Students are held to University Code of Conduct while on study abroad programs

Student Responsibility Academic honesty Alcohol and Drugs

Judiciary Students will be referred to the

University Judiciary upon return for violation of standards of conduct.

Student may be sent back to USA at own expense

An average 2,000 mile international flight can emit ONE TON of C02 per passenger.

*Offsetting your carbon emissions is optional, not mandatory.

Cell Phones Abroad Check with current cell phone company▪ “unlocked, triband GSM” phone▪ Be aware of per minute charges

Purchase a pre-paid cell phone in host country

Rent or Purchase a cell phone before departure:▪ www.piccellwireless.com▪ www.cellularabroad.com

Check with your host program director for country-specific info

Email & Internet Check your Gatorlink account: ▪ All official announcements go to your UFL

email▪ http://webmail.ufl.edu

Remember!▪ Access to websites may be blocked in other

countries.▪ Only blog info. you would want your

grandmother to read!Final note on communication…

Call home when you arrive!!!

Skype Free to other Skype users Minimal cost to landlines/mobile

phones www.skype.com

Copy of your passport (photo/signature page)

Copy of your Acceptance LetterCopy of your Flight ItineraryPower of Attorney (optional but

available at the front desk in our office)

Remember to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/