 Careful
planning and preparation for travel will enhance your experience. Beginning
preparations in time will help avoid last minute panic.
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Passport
Travel to most countries requires a passport. Processing a passport
application can take as long as four weeks and sometimes even longer
during peak travel season (from March to September). Apply as soon as
you know you will be traveling. You must apply in person and you can
apply at the U.S. Post Office in Richmond. You will need the following:
- Passport application (Form DSP-11): available at the U.S. Post Office
or you may download a PDF file copy at http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/Passport/ds0011.pdf.
Review the information on passports at the following website address:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
- Proof of US citizenship: this can be a certified copy of your birth
certificate, a naturalization certificate, or, if you were born abroad,
a consular report of birth of a US citizen.
- Two photographs meeting the application requirements: they must be
2" by 2" and can be in color or black and white. The background
must be white and your head should measure 1 3/8" from top to
chin. These can be made at the U.S. Post Office or the UPS Store
in Richmond. Check out the following web address to review current
photograph requirements:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/faq/faq_881.html.
- Proof of identity: if you do not have a valid driver's license, you
can use an expired US passport, a certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
- Payment: Review the current passport fees at the following web address:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html.
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Visas and Tourist Card
Visas are stamped notarizations placed in your passport by a foreign
embassy or consulate, authorizing your entry into that country for a stated
purpose and time. Tourist cars also authorize entry and are issued (instead
of visas) for some Latin American countries. If you are a US citizen planning
to travel to Western Europe as a tourist for not more than three months
in any one country, you do not need visas. If you will spend more than
three months in a country or travel to a country outside Europe, you will
probably need a visa. Visa information and applications can be obtained
by contacting the consulate or embassies of the country you plan to visit.
Be prepared to furnish extra passport photos of yourself with the visa
applications. Tourist cards may be obtained at consulates, through airlines
and travel agencies, and sometimes at the border.
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Embassies and consulates
US consulate officers are found at US embassies and consulates in most
countries overseas. They are available to advise and help, especially
if you are in any serious trouble. However, due to the number of American
travelers, they devote their time and energies to Americans who are in
serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties. They cannot act as
travel agents, lawyers, information bureaus, or banks. However, if your
passport is lost, you need to go to the nearest consulate or embassy to
have it replaced.
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International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
One advantage of being a student traveler is that you can often get
discounted prices when traveling. Your EKU ID may not be accepted as
valid proof of student status in some situations. The best bet is to
invest in an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The ISIC gives
you access to student discounts and special student airfares. You also
receive insurance plus
access to a 24-hour traveler's assistance hotline in case of medical,
legal, or financial emergency. A complete handbook detailing the discounts
and benefits available to you comes with your card.
If you are not a student, but are a teacher or a person 25 or under,
you can get many of the same benefits by investing in an International
Teacher Identity Card or the GO 25: International Youth Travel Card.
Application forms for the ISIC are in the free magazine Student Travels
available in the Study Abroad Office. You will need a photograph, proof
of student status (validated college ID card), proof of age (driver's
license) and the required fee.
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Eurail passes and Youth Hostel Cards
The Eurail pass and the Eurail Youth pass entitle holders to unlimited
rail travel for a limited amount of time throughout most of Western Europe.
You can purchase Eurail passes at travel agencies or through Council
Travel (1-800-2-COUNCIL, www.counciltravel.com).
Youth hostels all over the world offer budget accommodations. Descriptions
of hostels are available in all budget travel guidebooks such as Lets
Go guides. Council Travel (see address above) sells the American Youth
Hostel Card, which entitles one to stay at youth hostels.
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Mail
If you are traveling for a short time without a fixed itinerary, you
may wish to arrange to receive mail through American Express or at a General
Delivery (Poste Restante) address. American Express may require proof
that you are using its services (i.e. traveler's checks or a credit card).
The alternative is to have mail sent to you care of Poste Restante (General
Delivery). Through this method you pick up your mail at a special window
at the central post office, paying a small fee each time. Letters should
be marked HOLD and the last name capitalized and underlined. Sample Poste
Restante address: Jane SMITH, c/o Poste Restante, Oslo, Norway.
You will need your passport or other ID to claim your mail.
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Telephone
Go with the idea that you are not going to phone the US very often.
International phone calls can destroy the best planned budgets. Some
cell phones and phone plans have an international option. You can investigate
this option for your phone. Also, some countries have card-operated pay
phones. Others have phones that accept major credit cards. Making phone
calls charged to your hotel will always cost much more than other methods
of placing calls. Using internet cafes to email home is usually the cheapest
way to stay in contacct with family and friends at home.
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Budget
In the early stages of planning you'll want to take time to create a
realistic budget, including your pre-trip costs, travel costs, and daily
expenses for food and shelter. Pre-trip costs include items like your
passport, International Student ID, hostel membership, guidebooks, and
backpack.
The amount of money needed daily while traveling depends on a number
of factors: your lifestyle; country; part of country (small town versus
major city); whether or not transportation or entertainment expenses
are included in a particular day; etc. It is difficult to give a useful
estimate. It's a good idea to talk to someone who has been to the country
to get a rough idea of how much you'll really need, or check a recent
budget travel guide book.
Buy a good budget travel guide, such as Let's Go Europe, and
use the information it provides for the places you plan to visit. Prepare
an estimate and then take along about 20% extra for emergencies.
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Money
Cash: Take only a small amount of U.S. cash; once lost or stolen it
cannot be replaced. As a safety measure, keep one "untouchable" big
bill ($50 or so) in reserve somewhere separate from your other money.
Use it only in case of an emergency. It is a good idea to obtain a small
amount of foreign currency before arrival abroad to use for immediate
situations such as buses, phone calls, tips, etc. All international
airports (Atlanta, Cincinnati, JFK, Dallas, etc.) have currency exchanges
and ATM machines.
Travelers Checks: You may want to carry some money in traveler's checks;
if lost or stolen they are replaceable. Banks sell travelers checks in
US dollars, English pounds, Euro, and Canadian dollars for a 1% charge.
If you plan to visit many countries, dollars may be the best bet. Members
of AAA can get traveler's checks at no charge from an AAA office.
Credit Cards: MasterCard, VISA and American Express can be used world
wide. Some permit you to cash personal checks or obtain cash advances
through automated tellers. You can also arrange to have a debit card
that works like checkless banking through VISA or MasterCard. You can
transfer money from home with an American Express card. You can withdraw
up to $1000 every 21 days (if you have someone at home feeding your
account). Explore the possibilities with your credit card company. Be
sure you know your credit limit! Guard your credit cards as securely
as your cash. Most ATM systems abroad support only a four digit PIN;
if your PIN has five or more digits, ask your bank to issue you one
that has only four. Be sure to notify your credit card company and your
bank through which your debit cards work of the dates and places you
will be travelling, to avoid your card being cancelled by the company.
ATM Card: If you have an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, you can
probably use your card overseas to get cash easily at the inter-bank rate.
Contact your bank to find out if their ATM system has international facilities.
They should be able to give you specific locations where you can use your
card overseas. Be sure to find out if there is a service charge involved.
Transfer by Wire: Another choice is to have money wired through the instant
international money transfer services operated by Western Union (800-225-5227),
or American Express (800-926-9400). The sender visits one of their offices
or calls and charges it to a credit card and the receiver can pick up
their cash at any overseas office within minutes. (Unfortunately, the
fee is about 10% of the amount wired ($25 to wire $250) so this should
be for emergencies only).
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Rates of Exchange
Currency exchange rates fluctuate. The New York Times carries
a daily list of exchange rates. Rates are published in the International
Herald Tribune and other newspapers abroad. Once abroad, you can shop
around at local banks and exchange counters for the best exchange rates.
Rates are generally posted in bank windows. You may choose to carry a
money converter table, and in European Union countries that use the Euro,
you can buy a calculator that instantly converts currencies. A converter
is useful for calculating the dollar cost of a major purchase or in handling
currency in other countries.
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Insurance
You must have medical and hospitalization insurance. Check to be sure
your present coverage is good outside the United States and that your
hospitalization insurance is valid for foreign hospitals. Carry your
insurance card with you and be sure you understand the procedures you
would need to follow if you were ill or needed to use your insurance
while traveling.
If you purchase an International Student Identity Card, you are covered
by some basic medical insurance. You can purchase additional insurance,
called Trip-Safe Travel Insurance, to double the basic ISIC coverage.
Trip-Safe also provides options for baggage insurance and trip cancellation
insurance.
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When You Need a Doctor
If you need to visit a doctor or dentist and do not know someone in the
country who can help you, you may wish to contact the nearest American
Embassy or Consulate. They have a list of doctors whom they recommend
and who usually speak English. IF you have an ISIC, you can contact the
ISIC Traveler's Assistance Hotline.
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Staying Healthy
The state of your health will have a significant impact on the success
of your trip. With proper planning, travel can be a happy and health promoting
experience. Going abroad is not a magic geographic cure, both physical
and emotional health issues will follow you wherever you go. Address problems
before you travel. If you have health concerns, visit the student health
center on campus or other health practitioners such as your family doctor,
dentist, or a counselor. Make sure you are in good health before you leave
and prevent emergencies abroad.
Check out which immunizations are required for the countries you will
visit. In most cases, this means that you should be sure your standard
immunizations are up to date. The student health center on campus can
advise you about immunizations that you need and how to arrange for any
they cannot provide.
If you will be participating in a study abroad program, inform the program
director of any special health needs. Describe allergies, disabilities,
continuing psychological treatment, dietary requirements, and medical
concerns so that adequate arrangements can be made.
For minor needs like aspirin, band-aids, vitamins, suntan lotion, toothpaste,
etc., you can use pharmacies and/or apothecaries abroad. But if you
use a particular over the counter medication, you might want to take
some with you since foreign pharmacies do not always have the same products
that are available in the U.S. If you take prescription medicines, take
enough with you to last the entire time you will be gone. Also, take
a copy of the prescription in case you and your medicine become separated
at some time. Take all medications in their original containers, and
for safety reasons, it is a good idea to have your medical professional
write a letter explaining your medication on official letterhead in case
of questions raised by airport or local authorities while abroad.
If you wear glasses, take both an extra pair and the prescription. IF
you use contact lenses, take sufficient quantities of contact lens cleaning
and wetting solution as these are not always readily available. If you
use a sterilization unit, be sure to change chemicals for your trip.
Eat only washed fresh fruits and vegetables. Differences in fertilizer,
etc., can cause you to have some stomach upset, but usually it is only
a matter of adjustment. As with foods, water will be different in composition
and you may need to buy bottled water if you notice stomach problems (or,
in some countries, bottled water is a MUST). The quality of water varies
from country to country, so be informed about the countries you will visit.
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Alcohol and Drugs
In many countries, beer and wine are served with meals and the legal
drinking age is lower than in the US. However, drunkenness is viewed with
extreme distaste and is sometimes illegal. The dangers of excessive use
of alcohol are heightened in unfamiliar settings and can cause serious
disruptions in study abroad programs. Most programs will send students
home when abuse of alcohol is evident.
More than 1000 Americans are arrested and held on drug charges abroad
every year. Americans caught with drugs overseas are subject to local
laws. A number of countries have imposed stiffer penalties for drug violations
and stricter enforcement of drug laws than the US.
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Packing for Travel Abroad
The most often repeated remark by returned travelers is, "I wish
I hadn't taken so much stuff…" Take as little as possible, because:
you will get tired of carrying it! While traveling, you will want to buy
souvenirs and pick up items along they way, and most toiletries can be
bought when you need them abroad. As a test, pack everything you plan
to take and then carry your luggage around the block and up a flight or
two of stairs. You may decide to pack even less!
Think of basics that will mix and match. Plan to dress in layers for
changes in weather. Take things that can be hand laundered. Don't take
things that will need to be dry cleaned. Leave expensive clothes and jewelry
at home.
Comfortable shoes are essential. Also take a pair of flip-flops for walks
to the bathroom at night, relaxing on trains, and scary showers. Shorts
and bare shoulders are forbidden in most places of worship, even if you've
only come to see the architecture. Wraparound skirts and shirts with sleeves
are often useful for women.
In many countries, rain gear is a necessity. Also remember that many
places (for example, much of Europe) are cooler for most of the summer
than Kentucky. Read a good guidebook about the places you will be visiting.
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Luggage
Luggage should be sturdy and as lightweight as possible. Many people
prefer a backpack because it is more maneuverable than a suitcase. Your
hands are free, and all the weight is on your back. If checking a backpack
for air travel, tape down the straps so they won't get caught in the conveyor
belts. Put your name and overseas address (if you have one) or home address
both inside and outside your luggage. Mark your luggage with a bright
tape or yarn for easy identification in airports.
It is useful to have a small day pack in addition to your main luggage.
Use it on your transatlantic flight for all the things you will need for
the first day you arrive as well as prescription medications you need
(in case your luggage goes astray). You may also find times when you want
to check your main bag in a locker or railroad check room, and travel
only with your day pack. Keep your money, traveler's checks and passport
in a neck pouch or other concealed pack.
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Other Things You May Wish to Take
Return travelers suggest a lot of things they wished they had taken with
them or they had found very useful:
- Zip Lock Bags (for transporting damp laundry or other items that can
leak)
- Paperback Books (inexpensive-take one you can trade with another traveler)
- Padlock (for youth hostel lockers)
- Journal
- Small Sewing Kit and First Aid Kit
- Guide Book
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Copy Documents
A lost passport can be replaced by going to the nearest American Embassy
or Consulate. You can replace traveler's checks and air tickets (sometimes).
Any replacement procedures are easier with a copy of the original. Make
a Xerox copy of your passport, traveler's checks and airline ticket. Leave
a set at home and take a set with you in a different part of your luggage
in case you lose any of these items.
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Arrival
Even if you plan to travel in a relatively unstructured way, it is wise
to make a hotel reservation for the first night of your arrival abroad
(unless arrangements are made through the program or Study Abroad Office).
Anticipate jet lag and plan to take things slowly for the first day or
two after your arrival until your internal clock is reset.
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