Getting Ready:

As the spring semester comes to a close, you will finally be able to focus more fully on the journey ahead. As you do so, please review your program handbook and the other written materials you have been provided to be sure you have absorbed all the necessary details related to your upcoming study abroad experience. We want you to have a safe journey, so please pay particular attention to instructions regarding emergency procedures and contacts.

Arriving abroad:

Once you have arrived at your program site, be sure to contact family and friends in the U.S. They will be anxious to know you arrived safely. Please remember that it may take some time for you to get acclimated and acquire ready access to telephones or e-mail. Your program organizers will be monitoring your arrival situation so someone will be tracking your activities should something go awry (i.e. delays, cancellations, etc), therefore your family should not be concerned if you don’t phone home immediately upon arrival. You may want to consider options like Skype, WhatsApp, GoogleHangouts or FaceTime for staying in touch.

Upcoming Newsletters:

We will correspond with you through e-mail approximately once a month while you are abroad. Additionally, we will forward travel advisory messages from the U.S. State Department as necessary. These may include similar pieces of advice we gave you at orientation as well as recommendations you will receive on-site – keep a low profile, minimize your appearance as a tourist and carefully monitor your personal items (wallet, purse, backpack, electronics, etc.).

We recommend that you travel with heightened awareness at all times. Be alert when taking public transportation in case there are suspicious packages or individuals in your proximity. Should there be an incident in your city or a specific travel warning for your host country, you will receive specific details and recommendations. Visit the State Department's Students Abroad webpage for additional resources.