Pre-Departure Tips

There are a number of ways to help your child prepare for his/her study abroad journey. The following are a few examples. You may also want to consult the State Department's Students Abroad website.

Academics & University of Maryland Logistics

• Make sure that all academic paperwork is complete before your child leaves UM's campus

Students on Maryland programs will be in frequent contact with the Office regarding essential documents and paperwork.

Students studying through a non-Maryland option are responsible for contacting the Study Abroad Office at least six months before departure to ensure that all necessary UM paperwork is complete by the deadline.

NEW! Study Abroad Fee: All Maryland students who enroll in non-Maryland programs for semester study abroad will be charged a $400 Study Abroad Fee, effective Spring 2009.  Students who enroll in Maryland exchange programs for semester study abroad will be charged a $250 Study Abroad Exchange Fee per semester, effective Spring 2009.  This charge will appear directly on student accounts.  Students who attend UM administered or sponsored semester study abroad programs pay a study abroad fee as part of the overall program cost so no additional charge will appear on their account.

• Remind your child to get his or her study abroad transcripts sent to the Study Abroad Office at the end of his or her time abroad.
  
• Make sure that your child's student account is clear of charges before he or she goes abroad.
• Remind your son or daughter to cancel any housing or dining contracts that he or she may have in College Park. Contact Residential Life to find out the deadline for canceling contracts without incurring a fee. The Permission to Study Abroad paperwork can be used as proof of study abroad. You should also look into the procedure for reinstating housing upon your child's return to campus. Please remember that on-campus housing is not guaranteed on the College Park campus for any student with senior standing.
  

Visa and Passports

• If your child does not have a passport, apply for one as soon as he or she decides to study abroad. The process can take up to two months, so apply immediately.
• If your child does have a passport, ensure that the passport is valid until six months after the end of his or her study abroad program.
• Make two copies of the passport and keep one at home for use in the event that your child's passport is lost or stolen.
• If you do not have a passport, consider applying for one. If you do not have a way to leave the country, you will not be able to reach your child in the event of an emergency.
• Your child should know if a visa is required for study in his or her country of choice. If it is, help them to apply as soon as possible. Required documents can be found on the country's embassy website. You should also be informed about visa requirements by your child's study abroad program.
• We strongly encourage all students to register their trip with the State Department at www.travel.state.gov.
  

Health Issues

• Consider scheduling a pre-departure check-up for your son or daughter. It is always best to make sure you have a clean bill of health before going overseas.
  
• If your son or daughter has a pre-existing mental or physical health condition, make sure that he or she discusses it with his or her primary care provider. Study abroad can exacerbate certain health conditions, so it is always best to discuss the possible effects before departure.
• Look into medical resources available on site before departure. The U.S. consulate or embassy is often a good source for American style, English-language facilities.
  
• Check the U.S. Center for Disease Control to see if any vaccinations are required for your child's host country.
• Any student on medication should ensure that he or she has a sufficient quantity. Students should bring copies of any prescriptions with them. Although most countries use different medical brands, the active drug ingredient should be internationally recognizable. If your child plans to bring medication with him or her, remind them that the drugs should be carried in carry-on luggage in their original, labeled containers. He or she should also bring a copy of his or her prescription, including the active drug ingredients.
  
• All students studying abroad should have basic health insurance. In addition, the University of Maryland recommends that every student have medical evacuation insurance. If your current health insurance provider does not cover this (and many do not!), please contact the Study Abroad Office. One popular option is to purchase an International Student Identification Card. You may also want to consider the Access America Travel Insurance policy available through the UM Travel Services department.
  
• If your child needs proof of full-time enrollment for his or her primary health insurance, you may need a memo from the Study Abroad Office. Do not hesitate to contact us for such documentation.
  

Money

• Before your child leaves, discuss a realistic budget with them. Most students spend more than they expect to while abroad, so assistance in budgeting is often helpful.
• ATM debit cards work in most ATM machines around the world. If your child plans to use his or her ATM card to access funds while abroad, contact his or her bank to discuss whether or not there is a limit to how much cash one can withdraw in one day. It is also a good idea to alert the bank to your child's plans to be overseas. Your bank will be able to inform you as to any withdrawal fees your child may incur for using an international ATM. It is best to be aware of these charges in advance, so that you can plan ahead for ways to minimize the fees.
  
• If your child plans to use a credit card, alert the credit card company of your child's plans. International transactions can cause companies to suspect credit card fraud.
• Be sure that your child has a number of ways to access funds while overseas. Reliance on one method can be problematic if the one chosen method does not work for some reason.

Miscellaneous

• Consider other insurance options for your child. If you are concerned about theft, you might want to purchase property insurance. Travel insurance plans are also available.
• If your child will be abroad in the spring, plan ahead for tax season. If you will need to sign any legal documents on his or her behalf, you need to complete Power of Attorney paperwork before your child departs.
• Many students choose to take computers or other electronic devices overseas. Be sure to check the electric current used in his or her destination country. He or she may need to purchase an adapter in order to use American appliances overseas.
• Establish a way to communicate once your child has arrived in his or her host country. Most countries have internet access, so email is a popular choice. To dial internationally, you will need to dial 011 and the country code before dialing your child's international phone number. Please remember that your child may not call as frequently as you would like! Study abroad is a once in a lifetime experience, so don't be alarmed if communication is more sporadic than it is when your child is at Maryland. In fact, encourage your child to immerse him or herself in the host culture, rather than spending time on the phone with friends and family in the United States.