Preparing for Departure
Are you ready to make this a great adventure?
- How to obtain a U.S. Passport
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- Check-Off List
- Review U.S. Department of State Travel Safety Information
- Health Insurance
- Getting your Flight
OBTAIN A PASSPORT 
Every participant in the Summer Study Abroad program is required to have a current Passport. If you do not have a Passport, it has expired, or it is due to expire prior to or during your travel, you need to initiate the process immediately. Passports take approximately 6 weeks to process. Applying for a Passport will require an original/certified birth certificate and/or other identity certification documents. To initiate this process, go to a main U.S. Post Office or visit the Web site http://travel.state.gov/. DO NOT DELAY IN PROCESSING YOUR PASSPORT!
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
If you are local to the UC Riverside campus, please look forward to participating in an Orientation a few weeks prior to leaving on your Summer Study Abroad program. The orientation will include information by the faculty, the UC Riverside Health Center, the campus Student Judicial Affairs department, and the Summer Sessions office. The date for the Pre-Departure Orientation has not been scheduled yet; please visit the Pre-Departure Orientation page periodically for updates on this event.
CHECK OFF LIST 
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or this is your first trip, we strongly recommend that you create a "check off" list to help you get everything done and cut down the stress of remembering to do everything before you leave. Five weeks can be a long time to be away from your regular routine and personal responsibilities, so we've compiled a list that you might find helpful as you create your own:
| inform roommates and landlord of absence and settle monthly rent/expense contributions in advance to avoid late fees | |
| reroute or stop mail delivery until after you return | |
| contact the utilities companies to avoid getting services turned off | |
| many U.S. cellular phone services DO NOT work outside of the United States. If you want to use a cell phone during your trip, you can either rent one on site (usually at the airport) or contact your cell phone provider. You may also choose to buy an international phone card to use at public/dorm/hotel room phones. | |
| set up a "phone tree" system to limit the amount of phone calls you make back home | |
| contact your personal physician to inform him of your intended travel location and length of time away to receive proper endorsement, treatment, and/or medication to last throughout your travel | |
| if you own a pet, be sure to have someone lined up to provide care | |
| if you own plants, be sure to have someone lined up to provide care | |
| inform your bank of possible charges from overseas | |
| set up an "emergency" protocol system (you designate one person to receive a call who will contact others.) | |
| suspend newspaper, subscriptions, club deliveries until after your return | |
| contact lenders to settle monthly payments in advance to avoid late fees | |
| if you belong to a gym or have other memberships, contact them to settle payments in advance to avoid late fees or cancellations | |
| make a copy of your Passport and other important information before departing with them; leave these copies with whomever you may call in the event of an emergency | |
| you will need 4 photographs of yourself (2 for your passport and 2 for the Summer Sessions Office). Please note the following criteria.
Your photographs must be:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STUDY ABROAD INFORMATION
As we want to ensure your safety and security while traveling with us, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the potential dangers of studying abroad. Before your departure, please review the U.S. Department of State's website for information regarding safe travel for students participating in study abroad programs. A student-focused website has been set up by the U.S. Department of State for traveling students: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/ A free "Smart Traveler" app (free to download for iPhones) is also available to travelers wishing to access information on the State Department's travel website, travel.state.gov, including...
- Travel Alerts and Warnings
- Maps
- Embassy locations and directions
- Information on entry and exit requirements
- Customized e-itineraries
- Option to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- and much more...
Please note that all participants are enrolled in STEP by the Summer Study Abroad Office.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Although students will be enrolled in the University of California Travel Insurance Coverage, it is still recommended that students check with their personal health care provider to confirm that their coverage extends beyond U.S. borders during the time that they will be traveling. Although some health care expenses are covered under the UC Travel Insurance, we recommend that students notify their personal health care provider, and understand their coverage in the event of a medical emergency or illness.
In addition to the UC travel insurance coverage, the UCR Summer Study Abroad Office will provide each student with an ISIC Premium card. The ISIC Premium card MUST BE ACTIVATED in order to access its benefits. PLEASE ACTIVATE YOUR CARD IMMEDIATELY and PRIOR TO DEPARTURE!! Information about ISIC Premium coverage follows:
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GETTING YOUR FLIGHT RESERVATIONS
Each student is expected to find their way to the program location by the first day of class. You may want to contact fellow participants for shared travel arrangements or to compare airfare. Due to the possibility of cancelled programs, it is recommended that students purchase refundable tickets.
*****Links on this page to non-affiliated websites do not represent endorsement by the University of California.*****
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Member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators |