Before and During Travel

Before You Travel

Passports

A valid passport is required for participation in all international programs. An application for a U.S. passport  can be filed in person at the Arcata Post Office. Application instructions.

Students who are NOT U.S. citizens should contact your own Embassy or Consulate to get instructions on how to renew your passport.

Already have a passport? Check that it’s still valid and will remain valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation

Every student going abroad is required to attend a pre-departure orientation. Orientation information will be emailed to all confirmed study abroad students near the end of each semester. 

Documents

• Check your GoAbroad Portal and any provider portals to make sure you have completed everything.
• Many students change their class schedule when overseas and you may need to contact advisors to get approval for changes.
• Your Credit Transfer Agreement will be uploaded to your application on the GoAbroad Portal so you can refer to this when you need to.
• Download a password storage app to safely and securely keep track of bank account numbers, passwords, bill information etc. to take with you if you can’t remember them.
• Find a secure way to store copies of your important travel documents so that you can access them in the case of losing the originals.
• Passport
• Visa
• Driver’s License, and any other Identification cards
• All credit/debit cards (front and back)
• Health Insurance Information
• Immunization Record

Finances & Budgeting

• Get a money belt or wallet to carry your passport, cash,  debit  card, credit cards, airline ticket, vaccination records, and health insurance card.
• Take dollars in small denominations in case of an emergency.
• Make sure you have a four-digit PIN for your debit and credit card.
• Contact your bank to let them know that you are using your credit and debit cards abroad or they might put a hold on them and you will not be able to use them.
• Check with your bank to see if they have a partner bank in your host country – you may avoid some fees.
• Students going for longer than one semester should consider opening a bank account abroad.
• If you receive financial aid (this includes loans) you must meet with the Financial Aid Office before leaving the country. Your aid will not disburse until you verify to the Financial Aid Office that you are on your program and provide proof that you are enrolled in your classes abroad.
• Financial aid will disburse according to the Humboldt academic calendar.  You should be prepared to pay for some costs up front in case of any delay in financial aid disbursements.

Budgeting tips

Travel Cost Calculator  

Recommended Travel Budget Apps 

Health Insurance

• All study abroad students must have study abroad health insurance. Make sure you have read your insurance policy before traveling and you know how to use it if needed. Take the insurance card and contact phone number with you.
• If you are going on a Bilateral Exchange, CSUIP, or Cal Poly Humboldt Program, your insurance only covers you during your program dates. If you want coverage during travel or extended dates, it is up to you to purchase it.
• Talk to the Study Abroad Coordinator, Resident Director, or Faculty Leader about any physical and mental health issues you have that may be important for them to know about.

Medication & Prescriptions

• Take your immunization records with you.
• Take care of all your medical and dental checkups and needs prior to leaving.
• Keep medicines in original drugstore containers and make sure you have a copy of your prescription (or a letter from your doctor).
• Take extra glasses and bring a copy of your prescription in case you need to have them replaced.
• Over-the-counter medication in the U.S. may not be legal in other countries.  Do your research before bringing ANY medications to your host country.
• Do not stop taking your medication while abroad, especially if you are taking medication for anxiety or depression

Staying in contact

• Leave your contact information with people at home, and develop a realistic communication plan with family and friends.
• If your phone is unlocked, try buying a SIM card in-country, or buy a cheap phone in-country and use phone cards.
• Contact your phone carrier to upgrade to an international plan.

Emergency Contact

• All important university documents and financial bills or disbursements will be sent to your permanent address in Peoplesoft and/or your Humboldt email address. If that is not where you want them sent, make sure to update your records prior to departure.
• The emergency contact you entered in the GoAbroad Portal is the person who will be contacted in case of an emergency – make sure it is correct and let that person know they are the contact. 

Electrical Equipment

• If you bring a laptop, get it insured and back-up files regularly.
• It is recommended you purchase an universal adapter which can be used in most countries. 

Booking a Flight

• Look for airline tickets early! The closer to departure you get, the more expensive the ticket will usually be.
• Get multiple quotes from various sources. Some search engines you can check are: Google Flights, Kayak, Faretracker, STA, Student Universe, Hopper, Skyscanner, Scott's Cheap Flights, Momondo, JustFly, Airfare Watchdog, and Travelzoo.
• Some countries require you to show that you have a return flight before you are allowed into the country.

Some useful websites:

http://www.gooverseas.com/articles/tips-getting-flight-deals-study-abroad
Student Travel Association
Student Universe

Packing

• Check baggage allowances and security regulations.
• If you can’t carry your luggage up three flights of stairs unaided you are taking too much.
• Bring at least one nice outfit that you can wear at a more formal event,
• These websites have some interesting packing tips:

http://www.hercampus.com/life/travel/ultimate-study-abroad-packing-list
https://www.studyabroad.com/student-guide-study-abroad-packing

Learn About Your Destination

Check out Country Handbooks for your study abroad location, read blogs, watch YouTube videos, and talk to returned study abroad students. You can't ever fully prepare for your study abroad experience, but the more you learn about your new home, the better off you'll be.

Look at maps and travel guides, like Afar, Lonely Planet, Thorn Tree, Trip Advisor, WikiTravel, Rough Guides, Rick Steves, Let's Go, Fodors, Frommers, and CultureGrams.

Conduct & CSU Policy

Any student studying abroad on one of our approved study abroad programs will be held to all Cal Poly Humboldt and CSU Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities. You can find comprehensive information on the Dean of Students website