Preparing for Your Departure

Your transition to life in your host country will be much smoother if you plan ahead. The following information should help facilitate this process for you.

CONTENTS

• Documents to Bring with You
• Packing Your Belongings
• Money
• Traveling Tips
• Predeparture Checklist
• Acknowledgments

Bring with you any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history. These include:

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Learn about the climate in the area where you will be studying in order to decide what type of clothing to bring (see the Frequently Requested Information section for more details). To keep travel simple, make sure that you do not overburden yourself with luggage. It is also recommended that you bring a small carry-on suitcase with personal articles you would need for a one-night stay in case your luggage is temporarily misplaced. Pack any valuable items and items that could leak (such as shampoo) in this bag. If you wish to ship some of your belongings in advance, check with your host university for the appropriate delivery address. You can usually get information about shipping services from local travel agents or the international student office at your host university. It is a good idea to insure any valuable items that you ship overseas.

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Bring some of the currency of your host country with you for expenses that may arise during your first few days there, such as food, lodging, and transportation. We recommend that you bring traveler's checks or a bank debit card rather than large sums of cash. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for you to open a bank account and for a check to clear once you deposit it.

TRAVELING TIPS

Arrange for your flight as soon as LASPAU informs you of the date you must arrive in your host country. Please see the Financial Terms section for information on funding for your travel.

Your university can provide information about getting from the airport to the campus, including the distance to be traveled and the easiest form of transportation. In most cases, you will be able to take a train, bus, or shuttle van to the campus or to the city or town nearest the campus. Because of the high cost, taxis are not recommended unless the distance is very short or you have been advised to travel this way by your university. If you must take a taxi, ask your university what the approximate cost should be and verify the price before getting into the taxicab. Some international student offices will also make arrangements to meet arriving international students at the local airport.

After you arrive, the international student office should also be able to provide you with information on inexpensive places to stay while you look for permanent housing.

Most people experience fatigue and other physical symptoms due to long-distance travel and time changes. Eat lightly and drink plenty of water the day before you travel. Prepare for climate changes by dressing in layers that can be added or removed as necessary. Keep your passport, travel documents, and money with you at all times. Keep important papers in your carry-on luggage, with copies in your other baggage. Have your luggage clearly labeled with both your address in your host country and your home address. (If you do not have an address in your host country, use the address of the international student office at your university.)

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PREDEPARTURE CHECKLIST

	Before leaving your home country, see your health practitioners for complete medical, dental, and eye examinations, including any necessary immunizations.
	If you are taking prescription medication, bring a copy of the prescription with you. You will need it in order to carry medication and/or medical supplies through customs and to renew your prescription once in your host country. Also bring copies of all medical records and eyeglass prescriptions for you and your family.
	If you are expecting to receive funds from home during your program, make proper arrangements for their timely disbursement. Keep in mind that fluctuations in the conversion rate of your home currency into the currency of your host country may raise or lower the value of funds that you are expecting to receive.
	Bring some personal funds to cover unexpected expenses, especially those incurred during the first month.
	Before leaving home, place a reliable individual in charge of your personal and legal affairs.
	Arrange to have a responsible person at home handle your mail.
	Consult with the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be studying concerning customs regulations.
	Make travel arrangements. Check with the airline regarding its luggage policy.
	Mark all of your baggage inside and out with your name and the address and phone number of your host university or language center (if applicable).
	Reconfirm your flight 72 hours before departure.
	Request information from your university on how to get from the airport to campus and places to stay on your first night.
	Carry with you important phone numbers, including your language center (if applicable) or academic university contact and the name and phone number of your LASPAU contact.
	Bring the names and addresses of people in your country with whom you will want to be in contact, such as administrators and colleagues at your home institution.
	Carry your important documents with you when you travel. Be sure your immigration papers are in order.
	Carry with you a small suitcase with personal articles in case your luggage is temporarily lost.
	People that you meet will probably be interested in learning about your home country. You might want to bring postcards of your country, tapes or CDs with folkloric and popular music, maps, artwork, a typical textile, or similar representations of your culture. Some grantees have recommended bringing low-cost souvenirs to give as gifts to new friends at your university. Keep in mind that you cannot bring produce or plants through customs.

Much of the information listed here is from NAFSA's International Student Handbook, A Guide to University Study in the U.S.A., published by AT&T. Text copyright 1996 by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Used by permission of the copyright holder.

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