1. STUDY ABROAD SERVICES Spring 2012 Pre-Departure

2.  Follow UF Study Abroad right NOW to get exciting updates and news:  Facebook ▪ Search: University of Florida Global Gators  Twitter ▪ UFStudyAbroad ▪ http://twitter.com/UFStudyAbroad

3.  Safety and Security  Health Insurance  Health and Mental Wellness  Finance and Travel Information  Academic Information  Communication &Returning Home  Announcements  Upcoming Country-Specific Sessions  Question & Answer

5.  Being alone at night in an isolated area  Carrying large amounts of cash  Wearing expensive jewelry  Excessive alcohol consumption  Sleeping in an unlocked place  Being out after a local curfew  Leaving property unattended Helpful Hint: Avoid handbags, use inside pockets and use sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest.

6.  Be aware of your surroundings  Use common sense  Travel in small groups  Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets  Don’t discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers  Be aware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide  Try to seem purposeful when you move about, even if you are lost

7.  Standing out or attracting attention could cause you to be targeted  Act responsibly and remember that you are not in your country.  Leave the USA logos at home

8.  ALWAYS lock your door.  Know the location of the nearest exit.  Whenever possible, ensure that your room has a peephole, a deadbolt lock, or a chain-and-slide bolt.  Be aware of unsolicited room calls.  Keep belongings on or about your person while sharing rooms with strangers. Hostels should provide you with a locker and a key.

9.  Strength of alcohol varies by country.  D.U.I. laws tend to be stricter than U. S.  You could be held responsible even as a passenger in some countries.  Legal age for consumption tends to be lower, so act responsibly.  Alcohol affects your normal faculties i.e. ability to see, hear, walk, talk, judge and etc.

10.  Falls, traffic accidents and drowning are most common accidents  Occur at night & after alcohol consumption.  …Use common sense!

11.  Laws about drugs vary widely. Find out what is acceptable.  More than 1/2 of the 2,500 U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad annually are held on DRUG CHARGES.  Penalties can be severe for even small amounts.

12.  Bail and jury trials are not granted in many countries when drugs are involved.  Long periods of pretrial imprisonment are common place.  Many countries have harsh penalties for possession of even small amounts of marijuana.

13.  U.S. Embassies and consulates will not  Get you out of jail  Cash checks or lend money  Act as your attorney

14.  U.S. Embassies and consulates will:  Notify you of area warnings (register with the embassy/consulate in your locale)  Provide a list of local attorneys  Facilitate communications with home  Provide emergency evacuation in limited circumstances

15.  State Department Web site  https://travelregistration.state.gov/  U. S. C. Student Travel Information  www.usc.edu/dept/education/globaled/irl/persona lsafety.html  Travel Safety for Women  www.gonomad.com/womens/0011/bodnarchuk_ miniguidewomens.asp

17.  Health Insurance  CISI Insurance  Your program’s health insurance  Emergency Medical Assistance  AIG Assist (CISI)

18.  UF sponsored & exchange programs, you are automatically enrolled.  Enrollment dates – three days before, and two days after the official dates of your program.  Enrollment cards – your card will be sent to you by email by CISI.  Coverage information is on-line at the UFIC website.  Should you need to show proof of enrollment, our office can provide you with a letter upon request.

21.  To find a generic copy of the card, go to the Study Abroad Services website:  Click Study Abroad Students  Click Once Approved  Click Health Insurance  Scroll to the bottom of third paragraph and click the link.  Or Email your Study Abroad Advisor

26.  Handling Money Abroad  More than one source of funding: ▪ Credit Cards (VISA or MASTERCARD) ▪ ATM Cards ▪ Travelers’ cheques ▪ Cash (both local currency and USD) Inform credit card company of travel plans! Check with your bank and credit card company regarding ATM policies and fees Check to see if your bank has a sister bank in your host country

27.  Opening a bank account abroad  Good option for semester students  Less ATM fees  Will not be able to do until you are abroad Check with bank about how to wire money from a US account to an International account

28.  Handling Money Abroad  Record travelers’ cheque and credit card numbers and company contact numbers in case of theft/loss  Do not take personal checks!

29.  Reconfirm flight time 72 hours prior to departure  Check-in at least 3 hours prior to departure for international flights  Luggage  Check with airline for : ▪ Max. number of bags you can check-in plus carry-on ▪ Weight limits (it varies by airline carrier)

30.  Pack light!!!  Pack an extra bag inside your suitcase for souvenirs and weekend trips.  Avoid Jet Lag  Adjust watch to new time zone on plane  Drink plenty of water  Leave copies of all travel documents at home (Keep original travel documents with you!)

31.  Bring a 10’ Ethernet (network) patch cable  Bring foreign AC plug converters Bring a USB Flash Drive At least 2 GB in capacity  For even more portability than your laptop  Bring a headset with built-in microphone

32.  USA uses 110 – 120 volts  European countries use 220 – 240 volts  Bring only essential electronic devices!  Need adapters ? …

33.  Passport  Must be valid 6 months past final travel date  Visa  Student visas - Contact embassy or consulate  Do not delay as visa requests can take a month or longer  If traveling outside host country: ▪ CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS  Obtaining a visa is YOUR responsibility  Make copies of all documents in case they are lost

34.  Attend on-site orientation  Important information on safety, health, and academics  Locations of the nearest embassy and/or consulate  Make friends  Housing  Host Families ▪ Be respectful of host family ▪ Take a small gift as gesture of thanks  Apartments/dorms ▪ Be respectful of residents and roommates.

35.  Student Honor Code  “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.”  Conduct Code  Standards of conduct indicate how one should behave based on moral duties and virtues.  Students are held to University Code of Conduct while on study abroad programs

36.  Student Responsibility  Academic honesty  Alcohol and Drugs  Judiciary  Students will be referred to the University Judiciary upon return for violation of standards of conduct.  Student may be sent back to USA at own expense

37.  An average 2,000 mile international flight can emit ONE TON of C02 per passenger. *Offsetting your carbon emissions is optional, not mandatory.

41.  Cell Phones Abroad  Check with current cell phone company ▪ “unlocked, triband GSM” phone ▪ Be aware of per minute charges  Purchase a pre-paid cell phone in host country  Rent or Purchase a cell phone before departure: ▪ www.piccellwireless.com ▪ www.cellularabroad.com  Check with your host program director for country-specific info

42.  Email & Internet  Check your Gatorlink account: ▪ All official announcements go to your UFL email ▪ http://webmail.ufl.edu http://webmail.ufl.edu  Remember! ▪ Access to websites may be blocked in other countries. ▪ Only blog info. you would want your grandmother to read!  Final note on communication…  Call home when you arrive!!!

43.  Skype  Free to other Skype users  Minimal cost to landlines/mobile phones  www.skype.com www.skype.com

44.  Copy of your passport (photo/signature page)  Copy of your Acceptance Letter  Copy of your Flight Itinerary  Power of Attorney (optional but available at the front desk in our office)  Remember to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/