Things to Know before you go
Traveling to another country and studying abroad can be exciting and eye-opening. It can also be stressful and potentially dangerous, if you don't prepare yourself properly. Spend as much time as you can in learning about your host country and city, learning as much of the local language as possible, and preparing to interact effectively with your hosts.
Below you will find a list of suggested topics to learn more about as you prepare to study abroad. These are intended as helpful suggestions and as a starting point. Your study abroad office or study abroad program will likely give you additional recommendations of things to do and actions to take as you prepare and as you arrive in-country.
Information about your host country (see Preparing to Study Abroad, pp. 129-130; used with permission)
Political Systems
· The name of the head of state (President, King, etc.) and prominent members of his/her family
· The names of the head of government (Prime Minister, President, etc.) and other key government leaders (Foreign Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, etc.)
· The format and function of the national government and national legislature
· The names of major political parties
· The name of the mayor or leader of the city where you are studying
· How frequently national elections are held and when the most recent election took place
Religions and Faith Traditions
· The names of leaders of major religions or faith traditions
· Key beliefs or traditions
· What each religion or faith tradition teaches regarding life, death, and interaction with others
Economy
· The names of major companies that operate in your host country and what they produce
· Major exports or imports
· Common predictions for how well the economy will perform in the next 1-2 years
Sports and Exercise
· The names of professional sports leagues and the teams located in your host city/region
· Colors and emblems or logos of those sports teams
· Common forms of exercise among the general population
Languages and Ethnic Groups
· The names of major ethnic groups
· Rough proportion of the population that speaks the dominant language
· What languages may be used to conduct official business
· What languages are taught most commonly taught in schools
Holidays
· Names of major holidays and when they take place
· How do people generally celebrate those holidays
· Common foods, music, and art associated with those holidays
Music and Art
· Names of major artists and musicians
· Names of famous artists whose works appear in museums or art galleries
Information about Health, Safety and Security (check with your host university or study abroad program for details)
Local Laws and Regulations
· Regarding drinking alcohol (minimum age, where and how to purchase, regulations for open containers, etc.)
· Regarding appropriate behavior in public, such as interaction between men and women
· Regarding local faith traditions or churches
Emergency Contacts and Protocols
· How to contact emergency services, such as police, fire department, and ambulance services
· Who to contact at the program or university for assistance if you have an emergency
· How to report if you have been the victim of a crime
Hospitals, Medical Care and Insurance
· Locations of local hospitals, clinics or doctors, and their hours of operation
· How will you pay for medical services? Will your health insurance policy pay a hospital, clinic or doctor directly, or will you need to pay first and then submit an insurance claim?
· Do you have full information about your medical insurance, such as what types of services it will cover, whether it will pay for services overseas, and how to contact the insurance company while you are abroad?
Areas and Behaviors to Avoid
· Are there certain areas that you should avoid?
· Are there certain behaviors that are considered taboo or inappropriate? Who can help you learn about what is appropriate?
Emergency Contacts
· Phone numbers, email address, and contact information for your family and friends
· Phone numbers and contact information for your study abroad program or host university
· Contact information for your medical insurance company
· Does your study abroad program or host university have your contact information, including your cell phone number, in case they need to contact you?
Below you will find a list of suggested topics to learn more about as you prepare to study abroad. These are intended as helpful suggestions and as a starting point. Your study abroad office or study abroad program will likely give you additional recommendations of things to do and actions to take as you prepare and as you arrive in-country.
Information about your host country (see Preparing to Study Abroad, pp. 129-130; used with permission)
Political Systems
· The name of the head of state (President, King, etc.) and prominent members of his/her family
· The names of the head of government (Prime Minister, President, etc.) and other key government leaders (Foreign Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, etc.)
· The format and function of the national government and national legislature
· The names of major political parties
· The name of the mayor or leader of the city where you are studying
· How frequently national elections are held and when the most recent election took place
Religions and Faith Traditions
· The names of leaders of major religions or faith traditions
· Key beliefs or traditions
· What each religion or faith tradition teaches regarding life, death, and interaction with others
Economy
· The names of major companies that operate in your host country and what they produce
· Major exports or imports
· Common predictions for how well the economy will perform in the next 1-2 years
Sports and Exercise
· The names of professional sports leagues and the teams located in your host city/region
· Colors and emblems or logos of those sports teams
· Common forms of exercise among the general population
Languages and Ethnic Groups
· The names of major ethnic groups
· Rough proportion of the population that speaks the dominant language
· What languages may be used to conduct official business
· What languages are taught most commonly taught in schools
Holidays
· Names of major holidays and when they take place
· How do people generally celebrate those holidays
· Common foods, music, and art associated with those holidays
Music and Art
· Names of major artists and musicians
· Names of famous artists whose works appear in museums or art galleries
Information about Health, Safety and Security (check with your host university or study abroad program for details)
Local Laws and Regulations
· Regarding drinking alcohol (minimum age, where and how to purchase, regulations for open containers, etc.)
· Regarding appropriate behavior in public, such as interaction between men and women
· Regarding local faith traditions or churches
Emergency Contacts and Protocols
· How to contact emergency services, such as police, fire department, and ambulance services
· Who to contact at the program or university for assistance if you have an emergency
· How to report if you have been the victim of a crime
Hospitals, Medical Care and Insurance
· Locations of local hospitals, clinics or doctors, and their hours of operation
· How will you pay for medical services? Will your health insurance policy pay a hospital, clinic or doctor directly, or will you need to pay first and then submit an insurance claim?
· Do you have full information about your medical insurance, such as what types of services it will cover, whether it will pay for services overseas, and how to contact the insurance company while you are abroad?
Areas and Behaviors to Avoid
· Are there certain areas that you should avoid?
· Are there certain behaviors that are considered taboo or inappropriate? Who can help you learn about what is appropriate?
Emergency Contacts
· Phone numbers, email address, and contact information for your family and friends
· Phone numbers and contact information for your study abroad program or host university
· Contact information for your medical insurance company
· Does your study abroad program or host university have your contact information, including your cell phone number, in case they need to contact you?