How Africa News
Few experiences provide as many learning possibilities as time spent abroad. Close your eyes, though, and those weeks and months will vanish like sand through a sieve. A much better strategy? Dive in and govern your time abroad with these ten methods to make the most of your study abroad experience.
1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and, if necessary, visas. And, before you go, fill out your passport’s emergency information page.
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and, if appropriate, Public Notices or Travel Warnings) for the countries you intend to visit.
3. Keep copies of your itinerary, passport data page, and visas with family or friends at home in case of an emergency. Keep your host program updated on your location.
4. Be sure you have adequate insurance to cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation) while traveling abroad.
5. Learn about the local laws and culture of the nations you will be visiting. Remember that you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting!
6. Don’t leave your luggage alone in public places, and never accept parcels from strangers.
7. Avoid using illegal substances or consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages when overseas, as well as interacting with others who do.
8. Wearing prominent attire and expensive jewelry, as well as carrying large quantities of cash or superfluous credit cards, can make you a target for burglars.
9. To prevent breaking local regulations, only exchange money with authorized agents.
10. Avoid rowdy demonstrations and other instances when anti-American sentiments may be voiced when traveling abroad.
