Study Abroad Prep

Passport and visa, vaccinations, banking, packing, and staying connected — everything to handle before you fly out for a semester abroad.

Passport & Visa

• Check passport expiration — most countries require 6 months of validity beyond your return date
• Apply for a student visa at least 3 months before departure — processing times vary widely; never wait until the last 6 weeks
• Get multiple certified copies of your acceptance letter and enrollment documents — visa applications and entry officers often ask for them
• Research student visa requirements thoroughly on the destination country's official embassy website, not travel blogs

Health & Vaccinations

• Schedule a pre-travel appointment with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic at least 8 weeks before departure — some vaccines require a series
• Check CDC travel health notices (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) for your specific destination
• Verify your health insurance coverage abroad — most US plans don't cover international care; purchase a CISI or GeoBlue international student plan
• Bring a 6-month supply of any prescription medications and carry a letter from your doctor explaining their necessity (in English and translated)

Banking

• Open a Charles Schwab High-Yield Checking account — it refunds all ATM fees worldwide and has no foreign transaction fee
• Notify your home bank of your travel dates and destination so your card isn't flagged and frozen
• Bring two credit cards with no foreign transaction fee — Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture are popular choices
• Bring $200 in local currency (or euros if in the EU) for immediate expenses upon arrival

Communication

• Get an international SIM or eSIM — Airalo app offers affordable eSIM data plans for 190+ countries
• Download WhatsApp before departure — it's the dominant messaging platform in most of Europe, Latin America, and Asia
• Set up iMessage and FaceTime over Wi-Fi as a backup communication method

Packing

• Check your destination country's electrical current and outlet type — buy a universal adapter and confirm whether a voltage converter is also needed
• Pack for the climate you're arriving in; ship or buy season-appropriate clothing when seasons change
• Leave room in your bag for items you'll acquire abroad — plan to pack light outbound

Before Departure

• Set up automatic bill pay for any US financial obligations: student loans, car insurance, credit cards
• Make copies of all critical documents (passport, visa, insurance card) and store them in a separate bag and in your email
• Register with the US State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov — it alerts you to safety emergencies and helps the embassy locate you