## Travel Tips For Students 

### *Foreword*

*This pamphlet was prepared by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular   Affairs to provide students, who are planning to travel or study abroad, with   a few reminders about safety.*

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*Although most trips abroad are trouble free, being prepared will go a long   way to avoiding the possibility of serious trouble.*

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*Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan   to visit before you travel.*

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*Remember: Reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin   your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or worse! To have a safe trip,   avoid risky behavior and plan ahead.*

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### Preparing for Your Trip Abroad

**Apply early for your passport and, if necessary, any visas:** Passports   are required to enter and/or depart most countries around the world. Apply for   a passport as soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens to   obtain visas before entering. Most countries require visitors who are planning   to study or work abroad to obtain visas before entering. Check with the embassy   of the foreign country that you are planning to visit for up-to-date visa and   other entry requirements. (Passport and visa information is available on the   Internet at http://travel.state.gov.)

**Learn about the countries that you plan to visit.**Before departing,   take the time to do some research about the people and their culture, and any   problems that the country is experiencing that may affect your travel plans.   The Department of State publishes Background   Notes on about 170 countries. These brief, factual pamphlets contain information   on each country's culture, history, geography, economy, government, and current   political situation. Background   Notes are available at www.state.gov.

**Read the Consular Information Sheet**.****Consular Information Sheets   provide up-to-date travel information on any country in the world that you plan   to visit. They cover topics such as entry regulations, the crime and security   situation, drug penalties, road conditions, and the location of the U.S. embassy,   consulates, and consular agencies. 

**Check for Travel Warnings and Public Announcements.** Travel Warnings   recommend U.S. citizens defer travel to a country because of dangerous conditions.   Public Announcements provide fast-breaking information about relatively short-term   conditions that may pose risks to the security of travelers.

**Find out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.** If you   are traveling to a remote area or one that is experiencing civil unrest, find   out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and register with   the Consular Section when you arrive. (U.S. embassy and consulate locations   can be found in the country's Consular Information Sheet.) If your family needs   to reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message to you through   the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 202-647-5225. This office will contact   the embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling and pass a message   from your family to you. Remember consular officers cannot cash checks, lend   money or serve as your attorney. They can, however, if the need arises, assist   you in obtaining emergency funds from your family, help you find an attorney,   help you find medical assistance, and replace your lost or stolen passport.

**Find out what information your school offers.**Find out whether your   school offers additional information for students who are planning to study,   travel, or work abroad. Many student advisors can provide you with information   about studying or working abroad. They may also be able to provide you with   information on any travel benefits for students (e.g. how to save money on transportation   and accommodations, and other resources.)

**Before committing yourself or your finances, find out about the organization   and what it offers.** The majority of private programs for vacation, study   or work abroad are reputable and financially sound. However, some charge exorbitant   fees, use deliberately false "educational" claims, and provide working   conditions far different from those advertised. Even programs of legitimate   organ-izations can be poorly administered. 

###  How to Access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings,   and Public Announcements

There are four ways to obtain *Consular Information Sheets*, *Travel   Warnings*, and *Public Announcements*:

- *Internet:* http://travel.state.gov

- **Telephone:**  Dial the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at     202-647-5225.

- *Fax-on-demand* : From your fax machine dial 202/647-3000, using     the handset as you would a regular phone. The system prompts you on how to     proceed.

- **Mail:**  Send a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope     to: Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4811, Department of State, Washington,     DC 20520-4818. On the outside envelope, write the name of the country or countries     needed in the lower left corner.

- Also available at http://travel.state.gov:  passport     applications  and  procedures ,  foreign      and  U.S. visa information ,  travel     publications  (including the pamphlet  Travel     Warning on Drugs Abroad) ,  links to several U.S.     embassy and consulate web sites worldwide , and  other     sources of information for students .

### Top Ten Travel Tips for Students

- Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also,     before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!
- Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel     Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. 
- Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family     or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.     Keep your host program informed of your whereabouts.
- Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs     (including medical evacuation) while you are overseas.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which     you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to     its laws!
- Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages     from strangers.
- While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of     alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do. 
- Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive     jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
- Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money to avoid violating     local laws.
- When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become     unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10679   Bureau of Consular Affair  September 2000

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