Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a society where most women are clad in burqas will definitely get you in
trouble, either legal or physical.
Before you go, try to learn as much of the language as you can. This
will not be an issue for the 8 percent of students who are abroad studying
the language of the country. It will be for the other 92 percent. English is
rapidly becoming an almost universal language. However, don't rely on
the fact that locals in the country where you are traveling might speak
English. Your ability to communicate in the local language actually may
be the difference between life and death. If you have any special concerns
or health considerations, write them on a piece of paper you keep in your
wallet or purse. This applies especially to conditions requiring constant
care or regularly administered medications, such as diabetes. Written
instructions and some facility in the language will make requesting assis-
tance easier should you require help of some sort. For less dire situations,
you will be able to handle the basics of ordering a meal, negotiating cab
fare, or getting travel directions.
The pretravel checklist, discussed in Chapter 3, is a good start for stu-
dents preparing for their trip. However, students traveling abroad should
take certain additional steps. Obviously, they require a valid passport and
possibly a visa. It is a very prudent idea to make sure that the passport will
not expire during the duration of the expected stay. An expired passport
may, of course, be renewed at the embassy or consulate in the country in
which you are staying. But why not avoid that extra headache and make
sure the expiration date is a long way off before you leave? And while you
are making sure that your passport is valid, have your parents apply for
one as well. If you experience some difficulty abroad, such as a medical
emergency, for example, they will need a valid passport to do what par-
ents do best: Come to your rescue.
Make sure your vaccinations are appropriate and up to date. Infor-
mation available from the State Department and the Centers for Disease
Control will advise you on the potential health hazards where you are
going and tell you what shots you need to take. As with anyone traveling
overseas, make sure you have medical insurance that covers emergency
care abroad. Check specifically whether the country of your destination
accepts the type of international insurance that you are considering sub-
scribing to. Make sure, as noted above, that the policy covers evacuations
for medical reasons.
Once you arrive in country, learn the location of the nearest embassy
or consulate and be sure you know how to find your way there on foot,
