I have had to think about so many things since I started this adventure, so I have decided to compiling a
list of important documents that I hope study abroad students (well
anyone actually) will find helpful,approximate fees and my recommended time-frame to consider prior to leaving on your trip
1.
PASSPORT-you need to plan this at least 4-5 months in advance (of
course, I have heard of people doing it way faster, however, if there is
any kind of delay in the process it mess up all of your plans) approx
cost-250.00$
2 VISA-Does your travel
country need a visa to enter? This could be a couple week process when
the government systems move quickly. China (the country I am traveling
to) does, the paperwork can be a bit laborious but, once that's out of
the way you need to take you paperwork (plus: unsmiling passport
picture-a smile changes the way your face appears, also...are you really
going to be smiling if a government official needs to see it...probably
not, copy of your drivers license-for proof of residency, your travel
itinerary and host party letter/invitation) and of course your passport
to the Chinese embassy in the US. Unless you live in or around one of
these location you have to find a visa broker that is near the embassy
that will do the delivery for you. This is one of the main reasons I
felt getting the passport taken care of early was so important. Once
again, there could be a stall up of your paperwork (for a number of
reasons) and you may not get it all back in time for your trip. So plan
ahead. I sent my paperwork out a couple of days ago and I should be
receiving it back about 10 days after sending it. That's pretty fast
considering how many people have to look at all my paperwork, however,
any delay could be disastrous if I wasn't so insanely prepared for this
trip.
approx cost-210-300.00$ depending on speed of delivery and broker fees
3 INSURANCE-What would you do if you were injured overseas, in a natural disaster or something worse? Most US insurance companies will not cover you while you are overseas so (thankfully) most colleges do provide insurance that will help if something happens. In fact, I couldn't receive the Gilman scholarship or be approved for the study abroad program unless I had purchased my schools insurance. Time frame for purchasing this depends on your schools study abroad program requirements, my school wouldn't let me continue with registering for the program unless I purchased insurance first so, I did about 5 weeks out from traveling.
approx cost- varies, my school charged 2$ a day, not bad considering it covered, emergency medical/dental, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
4. STEP-(DEFINITION FROM THE WEBSITE) The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow
U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. I felt this was necessary because I know I am going to be in a place that I might not be able to call my family easily if something happens. it would be nice to know the US embassy in Beijing knew where I was staying. There is an app for your phone so you can be alerted if something is happening in the area you are traveling in.
Here is the STEP website
approx cost-FREE
This list will grow as i continue through the process
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