Study Abroad: What to Know Before You Go!
Safety & Health:
- Become familiar with the health care system of the country where you will be studying, including the quality and location of facilities and the cost of services
- Have an emergency contact in the U.S. and abroad
- Bring a first aid kit
- Get a complete physical from your doctor as well as all necessary immunizations (available at the UM Travel Clinic)
- Check for health information and warnings specific to your destination
- Make sure you are covered by health insurance (note: It is mandatory for UM students to be covered under health insurance for study abroad experiences)
- Students with Disabilities: A disability can be defined as anything that impairs normal, day-to-day functioning, including physical, mental, and learning disabilities
Cultural Information:
- Culture Grams: Each individual Culture Grams report contains current, concise information in 25 different categories, including history, religion, greetings, gestures, arts, holidays, events and trends, and more, including development data and a country map. Request a culture gram from the Engineering Special Programs office for the country you will be studying in or order your own.
- CIA: The World Factbook: Includes information about geography, people, government, economy, communication, and transportation.
- Travisa: Includes valuable information that will help you learn more about the country you will be studying in, including demographics, history, people, and economy.
- Culture Matters Workbook: Provides a wide range of information that will help students understand and develop cross-cultural skills before traveling abroad
General Information
- Contact your local board of elections to find out how to vote absentee while abroad
- Have a safe place to keep your passport/visa/tickets while traveling (i.e. a hidden pouch or document holder)
- Have a safe and secure location to keep your passport/visa/tickets at your program residence abroad (i.e. a lock box or safe)
- Keep photocopies of your passport/visa/tickets kept in a secure, separate place from your original passport/visa/tickets
- Do not give your passport/visa/tickets to anyone who asks to view them without first checking that person's official credentials
- Visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website for
information on:
Travel Warnings
Embassy and Consular Information
Document Requirements
Overseas Services
Tips for Travel Abroad
How to get a Passport
How to get a Visa
Laws & Policies
Be sure you have your International Student ID Card
Learn more about international job opportunities
