Going Abroad
Before your son or daughter leaves to study abroad, please request a copy of the following travel documents to be left at home with you, the parent(s). Students should also take copies of all travel documents with them and keep them in a separate place. These items can be more easily replaced if students have proof of each one. Make sure that all names, numbers and dates are readable.
Get copies of these travel documents
- Passport (signed)
- Plane tickets or electronic confirmations
- Credit card with pin number for emergency cash
- ATM/Debit card
- Driver’s license
- OPTIONAL - International Student Identification Card (ISIC)
Some very important things to discuss:
- Your child's departure information. Arrange how you will communicate
with them (phone, e-mail). Set a time to hear from them within a day
or two of arrival. What is the country code?
- Where will your child stay in an emergency? (ex. if plane
is delayed or they don't meet up with their group at the appointed
time)
- Know the difference in time between the U.S. and where they are going.
- Program dates and any travel they plan to do before the program, during or after.
- How to send money in an emergency
- Contact person in the country (program director, university coordinator, or someone else)
- How to contact your son or daughter's study abroad advisor and financial aid advisor.
Important Bank Information
For your safety and security while studying abroad, please notify your bank and credit card company that you will be studying abroad so companies are not suspicious of fraud and strange activity, which may result in the cancellation of your account. It is also recommended that someone else be allowed access to your financial accounts while you are studying abroad. If travel documents are lost or stolen, many times a signature from the holder of the bank account is needed to issue replacement documents. Also, credit card companies are unable to freeze accounts for customers unless they are notified by the card holder or someone who has access to the account. ATM machines overseas do not give you your balance, so it is important to obtain online access to bank accounts in order to check your status. Sometimes it is necessary to do this at home, not overseas.
NOTE: It is a good idea for another family member to have a valid passport, in case it becomes necessary to travel overseas in an emergency.