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Passports

When studying on an overseas program, you will need a valid passport.  Obtaining a passport is your responsibility.  Apply early for your passport, because processing a passport application can take up to six weeks or longer, especially during peak travel time. You may apply in person at selected post offices, at a federal or state court of record, or at one of the passport agencies of the U.S. State Department (http://www.travel.state.gov/).

Once you receive your passport, be sure to sig it, and then make 3 photocopies of the information page of your passport.

• First copy: for you to carry separately in case your passport is lost or stolen.
• Second copy: send to our office for your file.  
• Third copy: stays at home with your family.

If your passport is lost or stolen, it is much easier to obtain a replacement with a photocopy of your original.

Visas

A visa is written permission to visit a country granted by the government of that country. Visas (often student visas) are required by most countries for a semester or full year of study. However in a majority of Latin America, African, Asian and Oceanic countries, visas are required of all visitors no matter the duration of the stay.  To determine if a visa is necessary, contact the embassy or nearest consulate of the country(ies) you plan to visit. Some countries require transit visas for people to change planes at their airports -- particularly the Schengen countries in Europe. For more information, see: http://www.eurovisa.info/SchengenCountries.htm

If a visa is necessry for your study abroad experience, apply directly to the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) in question. Visas cannot be obtained from the Passport Service of the U.S. State Department.  Obtaining a visa can be a long and complicated process. You cannot get your visa until you have a passport, so begin the process as soon as possible.

Important: If you are traveling on a passport other than a U.S. passport, you should check with the nearest consulate of the country to which you are traveling in order to determine whether a visa will be required. Do this as far in advance as possible, and notify our office of the documentation you will need to apply for your visa. You should check with the local consulate of your home country to determine whether there are any passpot or travel regulations of which you need to be aware. You should also investigate whether you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. upon completion of the porgram.

Health Precautions

Consult your physician six to eight weeks before you leave. Immunization requirements vary. Many countries require no immunization, however doctors recommend that everyone receive a primary series of immunizations against tetanus and diphtheria and a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid booster injection every ten years. If you are required for medical reasons to take any drug that may be subject to abuse statutes, be sure to have your prescription bottles and a copy of your prescription with you.

Access to the latest information on health issues can be obtained via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); you may visit the CDC website to determine whether any specific vaccinations are needed to visit a country or learn of any dangerous outbreaks of disease at http://www.cdc.gov/.

Property and Liability Insurance

Despite students’ best efforts to safeguard their property, it is still possible for it to be lost, stolen or damaged when traveling or living abroad. As Rhodes does not insure students’ property while they are overseas, all student participants are urged to purchase property insurance for the entire duration of their stay abroad. Students should investigate their parents’ homeowner’s insurance to verify if all the items to be brought on the trip will be covered by their policy. It is recommended that all valuable items (e.g., laptop computers) be insured.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Similarly, the Buckman Center recommends that students consider trip cancellation insurance.  Trip cancellation insurance is effective in the case of a sudden illness or injury that necessitates canceling or interrupting a trip.  Most policies also provide coverage due to a wide variety of unforeseen events.