General Information for Preparedness

PASSPORTS 

You must have a passport to travel abroad. If you do not yet have one, or if yours will expire within 6 months of your return to the US, apply as soon as possible and plan accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, a passport may be obtained through Passport Agencies of the Department of Stateor through selected U.S. post offices.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, call the consulate of your country of citizenship for assistance.

Passport Security 

You should make at least 3 photocopies of the first page of your passport – one to keep with you at all times, one to place in baggage while traveling and one to leave at home with family.  This will assist in replacing your passport should it be lost or stolen.  Passports should be kept safely away and hidden from view when not in use.  When out and about in the city/town where you are studying, you should carry a copy of your passport and leave the actual one behind in a safe place.

How to Replace a Passport  

If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen while overseas, report it immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  A consul can issue a replacement passport, often within 24 hours. As mentioned above, a copy of the original passport will help expedite the process.  Two passport-size photographs will also hasten replacement.

VISAS 

A visa is official permission to enter a country.  Not all countries require a visa, and often it depends on your country of citizenship as to whether you are required to have one. The representative of the program you are enrolled in overseas may assist you in obtaining one.  You should consult the US Department of State’s website to find out if a visa is necessary for the country to which you are traveling.

If possible, plan ahead in terms of personal travel once you are abroad.  Entry and exit regulations vary. Some countries have restrictions on what can be brought into or out of the country.  

Call the consulate or embassy of the particular country to find out what their specific rules and regulations are.  Students are responsible for securing necessary visas and knowing the rules of entry and exit in their host country.  

IMMUNIZATIONS 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on health and immunization requirements on the Web or via fax at (404) 405-4384.  It also has information on health risks specific to geographic areas and other health related travel advisories that are important to consider prior to going abroad.  There are costs associated with receiving travel immunizations and these are not always covered by insurance.  Vaccinations are available from your doctor or the SU Health Center (located in Bellarmine Hall).

INSURANCE 

All participants in Seattle University (SU-Sponsored) programs are required to have either SU (Wells Fargo) global medical insurance or, in some cases, insurance provided by the program.

Helpful Hint:  Consider purchasing property insurance to cover your belongings.  If your expensive camera is stolen overseas, will your carrier cover it?  Will you know what to do?  Other considerations are travel cancellation insurance and baggage insurance.  All of these insurances can be purchased separately and are not provided by Seattle University.

Note:  Plan ahead and budget for medical care while abroad as you will most likely be required to pay out of your pocket for treatments and then submit reimbursement requests with your insurance company upon return to the U.S.  Save receipts for all medical care and prescriptions!