Passports

Preparation

Traveling

Coming Home

For more information, please go to the U.S. Department of State travel website.

Quick Tips for Overseas Travel
Passports:
• Before you leave the country, make three photocopies of your passport - leave one at home, keep one in your luggage (away from your real passport) and leave a third copy in the hotel safe. If your passport is ever lost or stolen, these precautions can save you time and aggravation when trying to get a new passport issued in a foreign country.
• Guard your passport. If it is lost or stolen, contact the local police immediately.
• Have your passport ready when you go through immigration and customs controls.

Preparation:
• Apply for a passport three months before you plan to travel, to insure receipt before your travel date. The time it takes to process a passport can vary greatly depending on the agency's workload. If this is your first passport, you must apply at a passport agency in person. (Look in the phone book to find the one closest to you.)
• Check to see if your medical insurance provides protection while traveling outside the country. If not, purchase special coverage that does. The Alumni Travel Program offers a comprehensive travel policy which in some instances will cover preexisting medical conditions and terrorist attacks.
• Bring an ample supply of your medication in the original containers. because of strict laws concerning narcotics throughout the world, carry copies of your prescriptions.
• Keep only enough cash on hand for small purchases. Many advanced countries have ATMs that can be accessed by your local bank card. It is also a good idea to bring at least one internationally recognized credit card. Visa and MasterCard are excellent choices providing they have the cirrus symbol or other internationally recognized symbol. Travelers Checks are a good choice if you do not mind paying the fees and they are replaceable if lost. However, not all small shops will accept them.

Traveling:
• Break up long periods of sitting on overseas flights by walking or stretching in the aisles. Exercise stiff joints upon arrival by taking a stroll or using your hotel's workout facilities.

Coming Home:
• Keep receipts for any items purchased abroad. You will be required to declare all purchases when clearing customs.

• Do not attempt to bring any fresh fruits or vegetables into the country. They will be confiscated.