Pre-departure Resources

Prepare for your study abroad experience. This information will guide you through the steps to successfully embark on your international academic journey.

Pre-Departure Resources

Required Pre-Departure Orientation

All students are required to complete an online Pre-Departure Orientation through D2L prior to departure. The D2L course covers important topics ranging from health and safety to packing and preparing. This orientation is self-paced, and most students complete it within a few hours.

You will need to self-enroll in Pre-Departure Orientation. After being accepted into a program, complete the commitment form to access instructions for self-enrollment in orientation, located in the post-decision section of your application.

Allow sufficient time to complete the orientation and address any questions before departure. Study abroad coordinators are available for support with any questions or concerns. We are part of your team so let us know how we can continue to support you!

Program Specific Orientation

Some programs may also require attendance at a Pre-Departure Orientation with details specific to the study abroad program, provided by the study abroad coordinator or faculty lead. Watch for updates via email and contact the coordinator or faculty lead with any questions.

What to Expect:

All students are required to complete a pre-travel health appointment prior to their departure. Schedule an appointment with Campus Health’s Travel Clinic or an external Travel Clinic if you’re not in Tucson.

Some destinations require only a short visit with the Travel Clinic, while others require a longer and more in-depth visit. Make sure to book the appropriate length of appointment.

Since vaccine requirements vary by country, please review childhood and current vaccine records and bring this information to your travel clinic appointment.

Scheduling Your Travel Clinic Appointment:

Important: make your appointment at least 4-6 weeks before travel.

  • If traveling to Western Europe, make an appointment through PatientLink
  • If traveling to other destinations, please call Campus Health at 520-621-9202
    Note: you may be scheduled 1-2 weeks out depending on availability.

When making an appointment, please have the following information:

  • Student ID #
  • Country or all destinations included in your total travel program
  • Dates of travel
  • Lodging arrangements, for example, hostel, dorm, hotel, or shared housing such as an apartment or private home
  • Activities: classroom, outdoor areas (fields, mountains, bodies of water, sand, etc.)
  • Knowledge of or reference to immunization record
  • Bring a current immunization record to your appointment or upload it to PatientLink prior to your appointment.

After the appointment, the nurse will verify your travel consultation has been completed with Study Abroad. No health information will be shared with the Study Abroad team.

Other Health Discussions:

Before departure, consult with a primary care physician or pharmacist about prescription medication needs and general health precautions.  

For those working with a health practitioner to address physical or mental wellness needs in Arizona, establish a plan for managing health or specific conditions while abroad in consultation with the practitioner.

To learn more about medications, medical care, health insurance, disability accommodations, and more abroad, refer to the Health & Safety Resources page of our website.

Living and studying in another country is an exciting time! By planning ahead and developing a budget, managing expenses while abroad can help keep you focused more on your experience and worry less about unexpected expenses.

Do Your Research:

Visit your Study Abroad program’s webpage and review the estimated costs.

Double-check which scholarship and financial aid options can be applied to program costs.

Use a cost of living calculator to look at expenses such as grocery and ground transportation prices in the host city as compared to Tucson. The numbers won’t be exact, but they’ll likely be a fair estimate.

Research the costs of attractions, activities, and independent travel to plan and save accordingly.

Get familiar with what currency your host country uses, and how it compares to the U.S. Dollar. Currency conversion websites can provide up-to-date exchange rates, which may fluctuate daily.

Consult with the study abroad coordinator or faculty lead for budgeting recommendations and insights into typical expenses in the host country.

Discuss financial contributions with family to clarify their level of support for expenses abroad.

Make a Plan:

Practice building a budget in the Student Guide to Budgeting & Packing in order to plan ahead.

While creating a budget, keep these tips from previous students in mind.

Shop Smart Abroad:

While abroad, live, shop, and eat like a local. Small things like shopping at the local market instead of large chains can save money. Take the opportunity to cook at home (if possible) and try local recipes balanced with the planned expenses of eating at restaurants. 

Often, shops and restaurants near high-tourism destinations can be more expensive or even over-priced. Avoid these “tourist traps” by packing a lunch, buying souvenirs away from tourist attractions, and doing your research ahead of time.

Many museums and cultural sites offer student discounts. Be sure to bring your University of Arizona student ID and any ID the host university provides.

Get Local Currency:

Before you go abroad, notify your bank and credit card company of travel dates and destinations to avoid account freezes due to suspected fraud.

If possible, bring around the equivalent of $100-150 USD in the host country’s local cash, in case accessing currency is difficult upon arrival. Banks may offer currency exchange services prior to departure, or U.S. dollars can be exchanged for local currency at many airports.

During the trip, debit cards can typically be used at ATMs to withdraw cash. Practice ATM safety by using reputable machines and staying aware of surroundings. Check with the bank about expected ATM withdrawal fees abroad.

In some regions, cash exchange is common, requiring extra U.S. dollars to convert into local currency. Monitor exchange rates and avoid locations that overcharge. Store all currency securely and avoid carrying excessive amounts at one time.

Payment methods vary by location. Some areas may accept credit or debit cards for everyday purchases, while others may primarily use cash. Additionally, international usage fees may apply when using credit or debit cards. Consult the credit card company and bank about potential fees.

We recommend bringing a credit card for emergencies requiring quick access to funds, even if daily use is not planned.

Packing lists will vary based on individual circumstances, but consider the following factors when preparing:

  • Weather and seasonal conditions in the host country
  • Cultural norms and expectations of the host country or countries
  • Activities planned during the program and in free time
  • Airline rules and travel restrictions on luggage size and weight
  • How much traveling or moving around you’ll need to do with your luggage
  • What you intend to purchase abroad and/or bring home.

Don't Forget:

More Tips:

The Student Guide to Budgeting & Packing has great recommendations on items to bring (and not to bring!) and more subjects such as managing phone service abroad and recommended apps.

Phones may lose service upon leaving the U.S., and international charges can be costly. You have a few options to ensure you avoid these issues and stay connected.

Option 1: Get a Local Phone Plan in THE Host Country

A local phone plan can be affordable and reliable, providing a local phone number for use in the host country. One particular benefit to a local phone number is that you can use it with people you meet in your host country.

Here’s how to use this option:

  • Inside a phone, there’s either a tiny card called a SIM Card or a digitally downloaded eSIM that connects the device to a phone plan. Your current SIM is connected to whatever phone service provider you use here in Arizona (Verizon, T-Mobile, Mint, etc.). To use a local plan in your host country, you must establish service with a local carrier and install or download a SIM from them. If your phone allows only one SIM at a time, you’ll swap in your local one. If your phone allows multiple SIMs at a time, you’ll simply change your settings to direct calls, texts, and data to your new SIM and restrict them to your American SIM to avoid international fees from your home carrier.
    • Tip: if you’re using physical SIM cards, make sure to keep your American SIM card so you can pop it back into your phone when you come home!
    • Tip: if you’re going to be abroad for multiple months, you may be able to put your current American phone plan on a temporary pause for a small fee, meaning that you won’t have to pay a regular phone bill for the plan you aren’t using. Look into what options your service carrier provides.
  • To find a phone plan abroad, research your host country and see which phone providers are most common there. Look into each carrier’s options for shorter-term or easy-to-cancel contracts. Consider what works best for your location, program length, technology needs, budget, and intentions to visit other countries.
    • Tip: Foreign phone plans don’t always act like ours do. Prepaid and pay-by-the-minute plans can be popular in certain areas of the world, so be sure to read plan details carefully.
    • Tip: Some carriers offer data-only SIM options. If you don’t plan to call or text, this option may work for you.

Before proceeding with this option, you need to know whether or not your phone is “unlocked.” An unlocked phone can be used with various service providers whereas a “locked” phone is tied to one carrier only. Only unlocked devices will work for this option. If your phone is locked but you want a local phone plan, consider asking friends or family if they have any old unlocked phones you can use while you’re abroad (make sure to double check that you can access the SIM Card slot or can download eSIMs) or look into buying a cheap phone in your host country.

Option 2: Get an International Plan from your Current Phone Provider

An international phone plan may be a convenient option for you that allows you to keep your regular phone number and avoid interacting with a foreign phone company. Depending on the carrier and destination, this option may also be fairly affordable.

  • Most major carriers offer at least one international phone plan option. For example, Verizon has both daily and monthly rates for international travel. Do some research on the provider’s website and see if the choices they provide work for your budget, program length, location, and any intentions you have to travel while abroad.
  • Caution: don’t get confused between a true international plan (one that lets you use your phone and data abroad) and a plan with international calling (one that lets you call international phone numbers while you’re still in the U.S.). Make sure the plan you select does what you need it to do.

Option 3: Use Wi-Fi without a Phone Plan

  • On a certain few Study Abroad programs, you might not actually need a phone plan, at least not for the whole time abroad. If you’re going somewhere with limited cell phone usage or you won’t need maps or any communication apps while you’re out-and-about, you can simply use Wi-Fi at your accommodations and some locations such as restaurants.
    • Tip: Whenever you need things like an online ticket or directions somewhere, be sure to download or screenshot it before you disconnect from Wi-Fi.
    • Tip: If you go with this option, make sure to keep your phone in Airplane Mode (then turn the Wi-Fi back on only) so that it doesn’t try to connect to international phone towers and charge you a fee.
  • Caution: Being without a working phone may not be a good choice for your program type or location. Being difficult to reach can be a safety issue. Remember to do your research on your host country and its safety and norms before selecting this option.
    • Tip: Remember, you can always switch to Option 1 or 2 partway through your program if going without a phone plan does not suit your needs.

Do Some Research:

Now that you’ve been accepted to your program, it’s time to get excited and research your host country!

  • Here are some questions to get you started:
    • How big is the country or city?
    • What do people eat?
    • What is the weather like?
    • Is there a transportation system?
    • What time do people typically eat or go to bed?
    • What attractions or sites are nearby?
  • Brush up on your language skills! Check out Duolingo or another free language learning app. While being bilingual is not a requirement to study abroad, learning some basic phrases in the local language of your host country will help you navigate your experience easier and make better connections with your host community.
    • You may want to know how to say your numbers 1-10, ask how much something costs, greet and thank people, and any other day-to-day phrases you think you’ll need.

Prepare for Cultural Adjustment:

When you arrive at your destination and start to get settled in, you will probably start to notice tons of differences between your life abroad and your routine at home. These differences may be small—like eating dinner at 9pm—or larger—like needing to reconsider your wardrobe to meet cultural norms. While it’s exciting to learn about different cultures, these everyday differences might start to add up and feel overwhelming. This disorientation is known as Culture Shock. Culture shock is completely normal, and you should expect to feel it on some level as you adjust to your life abroad.

Study Abroad Peer Advisor Lucy shares, “It’s okay to be nervous, but it's important to keep your mind in the moment. Of course, you may experience homesickness or embarrassing situations–it’s obvious you're a foreign student–so just enjoy! Appreciate the little things by making friends and paying attention to the beauty around you.”

Lee Ann Hamilton from Campus Health (Assistant Director, Health Promotion & Preventive Services) explains, “Many students may feel different in another country, and perhaps after the 'honeymoon period' of loving everything new, it's common to get frustrated and critical of the new culture. Realize that you or the culture feeling 'different' doesn't mean right or wrong....it simply is different....and that's o.k.”

Tips for Culture Shock:

  • Get to know other international/study abroad students who might relate to what you’re going through.
  • If you start to feel down, your tendency might be to isolate from others, but instead make sure that you stick to a regular class and social schedule.
  • Bring some comforts from home (pictures, hobbies, recipes, etc.).
  • Keep an open mind and try to limit comparing (or keeping score) between your study abroad country and your home country.
  • Look for the similarities that most humans share: love of family, sense of purpose, art, music, sports, etc.
  • Remember that everyone takes time to adjust and may adjust at different speeds.
  • Observe locals in public spaces and low-pressure situations to get familiar with norms.
  • Stay active and establish a regular sleep schedule.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional. When you are abroad, you will have access to Global TeleMD (virtual confidential access to international doctors) and Global Wellness Assist (virtual confidential professional counseling) through GeoBlue Insurance. Learn more on the Health & Safety Resources page.

Ready?

Congratulations on being accepted to your Study Abroad program! At this point you might be feeling overjoyed, excited, and even overwhelmed about the brand new and unknown experiences you’re about to have. As you’re considering what to pack and which sites you want to see most, we recommend considering your mindset and having an open mind about your experience ahead.

“The takeaways from my study abroad trip are countless and extremely valuable, especially because I really pushed myself to get the most out of it. What I mean is, I was a 'yes' person. If everyone is going on a sunrise hike and you're not a morning person or you don't like hikes - my advice would be to say yes anyway! Take in everything the program and city have to offer.” (Peer Advisor Lucy)

Set?

Make a plan! Part of the study abroad experience is getting to site-see, try new food, and check things off your bucket list. We always recommend you prioritize the top things you want to see and do. That being said, be ready for unexpected changes. The weather might interfere with your plans, national holidays you aren’t aware of could close museums/sites, or there could be a festival or rally taking place that causes delays in traffic. Get in the mindset now so you are ready for anything that life abroad sends your way. Make plans but be flexible if your schedule has to change at the last minute. After all, you might find adventures along the way that you never could have researched ahead of time.

Hear about another student’s experience with mindset and flexibility here.

Go!

It’s time to get ready and go! Remember the goals you set for yourself when you first started thinking about studying abroad. Whether they are for academic, personal, or professional growth, now is the time to dive in and gain the experience you were looking for. Keep in mind, once you get abroad your goals may evolve and change while you’re experiencing new things every day.

There are many ways to track your progress towards your goals and share your memories with others:

  • Participate in the Annual Photo Contest.
  • Start blogging or create study abroad content on social media
  • Follow us and tag us on Instagram (@uastudyabroad) & use our hashtag (#WildcatsAbroad).
  • Become a Study Abroad Social Media Ambassador.

Course Registration and Enrollment

You do not register for your study abroad courses in UAccess. Desired courses are selected as part of the study abroad application process. One to two months before the program start date, the study abroad team registers students either directly in their courses (direct credit) or in SA placeholder units (transfer credit), which are visible in the UAccess Student Center.

SA placeholder units keep students active in the University of Arizona system while studying abroad. These placeholder units in the UAccess Student Center allow financial aid and scholarships to be applied to student accounts as active participants. SA placeholder units do not indicate credit already earned nor the exact number of units taken while abroad; they simply show registration as a full-time study abroad student. These placeholder units do not contribute to the total units in your Advisement Report.

Once the University of Arizona receives the official transcript from the host institution, International Admissions or the Registrar evaluates the credits and posts them in the Transfer Credit Report in the UAccess Student Center. Earned credits also appear in the Advisement Report.

Number of Credits Abroad

The number of credits received during time abroad depends on the program. Most programs require full-time status: 12+ credits for semester programs and 6 for summer, though some may have higher requirements. Study abroad coordinators can advise on typical course loads at specific host institutions.

Grading Systems Abroad

University of Arizona direct credit courses, as well as many internship and research courses, will be under the University of Arizona grading system and will earn regular grades of A, B, C, D, or E. Some courses may also receive alternative grades of S, P, F.

Exchange and Arizona Abroad programs are graded according to the host institution's grading system. Before going abroad, get familiar with the host university's grading system so that you know what to expect and can set goals for yourself. Reminder: For these programs, the equivalent of a University of Arizona "C" grade or higher is required for credit to transfer. For questions about the host university's grading system, consult a study abroad coordinator.

Textbooks Abroad

Book purchasing varies by program. For most exchange and Arizona Abroad programs, books are typically purchased after arriving in the study abroad country. For faculty-led programs, books are usually bought in the U.S. before departure.