Three to Six Months Before You Go
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your study abroad plans. If you're enrolling in a program not affiliated with 海角论坛 (a third-party provider), you'll need to complete a Course Approval Form.
- Ensure it's signed and remains valid for at least six months after your planned return to the U.S.
- Plan for your health while abroad:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about your upcoming international travel. Be sure to go over any current prescription medications and develop a plan to manage your health overseas.
- Research which vaccinations or medications are required or recommended for your destination(s). Your healthcare provider and the CDC website are both excellent resources for this.
- Take care of financial aid and scholarship paperwork if it applies to you. Contact the at 816-235-1154 or email finaid@umkc.edu. When emailing, include "Study Abroad" in the subject line. You may need to make an appointment if you have more than a few questions to ask. Please schedule an appointment if necessary
- Look for and apply for study abroad scholarships. Be aware that many have early application deadlines!
- Once you're accepted into your program, book your travel (like flights or trains). This is also a good time to consider purchasing trip insurance.
- Create a financial plan for your time abroad. Fill out the provided cost sheet in the program you are applying to. Please enter estimated housing costs, flight costs, and other costs that might pop up while on your trip.
Two Months Before You Go
- Log back into your 海角论坛 Terradotta application to complete any remaining post-decision tasks.
- Purchase international health insurance through our insurance partner GeoBlue. Even if the program you are planning to attend provides insurance, you are still required to purchase GeoBlue insurance for the amount of time you will be on your trip.
- Learn about your destination city and country.
- Check out the local climate for the season you’ll be staying.
- Stay up to date on current events by following local news outlets.
- Consider getting a guidebook or travel app for on-the-go information.
- Download or buy a map of the area, including public transportation details.
- Pick up a phrasebook to get familiar with key vocabulary in the local language.
One Month Before You Go
- Make sure to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation meeting to get essential information and tips before your trip.
- Inform your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans:
- Provide them with a list of the countries and cities you'll be visiting, along with your travel dates.
- Inquire about any foreign transaction or ATM fees so you can budget accordingly.
- Confirm that your credit or debit cards have a microchip, as these are widely used overseas.
- Contact your mobile provider to explore options for using your phone while abroad, such as international plans or local SIM cards.
- Think about creating a blog or online journal to document your experiences and reflect on your journey.
- Look into the electrical standards of your destination, including voltage and outlet types. If necessary, purchase adapters or voltage converters to safely use your electronics.
Two Weeks Before You Go
- U.S. citizens should enroll in the through the U.S. State Department for important safety updates and travel alerts.
- If you're not a U.S. citizen, check your home country’s official government website to see if a similar traveler registration program is available.
- Make both digital and physical copies of critical documents like your passport, visa, insurance cards, and travel itineraries. Come up with a plan to keep your original documents secure and organized during your trip.
- Start packing early! Take inventory of everything you plan to bring and do a practice pack. This will help you figure out what you’re missing, what you don’t need, and how everything fits—so you’re not scrambling the day before departure.
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