Three Months Prior to Departure:

• Get a passport
• Get extra passport photos
• Get a Visa (if applicable)
• Understand your health insurance policy for international coverage including repatriation, medical evacuation (that included with your program and the one you currently enrolled in)
• Complete SMC online application, supplemental application (when necessary) and all related forms
• Make sure you have met with your academic advisors and/or Department Chairs to approve your courses (see Transfer Credit Approval form)
• Review Health, Safety & Security information
• Determine if you need to visit a doctor and/or receive inoculations

One Month Prior to Departure:

• Review Packing & Traveling information
• Purchase your airline ticket and send the itinerary to the Center for International Programs
• Talk to your bank and credit card companies about managing your finances abroad
• Review Study Abroad Handbook and host-country culture specific information
• Purchase a travel guide book related to your destination
• Visit SMC post office to forward your mail while you are abroad
• Think about how you are going to document / record your memories and experience while abroad (Blog? Photo journals? Diary?)

Two Weeks Prior to Departure:

• Make two sets of copies of important documents (ie. passport, visas, insurance card). Leave one set of copies with a trusted person in the US and bring one set abroad with you
• Check US Department of State travel advisories to check for destination status changes
• Fill any necessary prescriptions
• Remember to pack your study abroad journal, the study abroad handbook, and emergency contact information
• Check with Center for International Programs to make sure you have submitted all the necessary forms
• Reconfirm flight with airline at least 48 hours in advance and check baggage weight limits
• Agree upon communication schedule with family, especially for arrival
• Bring CIP’s mailing address with you so you can send us a post card for our wall map!

While Abroad:

• Email your local address and phone number to studyabroad@stmarys-ca.edu
• Send CIP a postcard!
• Review Health, Safety, and Security information again
• Travel safely
• Review What to do in an Emergency information and learn local emergency plans
• Review Culture Shock information

Upon Returning to the US:

• Complete your Program Evaluations
• Review Reverse Culture Shock information
• Participate in the study abroad Welcome Back Dinner
• Get involved with the Center for International Programs by serving as a study abroad ambassador, joining the International Club, living in the Global Living & Learning Community, encouraging your friends to study abroad as well!