Baker: Tips if you’re thinking about studying abroad

Last summer I fulfilled my dream of going on a study abroad program. Over the course of a month in Italy and England, I earned 6 credits, all while having an amazing time. I can truly say that I learned more than I could have ever imagined, both academically and by having new experiences in foreign countries.

I was able to see incredible sites and entertainment: I saw the Vatican, toured Doge’s Palace, and watched professional plays. Not only this, but since I was taking classes in architecture and theater, I was able to truly understand what I was seeing. But that doesn't even begin to describe my experience: I ate amazing food, had interesting conversations with foreigners, explored palaces, and so much more!

If you have ever imagined yourself studying abroad, I would encourage you to look into it, even if it seems like an unachievable goal. The USU Global Engagement website not only shows long-term programs, but also has information on programs in the summer and during winter and spring breaks. For those concerned about money, many programs are based on USU tuition and fees and the USU Global Engagement website also has a scholarship resource page to help fund your trip. You may find that studying abroad is more practical than you would have previously thought. I personally never thought I would be able to attend school overseas until I received the Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman Scholarship is a U.S. Department of State grant program where Pell Grant-eligible students can be awarded up to $5,000 (or $8,000 if studying a critical need language) for their study abroad or internship program.

Congratulations to those who are planning to study abroad or who are in the process of preparing for a study abroad program! I've prepared four tips for you before you travel to a new country.

Tip 1: Get Your Passport ASAP

Applying for a passport around the time you apply for your program is an important task to complete. It appears so simple, but it is easy to overlook while preparing for your program. When traveling between countries, you will need it, and you may be required to submit a photo of it after booking your flight. Your passport will arrive within 6 to 9 weeks. However, there may be processing delays, and processing can take up to 4 months.

Tip 2: Get a Credit Card with No International Fees

I was very confused about how I was going to access my money before I left for overseas. At first, I considered trading currency with my bank or using my debit card abroad. However, I discovered that trading currency with banks often comes with a hefty fee, and some cards (including mine at the time) will charge a foreign transaction fee: a fee incurred when using your card abroad.

I would recommend using a credit card that does not charge an international fee. Make sure you get one that is widely accepted in your chosen country; Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. To be eligible for many of these credit cards, you must first establish credit. If you intend to use cash, find out if you can use ATMs while abroad so you can withdraw smaller amounts at a time. Having multiple methods of accessing funds is helpful in the event that your card is lost or frozen. Remember to notify your bank or credit card company of your plans so that your card is not frozen.

Tip 3: Get a SIM Card

One of the biggest mistakes that I made while preparing to go abroad, is that I did not get a SIM card for calls and data. SIM cards allow you to make calls, text, and use data outside of the U.S. While I did buy international roaming data from my phone company, it turned out that my phone company does not work well abroad. I ended up being unable to access data outside of the U.S. Investigate whether your phone company offers roaming data that works well in other countries. If not, you can purchase an international SIM card or a local SIM card online or upon arrival at your destination. Local SIM cards are less expensive than international cards, but they only work in one country. If you intend to buy a new SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave.

Tip 4: Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

For people with dietary restrictions, traveling abroad can be difficult to say the least. As someone with Celiac disease (a severe gluten intolerance), I was very afraid that I would constantly be sick. If you are going to a country where few people speak English or they do not understand your restrictions, you may want to consider printing off a card explaining what you cannot eat in their language. You can find and print off many of these cards online.

When you go to a restaurant, show your server the translated dietary card. I didn't use my card much in Italy because the Italians are very familiar with Celiac disease and knew what I could and couldn't eat. However, if your dietary restriction is uncommon in your country, a card may be useful.

One of the most useful things I did was mark restaurants on a map where I could eat. If I knew our group was going to a specific area before we left, I would look up all the restaurants in that area and either mark them on a physical map or 'favorite' them on Google Maps. When everyone started getting hungry, I could pull out my map and see where the nearest safe place to eat was. In the end, I did end up eating something I shouldn't have, so be prepared in case you get sick.

Overall, studying abroad required a lot of planning, but it was well worth it. If you have any questions about studying abroad or applying for the Gilman Scholarship, please contact me at hmbaker7777@gmail.com.

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