Preparing To Go

There are several things you must do to be able to study abroad. There are other things you can do and read that will help you have a more successful experience off campus.

 

Students studying on a semester long  program must turn in a non-refundable $500.00 deposit payable to St. Lawrence University must be sent to the Student Financial Services Office (Room 315, Student Center) 

Once you are accepted:

Orientation Meetings on-campus. You must attend all orientation meetings and activities both on the St. Lawrence campus and in-country. You will receive detailed information about all the items below -- and more -- at the on-campus orientaiton meeting. Non-SLU students participating in the programs will receive this information in the mail.  Please see the Student Orientation Booklet for additional information.

Country specific Information. The State Department maintains information for every country of the world. These pages include information such as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the host country, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, unusual immigration practices, crime and security information, and drug penalties.

Passport. You must have a valid passport to participate in any of the St. Lawrence University abroad programs. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to issue United States passports. Find out more about applying for a passport and download the application.

Visa. Generally, you must have a visa to enter a foreign country. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. You will receive information about applying for a visa after you are accepted to the program, at an orientation meeting. Do not begin the visa application process until after you receive instructions.

Immunizations. Here is information about immunizations and medications you will need to participate in your particular program. You will receive additional information at your program orientation meeting.

Centers for Disease Control. Additional information about specific destinations, travel vaccinations, outbreaks and is available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page.

Travel Abroad Tips. The State Department offers some general safety tips for traveling abroad. In addition, there are several excellent travel guides that you should read in preparation for your program abroad, such as Lonely Planet or Let's Go. Another excellent resources is the series of Culture Shock! books published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company.

Currency Converter. To have a better sense of how much things cost in your host country, you should know how much the local currency is worth compared to the U.S. dollar.

Security Issues. Travel Warnings are issued by the U.S. State Department to describe long-term protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained. Travel Alerts are issued by the U.S. State Department to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

Insurance.  St. Lawrence requires that all students have international insurance that includes repatriation if they are spending a semester or year off campus. If your insurance does not include international insurance and repatriation St. Lawrence encourages you to look at CMI Inusrance Worldwide,

Security Issues. Travel Warnings are issued by the U.S. State Department to describe long-term protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained. Travel Alerts are issued by the U.S. State Department to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose risks to the security of U.S. citizens.