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Study Abroad Tips

Whether you are traveling abroad soon or thinking about it for a future semester, take some time and read a bit of what we have compiled to assist you in planning. Many times, when students leave the Texas Tech campus, they have the impression that their decisions and actions have no effect with them being a student at the university. This is hardly the case. When students leave the physical borders of any Texas Tech campus or property, a weight a responsibility follows them, particularly when you study abroad. You take with you not only your physical presence, you take the entire image of the university. Others will see; what a typical Tech student is like in how you personally carry and conduct yourself. Your single actions can give an impression of the whole.

If you have plans to study abroad, take a browse at what is listed below. The information listed will instruct you on how to keep yourself safe, important things to consider, and how your actions can affect your status as a student when you return to Texas Tech after your study period has ended.

While these are not comprehensive instructions for your study abroad, please consult the Texas Tech Office of International Affairs at the contact information listed towards the bottom of this page.

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Travelers Guide and Tips

Before you travel abroad, it is important to be prepared; Obtaining the following will help you become a qualified and informed tourist in a foreign country.

Passports

A U.S. citizen needs a passport to depart or enter the United States and to enter and depart most foreign countries. To obtain a passport visit http://travel.state.gov/ for more information.

Passport Services:

Visas

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed in your passport by a foreign government that permits you to visit that country for a specified purpose and a limited time – for example a three-month tourist visa.  To obtain a visa contact the nearest consulate of each country you plan to travel to our visit http://travel.state.gov/ for more information.

Visa Services

Health

It is recommended that you visit your doctor and dentist for a routine examination before your departure. Speak with your health care provider to discuss any immunizations, medications, and health practices that might be recommended for your host country.  If you take a prescriptive medication regularly, make sure to bring an adequate supply to last your entire stay abroad.  Always keep your prescription medications in the original label container marked with your name.  For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/ for more information.

U.S. Consuls and Embassies

There are United States’ embassies in over 160 capital cities of the world.  Every embassy has a consular section which helps United States citizens abroad. To help them help you, register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consular.  For more information visit http://usembassy.state.gov/.

Airport Security

Host County Customs

In your host country, try to keep an open mind.  Remember that the "American way" is not the only "right" way.  Other countries and cultures have a different sense of right and wrong and a different understanding of common sense, politeness, and appropriate behavior than the United States.  It is important to be patient and respectful of their cultures and ways of life.  Pay close attention to local people and then emulate their behavior and attitude.  Try to blend in with their culture.  Being thoughtful and respectful will go a long way with the people in your host country.

Tips for Travelers
  1. Have a signed and valid passport (and visa if required) and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
  2. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries you plan on traveling to.  Always remember that the U.S. Constitution does not follow you.  While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
  3. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
  4. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas.
  5. If you plan to stay abroad for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy in the country that you are visiting. 
  6. To avoid being a target of a crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.
  7. Consider taking a cell phone with you that works outside the United States or consider leasing a cell phone while you are abroad.  Using public telephones can be unreliable and dangerous depending on the area you are visiting.
  8. While abroad, avoid using illegal drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages and do not associate with people who do.
  9. When abroad, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.

Safety Guideline

These safety guidelines have been developed to provide useful practical information for students studying abroad as the health and safety of study abroad participants is one of our primary concerns.  Although no set of guidelines can guarantee the health and safety of each individual going on a study abroad program, these guidelines address issues that merit attention and thoughtful judgment.  As a study abroad student, you should exercise the same, if not more personal safety precautions abroad as you would at home. 

Protect Yourself
Protect Your Possessions
Be Vigilant
Basic Health Safety

How Foreign Laws Apply To You

It is vital to be informed about what you should know concerning the legal systems of the countries you will be traveling to. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad is limited in what it can do to assist you if you should get into legal trouble abroad.

Educate Yourself

  1. Read and carefully consider all materials issued by your sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in host countries.
  2. Consider your health and other personal circumstances when applying  for or accepting a place in a program.
  3. Obtain and maintain insurance coverage and abide by any condition(s) imposed by the carriers.
  4. Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct, and emergency procedures of the program, and obey host country laws.
  5. Be aware of host countries local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. 
  6. Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others and encourage others to behave in a similar fashion. 
  7. Accept responsibility for your own actions and decisions.
  8. Follow the program policies for keeping program staff informed of your whereabouts and well-being.

Risk Factors

Most incidents resulting in injury or death of students while participating in study abroad involve:

Be cautious when accepting drinks and food from strangers.  Travelers are often targets of crime and are at a higher risk of harm, because they:

Crisis Management

While most students returning from studying abroad say that it was one of the most valuable experiences of the college or university experience, some are forced to deal with minor crises like pick-pockets, petty theft, or a minor illness or injury. In an unfamiliar environment with communication and cultural barriers, a minor crisis may be more difficult to handle.  In order to avoid these type of situations, it is important to do the following:

Create an Emergency Action Plan

The first step in crisis management is being prepared for a crisis.  Consider creating a personal Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for yourself.  This document should describe what actions you should take in the event of a emergency while abroad.  Your EAP could be as simple as a list of people to call in case you are hurt, along with copies of your insurance papers, passport, and names of medications you are allergic to.   It is important to leave your EAP with the appropriate contacts, such as family members, friends, your study abroad program advisor, etc.

During and After a Crisis

In the situation of a crisis, it is easy to respond with fear, anxiety, etc.  But, there are some things that you can do to calm your emotions in a crisis/emergency situation:

Serious Emergencies

Natural disasters, political upheaval, and terrorism are some of the events the U.S. State Department considers to be serious emergencies or crises.  If the political crisis disturbs regular departures from the countries in which you are traveling, and it is unsafe for Americans to remain abroad, your program provider and/or the U.S. State Department may be able to arrange for special charter travel out of a country.

Financing Your Trip

During your time abroad, students will be billed some or all of the following charges from your study abroad program.  All study abroad programs are different and you should definitely check with your program’s office.  Some programs do not arrange for these goods and services, so you will have to arrange for them independently.

Program Scholarships

Texas Tech University offers many scholarships for students studying abroad on their program.  Check with you individual program to see if they offer any merit and/or need-based scholarships.  For information about the scholarships available for study abroad students at Texas Tech University call the Overseas Opportunities Counselors in the Office of International Affairs in the International Cultural Center at 806-742-3667.

Supplementary Loans

These loans are not need-based and are designed to supplement the parent/student contribution to your educational costs.  They can be used alone or in conjunction with need-based financial aid to finance your study abroad costs.  Supplementary loans require additional applications.  If you are interested in a supplementary loan, make an appointment to speak with your financial aid counselor in room 310 West Hall, or call to schedule an appointment (806) 742-3681.

Recommendation To Parents

In study abroad, as in other settings, parents, guardians, and families play an important role in the health and safety of students by helping them make decisions and by influencing their behavior while abroad.

  1. Obtain and carefully evaluate health and safety information related to the program provided by the sponsor and other resources.
  2. Be involved in the decision of the student to enroll in a particular program.
  3. Engage the student in a thorough discussion of safety and behavioral issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
  4. Keep in touch with the student.
  5. Be aware that some information may most appropriately be provided by the student rather than the program.

Points of Contact

Texas Tech Office of International Affairs
601 Indiana
PO Box 41036
Lubbock, Texas 79409
(806) 742-2218 - office
(806) 742-1954 - fax
http://www.iaff.ttu.edu/main/index.asp

Student Judicial Programs
020 Student Union
Lubbock, Texas 79416
(806) 742-1714 - office
(806) 742-1719 - fax
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms

Texas Tech University
(806) 742-2011 - campus operator
http://www.ttu.edu