Become Informed
Taking the time to do basic research on your host country is essential. The more you know before you arrive the less culture shock you will experience and your capacity to learn and do more increases tremendously.
One way you can find information on your country is by visiting the US Department of State website and searching for your country. You can also sign up for free Google Alerts by inputting your search criteria (i.e. country or city of your program), what you want to find (i.e. news, blogs, books), and how often you want notifications to be sent to your email address. It's a very easy way to stay updated on current events.
Other ways to learn about your host country/city are to read books, watch movies, and speak with people who have been, or lived where you are going. As you learn more, try to keep an open mind until you can form your own opinion.
Other Useful Resources
Health-Related Resources
Help with Money
General Resources
- United Nations
- List of Emergency Numbers by Country
- Transportation Security Administration
- Country Calling Codes
- How to Avoid Pickpockets
- WillMyPhoneWork
- Protecting Your Information and Privacy While Traveling
- 10 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them (WashingtonPost)
- The Traveler's Guide to Cybersecurity (Syracuse University)
- Ready.Gov
- Best Practices for Using a VPN While Traveling
Traveler-Specific Information
Resources for Travelers with Disabilities
Resources for Female Travelers
LGBTQ+ Travel Abroad Resources
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA)
- LGBTQ+ Study Abroad Resource List
- Diversity Abroad - LGBTQ+ Students Abroad
- TSA Guide for Trans Passengers
- Equaldex - LGBTQ+ Rights Across the World
- U.S. Department of State LGBTI Travel Information
- LGBTQIA+ Country Guide