|
Study Abroad Theatre and Culture (THRE 350 and GNST 250) - Before Departing Before departing (printable pdf document) a) Documents
b) What to take with you?What should I not pack? If you take items on board airplanes or across borders that are illegal, you will suffer the consequences. Do not pack items to carry on board aircraft, which are sharp or can be interpreted as a danger to health and safety. All such items will be confiscated from you at airport security stations. Do not take electrical items requiring 110 volts (hair driers, etc.) unless you also take the appropriately power-rated transformers and wall plugs. Insofar as possible, don’t take expensive items, e.g., jewelry. Just about certainly, you won’t need them, and having them with you is likely to occasion security concerns that you don’t need either. c) FoodFood awaits you over there. But, please note the following: First, without exception, the arrangements by which food will be available to you over there are going to be very different from what you are used to at home. Often, the differences will importantly feature scheduling of meals. Second, and I think most importantly: everywhere eat, what natives eat, and - especially - the local social usages in association with the preparation and consumption of food, are at the very heart of the culture and its meaningfulness to natives. For educational - culture learning - reasons, you should therefore go intending to accommodate to and participate in this vital feature of your host culture. Finally, educational and moral considerations aside, most of us who have traveled and lived abroad have derived great pleasure from doing so; and you wouldn't believe how much of this pleasure has come from eating, and what goes on in association with eating. Don't short change yourselves. d) Documentation for MedicationsIf you go abroad with preexisting medical problems, you should carry a letter from you doctor describing your condition, including information on any prescription medicines that you must take. You should also have the generic names of the drugs. Please leave medicines in their original, labeled containers. These precautions make customs processing easier. A doctor's certificate, however, may not suffice as authorization to transport all prescription drugs to all foreign countries. Travelers have innocently been arrested for drug violations when carrying items not considered to be narcotics in the United States. To ensure that you do not violate the drug laws of the countries that you visit, you may consult the embassy or consulate of those countries for precise information before you leave the United States. If you have allergies, reactions to certain medicines, or other unique medical problems, you may consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a similar warning. e) Money MattersUse your ATM card. The exchange rates are better, local currencies are available in small amounts, and your institution will probably charge its normal fees for using another banks ATM. Keep one card separate. Using credit cards for purchases abroad is usually a good idea, because most cards convert charges based on the best exchange rate of the month, even if you use it on a day when your currency plummets. (Again, check with your credit card company on this.) However, if your wallet gets snagged and all of the cards are inside, an international trip could turn into a financial disaster. That's why it's important to keep one credit card separate from the others. Write down your account information. It's vitally important to write down the international phone numbers of your credit/debit/check cards and banks as well as your account numbers and keep them in a safe place. Its a good idea to do the same with your calling card. Most of the time, financial companies have non-800 numbers that you can call collect if you're in trouble. If you're carrying a laptop or hand-held computer, keep the phone and account numbers in a password-protected area. Carry U.S. dollars. You should always carry $200 U.S. as an emergency fund when you travel internationally. It's enough cash to get you out of a bind but won't ruin your entire trip if it's stolen. U.S. dollars will be accepted for exchange or straight up. f) Phone calls Most U.S. cell phones do not work in Europe. Calling Bulgaria – calling BG is very inexpensive if you use a calling card. The cost is cents a minute unless you call a cell phone number. You can purchase cards from calling directly 1-800-TO- CALL-BG Calling from Bulgaria - is not expensive either. Students will need to purchase calling cards. g) Insurance All students have International Students ID cards (ISIC). A card verifies a student status and it is widely recognized throughout the world. With the card, students are eligible to qualify for discounts ranging from lower airfares, cheaper insurance coverage to reduced or free admission to museums, theaters, concerts and cultural sites around the world. The ISIC also provides supplemental health insurance coverage. This plan covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas and repatriation of remains in case of death. Most private health care plans do not incorporate this kind of coverage. This is why many program sponsors are either providing a special overseas insurance plan or requiring the card. Not only do you receive the medical coverage and discounts while overseas, but you also have access to a toll-free help line for assistance with medical, legal, or financial emergencies. In addition, you can use the card in the United States for special student discounts on airlines, lodging, international phone calls and international money transfers. You can also purchase additional insurance. Please compare the two plans on course travel abroad web site (http://www.theatre.ehc.edu/new/mainintro.htm, click the bottom link on the right side “Study Abroad”, and than click on “Forms”). Let me know what you decide. The cost of those plans will be in addition to the cost of the trip. If you decide to choose a plan, complete the application form, make the checks payable to Emory & Henry College (indicate BG trip) and give those to Dr. Stoytcheva-Horissian.
|