Learn what to pack and how to travel safely during your field study program at UMGC Europe.
Helpful Hints
Before you leave:
- Contact your travel agency concerning insurance coverage for cancellations.
- Contact your health insurance company for information concerning coverage at your destination.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of your destination country.
- Check the weather forecast for your destination.
- Obtain city maps for your destination.
- Leave contact information with people at home who may need to reach you during the course.
- Make sure your legal affairs are in order and leave a short-term power of attorney with someone you trust.
- Make two photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet--leave one copy at home, and bring the other with you.
Remember to pack the following items:
- Passport, military ID or other form of identification, your UMGC student ID card, and any other necessary travel documents
- Any prescription drugs and a list containing the names of your prescriptions, your medical history, and the name and phone number of your physician, along with the name and phone number of someone to be contacted in the event of an emergency
- Photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet so that you will know exactly what you had in case it gets lost or stolen, along with the account numbers and phone numbers to notify your financial institutions. Keep these in a safe place, separate from the originals.
- Waist pack--this is helpful for both men and women. A bulging wallet in a back pocket or a purse dangling from a shoulder is an open invitation to a thief.
- Comfortable shoes (a must!)
- A raincoat or an umbrella
- Clothes appropriate for the weather in your destination city (layers are a good idea)
- Camera
- Notebooks, clipboard, pens, pencils, and your class textbooks
Safety precautions:
- Try not to bring valuables with you, and avoid carrying excessive amounts of cash.
- Do not leave valuables (jewelry, money, etc.) unattended; keep them on your person, preferably in a waist pack or money belt (or in your socks).
- Should you become the victim of theft, file a police report immediately.
- Never accept packages from strangers.
A detailed list of safety precautions is available from the Bureau of Consulate Affairs.
Additional Travel Resources
The U.S. Department of State has a wealth of travel information from country background notes to student travel tips.