We’ve put together some useful information to help you prepare for your education abroad or work abroad experience.

You should start thinking about the logistics and practical considerations of international travel well before your plane takes off. We’ve put together some information to get you started:

Health and Safety

Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important updates from the Embassy regarding your destination country.

Review the Minnesota Department of Health’s Guidance for Travelers.

Find more information regarding health and safety abroad, visit the Office of Higher Education’s Study Abroad Health and Safety Report.

Passports and Visas

Students traveling abroad for work or study must have a valid passport and possibly a student visa. Learn more about the visa application process.

Payments and Currency

Credit/Debit Cards

Learn how to responsibly communicate with your bank(s) and use cards abroad.

International Currency

Know the exchange rates for international currency and best practices for making purchases in various countries. Here is an example of an international currency converter.

Canada	Malaysia
China	Norway
Denmark	South Korea
Finland	Sweden
Germany	Switzerland
Iceland

Learn (some of) the Language

Chances are, you’ll pick up some of the local language and dialect once you spend some time in a different country. But it would be helpful to arrive already equipped with some basic words and conversational phrases.

What to Pack

Remember to pack climate- and culturally-appropriate clothing, as well as toiletries, school supplies, a few good books, and anything else you need to make you feel at home abroad. But don’t overpack! After many hours on planes and trains, the last thing you’ll want to do is deal with heavy luggage.

When traveling, make sure you carry (and safely store) some cash, your passport and student visa, and plenty of water.