Planning Resources

Global Competencies

What's Up with Culture
An on-line tutorial specifically designed for college students to learn about intercultural communication and culture shock before studying abroad

Culture Matters
Peace Corps on-line tool for preparing volunteers to live in a foriegn country

Global Scholar

Off-Campus | In Touch 
learning modules for those midway through studying abroad, developed by the College of Wooster 

First-time Travelers

10 Useful International Travel Tips for First-Time Travelers

Study Abroad.state.gov

Currency Converters

XE: Accurate Currency Conversion
XE allows for a quick resource to currency exchange rates. The site updates itself every few minutes with the new rates, which are constantly changing. Use this to make sure you know how much you’re spending in USD.

Oanda Currency Conversion
 

Handbook

 

Health and Safety

International SOS Travelers' Tips
Cleveland State has a scholastic membership to this organization through the Inter-University Council of public universities in the State of Ohio which includes access to health and safety tips before, during, and after University-approved international travel.

Centers for Disease Control
CDC Travelers' Health offers information to assist travelers and their healthcare providers in deciding the vaccines, medications, and other measures necessary to prevent illness and injury during international travel.

CSU Clinic
Student Health and Wellness Center. Have your Medical Clearance form completed by our healthcare professionals.

Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Low-cost immunization and inoculation clinic for travelers.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
All U.S. citizens should register their international trip with the U.S. State Department which will automatically provide them with updates and information on the country of travel as well as giving updates including Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts when applicable. U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad will also be able to better assist travelers in cases of emergency if they are registered with the program.

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory System

Association for Safe International Road Travel

Additional Health Resources

CDC COVID Data Tracker worldwide 

2019 Global Health Security Index 
 

Insurance

Do you have enough insurance? Read this article to find out why it's important to answer this question.

Travel insurance compendium

Trip protection insurance mitigates your financial risk in the event that you must cancel or interrupt a trip. Trip cancellation and interruption benefits provide reimbursement of your pre-paid and non-refundable expenses if you are forced to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen covered issues. You must purchase trip protection independently. InsureMyTrip.com  offers various price points and coverage options in the event of loss from unforeseen sickness or injury, family emergency, weather, natural disasters, US State Department or Centers for Disease Control travel warnings that cause trip cancellation, and more depending on your selection. Be aware of EXCLUSIONS and always read the fine print. There is a difference between general trip cancellation insurance and cancel for any reason trip insurance. Some plans are time sensitive. It’s up to you to choose the plan that best fulfills your individual needs. Click here for more information.

Some study abroad accident and sickness health insurance plan options include:

Cultural Insurance Services International

GeoBlue

United Healthcare Global

Please consult your home owner’s insurance policy to see if your personal property is covered under the plan while traveling abroad. Standalone policies for international personal property insurance are available.
 

Student Airfares

When purchasing your ticket to go abroad, utilize online student travel sites that offer more flexible departure dates or open-ended tickets that are discounted for students. Try to purchase a ticket that will allow you one free (or one inexpensive <$75) return date change. Examples include Student Universe or Scholar Trip .

We do not recommend relying on frequent flyer miles to secure your airline ticket unless there is great flexibility built into the airline's program. Likewise, relying on a well-know flight search engine will likely result in airline tickets with no flexibility and unfavorable refund or change options. Start with "student" airfare options first. 

Identity Abroad Resources 

Diversityabroad.com student resources for studying abroad

US Dept of State guides travel resources for different identities
 

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Top Ten Reasons for African-Americans to Education Abroad
There are countless reasons to study abroad as an African-American, here are just a couple.

Black + Abroad 

Stamped a podcast bringing you the stories of Black/African American students and professionals in the field of international education

10 Reasons for Asian/Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad 

"Beyond These Four Walls" 

Latino Students and Study Abroad blog

10 Reasons for Hispanic-American Students to Study Abroad
 

MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Mobility International USA (MIUSA)’s National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange

Go Overseas: Studying Abroad with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions
 

First GenERATION COLLEGE STUDENT

Ask a First Gen Student: Diversity and Study Abroad

Go Abroad.com First Gen Study Abroad Guide 
 

LGBTQIA+

Resources for LGBTQIA+ Study Abroad Students

Go Abroad: Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales LGBTQ 

LGBTQ+ Rights Around the world

 

MILITARY, Veterans, ROTC

VA Benefits: Foreign Programs

Questionnaire for National Security Positions SF-86 Worried about a current or future security clearance? Create a spreadsheet to store sustained foreign contact information for serious connections you make abroad. Keep track of your addresses abroad and details for two references per address.

Go Abroad- Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales for Veterans & ROTC Cadets

Adult Learners

Adult Learners studying abroad 
 

RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, FAITH

Have Halal Will Travel #HHWT

Halal restaurants and markets worldwide

Interfaith America

The Pluralism Project

7 Things to know before studying abroad as a Jewish student 

Kahal Your Jewish Home Abroad aspires to give Jewish students studying abroad each year the resources, tools, and connections they need to meaningfully engage with the Jewish community and deepen their Jewish identity during study abroad.

World Buddhist Directory

Hindu temples across the world 
 

GENDER

OnSheGoes on Sound Cloud

Women Studying Abroad: Preparation and Support

National Center for Transgender Equality - Air Travel Tips

journeywoman.com

 

ATHLETES

How to Study Abroad as a College Athlete

 

perspectives on priviledge 

Traveling As A White American Is A Privilege Most People Don’t Have

7 Ways to Check your White Privilege While Traveling

Traveling While Brown: Journeys in Privilege, Guilt, and Connection

 

Get a Passport

Apply for your U.S. passport by starting an online application or seek local assistance through the Cuyahoga County Public Library System. Most applications will require the following:

1. Completed application form
2. Signature added only when instructed to sign by the officer at the acceptance facility
3. Proof of U.S. citizenship
4. State identification/driver’s license
5. Photocopy of item in #4
6. Applicable fee
7.  One passport photo – Passport photos are easily obtainable from many retail outlets. Due to stringent requirements, we strongly recommend obtaining photos from a trusted vendor instead of taking and printing your own.

Check the DOS for current US passport application processing times to allow ample time ahead of any planned international travel. All passports need to be valid for 6 months or more beyond the last day you plan to use it. Consider renewing your passport if approaching 6 months of remaining validity.

Visas

A visa is permission to enter a specific country (typically a sticker in your passport or a document you print from a website), for a specific length of time, to do a specific thing and is based on your citizenship. To find out if you need a visa before traveling to another country please consult the foreign missions of other countries in the USA.