The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control publishes Health Information for International Travelers, a yearly update on health vaccinations and other health issues. Other pamphlets are Before you Travel, Health Concerns for International Travel, and Self-Care.
Healthy Eating on the Road
Typical freeway fare includes fast food, microwave-ready service station options, bags of chips, and lots of sodas. These foods are almost always full of bad fats, lots of calories, and not much valuable nutrition. Plus, eating junk food for a couple of days can leave you feeling fatigued and crabby, and give you a stomach ache.
With a little bit of effort and willpower, you can navigate your way around the junk food and maintain your healthy diet while on a long road trip. You'll feel healthier, more alert, and have more fun.
Facts on Obtaining Academic Credit
The best option is to start at the university, government agency, school, or business which you anticipate accepting your foreign course work for credit. Hundreds of academic institutions routinely accept course work done at various schools for credit or equivalency clock hours. Check with your director of international programs, study abroad advisor, department chair, employee relations supervisor, academic dean, or registrar. If you're working with a state agency, see the director of license renewal, crediting department, or in service coordinator. A relationship may already be set up between your school, business, or agency and the foreign school.
If a relationship is not pre-established, you may find that coursework/credit transfer can be accomplished provided you bring back a complete portfolio of your foreign course materials (copies of homework assignments, course exercises, quizzes, tests, foreign instructor progress reviews/evaluations, etc.) - or take an equivalency test upon your return. Your institution may have provisions for guided reading courses, independent study, or work experience courses which award credit even if the program is taken overseas. Plan ahead and do some research into possible alternatives.
If you're coordinating an international credit transfer, get a written policy statement before you travel abroad. lt's imperative that there be no misunderstanding as to your academic and credit objectives. Most institutions will not accept credit transfer unless defined and agreed upon in advance.
In the
United States, if your university or employer does not accept credit transfer from a foreign school, it may accept credit transfer from another
U.S. university. Some North American universities may have a credit transfer agreement with the foreign institution you plan to attend. This entails registering with that university in the
U.S. while (actually) studying abroad. This type of credit transfer can be costly, because you pay tuition both abroad and at the
U.S. university issuing the credits.
An additional option is to get a transcript or certificate of attendance from the foreign school. Be aware, credit issued does not imply credit accepted. Translated this means that earning the credit does not mean that it will be accepted by an institution in your country. Each country has its own unique system of educating and measuring levels of education.
Foreign schools will NOT be familiar with your credit transfer requirements, so it is your responsibility to advise the administration when you arrive at the foreign center as to what you will need and when. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation before leaving the foreign center, so things won't get "lost in the mail." Be prepared to pay an administrative service fee for your transcript and possible photocopies of papers, tests, etc.
The key to a successful credit transfer is research and planning ahead.
Culture Shock & The Problem Of Adjustment To New Cultural Environments
(An editorial by Dr. Lalervo Oberg; Anthropologist; Health, Welfare and Housing Division; United States Operations Mission to Brazil)
I would like to make a few remarks about culture shock, a malady which afflicts most of us to some degree. We might almost call culture shock an occupational disease of many people who have been suddenly transplanted abroad.
Customs, Cues, Norms
Culture shock is precipitated by the anxiety that results from losing all familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs are the thousand and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the situations of daily life: when to shake hands and what to say when we meet people, when and how to give tips, how to give orders to servants, how to make purchases, when to accept and when to refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously and when not.
These cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions, customs, or norms are acquired by all of us in the course of growing up and are as much a part of our culture as the language we speak or the beliefs we accept. All of us depend for our peace of mind and our efficiency on hundreds of these cues, most of which are unconsciously learned.
When an individual enters a strange culture, all or most of these familiar cues are removed. He or she is like a fish out of water. No matter how broad-minded or full of good will he may be, a series of props have been knocked from under him. This is followed by a feeling of frustration and anxiety. People react to the frustration in much the same way. First they reject the environment which causes the discomfort: "the ways of the host country are bad because they make us feel bad."
For example Americans who are in a strange land get together to grouse about the host country and its people, you can be sure they are suffering from culture shock.
Another phase of culture shock is regression. The home environment suddenly assumes a tremendous importance, everything becomes irrationally glorified. All difficulties and problems are forgotten and only the good things back home are remembered. It usually takes a trip home to bring one back to reality.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of culture shock are: excessive concern over cleanliness and the feeling that what is new and strange is "dirty." This could be in relation to drinking water, food, dishes, and bedding; fear of physical contact with attendants or servants; a feeling of helplessness and a desire for dependence on long-term residents of one's own nationality; irritation over delays and other minor frustrations out of proportion to their causes; delay and outright refusal to learn the language of the host country; excessive fear of being cheated, robbed, or injured; great concern over minor pains and irruptions of the skin; and finally, that terrible longing to be back home, to be in familiar surroundings, to visit one's relatives, and, in general, to talk to people who really "make sense."
Individuals differ greatly in the degree in which culture shock affects them. Although not common, there are individuals who cannot live in foreign countries. Those who have seen people go through a serious case of culture shock and on to a satisfactory adjustment can discern steps in the process.
The Honeymoon Stage
During the first few weeks most individuals are fascinated by the new. They stay in hotels and associate with nationals who speak their language and are polite and gracious to foreigners. This honeymoon stage may last from a few days or weeks to six months depending on circumstances. If one is a very important person he or she will be taken to the show places, pampered and petted, and in a press interview will speak glowingly about progress, goodwill, and international amity. If he returns home may well write a book about his pleasant if superficial experience abroad.
But this "Cook's tour" type of mentality does not normally last if the foreign visitor remains abroad and has to seriously cope with real conditions of life. It is then that the second stage begins, characterized by a hostile and aggressive attitude towards the host country. This hostility evidently grows out of the genuine difficulty which the visitor experiences in the process of adjustment. There is maid trouble, school trouble, language trouble, house trouble, transportation trouble, shopping trouble, and the fact that people in the host country are largely indifferent to all these troubles. They help but they just don't understand your great concern over these difficulties. Therefore, they must be insensitive and unsympathetic to you and your worries. The result, "I just don't like them." You become aggressive, you band together with your fellow countrymen and criticize the host country, its ways and its people.
This criticism is not an objective appraisal but a derogatory one. Instead of trying to account for conditions as they are through an honest analysis of the actual conditions and the historical circumstances which have created them, you talk as if the difficulties you experience are more or less created by the people of the host country for your special discomfort. You take refuge in the company of your countrymen and this cocktail circuit becomes the fountainhead of emotionally charged labels knows as stereotypes. This is a peculiar kind of shorthand which caricatures the host country and its people in a negative manner.
Stereotypes
The "dollar grasping American" and the "indolent Latin American" are samples of mild forms of stereotypes. The use of stereotypes may salve the ego of someone with a severe case of culture shock but it certainly does not lead to any genuine understanding of the host country and its people. This second stage of culture shock is in a sense a crisis in the disease. If you overcome it you stay, if not, you leave before you reach the stage of a nervous breakdown.
Culture shock is lessened as the visitor succeeds in getting some knowledge of the language and begins to get around by himself. This is the beginning of his adjustment to the new cultural environment. The visitor still has difficulties but he takes a "this is my cross and I have to bear it" attitude. Usually in this stage the visitor takes a superior attitude toward people of the host country. His sense of humor begins to exert itself. Instead of criticizing he makes jokes about the people and even cracks jokes about his or her own difficulties. He or she is now on the way to recovery. And there is still the poor devil who is worse off than yourself whom you can help, which in turn gives you confidence in your ability to speak and get around.
Final adjustment
In the final stage of adjustment the visitor accepts the customs of the country as just another way of living. He can operate within the new milieu without a feeling of anxiety although there are moments of strain. Only with a complete grasp of all the cues of social intercourse will this strain disappear.
For a long time the individual will understand what the national is saying, but he is not always sure what the national means. With a complete adjustment you not only accept the foods, drinks, habits, and customs but actually begin to enjoy them. When you go back home on leave you may even take things back with you and if you leave for good you generally miss the country and the people to whom you have become accustomed.
It might be well to point out that the difficulties which the newcomer experiences are very real. If individuals come to a tropical area from a temperate one they quite often suffer from intestinal disturbances. Strange foods sometimes upset people. In
Rio, for instance, water and power shortages are very real. When these physical difficulties are added to those arising from not knowing how to communicate and the uncertainties presented by customs the consequent frustrations and anxieties are understandable.
In the course of time, an individual makes this adjustment. You do what is essential about water, food, and the other minutiae of daily life. You adapt yourself to water and power shortages and to traffic problems. In short, the environment does not change. What has changed is your attitude towards it. Somehow it no longer troubles you, you no longer project your discomforts onto the people of the host country and their ways. You get along under a new set of living conditions.
Your attitude
Another important point worth considering is the attitude of others to a person suffering from culture shock. If you are frustrated and have an aggressive attitude to the people of the host country, they will sense this hostility and in many cases respond in either a hostile manner or try to avoid you. In other words, their response moves from a preliminary phase of ingratiation to aggressive ridicule and on to avoidance.
To your own countrymen who are well adjusted you become somewhat of a problem. As you feel weak in the face of the host country people you tend to wish to increase your dependence on your fellow countrymen much more than is normal. Some will try to help you, others will try to avoid you.
The better your fellow countryman understands your condition the better he is able to help you. But the difficulty is that culture shock has not been studied carefully enough for people to help you in an organized manner and you continue to be considered a bit queer - until you adjust yourself to the new situation.
Although I am not certain, I think culture shock affects wives more than husbands. The husband has his professional duties to occupy him and his activities may not differ too much from what he has been accustomed to. The wife, on the other hand, has to operate in an environment which differs much more from the milieu in which she grew up.
A product of history
In an effort to get over culture shock, I think there is value in knowing something about the nature of culture and its relationship to the individual. In addition to living in a physical environment, an individual lives in a cultural environment consisting of manmade physical objects, social institutions, and ideas and beliefs.
An individual is not born with culture but only with the capacity to learn it and use it. There is nothing in a new born child which dictates that it should eventually speak Portuguese, English, or French, nor that he eat with a fork in his left hand rather than in the right, or use chop sticks. All these things the child has to learn. Nor are the parents responsible for the culture which they transmit to their young. The culture of any people is the product of history and is built up over time largely through processes which are, as far as the individual is concerned, beyond his awareness. It is by means of culture that the young learn to adapt themselves to the physical environment and to the people with whom they associate.
As we know, children and adolescents often experience difficulties in this process of learning and adjustment. But once learned, culture becomes a way of life, the sure, familiar, largely automatic way of getting what you want from your environment and as such it also becomes a value.
People have a way of accepting their culture as both the best and the only way of doing things. This is perfectly normal and understandable. To this attitude we give the name ethnocentrism, a belief that not only the culture but the race and nation form the center of the world.
Individuals identify themselves with their own group and its ways to the extent that any critical comment is taken as an affront to the individual as well as to the group. If you criticize my country, you are criticizing me. If you criticize me, you are criticizing my country.
Along with this attitude goes the tendency to attribute all individual peculiarities as national characteristics. For instance, if an American does something odd or antisocial in a foreign country which back home would be considered a purely individual act, it is now considered a national trait.
Instead of being censured as an individual, his country is censured. It is best to recognize that ethnocentrism is a characteristic of national groups. If a national criticizes some aspect of his own culture, the foreigner should listen but not enter into the criticism.
The study of culture
Specific cultures are products of historical development.
Brazil and the
United States, for instance, have different cultural origins and different culture histories which account for present day differences.
In this case, however, the differences are not great, both cultures being parts of Western civilization. It might be useful to recognize here that the study of culture per se is not the study of individuals. Psychology is the study of individual personality. Sociology is the study of groups and group behaviors.
The student of culture studies not human individuals but the interrelationships of culture forms like technologies, institutions, idea and belief systems. Hi is interested not so much in the study of culture as such, but its impact upon the individual under special conditions.
Common elements
Any modern nation is a complex society with corresponding variations in culture. In composition it is made up of different ethnic groups, it is stratified into classes, it is differentiated into regions, it is separated into rural and urban settlements, each having its own distinctive cultural characteristics. Yet superimposed upon these differences are the common elements of official language, institutions, and customs which knit it together to form a nation.
These facts indicate that it is not a simple matter to acquaint oneself with the culture of a nation. Similarly the culture of one's own nation is complex. It too, differs by region and class.
Americans, for instance, who go abroad in various governmental and business capacities, are usually members of the middle class and carry the values and aspirations of this class, some of which are an accent on the practical or utilitarian - work as a means to personal success, and suspicion of personal authority.
Accustomed to working in large hierarchical institutions like business corporations, governmental agencies, or scientific foundations which have a life of their own and persist in time, Americans tend to become impersonal. Individuals no matter how able are replaceable parts in these large institutions.
A lack of understanding
An objective treatment of your cultural background and that of your new environment is important in understanding culture shock. There is a great difference in knowing what is the cause of your disturbance and not knowing.
Once you realize that your trouble is due to your own lack of understanding of other people's cultural background and your own lack of the means of communication rather than the hostility of an alien environment, you also realize that you yourself can gain this understanding and these means of communication. And the sooner you do this, the sooner culture shock will disappear.
The question now arises, what can you do to get over culture shock as quickly as possible? The answer is to get to know the people of that host country. But this you cannot do with any success without knowing the language, for language is the principal symbol system of communication.
We all know that learning a new language is difficult, particularly to adults. This task alone is quite enough to cause frustration and anxiety, no matter how skillful the language teacher.
But once you begin to be able to carry on a friendly conversation with your maid, your neighbor, or to go on shopping trips alone, you not only gain confidence and a feeling of power but a whole new world of cultural meanings open up for you. You begin to find out not only what and how people do things but also what their interests are.
These interests people usually express by what they habitually talk about and how they allocate their time and money. Once you know this value or interest pattern it will be quite easy to get people to talk and to be interested in you. When we say people have no interests we usually admit the fact that we have not bothered to find out.
At times it is helpful to be a participant observer by joining the activities of the people. This could be a carnival, a religious rite, or some economic activity. Yet the visitor should never forget that he or she is an outsider and will be treated as such. He should view this participation as role playing.
Understanding the ways of the people is essential but this does not mean that you have to give up on your own. What happens is that you have developed two patterns of behavior.
The source of pain
Finally a word on what your fellow countrymen can do to help you get over culture shock. Persons suffering from culture shock feel weak in the face of conditions which appear insufferable and it is natural for them to try to lean heavily on their compatriots.
This may be irritating to the long-term resident, but he should be patient, sympathetic, and understanding. Although talking does not remove pain, a great deal is gained by having the source explained.
Some of the steps toward a cure have been indicated. With patience and understanding, we can be reasonably sure that time, the great healer, will soon set things right.
Information Worth Noting Before You Pack
Fashion vs Comfort:
In the continuing conflict of image versus comfort, most experienced travelers choose comfort.
Jewelry:
The more you leave at home, the less you will have at risk. Think about what you will need and what you will be heartbroken over if it is lost or stolen.
Footwear:
The most important item in your luggage will be your shoes. Make sure your footwear is in good condition, waterproofed (or oiled with mink oil) and well broken in. Select shoes that are sturdy, with non-slip soles. Bring along some lambs wool or bandages to prevent blisters. Plan on wearing shoes at all times since protozoa, fungi, and worms enter the body through the skin, and often through your feet. Open toed shoes and sandals aren't very functional in some areas. Bring slippers or shower shoes, etc. Some foreign homes won't allow street shoes in the house and going barefoot is really taboo! Be prepared. Bring along wool or cotton socks. Chances are you'll be doing some walking and you might find yourself changing your socks more often.
Laundry:
Most natural fabrics (cotton, denim, etc.), stand up to laundry methods around the world - but not delicate items and knits. Pack some fine washable detergent and hangers and wash some items yourself. Don't bring clothes that require dry cleaning. Choose items for their lightness and washability.
General:
Coordinate your wardrobe around one main color. Choose separates that can be mixed and matched. Scarves, belts, and costume jewelry can change your look. You may notice that women in other countries dress up more than they do in the
U.S., especially for dinner in a restaurant. Although pants are acceptable the world over, you may want to bring along at least one skirt if you expect to be eating frequently in restaurants. Dressing with dignity is key in many foreign cultures.
If you'll be traveling to a country that has altitude fluctuations or temperature extremes, plan on layering clothes (i.e. turtleneck, flannel shirt, nylon wind breaker, light t-shirt, shirt/blouse, sweater combinations). You can peel off layer-by-layer as the day warms - replacing each layer in the evening. Most countries do not have central air/heat, so you'll feel the temperature changes more.
Items the streamlined traveler often does without include pajamas and nightgowns (a t-shirt will do); bathrobe (a raincoat will serve just fine); fancy clothes and expensive jewelry.
The ideal raincoat is crushable, dark in color so that it never shows dirt and looks great on you at any given time. Raincoats that can be folded, rolled and stuffed into your suitcase or carry-on are ideal.
Bring a hat. A beret or wool hat for cold weather, a crushable hat with a visor or baseball cap for sunny climates.
The black rubber galoshes people wear over their shoes are perfect for traveling because they take up little room in your suitcase, will save you from wet, uncomfortable shoes, and are easy to tote around daily in case of a sudden rain storm.
Traveling Clothes:
You may want to wear your bulkiest outfit, suit, heavy sweater or overcoat the day of travel. Pack one more complete, coordinated set of clothes, for a total of two complete outfits. Women should not include dresses in this formula, which are less versatile than separates. Many women travelers claim that a full-skirted, comfortable dress is great for flying.
Knits are also ideal. A jogging suit is also comfortable on the plane (but carry a change of clothing in your carry-on).
People & Culture
Bargaining
One should generally expect to bargain in curiosity shops, open air/flea markets, and smaller specialty shops. There are places where the overeager tourists only make fools or nuisances of themselves in their desire to haggle with everyone (i.e., supermarkets, large stores which indicate fixed prices, and some areas of a market (the meat section where prices are standardized)). As a visitor to a foreign land, you should be aware of this. You should realize that the one cent reduction for which you bargain so cleverly is of more importance to the seller than it could be to you. In most countries, business hours for shops, stores, and businesses range from 9 A.M. to 4 or 5 P.M. with evening hours (open to 8:30 P.M. or so) only one night a week. In some countries, there are closures for several hours during midday. You will not find many things open on Sundays. Banks have even shorter hours, closing between 2-3 P.M. with no Saturday or Sunday hours. (Some major banks in Great Britain do open for limited hours on Saturday.) Post offices generally open at 9:00 A.M. and are open until 5:00 P.M.
Business Hours
In most countries, business hours for shops, stores, and businesses range from 9 A.M. to 4 or 5 P.M. with evening hours (open to 8:30 P.M. or so) only one night a week. In some countries, there are closures for several hours during midday. You will not find many things open on Sundays. Banks have even shorter hours, closing between 2-3 P.M. with no Saturday or Sunday hours. (Some major banks in Great Britain do open for limited hours on Saturday.) Post offices generally open at 9:00 A.M. and are open until 5:00 P.M.
Electricity
In Mexico and Central and South American countries, electricity is the same as in the United States, but not as reliable. Power surges are common and electric hair dryers and curling irons may blow a fuse. Electricity is also quite expensive in foreign countries, and since your host has to pay the bill, we suggest you be ultraconservative in its use. In Great Britain, the standard voltage is 240v AC. 50HZ. An adapter, or converter, is necessary to use electrical appliances in Great Britain. Virtually all of Europe is served with 220-volt, 50 cycle alternating current (compared to the US's 110-volt, alternating current). If you bring appliances from home, you'll need an adapter. Plug configurations may also vary from country to country. If you need to purchase an adapter, find an electric adapter set which holds various adapters and plug converters in a small, convenient travel case.
Time Zones
In Europe: Greenwich Mean Time: Iceland, Ireland, Great Britain and Portugal are five hours ahead of New York (EST). Central European Time: Norway, Sweden, and the bulk of the Continent, including Hungary, are six hours ahead of New York (EST). Eastern European Time: Finland, Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey are seven hours ahead of New York (EST). Most of Europe goes on Daylight Savings Time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in the September. (The U.S. DST runs from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Use of the 24 hour clock is widespread, i.e. 1:00 P.M. is 13:00 and so on to midnight, 24:00. Mexico/the Americas: The same time zones that govern the U.S. also gauge time in countries to the south of the U.S., i.e., Mexico City is in Central Standard Time; Bogota, Columbia in EST.
Telephone
In most countries, there are separate booths for making local and international calls. Local booths are quite common, but international booths may take some looking for. They're quite easy to find in large hotels, pharmacies, and some larger stores and tourist attractions. "Telephone debit cards" are becoming common in some countries (they are very popular in Japan, where most telephones can only be accessed with one). They are extremely convenient, easy to use and can be bought at hotels, newspaper stands, small shops, etc.
Mail
There isn't an address in the world that isn't on someone's mail route. Receiving mail while abroad can take anywhere from 7-30 days. You can receive mail at General Delivery (the generally used term in Europe is Poste Restante) in any city, worldwide, usually at the main post office. Mail should be addressed thus: Name, General Delivery, City, Country, Postal Code (if any). If it's important, you can always use any of the various services which guarantee overnight or second day delivery (including the post office) with a high price tag.
Tourist Information
You should be able to find tourist information booths at airline and train stations, major squares in cities, near or in the center of a city, near city hall and local government offices, around major tourist attractions, and close to some main cathedrals. Here you can find street and transit maps, basic brochures on the sights, an up-to-date calendar of what's happening, and advice on restaurants and hotels. Most tourist information centers are open normal business hours.
Toilets
Public toilets can be hard to find and toilet paper downright scarce (you'll eventually decide to carry some with you). Sometimes it's disposed in the bowl, sometimes in a waste basket and usually very little is used.
Getting Around: General Information
The first thing to realize is that virtually everything abroad will be different from your hometown. Appreciate that, take some lime to learn the "system" and you'll have fun and avoid frustration.
The school staff (and your family) can provide a wealth of information on the city and what's happening, but you need to ask them for it. Remember that they live where you're visiting - they're not taxis, translators, or tourist offices. Because of cultural differences they probably won't volunteer much, but if you ask them for the information, they will direct you where to go. Also, ask fellow students for advice and tips.
Your next stop will be the tourist offices, often operating out of City Hall, or kiosks near typical tourist sites. Find the closest one to you and make a point of visiting it. You should be able to pick up information on city bus and walking tours, local transportation, current event calendars, schedules of upcoming celebrations, brochures on the sights, tips on good restaurants, plus much more.
Consider taking a city tour that will point out places of interest, give you an idea of layout, neighborhoods and provide some background and history.
Public Transport... If you will be spending time on your own, get a map of the bus or subway lines and find out if you can purchase weekly or monthly passes. If you aren't familiar with the language yet, ask an English speaker to explain the local public transportation system to you. Certain seats on public transport may be reserved for pregnant women, war veterans, and disabled people. Usually there is a sign to indicate this. If people are standing, and there's an empty seat, don't assume they were saving it for you. Check for a sign indicating restricted use.
Cabs... Before you enter a cab, talk to the driver and size him up. Tell him where you are going and ask him to estimate the cost. If the driver will not tell you, or complains about taking you there, or looks unsavory, get another cab. Before getting into a cab, it helps to have some ideas of the best route to your destination and what the fare should be. Ask your host or hostess, hotel desk clerk, concierge, or at a tourist information booth, or look at a map. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the less likely that you will be driven out of your way. You have the right to specify the route.
Planning Your Air Travel
Traveling by air offers you a multitude of choices. With a little research and by asking the right questions when you have the airline on the phone, you should be able to find a reasonable airfare that meets with your travel schedule and study plans.
There may be many different prices for the exact same seat on an airplane. Each airfare is identified by a different code letter, i.e.: Q, L, V, B, Y, etc. Each letter code has different prices and different rules attached to it. For example, a Q fare may be a 30 days advanced purchase ticket which requires you fly Monday through Thursday, and stay a Saturday night. The guiding principle of all airfares is that the lower the fare, the more restrictions there will be, including high cancellation penalties.
Charter flights may be less expensive than regularly scheduled fares, but they can be risky, too. If you book a charter flight, make sure the company you book with has an escrow account where your money stays until your trip is completed. This will offer you some protection if the charter company goes belly up before you've returned home.
Excursion fares to
Europe might be an answer for you, but these are loaded with restrictions, one being you must purchase your ticket anywhere from 21 to 30 days prior to departure. You must usually stay a minimum of 7 days, and no more than 60 to 90 days. Plus, a safe bet is that you'll be penalized for changes made before and during your trip.
You should telephone at least three, maybe more airlines to shop around for a good fare. The best time to call an airline is usually early morning or late at night.
Write everything down - the airline, the name of the clerk, the date and time you called, the flight numbers, times and the cost. Find out if the flight is nonstop, direct, or requires a connection. If you cannot find a nonstop or direct flight, try to make your connecting flights with the same airline.
Make sure you allow yourself enough time between flights if you need to change planes. It is not advisable to book a flight with less than 45 minutes for you to disembark and find the new gate. Airport security measures can bog you down when changing planes.
Airfares are subject to change without notice, but once you pay for your ticket the airline cannot make you pay more if there is a fare increase. If the price of your ticket in the same letter class goes down you may be eligible for a refund. Changing your flights and rearranging your schedule for a slightly less airfare may be more trouble than you think, considering that change penalties may apply.
There are many good reasons to purchase your ticket with a credit card, one being that it will be easier to get a refund if your flight is canceled. American Express offers free flight and baggage insurance when you use the card to charge your airline ticket.
Many airlines allow you to get your seat assignment, boarding pass, and meal request ahead of time, some up to 90 days in advance. If you are traveling at holiday time, or at peak vacation times, having your seat assignment and boarding pass early will help save you time in checking in at the airline counter.
If you've purchased your ticket through a travel agency, try to pick up your ticket at least two weeks prior to departure. Have the travel agent secure your seat assignment and boarding pass when booking your flight.
Travel Documents
Passports: For most nationalities, a valid passport is required to travel abroad or for European countries outside of the EU.
If you don't have a passport, inquire at your main post office or courthouse for requirements on how to obtain one. Allow two months for processing. In an emergency, you may be able to get a passport within days, directly from a Passport Office (call the U.S. Government information operator for a location nearest you), or through a passport service. Visa and passport expediting agencies charge a fee. Ask your travel agent for local services.
Make several copies of your passport ID page and other travel documents and leave one copy with a relative at home and bring two copies along with you, keeping them in separate places. Once you arrive at your destination, you may want to pack your passport in a safe place and carry one of the copies along with you.
You can register your passport at your country's embassy office upon your arrival in a foreign country if you chose to do so. This greatly expedites the process if your passport is lost or stolen.
Visas: Some countries (Taiwan, Brazil, etc.) require that all visitors have a visa. Most countries only require a visa for visitors intending a stay of over 90 days. This includes all European countries. A visa may be applied for through the consulate or embassy of the country to be visited. It is an endorsement made in your passport indicating that the intended purpose of your visit is acceptable to the foreign government.
Health Inoculations: You may want to check with your local public health office or physician. Even though they are not required, they may be "recommended," especially if you are planning on traveling to remote areas.
Other Documents may be needed if:
- You are a minor (under age 18) traveling alone. For example, minors traveling to Mexico alone or with one parent need a notarized parent permission signed by both parents.
- Your passport has a different (maiden) name.
- You are taking children other than your own.
- You will be visiting countries other than the country in which you're studying; etc. Most countries require "evidence of sufficient funds for your length of stay" and a return or continuing ticket.
Please Note: Some countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your visit to that country.
It is your responsibility to have the proper documents. Verify that there has been no "document change" when you call the airlines to confirm your flight at least 72 hours before your departure.
Lodging - General Information
There are a variety of lodging options offered by schools around the world. University residences of a rather high standard are the norm in
Britain yet seldom available elsewhere. Student residences are available in some cities. Most are converted houses or hotels with a broad range of amenities. Apartments are scarce and generally quite expensive. Most schools also offer the option of tuition only whereby you get the lodging of your choice.
Joining In: Most foreign schools provide a brief homestay orientation when you check in at the school and/or are transferred to your homestay. If not, talk to your host directly and ask what's expected of you. Courtesy and common sense should be your guide. Always ask your host when you have a question.
Meals: Food and meal times will be different. Some research on your part will help you get better acquainted. If your homestay includes meals, you should expect a range of possibilities from regional specialties to family recipes to sampling local treats. It's important to be flexible, as each host may have meals scheduled around many people. Breakfast may be very early, the main meal may be at midday with a very light dinner or an earlier evening meal (akin to a continental breakfast). Adjust and enjoy. Generally, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not served with meals.
Your Room: You should attempt to keep your room clean and tidy. Make sure you dust off all including tables, dessers. Ask your host for supplies you may need. Wash cloths are seldom used abroad are frequently thin. (If that's an issue, consider bringing your own). Your host may come in and do some basic straightening up, or just weekly to change sheets. Don't leave valuables or money lying around where it can be a temptation to younger children. Items left locked in a suitcase or out-of-sight should not be a concern.
Laundry: Laundry service is rarely included. If hosts offer to do it for you, assume there is an additional cost. Sometimes it's easier to use a commercial laundry or laundromat. At commercial laundries, check costs first and ask if they separate clothes or wash everything in the bag together.
Keys: Most families will provide you with a front door key. This means you should be able to come and go as you please, within reason. You will be responsible for your key and if you lose it you will be charged for changing the locks and making extra keys. Always lock (avoid slamming) doors when leaving.
Telephone Service: Please do not ask to make long distance calls from your host's home. Check with your host to see if you may give their number to your family and friends, but they should only call you in an emergency. In some foreign countries, local calls are "time charged," which means that charges could be incurred even on incoming calls. Ask before making outgoing calls. Be brief and (if applicable) be prepared to reimburse metering charges. In some areas, there is a surcharge on collect calls and a hefty tax on long distance calls, sometimes exceeding 100%!
Guests: Please do not bring guests to your foreign home unless first checking with your host, as it infringes on the family's privacy. Never plan on taking guests of the opposite sex to your room.
Absences: If you will not be home for a meal, are planning on staying out late, or are going away on a day-trip with an overnight, please let your hosts know. Your family is concerned about your well-being and may worry about you.
Friendship: As each family is different, each student undergoes a different homestay experience. Usually friendly, enthusiastic students tend to create a friendly, positive atmosphere. In these cases, families often include students in social activities, family outings, etc.
Gifts: A small gift such as chocolate, ice cream, or a dessert to share at dinner always makes a nice gesture towards your family. If you have a good relationship, you might volunteer to wash dishes or cook a special meal. Some past participants suggest bringing a small present from home - hard candy, music cassettes, unusual local spices, lighters, etc. with logos of sports teams, pictures of your home, hometown, etc. (pictures make good conversation openers). Fresh flowers from the local market, or inviting your family to a movie or cafe can also be a welcome "thank you."
Generalities are problematic, especially when discussing homes which are all unique. However, to generalize... Homestays in smaller towns, less wealthy countries, and for longer stays tend to foster more personal relationships (tend to feel less commercial). Approaching homestays in a friendly, cooperative spirit significantly improves their outcome (like most things in life!). The more traditional the society, the greater likelihood of having extended family members and children in the household (and within countries traditional values tend to be stronger in towns than cities).
Arrival Times: Try to arrive at the host home during daylight - and definitely plan on being there before 9:00 P.M. Either before departure, enroute, or upon arrival at the destination airport, telephone the home to make sure someone will be there when you arrive (not at the store, on an errand, or out for the evening). If you're delayed enroute, contact them (or the emergency number for the school, if applicable) and advise your family of your new estimated time of arrival.
Payments: It is best to avoid discussing financing with hosts. For virtually all programs, your housing payment goes to the school and from there to the family. If there are misunderstandings, talk to the housing coordinator at the school.
Do not loan money or make investments. Families do not refund missed meals or weekends out of town. Appreciate that food and utilities generally cost more abroad than at home and foreign hosts are paid relatively little. Most participants recognize this and are prepared to accept local norms, conserve on utilities, and eat what the hosts eat. Be prepared to buy a few things on your own (some participants comment on getting different brands of soap, toilet paper, or a higher watt light bulb).
Conserving energy is high priority in most countries. Lights don't burn in rooms that aren't being used, air conditioning and central heating are rare (most rooms have individual heaters), and quick showers are the norm (not long, hot baths). Many areas are subject to water shortages. Some sewage systems are antiquated (resulting in toilet paper going in a dispenser, not down the bowl). Electric rates are often indexed (a little increase produces a whopping bill). Observe the different realities and adjust accordingly. Exercising conservation and consideration of these amenities abroad will be appreciated by your foreign host family.
Express an interest in the family and culture, and the family will extend themselves as much as possible to make you a member of the household. Making yourself familiar with the foreign customs and adapting yourself to their lifestyle and culture will help bridge the cultural gap between you and your hosts.
Occasionally students have complained that they had little contact with their family. Most foreign cultures have a great deal of respect for the liberties of all persons, and some families may be unsure if they are "bothering" students by trying to converse with them.
It is not reasonable that your hosts be expected to change their lifestyle or their daily routine during your visit.
Financial Planning
When preparing a budget for your learning vacation abroad, use your budget at home as a guide - and then prepare for things to cost even more than you expect. Do some research on costs and seek out someone who has knowledge of day-to-day costs in the country you'll be visiting. Remember that at least for the first few weeks you may not know where to find the "best" value and you shouldn't let this stress you out.
Start with the trip costs you know, i.e., airfare, tuition, housing, etc. Then make a list of things you know you'll need additional money for. Include estimates for local and regional transportation (bus fare to/from school, plus just getting around), meals outside of the home, books and materials (required or optional) at the school, sightseeing and entertainment, laundry and clothing purchases, souvenirs, phone calls, snacks, tips, newspapers, beverages, airport taxes, medical expenses, and emergency money.
Finally, list the costs of items you may need to purchase before you leave. This category is the easiest to budget, because making sensible purchases prior to departure may leave you more money to spend on things you want abroad.
Don't buy a new travel wardrobe or new luggage (unless you need it). You're not going on vacation . . . you're going to a foreign country to live and learn with the people, so you'll want to dress appropriately and blend in. Fancy clothes and expensive luggage may target you for crime. Only buy things that will add to your comfort.
Your "Emergency" budgetary amount should be substantial and flexible. If all goes well and you don't dip into it, you can either spend it lavishly on yourself, or save it for next time. It should be based on the fact that something can go wrong and you should be prepared for it. This could mean you need it for an emergency night's lodging, a medical bill, something to wear if your luggage gets lost, or anything else that could and might happen.
Sitting down with your personal banker and discussing your plans to travel abroad may be smartest thing you do. By planning ahead, both for enjoyment and emergencies, you'll travel with a lighter conscience and have a great trip. Your personal banker should be able to answer almost every financial question you may have, covering a wide spectrum of topics: conversion and exchange rates, traveler's checks, using your ATM card abroad, credit card use, wiring funds, amenities provided by credit cards and various traveler's checks, and much more. They may even be able to set up a plan of action for a financial emergency. If something does happen, a long distance phone call to your banker could set the plan in motion for you and you'll be better off.
Research Checklist
As a foreigner in another country, you might feel more comfortable if you research the following subjects, keeping in mind the city, region, and country you'll be visiting. One more thing to keep in mind is your gender, as custom and courtesy relate differently between men and women in most foreign countries.
1. Forms of greeting and gestures
2. Courtesy, general attitudes
3. Eating in the home and at restaurants (meal times, table manners, typical diet, etc.)
4. Local dress
5. Population of the city and country
6. Religion
7. The family structure including views on dating and marriage
8. Customs
9. Social and economic levels
10. Work hours and hours of doing business
11. Art, craft, dance, music, theater, etc.
12. Local, regional, and religious holidays
13. Forms of recreation, sports
14. Land, climate, weather
15. Past and present relations with the United States
16. History
17. Current government
18. Economy, the value of a U.S. dollar, exchange rates, etc.
19. Education
20. Transportation
21. Tipping and other forms of compensation
反对签定《马关条约》，提出迁都抗日，请求变法，史称“公车上书”(古时中国朝廷用车马接送到京城考试的读书人，后来人们就用“公车”作为到京城考试的举人的代称)。
217、《辛丑条约》是八国联军攻占北京后强迫清廷订立的丧权辱国条约。1901年(辛丑年)7月由清廷与英、美、意、西、荷、比等十一个国家的代表在北京签订（左图）。
232、辛亥革命后，孙中山又领导了反对袁世凯的二次革命、护国运动、护法运动。 
生纱厂以及盐业、榨油、面粉、冶铁、轮船等企业，形成大生资本集团，并创办了10多所学校。 
273、1931年9月18日深夜，日本关东军炸毁中国东北沈阳北郊的一段铁路，反称是中国军队破坏，并以此为借口，占领了沈阳城，这就是著名的“九·一八事变”（左图）。此后不久，东北三省100多万平方公里土地全部沦于日军之手，东北3000万同胞受尽欺凌，流离失所。
313、1979年1月1日，中美正式建立外交关系。在两国建交联合公报中，美国承认中华人民共和国是中国的唯一合法政府，台湾是中国的一部分。左图为邓小平访美。 
1987年12月长城被列入《世界遗产名录》。 
汉代继续对长城进行修建。从文帝到宣帝，修成了一条西起大宛贰师城，东至黑龙江北岸，全长近一万公里，古丝绸之路有一半的路程就沿着这条长城，是历史上最长的长城。 到了明代，为了防御鞑靼、瓦刺族的侵扰，从没间断过长城的修建，从洪武至万历，其间经过20次大规模的修建，筑起了一条西起甘肃的嘉峪关，东到辽东虎山，全长6350公里的边墙。（但据报道，1990年一个徒步走完长城全长的中国人的计步器显示的是6700公里。） 
Scientific Name: Cuminum cyminum