Travel Abroad Tips & Advice

There are so many study abroad options to choose from.  For an enriched experience, students study abroad for a summer, a full semester, or even a year. Students select from a broad range of honors-level courses that provide intellectual challenge and global awareness.  Study abroad programs must be at an accredited institution of higher education and offer courses for university credit that will transfer to a home campus.

Or better yet, Macaulay Global offers special immersive study abroad experiences specially tailored for Macaulay students.

Explore the following questions to begin narrowing down which program(s) would best fit your needs:

  • Are you interested in attending a CUNY program or outside of CUNY?
  • Are you looking for a short-term experience or a full-semester program?
  • What region of the world would you like to visit?
  • Are you looking to apply these credits to your degree requirements or can they be elective credits?
  • What subjects interest you? Do you want to explore a new discipline?
  • Are you looking for language immersion?
  • Would you be more comfortable living in a dorm, homestay (with a host family), or hotel during your studies?
  • Can your health and dietary needs (if any) be met in the country you visit?
  • Do the cultural experiences offered by the program excite you?
  • How much time will you have to explore the city/country on your own?
  • Apply for or renew your passport well in advance of your departure date. For US citizens, go to the US Passports & International Travel
  • Review the U.S. Department of State for country information and travel warnings to regions you are considering visiting.
  • Many countries require a visa or tourist card – review the Entry, Exist & Visa requirements on the country information page.
  • US Citizens/Nationals enroll in the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) before departing from the U.S. STEP provides the latest updates on travel warnings, and travel alerts, and registers your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • If you are purchasing your airfare on your own: the name on your ticket MUST match your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
  • Speak with your physician about your travel plans and required vaccinations. Some medicines require you to take them before, during, and after travel abroad.
  • Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health.
  • Review Health and Safety While Traveling.
  • Before departure travel insurance is required, please check with your Study Abroad Office for more details.
  • Inform the Program Director of any chronic or temporary illnesses. Bring a supply of daily medications you may need.
  • Research the currency used in the study abroad country by going to the worldatlas. It would be best to determine whether cash or credit is the primary payment method.
  • Use a currency converter to determine how much your US dollars will be valued in different currencies.
  • Consider exchanging some of your currency in NYC at Travelex, or Uno Forex Foreign exchange rates. The fees charged for exchanging money vary so choose the one that gives you the most for your money.
  • Explore the cheapest way for you to communicate while abroad. This could mean buying a phone card, SIM card, texting, or emailing.
  • When arriving at your destination, remember to call, text, or email your family and friends to let them know you have arrived safely.
  • Find out if you need a travel adapter or converter to use appliances or electronic devices abroad.
  • Make a list of your daily necessities (toothpaste, soap, etc.) from when you wake up to when you go to bed. Everyday toiletries may not be available in the country you are visiting or may be sold at an inflated price.
  • Check the weather conditions for the area you will be traveling to so that you can pack the appropriate footwear and clothing,
  • Bring the familiar with you – pack snacks– energy bars, teas, or packets of your favorite coffee.
  • Research the cuisine available in the region you will be visiting. Be sure to pack (canned/dry) food if you have special dietary preferences not readily available in your travel city.
  • Review the airline baggage policies, restrictions, and fees (if any). Don’t get stuck with overweight bag fees.
  • Provide your family/friends with the location of your accommodations and the emergency contact of the Program Director.
  • When possible never travel alone while abroad (especially at night!)– travel in pairs or groups. A lone traveler may be seen as more vulnerable than someone traveling with a buddy/group.
  • No matter the legal drinking age avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while abroad; remember you are serving as an ambassador of Macaulay, CUNY, and the United States. Under the influence of alcohol, you may behave in ways that are out of character and/or unintentionally end up in a situation that is a health or safety risk.
  • Read the Title IX Guidelines When Abroad: A Student Guide
  • Read CUNY’s Drug and Alcohol Policy
  • You must submit a CUNY Travel Waiver for international activities to your home campus study abroad office.