Handbook

Travel

International Flight Arrangements

With the deregulation of the airline industry, there are no longer any easy solutions to getting the cheapest and most convenient tickets. There are many options, each having its advantages and disadvantages. Often there are tradeoffs between flexibility, convenience, certainty of flight, and low cost. Those students with tight schedules will have different needs and priorities than those with the freedom and flexibility to take advantage of some of the best deals around.

Stand-by - Unless you want to pay a substantially higher price, you won't be able simply to buy a ticket, show up any day you feel like flying, and travel for as long as you like. Until recently, such whims could be indulged by going "stand-by" but stand-by gradually is being phased out, and most airlines no longer offer that option. Check with individual airlines to be sure.

APEX Fares - Low cost APEX (advanced purchased, excursion) fares are available through regularly scheduled airlines such as TWA and American. To qualify for APEX fares, you must purchase your ticket well in advance of your departure. Advantages of APEX fares include guaranteed flights in both directions at a guaranteed price and the flexibility to fly into one city and leave from another. However, there are usually stiff cancellation and change of date penalties, so be absolutely sure of your plans before purchasing an APEX fare. Also keep in mind that these fares are not the cheapest available.

Charters - Charters are organized companies, which rent space on planes owned by the regular airlines. They tend to be cheaper than APEX but generally have more restrictions on departure dates, length of stay, and destinations. Their penalties for cancellation and rescheduling are usually steeper than APEX as well. Keep in mind that charters often depart from East Coast cities such as New York and thus take on an additional fee for the flight from the Midwest to the East Coast. Compare prices and consider arranging that leg of the trip yourself. Also, charter companies often do not provide specifics as to what airline you will be flying or the exact route of the flight. A company to try: Council Charter (1 800 223 7402).

Student Fares - Probably the best bet for students is the student discount offered by travel companies such as STA Travel. This and other student travel agencies require international proof of student status, generally the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). They issue student discounted tickets on regular scheduled major airlines. They offer fares from most U.S. Cities to destinations worldwide. Prices vary tremendously depending on departure time, destination and airline.

Another place you should start would be the student travel websites. These companies cater to the student traveler, and can sometimes provide you with discounted fares that the airlines don't advertise. The major student travel specialist on-line is STA Travel.

No one organization is universally less expensive than another, so be sure to call around to compare available fares and explore all your options.

Using the Web for Travel - Here is a list of web sites that might help you with any travel arrangements you need to make. Many of the on-line travel sites offer e-mail subscriptions to their newsletters detailing special fares offered only through their web sites.

CheapStudent.com is a company located right here in Missouri which offers student discounts on airline tickets in the US and abroad.

Expedia is a travel site on the Microsoft Network. This is a great site because it can search multiple airlines, or you can select a particular carrier if you have a preference. Expedia is a good place to start looking for the best deal on airfares and other travel arrangements.

To truly get the most out of the Internet travel deals you must subscribe to specific airlines' newsletters. Some offer services where you can input your destination, and it will automatically let you know when fares have been lowered on that route. Others will tell you of all their current deals and you have to sift through them yourself.

Once you have gotten to your destination and want to do a little exploring, there are quite a few options available. In Europe, the most convenient way to travel is by train. Council travel has a great web page devoted to European rail passes and you can select one that will best suit your needs. One thing to keep in mind is that some student rail passes are available only in the U.S. so you have to buy one before you leave.

Another option would be the student ticket packages offered by many airlines around the world. These mostly apply to travel within the airline's home country, and are sometimes standby, but the price is usually very good.

The Internet can be a great resource for planning other types of transportation as well. One web site that encompasses a variety of transportation information is: www.routesinternational.com - This site has information on bus, rail, and subway routes in thousands of cities worldwide. If you only have a limited time when you get to your destination, you can find the best route to the sites you want to see beforehand. This can save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent at the information booths.

When making travel arrangements at home or abroad, always make sure to tell the agent you are a student and ask if any discounted fares are available. This is especially important outside the U.S. where student discounts are more common. A good place on the Web to find out about discounts in Europe is the European Travel Network homepage at: www.etn.nl. This site has thousands of links to sites involving travel in and around Europe.

Other Useful Airfare Tips -

• Reserve flights as early as possible to take advantages of advanced purchased fares.
• Watch for specifications, restrictions, and cancellation penalties.
• Consider trip cancellation insurance if you have any doubts as to your plans.
• Try to travel during low season for the best fares. Keep high season cut-off dates in mind when making plans (approx. 15 June to 15 Aug)
• Consider "open-jaw" flights into one city and out of another. If you will be doing a lot of traveling once you arrive, it might save you considerable on-land travel time and expense to arrange a return flight from a different city.
• If you are considering buying an open-ended return flight, BE SURE to book a return date as soon as possible. You will have trouble getting a seat in the busy travel season at the end of the term when so many others are flying. Also, some countries may not let you have an open-ended ticket for immigration purposes. They want to know that you will actually be leaving. Check on the immigration policies of your destination.

Travel Agents - We encourage you to shop around when working with travel agents. Columbia has several reputable companies, or you might choose an agent from home with whom you or your family has previously worked. One agency here in town that is particularly student-friendly is Canterbury and Tiger Travel, at 27 S. Tenth St., Suite 201, (573) 443-1625.

Luggage

Generally speaking, most airlines operating international flights will permit you to check through two pieces of luggage whose total external dimensions do not exceed 106 inches (length + width + depth of both pieces added together) with the larger piece not exceeding 62 inches. Again generally luggage whose external dimensions do not exceed a total of 45 inches. There may be some exceptions to this general rule, and some airlines might still be quite particular about weight limitations; the airline or your travel agent should be able to inform you of the latest policies affecting luggage limitations.

Excess luggage can become very expensive!

Mark all luggage, inside and out, with your name and address. If you have an itinerary, put a copy inside each bag. Keep a list of what is in each bag and carry the list with your other documents. Mark your bags in some distinctive way (suggestion: brightly-colored luggage tag) so they are easily found. Count your pieces of luggage each time you move! Try to travel light, it's safer and easier!

Tips for Securing Valuables During Travel

• Don't carry everything in one place!
• Never pack essential documents, medicines (anything you could not do without) in your luggage. Put them in your carry-on bag or money belt/pouch.
• Never carry a large amount of cash. Try using a necklace pouch or a money belt (worn under clothing) to carry your cash.
• Take only the credit card you will use on the trip. Keep a separate list of cards, numbers and emergency replacement procedures and phone numbers. Note: "800" numbers cannot always be dialed from a foreign country (unless you are using an American calling credit card). Find out from your credit card agencies before you go what their emergency number is.
• Since it may be necessary to contact your insurance agent while you are abroad, keep the agent's name and telephone number, as well as your policy number, with you in a safe place.
• Take all the medicine you need for the trip. Take a copy of the prescription, with the generic name of the drug. Keep your medicines in their original pharmacy containers. Take extra glasses or contact lenses and the prescription for lenses, in case of loss.
• Carry with you, separate from your passport, two extra passport photos, passport number, date and place issued, a photocopy of your passport and visa, and a certified, non photocopied copy of your birth certificate or an expired passport. If your passport is lost, report it to local police, get written confirmation of the report, and take the above documents to the nearest United States Consulate and apply for a new passport. Leave a photocopy of your passport and visa at home just in case you may need to have copies sent to you in order to expedite the processing of a new passport and visa.
• Make a copy of your ticket, or keep a list of the ticket numbers, all flights included and the name and address of the issuing agency, and keep them separate from your ticket.
• Have three lists of your traveler's cheque numbers. Leave one at home, carry one with the cheques and carry one separately from the cheques. Keep two lists up to date as you cash cheques and keep the receipts for cheques separate from cheques.
• If you are carrying a laptop, do not call attention to it with a fancy case. Instead put it inside of your carry-on. Keep in mind that there might be customs regulations in the U.S. and abroad that apply to computers, expensive electronic and photographic equipment. It is a good idea to check with alumni of the program to find out if you really need to take your laptop. Consider purchasing special insurance for these types of electronic devices.

Packing Tips

Pack lightly. Remember that you need to take everything back you brought over plus all of the things that you will collect while you are there. If you're planning on buying some new clothes before you leave, wait! Take the money with you and buy them in your host country. Although our fashion styles may appear similar, your style will be distinctly American. This is not necessarily a negative thing, however, you may feel more comfortable if you are able to blend in a little.

When packing, remember that you will be responsible for carrying your entire luggage. You may not be able to fly directly into final destination, which means you will have to take trains, busses, metros, taxis, etc. This can be difficult enough without the added burden of several large suitcases. A large backpack is a great tool for keeping your hands free and carrying your stuff through airports and subway stations, for both your initial journey as well as for other travels you may pursue, so you might want to consider investing in one. The backpack, along with a small carry on bag, is a good combination.

Don't bring books. Books are heavy to carry and expensive to ship, so aside from a good travel guide and dictionary, you probably won't need any books until arrival.

Prepare for the weather of the host country. Does it rain a lot? Will there be snow? Do you need a heavy coat? Layering your clothes is the best tip a traveler can give you. This gives you variety to your wardrobe and will keep you comfortable in all climates. Good shoes are also essential for most countries, since you will be walking more than you ever have.

Bring mementos from home. You might want to bring a few photos and some favorite recipes from home for those homesick moments and to share with your new friends. While you are studying abroad to learn about a new culture, there's nothing wrong with sharing your own. Some of it you might want to give away to your new friends at the end of your trip (i.e. posters, postcard, T shirts).

Here is a suggested packing list:

• sturdy clothes that can be layered
• jacket or coat
• comfortable walking shoes
• slippers
• language dictionary (if applicable)
• money pouch
• sunglasses
• contact lens solution
• swimsuit
• battery-operated alarm clock
• Swiss Army knife
• plenty of film (can be expensive outside the US)
• wash and dry towlettes
• journal

Jet Lag

Try to relax and save energy on your long flights. You have probably heard of "jet lag" which is as much a physical as a psychological phenomenon. Your body, through long years of habit, has become acclimatized to functioning in accordance with its own physiological clock based on a particular daily cycle. When you arrive at your study abroad location, the clock is going to be automatically out of sync with the local cycle because of the time difference. If you are arriving in Luxembourg at noon, for example, your body, which still is functioning in accordance with the cycle to which it was accustomed to in the CST zone, will be telling you that it is just about time to wake up, while the sun outside your aircraft window will be telling you that the day is half over. It will take your body a few days to adjust (some bodies take longer than others), during which time you can expect to feel quite tired and run down. This fatigue, in conjunction with the strange surroundings, customs, and language, may produce a temporary sense of depression and "homesickness." Be prepared for that during the first couple of days: it is a perfectly normal reaction.

Departure/Arrival

Schedule your initial flight to arrive in the morning or early afternoon. Remember that arrival procedures, including customs can take a bit of time. By arriving early, you will be giving yourself enough time to find food and accommodations or to get to your final destination before it gets dark and shops close down for the day. Do not agree to look after packages or suitcases for anyone. Do not leave your own bags unattended at any time.

Stepping Off The Plane

Get yourself some water or better yet -- always carry bottled water with you, and get a bite to eat. This will help ease your mind and body of the culture shock some airports induce.

Remember this is the time to calm down and not get frazzled. Pay attention to the location of your passport and visa documents. Put them away in your neck pouch right away after going through customs and immigration.

Get the address of your destination before you leave the US, just in case your contact person doesn't meet you at the airport. This is also where local currency can be extremely helpful. A taxi may cost you more than it should, but this is to be expected in a foreign country where you haven't yet learned the "rules". Make sure you get a taxi or van service from the official airport fleet. Often there are booths that sell passes. If uncertain, check with airport information desk attendant.

Airports, bus and train stations are notorious for pickpockets and scam artists. Be alert, be firm. Do not agree to carry things for others especially through border areas as it may be contraband. Be prepared to pay for visas and other fees. Look your best when going through customs and passport checkpoints. Make sure you are not carrying anything considered illegal in the countries you are visiting. Check the customs regulations for the country prior to departure by contacting the appropriate consulate or embassy. Many travel guides list this information as well. Likewise, read all posted signs at the border crossings. Some border crossings require proof of vaccinations, which may not be a requirement when traveling by plane.

Rail Passes

Combining convenience with inexpensive rates, perhaps the most widely used form of transportation abroad is the railroad. For those who are familiar with rail travel in the U.S., travel by rail overseas will be a most pleasant surprise.

Information and application for rail passes can be obtained from your travel agent. Please note that these passes cannot be replaced in case of loss or theft and are therefore the equivalent of cash in your possession. It should be noted that these passes can only be purchased in the U.S., so you will have to obtain the one you want before departure or else have someone purchase it later on your behalf and forward it to you be registered mail. The passes are personal and non-transferable and will be forfeited if presented by anyone other than the person to whom they were issued. Presentation of your passport is compulsory when making use of the pass. Passes do not guarantee you a seat; some trains require seat reservations for a nominal fee.

Unless you plan to do a great deal of travel by rail, a rail pass might not be your best investment. You might find it more economical to purchase one-way or return (round-trip) student fares. Several rails passes may be cashed in if they are never used; if they have been validated even once, however, they cannot be refunded. Consult your travel agent for details.

Tours

Although some commercial tours may prove to be rewarding experiences, generally speaking they should be avoided. After a little experience getting around overseas, most students find that they can fulfill their own travel objectives adequately without the assistance of professional tour services and at much lower costs.

Driving Abroad

If you are planning to travel by road (bus or car) please note that cheaper is not always better. Don't pinch pennies and put yourself in danger. It is important to ask the locals about the bus companies' record and road conditions. It is particularly dangerous to be on the road at night.

Even in the U.S. night driving is several times more dangerous than day driving. Remember that if you are traveling through remote areas, the infrastructure, speed and availability of help may be extremely poor. Renting cars and motorbikes can be grounds for dismissal from many programs.

Information concerning the International Driving Permit can be obtained from the American Automobiles Association, National headquarters, 8111 Gatehouse Road, Fall Church, Virginia 22042. The AAA can tell you which countries require such a permit (many countries will recognize a valid U.S. Driver's license) and can also process your application.

Hostels

For students planning to travel extensively abroad, the cost of hotel accommodations can be prohibitive. If you are willing to forego the comforts of a hotel and accept certain inconveniences of low-cost hostels, you can save a great deal of money. A youth hostel, for example, can be anything from a remodeled villa to a log cabin with extremely inexpensive overnight rates. Restrictions vary from one hostel to another: some of them, for example, impose curfews, some require that you provide your own bed sheets, some have strict check in and check out time, etc. Many of the youth hostels will require you have an International Youth Identity Pass before you can avail yourself of their low cost accommodations. International Youth Hostel Federation offices are located in major cities and passes can be purchased from them. Or, you may apply for the pass through the Council on International Exchange, 205 E. 42Nd Street, New York NY 10017; or American Youth Hostels, National Office P.O. Box 37613, Room 804, Washington DC 20013 7613, 202/783 6161. The International Youth Hostel Handbook, Volume 1 and 2, a publication that lists locations. Facilities, and telephone numbers for all International Youth Federation hostels around the globe, can be purchased from one of the American Youth Hostel offices.

Biking

Bicycle touring overseas is a very enjoyable experience. While cycling, it is much easier to see small towns and beautiful countryside. Biking is popular among Europeans, so most Europeans countries are ready to accommodate the casual day-biker as well as the person planning to pedal for most of his/her trip abroad. Mopeds and Scooters are more popular in Asia.

For informal day biking, you will find bicycles are available for rent all over Europe and parts of Asia. Train stations in big cities and many smaller towns have bicycles for rent that you can pick up and drop off along your route. Check with local tourist offices and train station information desks to find out where bicycle rental shops are located.

Travel Smart

Prior to leaving your program site for travel, develop an itinerary and leave it with your program office director and with your designated emergency. Inform people of your plans. When making plans, keep in mind that it is best to save pleasure travel for after you have acclimated to being in the region and are more fluent in the language.

Always travel with a friend and share a room since hotel/hostel safety may be an issue in some places, especially if you are a woman (but also for men). Falling asleep in public spaces inside buses or trains will also be safer if you have a buddy to take turns being vigilant over not just possessions but also your person. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.