| COUNTRY
TRAVEL TIPS: A B C D
E-F G-H-I-J K
L M-N-O-P Q R
S T-U W-X-Y-Z |
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DOCUMENTS: • If
U.S. permanent resident, but citizen of other
country, need passport and U.S. Residence Card
to board the plane. • Technically a student
visa is required but the university in Argentina
made special arrangements for us due to the restrictive
costs. • Photocopy passport to carry with
you, secure original at home in Argentina. Along
with
your passport, don't forget to fill out and bring
the declaration care to the customs desk.
AIR TRAVEL: • Airline
ticket pricey, but once there exchange
rate balanced out the costs.
ARRIVAL: • Upon
arrival, if taking a taxi or anytime,
make sure you check for a taxi badge
and ask how much they will charge. Also
make sure there is a meter and it is
turned on. • Ask for a taxi at the counter
outside the airport terminal in Buenos
Aires, and do not accept oral invitations.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Know
where you will be going; taxi drivers
will drive in circles. • Bus travel
is extremely nice.
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AUSTRALIA
|
Pre
departure Guide provided by Australia
Education International. From
26 April 2008, all student visas will be
granted with work
rights attached. This will remove the need
for the majority of international students
to make a separate application for a student
visa with permission to work in Australia.
This will reduce red-tape for student visa
holders. While student visa holders will
have work rights automatically included
in their visa
grant, the work conditions themselves will
not change. Students will still have the
same work rights as before - where they
are allowed to work up to 20 hours per
week while
their course is in session, excluding any
work undertaken as a registered part of
their course. Students will be restricted
from
undertaking work until they have commenced
their course in Australia. |
|
DOCUMENTS: To
accommodate the new permission to work arrangements,
the Student Visa Application Charge will increase
by A$20 to A$450 from 26 April 2008. Mandatory
medical insurance costs 175AUD through world
care for 6 months.
AIR TRAVEL: • Quantas
is the best. • Make
sure bags are the correct weight
or you will be charged (International
allowance is different form Australian
domestic allowance). • Take
credit card since you get better
exchange rates, easily accepted,
better than traveler's checks.
LOCAL
TRAVEL: • Melbourne has efficient
public transportation, and you can take uses, trains,
airplanes, or rent a car for travel in country. • Always
keep your passport and copy of visa with you when
traveling. • While traveling in the country,
find alternatives modes of identification other
than passport (photocopy signed by justice, local
ID). • Always have a color copy (or 2) of
your passport and your TRN# (visa). • Be
prepared for the massive size of the country. •
Lots of good public transport.
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AUSTRIA
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PACKING: • Bring
enough clothing since there it is designer and
expensive.
AIR TRAVEL: • Leave plenty of time between flights to
Vienna; one was too close and I missed my plane in London.
ARRIVAL: • Have
a map of the general area and know how
to ask basic questions in German. • When
arriving in Vienna make sure to get a map
of the transportation systems and a night
bus schedule.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • ...
buy a Wochenkarte ( you can purchase them from
the Tabak [these cigar shops are everywhere])
or if you come near the beginning of the month
then buy a Monatkarte. Just go to the Tabak
store and say (Bitte, eine Wochenkarte). With
this card (12.5 Euros) you can travel on all
public transportation systems. If you don't
have one and ride the rails you might get asked
to show the card and will be given a ticket
for 62 Euros or so. You will probably use the
Strassenbahn locally and the U-bahn (underground
subway) everywhere else mostly; there is also
a S-Bahn (Schnell).
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DOCUMENTS: • Don't
bring in a vehicle since the paperwork is extreme. • Have
papers, bank statements, letters from host and
home institutions for visa.• Immigration
in Belize only stamps passport for 30 day stay
(tourist visa) then we had to renew at $25 each
month we stayed extra.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Belize
City does not have an extensive public transport
system. Try to find accommodations close to
city center if you plan on living there. Surrounding
towns in Belize are more pleasant. •• Don't
rent a car which costs too much.
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BOLIVIA
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DOCUMENTS: • Bolivia
has a 3 month visitor period and a $25 fee on
your way out of the country. Students need a
student visa if attending a university.
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BRAZIL
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DOCUMENTS: • When
acquiring visa, make sure which one is needed.
If told by the language school to get a tourist
visa, fill out the paper work accordingly. Don't
tell them you will be studying because tourists
cannot study.
AIR TRAVEL: • Avoid
Priceline and American Airlines; expensive
and not cooperative. • Flight is
long, expect delays, so take snacks to
eat on the plane. • Use Student
Universe and got a good deal on the flight.
Make sure to use one that is flexible
and allows changes on return flights
because many students will want to extend
their stay.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Don’t
take the bus or the metro at night too dangerous.
Take a taxi, and when you take a taxi make
sure that the meter is working. • Traffic
is horrible so give yourself lots of time for
travel.
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DOCUMENTS: • Deal
with immigration well before you depart. Get
a student visa even if it is not required. • They
did a background check and ran my record. any
felony is not allowed to enter Canada.
AIR TRAVEL: • Don't
fly into Sudbury (Laurentian University).
Fly into Toronto and take the bus to Sudbury.
It will save you about $200 round trip.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Distance
to points of interest in Canada are far.
Bring own vehicle or seek out students
interested in sharing a rental for the
weekend.
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| CHILE |
If
studying
at a university for more than 90 days, need
a student visa. Send
the Chilean Consulate a copy of passport, financial
proof, HIV test results, 4 passport photos, and
a background check. Appear at the consulate in
Houston
in person and pay $100 to get a student visa. |
AIR
TRAVEL: • Don't fly United,
or plan on big delays. •• Be careful
if traveling in January or February, since
this is the summer traveling season in Chile
(higher costs, so book tickets early).
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Be prepared
to pay up to $35 per month in transportation
fees to get to school.
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| CHINA |
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AIR
TRAVEL: • Approximately 14 hour
trip by air, can leave via west or east coast
of U.S.
DOCUMENTS: •
Arrange visa with Houston contact that Dr. Hammond
has. • Make
sure to check early with Chinese Consulate in
LA about
visa requirements, including the type of health
examination that is required (if not sufficient,
will have to get another in China). • Take
along a Chinese phrase book whenever and wherever
traveling in China. • Need to know some
Chinese to get around.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Trains
are often packed with people however if you buy
a more expensive ticket you will get a seat.
Trains are becoming faster and more convenient.
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| COSTA
RICA |
*Student
visa not required to travel to Costa Rica for short-term
language study. Instead you will obtain a tourist
stamp at port of entry. |
PACKING: • Don't
over pack, since laundry can be done frequently,
and you will regret carrying all the extra baggage.
.• You find lots of stuff there that you
think you can’t like toiletries and stuff
like that! • Dressy clothes are not needed. • It
is possible to buy American products. Bring rain
resistant coat and/or an umbrella. • Summer
is rainy season, so need umbrella and rain coat. • Bring
layers of clothing because days warm, nights
cool.
AIR TRAVEL: • Take a group flight if available. It saved
me money and I got to fly back home with my friends. • Air
travel is different from the U.S. and planes not always on schedule and
airports of lower quality. • Drove to Phoenix airport to save about
$150 per person on airfare, but next time I would opt for flying from
El Paso and paying more. • During rainy season, do not take flights that
arrive after 6 p.m., because it rains and fog rolls in and flights are
diverted to other countries.
ARRIVAL: • Arrive at least a day early. • Claim
self as tourist.
DOCUMENTS: • Make
a copy of the date of entry stamp as
well as the passport.
LOCAL
TRAVEL: • Use Grayline and
interbus, but get bus numbers beforehand.
Sometimes flying is cheaper. • Make
sure to have ride home from side trip
destination, since they will just drop
you off. • You feel much safer
when you are traveling with people
from CPI who know where they are going. • Take
Lonely Planet guide for bus schedules. • Be
aware that buses break down. Be
aware also that if buses are full or
close to full, they won't always stop
to pick up more passengers. • Public
bus system cheaper than taxis, but
if going as a group, cheaper to take
a "pirata" taxi. • Use
official taxis and never believe them
when they say that a certain hotel
is full and they suggest another-this
is a scam. • Ask cab drivers
if they have seat belts, and if not,
take another cab. • Always determine
price before taking a taxi. • Make
sure taxis set the meter and once you
figure out where you are going that
they don't drive around. • Be
prepared to walk a lot so get good
walking shoes. • Don't rent a
car--roads not well kept. • Road
and sidewalk conditions are poor. • Watch
out for traffic and stay back. • Ticans
drive crazy, so be careful.
BANKING: Bank of COST Rica only takes AMEX traveler's checks,
and Banco Nacional is picky about signatures looking the same. • Traveler's
checks not widely accepted and bank lines are long. ATMs: • Not
all ATM cards are accepted, and expect to pay international fees. • Have
multiple cards (credit, debit) and even some traveler's checks. • Exchange
larger sums to reduce cost of taxes and service fees. • Visa card
seems to work best.
DEPARTURE: • Be prepared
to pay exit tax before departing Costa Rica.
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| ECUADOR |
|
DOCUMENTS: • make
sure passport is stamped for number of days needed. •
Didn't need a visa for a stay of less than 90
days.
DEPARTURE: • Don't
forget that to leave Ecuador you have to pay
a departure tax. • No one ever has change
in Ecuador. Big bills will do you absolutely
no good. • It is also difficult to use
travelers’ checks in Ecuador. Take plenty
of small bills. • No one takes traveler's
checks. • When traveling to other cities
away from host site, take your passport. • If
you suffer from motion sickness don’t forget
a preventative for boat and bus trips. • Learn
the bus routes and take taxis after 9:30 p.m
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| FINLAND |
*Students required
to have a Student Residence Permit, essentially
a Visa lasting for the duration
of studies. The permit cost about $80, including
postage fees.You apply through the Finish Consulate
in Los Angeles, who reviews the application, then
sends it to Finland for the consulate there to
accept it. After about a month, you receive all
the important
documents and the Visa stamp with an up-to-date
photo located within your passport. |
PACKING: • Pack
for clothing layers in the winter and light clothes
for summer.
AIR TRAVEL: • Is longer than expected due to plane delays.
ARRIVAL: Turku: • Somewhat expensive to get to ports of
departure from Finland which makes it somewhat more difficult to travel
to other cities and countries.
DOCUMENTS: • Passports and visas are checked at
all borders.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Trains and buses are usually very
punctual.
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| FRANCE |
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DOCUMENTS: • Lyon
recommends all students get the visa with intent
to obtain a carte de sejour (even if for only
a semester). Make sure students know their visa
doesn't allow travel outside France (except to "non-Schengen" countries).
Go to prefecture and get your carte de sejour
ordered asap. • Make sure all university
documents received before submitting application
for visa. A lot of confusion related to travel
restrictions in European Union with the Schengen
student visa and the "carte de sejour." • Notarized
letter proving one has housing in France not
required to obtain the student visa. • Take
good care of your passport.• Make sure
to have all your documents. • The French
Consulate web site said a notarized letter proving
that housing had been arranged was required,
but it wasn't. • Need to know which are
Schlagen (European Union) countries to use student
visa (Switzerland is not one).
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Great
transportation service for entire country.
Youth cards available for 50 Euro that gives
25-50% discount on train tickets. • Don't
rely on Paris Shuttle. • Trains can be
late and will change platforms. • Can
be difficult to travel on the metro. • Buy
rail pass (prior to departure) and get ISIC
card from STA Travel (offers many discounts).
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| GERMANY |
*Student
visa not required by U.S, citizens to travel
to Germany, and U.S. citizens may reside in
Germany for 3 months without one. Non-U.S. citizens
need
a visa and processing can be lengthy and complicated. ...need
to file for a student residency permit within
90 days of arrival in Germany at the local city offices. |
|
DOCUMENTS: • University
should have you sign up for a student visa (residency
permit) at orientation,
then about month
later you go to government office to pick it
up. • Have your passport with you and use
your credit card to pay for stuff. • ...
need visa to return to Germany if you leave.
AIR TRAVEL: STA
Travel or Student Universe often
cheapest place to find tickets
to Germany. Buy
round-trip ticket and change date
later-cheaper than buying one-way
tickets.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: • Take good walking shoes. • Learn
the train system intimately and use your semester ticket in conjunction
with weekend or Bavarian tickets to travel. • Instead of buying
on line, buy train tickets at the counter, and reserve a seat on the
train (find by looking for number on car, and seat number). • Buy
your Eurail train pass through Student Universe and stay in dorm room
at hostels to meet people when traveling in Germany. • Bikes are
popular for getting around.• Bahn Card 50 is used within Germany
with 50% off all train tickets, 25% off Austrian and Swiss tickets, one
time fee of 100 Euros, but it you travel a lot within Germany, definitely
worth it (do this in lieu of buying Eurail).• Good public transportation. Würzburg: • City
tram and buses are free for students.
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| GUATEMALA |
|
• Obtain
basic knowledge before you go of what to wear,
medicine to take because one should expect to
get sick, and just understanding the conditions
of living in Guatemala. • There is a fee
to exit the airport. • Take copy of passport
with you at all times. • Get used to inefficiencies
and waiting for rides. • Take the first
taxi offered. • Prepare to be picked up
at the airport. Many hotels are very good about
picking people up at the airport. • Take
the local buses--they are dirty and cramped,
but they are cheap and the police don't stop
them. • Go on excursions that are cheap
but allow you to see all the country. • Transportation
is not efficient, but just be patient.
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| INDIA |
|
| • Air
India is a horrible airline. |
| IRELAND |
|
• When
entering the country bring a letter of acceptance
from the program.
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| ITALY |
May
have to travel to LA to obtain student visa. |
| • Don't
buy a railroad pass for traveling by train. Utilize
the travel agent in town (Cartona) for each ticket. |
| JAPAN |
A student
visa is required as well as a valid passport.
The Consulate General of Japan in Denver accepts
visa applications in person Monday through Friday
or visa applications can be submitted by mail to
this Consulate if you live in Colorado, Wyoming,
New Mexico, or Utah. All necessary documents
can be sent
to this office including one passport-size photograph
taken within the last 6 months and a round-trip or
through air ticket with the confirmed dates of arrival
and departure in Japan. There is no fee for U.S.
citiizens. |
AIR
TRAVEL: • Try
to sleep on the plane. • Traveling is more
expensive than anyone will tell you. • Flight is
12 hours.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Chukyo: Buy
a subway pass, which is much cheaper than buying individual
tickers. Beppu: • Price
for the bus from APU to downtown Beppu is about $5
one way, so it can get expensive to go downtown. Tokyo: • Be
sure to buy a Passmo or Suica card to save lots money
traveling on the subway; school will provide
you info. |
| KOREA |
In
addition to obtaining a student visa, students
will have to obtain an alien registration cared
in country (not difficult, but annoying)> |
DOCUMENTS: • Always
carry your Korean Alien Registration Card, even
when leaving Korea. To travel to China from Korea,
need to buy a visa from a travel agent and pay
over $100.
AIR
TRAVEL: • Travel to Asia, including
Korea, is expensive. Trip is long, so get up
and stretch.
LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION: • Watch out for black
or unmarked taxis since they charge more than one should
pay. Bus and train schedules on line not reliable,
but calling for schedule usually is. Easy to travel
except on public holidays. |
| MEXICO |
A
student who is studying in Mexico for longer
than 6 months
requires a student visa
and must go to the National Immigration Institute
and prove that they are enrolled in a Mexican school
and that they have enough money to fund their stay
in Mexico. For a student studying in Mexico for
less than 6 months can go under a tourist visa.
A tourist
visa can be obtained from any Mexican consulate
after entering Mexico. The requirements include
a passport
with minimum 6 months' validity, an application
form, a passport size photo, original return
ticket, and
proof of funds to survive for the stay. The price
is around $42.00. |
DOCUMENTS: •
MEXICO CUSTOMS EASY TO GET THROUGH, BUT IT IS
IMPORTANT TO KEEP UP WITH THE CUSTOMS DECLARATION
FORM THEY GIVE YOU ON ARRIVAL. IT WAIVES YOUR
EXIT TAX IF YOU HAVE IT FOR DEPARTURE. • Mexican
nationals going as students do not need a
visa • Must
register with immigration after arrival for
an exchange, can cost $50-60, easier to do yourself
than have the school do it • Get passport
2 months prior to leaving. • Have
immigration papers stamped before taking
a plane, because
sometimes the immigration staff is not available
and you end up having to pay a fee. • IF
YOU HAVE A VISA BE SURE TO TURN IT IN AT
A MEXICAN BORDER STATION, AND HAVE YOUR PASSPORT
STAMPED
WITH THE DATE, OR YOU WILL BE FINED. • Make
sure to pay the bank the tourist visa fee
to avoid
being
caught up at the border for non-payment • Have
copies of all paperwork and ask questions
if you need help. • Just
make sure to have a tourist visa because
they do ask for it on your way back to the
U.S. • Get
your tourist card early. • A month
or more is a safe amount of time to receive
a student visa. • Make
sure you carry a folder with all of your
important documents. • Having a passport
(not just a birth certificate) makes everything
easier. • Keep
passport and the tourist card in a safe place
at all times. • Make legible copies
of passport and driver's license instead
of carrying originals.
PACKING: General: • Take
toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you. • Dress
in layers (winter travel) if taking the bus. Zacatecas: • Travel
light, be courteous. • Bring warm clothing
for winter travel. • Tennis shoes are
a necessity! Cuernavaca: • Take
an umbrella, a wide variety of clothes, etc.
AIR
TRAVEL: General: • More comfortable than
bus, but more expensive. • Cheaper to buy tickets in and
to fly from Juarez, but get tickets early, since flights fill quickly. Guanajuato: • Fly
to Leon (not Mexico City). Leon to Guanajuato is only about 40
km ($30 taxi ride). Zacatecas: • Flying to Zacatecas
convenient, not too expensive. • Checked
airline reservations more closely. • Take Azteca airlines
to Zacatecas. • If you lose your ticket, they may refuse
to give you a new ticket unless you pay full price again. Cuernavaca: Flying
into Mexico City is easy, although a lot of construction at the
airport. May spend from half hour to two and one-half hours in
customs and immigration. Monterrey: Make
sure ticket dates are correct. Plan before buying tickets.
BUS TRAVEL: General: •
In Cuernavaca, get a student ID because
all bus rides to cities outside of Cuernavaca
have a discount of 50%. • cost
higher than expected. • don't
take bus across the border with
Mexico, since customs takes forever.
Just walk. • If
going by bus to site in Mexico,
go with a partner. • bring
enough cash for taxi, buses, etc., • Arrive
early in Juarez to take bus, since
need up to 2 hours to cross bridge
from El
Paso • Juarez buses leave
every hour, and even direct routes
are slow • Bus
drivers will not know English, so
know some Spanish. Zacatecas: Know
where bus from Juarez is going. • Glad
we took the 4 pm Omni bus instead
of 7:40, since it was more direct. • Ride
long, but inexpensive. • 4
pm bus was the fastest (14 versus
20 hours
for the later buses).. • Direct
bus seems to be OMNI. • Travel
at night because the drive is 15
hours long. • Take snacks
and water on the bus. • Not
all bus stations have ATMs and many
don't accept credit
cards. • Cannot pay for the
bus tickets or exchange money in
El Paso
with a credit card. • Make
sure to get the direct bus, not
the ones that stop everywhere. •
Annoying films played on bus until
late at night, and buses are cold
so bring sweaters or blankets.
ARRIVAL: I
was happy the school shuttle was their waiting
for me.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Don't
trust taxi drivers • carry small bills/change for paying taxis • don't
expect taxi drivers to know specific addresses, so get good directions
before leaving • Zacatecas: • Be prepared
to walk a lot. Taxis are inexpensive, but ask for price before
entering
taxi. • Don’t
pay more than 20 pesos for a taxi. • Don't be afraid to bargain
with taxi drivers. • $3 from bus station to city, $1-2 around
the city for a taxi. • Take taxis after 9 p.m. Cuernavaca: • Look
into busing when traveling alone, but look into renting a car if 4
people or more, and avoid travel agencies. • Only take the
taxis recommended by the school . Oaxaca: • Ride
in groups (or walk together), especially at night. • Keep
an open mind about the buses; they turned out to be my favorite
mode of transportation. It beats walking and is cheaper than a
taxi.
SPECIAL CAUTIONS: Zacatecas: • Beware of mobile
money changers! • Don't carry a lot of money.• Travel with
a lot of small bills and coins. • Financial Aid arrangements did
not occur as arranged. Bring a personal check in case your ATM card doesn’t
work.
RETURNING TO U.S. • Be prepared for a long
wait at the U.S. customs in El Paso. Coming back by taxi can take
2 hours due to their having to use the bus lanes. Private car would
take less time. Taxi from Juarez to El Paso is $55.00 (summer 2007). |
| NETHERLANDS |
|
DOCUMENTS: • Resident
permit cost 430 Euros!
LOCAL
TRAVEL: Nijmegen: • Learn the train
system quickly and buy a discounted train pass
to save up to 40% on travel in the Netherlands.
ARRIVAL: Utrecht: Needed
directions to place of residence and location of
university and orientation office prior to arrival. Gronigen: Contact
ISEP coordinator prior to departure for information
about location of living arrangements.
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| NEW
ZEALAND |
|
DOCUMENTS: • Apply
early for visa. Had to resend mine twice to have
it checked due to problems with application.
LOCAL
TRAVEL: Auckland: • Rent a car at budget
place and find someone who knows the area and ask them
about it. |
| PERU |
|
AIR
TRAVEL: • Air travel is different
from the U.S., not always on schedule and airports
of lower quality.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Traffic
and transportation are difficult, with low
regard for safety and pedestrians.
|
| SOUTH
AFRICA |
|
| DOCUMENTS: •Keep
passport in accessible place and be careful not
to have it stolen or lost. |
| SPAIN |
Don't
need a visa if going less than 90 days;
must have student visa for programs of more than
90 days. |
DOCUMENTS: • NMSU
STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF STATE OF RESIDENCY,
MAY PROCESS THEIR STUDENT VISA AT THE HOUSTON
CONSULATE. • Get
student visa for sufficient time so that
it does not expire while in Spain. • Visa
expensive and takes time to get one.•• Visa
may be renewed in country at extra cost. • Travel
with a copy of your passport and keep
it in a safe place.
AIR TRAVEL: • Try to book air ticket with a European
airline to save money. • Buy
your tickets early and apply for a Euro
pass before you leave if you want to travel extensively
while your are there. • The baggage claim for international
flights in Malága is
at the far end • Try not to take a taxi
from the Madrid airport
to the train station. Take the metro if you have time. • Fly
into Malaga. It’s much easier to access Ronda from there. • Airport
security is tight. Fly direct to Spain, then connect
to final destination. • Might
be cheaper to fly to London or some other city in another country,
then to fly to Spain using discount carriers such as Ryanair
(but may be difficult
if carrying a lot of luggage since their weight allowance is
lower--30kilo max.). Sevilla: • Take
direct flight to Sevilla, to avoid travel problems, especially
if carrying heavy luggage. • Baggage
claim at Sevilla crazy, have to be assertive to get luggage. • Remember
the flight is long to Madrid, and the airport big, so know where
you are going upon arrival.
ARRIVAL: •
Can be confusing when
arriving by air in Madrid
to find
the train and bus station
from the airport. • Need
to find out about local
weather and characteristics
of the
city before leaving. • Be
prepared to speak
basic Spanish phrases
as
soon as you arrive
so you can find trains,
take taxies, ask
for directions. • Europe
very expensive. • Make
sure you confirm
who is picking you
up at
the bus
station
in Ronda and exactly
when. • Remember
that after arriving
in Spain, you will
still
have to travel
to your site, so
anticipate the time
involved,
the cost of taxis,
busses,
trains,
restaurants, and
perhaps overnight
lodging. Ronda: • Be
careful upon arriving
what you pay for
taxis.
LOCAL TRAVEL: Transportation in Spain is great. Tons
of choices (slow trains, fast trains, buses, for all budgets. • Use
the train instead of busses. They are better and cost the same. • Plan
ahead if traveling. We tried to wing it, but when we arrived
at the
train
station,
bus station
, and airport,
everything was booked. We had to spend the night in the airport
and ended missing our bus. • Use
tourist information desk for help since they speak English and
are helpful. • Public
transportation great, some free discount cards for train tickets,
also can rent
cars cheaply. • Understand
that spontaneous travel may be difficult since trains
and busses need advanced reservations. Travel in country
is easy and cheap. • Buy Let's
Go to Spain and Portugal on a Budget for
tons of information. • Bus
and train service in Southern Spain reliable, fairly inexpensive,
must less stressful than renting a car for travel. • Travel
by plane easier and cheaper. • Ryan Air sounds cheap for
travel, but it can be inconvenient and watch for hidden costs. Andalucia: • Trains
may be cheaper but a lot more hectic. • Become
familiar with the province you will be going to. Bus and train
are easy and cheaper than taxis. Malága: Buy
a bus card.
BANKING: • US dollar traveler's
checks hard to exchange for Euros, and expensive.
Get Euro traveler's checks, or use ATMs. |
| SWEDEN |
To
obtain the
residence permit needed to study abroad
in Sweden,
you need to submit 2 application forms, a national
passport, 2 passport photos, 2 copies of an acceptance
letter, 2 documents proving health insurance coverage,
2 documents proving the existence of sufficient
funds, 2 copies of a letter outline plans after
finishing
program, application fee, and return postage. All
this information should be sent to the Consulate
General in Sweden in New York, NY. The application
fee is $155 not including the price of return postage
and passport photos. |
DOCUMENTS: • Leave
adequate time to obtain visa and residence permit.
AIR
TRAVEL: • Travel to Sweden reasonable,
but more costly getting to site of study. Fly
to Stockholm or Oslo, Norway, then finish journey
by train.
ARRIVAL: Karlstad: • Be prepared
to answer 20 questions regarding entry and reason. Örebro: • When
you arrive in Arlanda, you must take an "air
train" to the real train station. From there
you take a train to Örebro and "fadders" (international
group) picked me up for about 180 kronors (about
U.S. $30).
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Buses great.
• Train travel simple. |
| SWITZERLAND |
|
VISAS: Swiss
consulate will require proof of fair amount
of money in bank at time of application. If you
are anticipating getting paid or receiving financial
aid checks, wait until those come in to start
the process if you have time.
AIR TRAVEL: Expensive
to fly to Switzerland. Might consider flying
into other airports then traveling by land.
LOCAL TRAVEL: Swiss have
a 50% discount for residents and for those
under 25 train travel after 7 p.m. is free.
|
| THAILAND |
|
| ARRIVAL: • I
recommend showing up when the university is open
so they can pick you up. I figured it out on my
own, but it would have been nice to have help. |
| UK |
Helpful
UK information from the British
Council: |
PACKING: •
Pack light! Stay under 50 lbs or you will pay extra,
and you need to leave room to bring back souvenirs.• Pack
rain gear since it rains a lot.
LOCAL TRAVEL: • Don't buy
the weekly tube pass in London, instead buy the
monthly
one even if you travel on mini break.• Trains
in the UK go everywhere, so find the cheapest connection
and go from there • Book travel for weekends
as soon as you arrive. • Obtain information
early on bus systems, rail lines (and times),
and amount of luggage allowed. Also, carry a
lot of
small change since they sometimes do not give
change. • They drive on the other side of the
road, so be
careful when crossing a road to look both ways.
BANKING: • Do not exchange
money at airport, best to withdraw from ATM. • Be
aware of the currency value of pound when compared
to American currency. |
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