Pre-Departure Self-Orientation Worksheet

Finding the answers to these questions will take time and work. Start your research as soon as possible and use all of your resources: study abroad orientations, past program participants, your study abroad advisor, the internet, campus and local libraries, guidebooks, and other links on this website.

Registration and Classes

• What school will you be attending?
• When does the academic term begin?
• When do classes start?
• When do classes end?
• When are final exams scheduled and when are final papers due?
• How do you register at Concordia University Irvine for your term abroad?
• How will you get the courses you want to take abroad approved for Concordia University Irvine credit?
• If you decide to take different classes once you’re abroad, how do you get them approved for Concordia University Irvine credit?

Money

• How much will your program cost?
• How will you pay for it?
• If you will be applying for financial aid, have you taken a budget to the Financial Aid Office?
• How much money will you take?
• In what form will you take the money? (Ex: U.S. or foreign currency, traveler’s checks, credit cards)
• How will you carry your money?
• How will you get additional money if needed?

Medical Issues

• What health risks are present in your host country?
• Do you need to get inoculations before you leave? (Check the Centers for Disease Control.)
• Will you need any prescription medications while you are abroad?
• If yes, do you have enough of the medications to last you the entire time abroad?
• Will your insurance cover any instances directly or will you need to get reimbursed?
• Who will you contact if you have questions regarding insurance while abroad?
• If you wear eyeglasses or contacts, do you know your prescription?
• Can you take an extra pair of glasses with you?

Host Institution and Country

• Where would you like to visit while you are abroad? (i.e., adjacent countries, different parts of your host country)
• Will you need any other visas where you want to travel?
• If so, how will you get the visas?
• Do you have a guidebook about your host country? If not, consider investing in one (e.g. Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Let’s Go).

Packing

• What specifically will you pack? (Create a list and then revise if needed.)
• Could you carry this luggage by yourself if you needed to walk 10 blocks with it?
• Should you take appliances, or can you buy them overseas?
• If you are taking appliances, do you have the appropriate converters for the country?

Staying in Touch

• How will your parents and friends contact you?
• Do they know your phone number and how to dial it?
• Do you have the phone numbers/e-mail addresses you will need or want during your time abroad?