UTSA Pre-departure for Graduate Students Abroad

1. Graduate Students
Pre-Departure Orientation
UTSA Education Abroad Services

2. Welcome
We understand that many graduate students have more diverse travel
experience than the typical undergraduate student.
This online orientation and assessment was built as an option for our graduate
students. You may take this option instead of attending the in-person pre-
departure orientation.
You must pass the orientation assessment within the study abroad portal with
100%. You may take the assessment five times.
If you do not complete this assessment AND pass with 100%, you must
schedule an in-person orientation with Education Abroad Services.

3. A Pre-Departure To-Do List
 Arrange for Power of Attorney for the person handling
your affairs in your absence
 Make sure someone you trust can access your social
media accounts in case of an emergency
 Complete a federal student loan application for next
year, if applicable
 Register online with the State Department STEP
Program
 Determine closest medical facilities to your research
locations
 Determine contact information for U.S. Consulate or
embassy closest to you

4. Register Your Items
Register personal items before your departure to avoid potentially
paying duty when you return. Learn more at https://help.cbp.gov.
This includes cameras, laptops, special equipment, and other
expensive items you think might be charged a duty when you return.
9800 Airport Blvd
Room 1103
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 821-6965

5. Quick Financial Aid Reminders
• Submit your budget form
• Complete your FAFSA
• Check your Banner ASAP
account to review and
accept your awards
• Turn in any requested or
missing documents
• Set up direct deposit and
remove any holds
• Check Hazelwood
Exemption (Veterans)
• Check disbursement dates
for the term(s) of your
program

6. HEALTH
While Abroad

7. Pre-departure Health Reminders
 Consult with your physician several months prior to departure.
 Plan to have enough of your prescriptions and medication available
or accessible through local pharmacies.
 Complete required immunizations.
 Have a dental examination and complete necessary work.
 Have an eye exam. Take your contacts or glasses with you and
obtain a copy of your prescription.
 Take a first-aid course.
 Find out your blood type and other personal health information.
 Prepare a personal health record for your wallet or use the health
information option on your cell phone.

8. Travel Health Kit
1. Manage current medical conditions
– 60-90+ days of prescription medication
– Copies of prescriptions
– Physician note for controlled substances (research
the country to verify the substance is allowable) &
injectables (check airline restrictions; check Embassy
or Consulate restrictions)
– Hand-carried at all times
– Additional contact lenses/ prescription glasses &
sunglasses
– Medical Alert bracelet

9. Stay Healthy
2. Illness Prevention
– Destination related (antimalarial)
– Prevention/treatment of altitude sickness
– Prevention/treatment of motion sickness
– Insect repellant
– Sunscreen
– Antibacterial wipes/solutions
– Condoms (Latex vs. Sheep’s Skin) (male vs. female)
– Water-based lubricant
– Water purification tablets
– Carry water bottle with you at all times; stay hydrated

10. Don’t Ignore Symptoms
3. Treating minor health problems
– Fever/pain reducers
– GI issues (stomach meds/traveler’s diarrhea)
– Upper respiratory problems
(antihistamines/decongestants/cough meds)
– Allergy medications/treatments (Epi-pen)
– Needles and syringes (diabetes)
– Basic first aid

11. During Your Study Abroad
Experience
• Environmental hazards
– Insect bites (mosquitos, ticks, tsetse fly, bed bugs, etc.)
– International road hazards
– Fish or seafood poisoning
– Food and water safety
– Water safety (swimming & diving)

12. Zika
Alert-Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
Medical information:
What is the Zika virus? What are
the symptoms?
Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to a group of
viruses called flaviviruses. Like dengue,
people are infected through mosquito
bites. There is growing evidence that
the virus might be linked to neurological
complications and birth defects.
How can it be prevented?
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika, so
it is important to prevent mosquito bites.

13. International SOS
www.internationalsos.com
Always Call ISOS first for:
• Medical Issues & Inquiries
• for help identifying nearby medical
support
• Medical Emergencies
• for immediate response and support
• Security Questions and/or Travel
Emergencies
• for any uncertainty about travel
safety risks on-site and off

14. Minor Medical Issues
What to remember:
• Contact ISOS…
• if you have questions about your
symptoms
• if you need help finding nearby medical
service providers/facilities
Medical services less than $500:
• After payment, file a simple claim
• 100% compensation for covered services
• Instructions available on UT Study Abroad
Overseas Insurance Webpage
Medical services more than $500:
• Contact ISOS directly for payment
• Immediately receive the services you need
without paying any money
Medical coverage does NOT include:
…expenses for any loss, treatment or services
resulting from:
• Skiing (snow-, water, jet-)
• Off-road motorcycling
• Scuba diving
• White-water rafting
• Surfing
• Automobile racing
• Bungee jumping
• Sky Diving
• Parasailing
• Spelunking
• Mountain climbing (technical)
• Any medical expenses while in U.S.
• Routine dental work abroad
Do your homework and understand your policy [https://utstudyabroad.myahpcare.com/]

15. Upon Your Return
• Follow up with medical provider for a post-trip general
exam
– Including screening for STDs if applicable
• Seek Immediate Attention if you
– Develop flu-like symptoms
– New symptoms of cough, fever, rash, etc.
– Persistent symptoms (especially diarrheal symptoms)
upon return
• Injuries sustained during trip require re-evaluation and
treatment

16. SAFETY
While Abroad

17. International SOS
Complete post-acceptance in studyabroad.utsa.edu
Our study abroad
portal now sends
your travel
information to
International SOS.
Log into International SOS app or website
Confirm that your
travel data is correct.
Practice using the
International SOS
interface to find
security and health
updates.
Travel changes?
Update through
International SOS
website or app.
Email Education
Abroad Services, so
we are aware of any
changes.

18. Use Your Network
Prepare Your Healthcare Checklist and Read WHO briefings.
Register with Embassies - STEP
Read State Department Briefings.

19. General Safety Information
• Do research to understand cultural norms.
• Know what is normal and not normal in your
surroundings.
• Ask for directions at your hotel or a trusted research
partner.
• Ask if there are any areas you should avoid.
• Only carry with you the cash you will need.
• Carry a map with you at all times.
• Have emergency phone numbers and contact numbers
with you at all times.
• Use the buddy system. Do not go places alone.

20. Risk Reduction Strategies
• Know a few important phrases in the local language.
– (“Where is the police station?”)
• Don’t go out after midnight or after local curfew.
• Don’t be alone at night or high crime areas.
• Don’t be under the influence of alcohol in public.
• Avoid public demonstrations.
• Be cautious when handling money.
• Avoid scam artists and pickpockets.
• Social media:
– Learn the laws pertaining to the web and social media for the countries
you will visit.
– Be aware that some countries may limit access or read/censor content.

21. Tips to Remember
• Make copies of your passport and important documents
before going abroad. Leave a copy at home with a
trusted individual and have another copy with you in safe
place away from the original.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with your support system.
• Discuss safety and emergency contact procedures with
your support system.
• Get a telephone card.
• Check with U.S. Consulate: See Country Information
Sheets www.travel.state.gov.
• Register with STEP.
• Record credit card, passport, health insurance,
telephone numbers somewhere safe.

22. Protecting Your Passport
• Keep it accessible while in transit
– Passport theft is increasing.
– If you must carry your passport with you,
keep it in a hidden pouch in/under your clothes.
– If your passport is lost or stolen, immediately report it to
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
– Make copies, leave one with a family member, carry one
with you.
– Education Abroad Services also has a copy of your
information page, if you need a scan.

23. Prevent Identity Theft and Fraud
Call your bank, credit card and cell phone company to notify them of your travel plans.

24. Cyber Crime and Identity Theft
• Protect your social security number, credit card numbers,
bank account numbers, and passwords.
• Shred all financial documents and paperwork containing
personal information.
• Don’t give out personal information via phone or
computer unless you know who you are dealing with.
• If you are a victim of ID Theft
– Place a Fraud Alert of your credit report
– Close accounts
– File a police report
– Report the theft to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission:
• 1-877-ID-Theft

25. Arrests Abroad
• Laws of the host country apply
• Know the laws, rules, regulations of countries visiting
– You are NOT protected by U.S. Constitution overseas
• Ask to contact the nearest embassy or consulate
representing your country.
– As a citizen of another country, you have this right.
• Stay calm. Do not do anything that may provoke the
arresting officer(s).
• Do not admit anything or volunteer any information.
• Do not sign anything. Decline politely until such time as
the document is examined by an attorney or an
embassy/consulate representative.

26. Be aware that when you
post on social media
you may be taking a significant risk.
Students have been jailed for posting
information that would have been held
harmless in the U.S.

27. Stay Safe
Caution and awareness of your surroundings is your best protection.
Terrorist acts are random and unpredictable.
• Watch for packages or backpacks that seem abandoned.
• Be aware of what you say to strangers.
• Look for people who are acting strangely.
• Leave an area if you feel unsafe.
• If you are in an event, call International SOS; ISOS will call UTSA.
Kidnappings can happen. Ransoms are not unusual in some countries.
• Stay calm.
• Be passively cooperative. Do not argue.
• Make low-key requests.
• If you do get a chance to contact someone, contact International SOS.
The Red Cross offers strategies for how to prepare and survive
terror incidents at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/terrorism

28. Role of U.S. Embassy or Consulate
• Emergency Resources
– Lost and Stolen Passports
– Medical Emergencies
– Victims of Crime
– Arrest and Detention
– Missing Persons and Contacting Loved
Ones
– Death Abroad
– Natural Disasters
• Know your consular officer
– Ask for contact information before
you leave the U.S.
– Keep that phone number on you at
all times.

29. COUNSELING SERVICES
While Abroad

30. Cross-Cultural Adjustment Cycle
W-Curve, Gullahorn & Gullahorn, 1963
Accessed from https://www.uwsuper.edu/fye/parents/upload/W-Curve.pdf

31. Coping Strategies
• Keep active and stay positive.
• Make new friends.
• Learn about the new culture.
• Exercise.
• Find community activities, if you have time.
• Keep working on language skills.
• Be patient with yourself – take care of
yourself.
• Draw on your own personal resources for
handling stress. You have done it many
times before and you can do it again!

32. You Are Not Alone
– UTSA Counseling Services can be called in
at any time on the crisis line (24/7) for
distress (210-458-4140). You can talk to a
counselor if you need someone.
– UTSA Counseling also can facilitate finding a
local provider who is covered by insurance,
as many countries have licensed providers.

33. RESOURCES

34. Phone Numbers
• International SOS
1-215-942-8226
• UTSA Counseling Services
210-458-4140 (office) / 210-458-4140 (24-hour line)
• UTSA Police Department
210-458-4242
• Office of International Programs
210-458-7204
• Your Department Chair or Thesis Adviser

35. Financial Aid Contact Information
Financial Aid & Enrollment Services
Financialaid@utsa.edu
or 210-458-8000
Khanh Nguyen
Student Financial Aid Office II
Khanh.Nguyen@utsa.edu
Gabriel Mendiola
Associate Director of Financial Aid
gabriel.mendiola@utsa.edu

36. Websites
• CDC Travel Website
– wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
• International SOS
– https://www.internationalsos.com/en
• U.S. State Department Website
– http://www.state.gov
• Consulate Website
– http://travel.state.gov/content/studentabroad
• OSAC
– https://www.osac.gov/Pages/Home.aspx

37. Thank you for your time!
Send us pictures via email or social media.
We love to see what you’re up to!
#RoadrunnersAbroad #utsa
utsa_studyabroad
UTSAEducationAbroadServices
@UTSA