Table of Contents

Introduction (words of wisdom) 9

I. Getting a Grip on the Basics
1. Why should I study abroad? 13
2. What if I'm not in college yet? 15
3. What kind of credit can I get? 20
4. How will it fit into my college degree? 23
5. Will study abroad delay graduation? 25
6. Do I need to know a foreign language? 26
7. Isn't study abroad just for rich kids? 28
8. Can I get financial assistance? 30
9. What if it just costs too much? 41
10. When and for how long can I go? 42
11. Is study abroad safe? 43

II. Narrowing Down the Options
12. When should I get started? 49
13. What are my program options? 50
14. Where do I search for programs? 53
15. What if I have special circumstances? 56
a. Strong Religion
b. Graduate Student
c. Partner and/or Kids
d. Minority
e. Disability
f. Nontraditional
g. Dietary Restrictions
h. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered
16. How should I select a program? 68
17. What if I want to do an internship? 76
18. Am I finally ready to apply? 81
19. What if the deadline has passed? 82
20. How can I get a dual/joint degree? 84

III. Preparing for your Trip
21. I was accepted, now what? 89
22. What about passport and visa? 95
23. What about my health? 98
24. What about my safety? 101
25. What should I know about flights? 105
26. Do I need an International ID? 109
27. What about insurance coverage? 110
28. What and how should I pack? 116
29. How much money should I bring? 123
30. What else should I know? 126
31. What should I do before takeoff? 134
32. What should I expect on the way? 135

IV. Being Healthy and Safe
33. What is jet lag and how do I cope? 139
34. Where do I get medical assistance? 140
35. What about road safety? 143
36. What about emergencies? 144
37. What if I get robbed? 147
38. What about STDs and HIV/AIDS? 148
39. Is sexual harassment a concern? 149
40. What if I run into legal problems? 152
41. How can I use my embassy/consulate? 153

V. Managing your Money and Life
42. How can I save money? 157
43. How should I access my money? 159
44. Where should I keep my money? 160
45. How can I protect my money? 161
46. Can I work while studying abroad? 164
47. What if I run out of money? 166
48. What about income or sales taxes? 168
49. Can I travel without much money? 170
50. How should I plan my time? 172
51. Can my friends and relatives visit? 175

VI. Living in another Country
52. What exactly is culture? 179
53. How will I adapt/adjust? 183
54. How do I recognize differences? 189
55. What about my classes? 193
56. What about housing? 195
57. How do I get around? 196
58. How about time and measurement? 200
59. What about food and drink? 204
60. What about bathrooms? 205
61. What about toiletries and laundry? 206
62. What about cell phones and internet? 207
63. How does snail mail work? 211
64. What about markets and bargaining? 213

VII. Getting along with the Locals
65. What are the unspoken rules? 219
66. How should I handle stereotypes? 221
67. What about anti-American sentiment? 225
68. What about prejudice among locals? 227
69. What about unwanted attention? 228
70. What about gender issues? 230
71. How will we communicate? 232
72. Can I really learn the language? 234
73. What about my host family? 236
74. How do I meet people, make friends? 237
75. What about friendship and dating? 239
76. What if I fall in love with a local? 242
77. What about alcohol and drugs? 244
78. What's happening to me? 246

VIII. Maximizing your Trip: Top Secrets
79. What should I overcome? 251
80. What should I seek? 253
81. How can I learn the most? 254
82. Should I keep a journal or blog? 256
83. How can I connect with people? 259
84. What is there to gain? 261
85. What is there to lose? 262
86. What about global issues? 263
87. How can I make a difference? 268

IX. Life after Study Abroad
88. How will I say goodbye? 273
89. What about gifts to bring home? 274
90. What about US Customs? 275
91. What should I do when I get back? 276
92. What is reverse culture shock? 277
93. How hard is the readjustment? 279
94. How can I share my experience? 281
95. Will others think I've changed? 283
96. How will credits/grades transfer? 284
97. How do I build my credentials? 286
98. What do I need to know about jobs? 289
99. Can I have an international career? 290
100. What about graduate school? 292
101. How do I get a job in study abroad? 294

Books 297

Glossary 299

Index 301