Prepare for Your Trip

Following their commitment, students will be expected to complete a series of additional assignments and forms through the StudioAbroad portal. Some programs will require an additional application to be completed in conjunction with the Fairfield application. Students should see their StudioAbroad accounts for additional details. Failure to submit materials on time may result in a withdrawal from your program.

Fairfield students committing to a semester and year-long programs must submit a $1000 fee to Fairfield. For semester programs, this fee will be applied to the housing fee the semester the student is going abroad. For yearl-long programs, the fee will be on their tuition bill.

Non-Fairfield students committing to a semester program should contact their home university's study abroad office for specific information.

Fairfield and Non-Fairfield students committing to a short-term program will pay the full program fee to commit.

More About Financing

Suppose you currently take prescription medication and will need the medication during your semester abroad. In that case, you must inform your program directly following acceptance so they can put you in touch with the medical insurance company. You will also need to ask (1) if your medicine is legal in the country in which you are studying and in the locations to which you plan on traveling (2) if you are legally allowed to bring xxx month(s) of medication with you or are you able to fill my prescription abroad. If the answers to these questions are unknown, please contact your primary care physician to discuss your options.

This list is not 100% inclusive; however, below are packing suggestions from former students. A good tip to follow while packing is to not pack more than you can carry by yourself for at least two blocks.

Students should ask themselves: How will climate and weather affect my activities? Will I need to bring an umbrella, swimsuit, or both?

Students who have studied abroad suggest packing certain items in a carry-on, and putting other items in checked baggage. Below are a few recommendations of what to pack where, what to leave behind, and what to buy abroad. Including an air tag in your checked luggage is good practice for tracking purposes.

Additional packing tips can be found in StudioAbroad.

A note about carry-on items: Most commercial airlines now have new regulations regarding what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on luggage. Sharp items like razors and nail files are banned in carry-on luggage on most flights. In general, there are some very important items students will NOT want to pack in a checked baggage; rather, students will want to have them handy at all times and packed in a carry-on bag. These items are:

• Passport
• Visa
• Tickets
• Prescription medicine
• Glasses
• Any other official documentation
• Credit cards, debit cards and cash

Students may also want to have a few personal items in a carry-on in order to make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Consider including items like an empty water bottle (to be filled after passing through security), a book, a toothbrush/toothpaste and a change of clothes and underwear in case of flight delay/cancellation.

Packing takes planning, and students will most likely pack and re-pack a number of times before they are satisfied. We suggest beginning this process early.

Packing can be a very personal process and it may be especially challenging if students plan to study abroad for a semester or year. Students may want to have as many comforts abroad as they have at home, yet they know they cannot bring everything with them. However, we like to remind our students that part of the reason they are going abroad to step out of their comfort zone. Therefore, they will have to prepare to make do with fewer things.

Not only do airlines have a baggage limit, but students will have a limited amount of space at their residence abroad. Most students acquire items while traveling, including souvenirs, clothes, gifts, etc. For this reason, we suggest leaving room in their luggage to accommodate these new belongings for their flight home. Including an air tag in your checked luggage is good practice for tracking purposes.

The following is a list of items students may not have thought to take with them abroad:

• Proof of Insurance
• Camera/Journal
• Prescriptions for the duration of the semester
• Dress set of clothes (for internships or formal occasions)
• A small gift for the host family (if applicable)
• Identification tags with the students’ contact information, attached both outside and inside the checked bag and carry-on bag
• Multi-county converter

Students can buy many inexpensive items when they arrive at their destination. Students should consider buying items such as textbooks, shampoo, soap, and an umbrella upon arrival.

Students should not bring any sentimental items that cannot be replaced. For example, leave heirloom jewelry at home. Additionally, any appliances that generate heat (blow dryer, straightener, heated blanket) should be left at home. Even with the right converter, they will most likely fry out, or burn hair.