What to know before you go
Before students complete their study abroad program, they must complete various forms, attend information and orientation sessions, and prepare to live in a foreign country.
Check Studio Abroad’s “Before You Go” list
Prepare for Your Trip
Acceptance Meetings and Pre-Departure Orientation
Students are required to attend an acceptance meeting and a pre-departure orientation. This allows the students to meet other participants in the program and learn about the next steps and deadlines.
For Fall Students
For programs with a Fall start date, acceptance meetings are held in early/mid-March while pre-departure is held in April or May.
For Spring Students
For programs with a Spring start date, acceptance meetings are held in September while pre-departure is held in November.
Important Information
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.
Students enrolled in semester and year-long programs must submit a $1000 deposit to Fairfield to secure their housing.
Depending on a student’s host country, a visa may be required for extended residency. Information can be found in StudioAbroad (for Fairfield Center Programs) or in your program portal (for non-Fairfield provider programs). Preparing any required documents is the responsibility of the student.
Booking Your Flight
The approved arrival window for each program is posted in StudioAbroad. Students who arrive before their arrival date will not be picked up at the airport or have their accommodations available. No students may arrive later than the posted arrival date.
Flights should be booked for fall/year-long programs by May 1, for summer programs by April 1, and for spring programs by November 1. As part of the International Travel Policy, Fairfield University requires all students to book their round-trip flights through the University's approved travel provider.
ScholarTrip
For Fairfield students, Scholartrip will provide tickets from special contracts with very flexible terms and conditions, including low change fees and refundable options. They also offer 24/7/365 emergency travel assistance should any issues arise when traveling to or from your program location.
Looking for program-specific information?
Medical Insurance Abroad
Fairfield University provides all students studying abroad with international medical and emergency insurance coverage for their study abroad program dates. Federal law requires all students to maintain domestic year-round coverage in the U.S. even while the student is studying abroad. This means, students should remain enrolled on the policy of their parent or guardian, or in Gallagher Student Health Insurance through Fairfield, while on their program abroad. Details regarding your international insurance can be found in StudioAbroad.
What to do if you need medication
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.
Learn about insurance
Packing Tips
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.
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.
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.
