Practical Suggestions

Calling Home
Parents frequently ask their son or daughter to call home immediately upon arrival. We understand your concern, but please be aware that it may simply not be possible. Students may be in a situation where they are not immediately in a position to ask to use the phone to make an international call. In some countries, they will need to make special arrangements, or adhere to established hours in order to call. They may be exhausted, or forget. We advise asking your son or daughter to call within 3-4 days of arrival to allow them to get their bearings.

Several U.S. phone companies issue a charge card which can be used by students abroad to call a single previously approved number in the U.S. The calls are charged to the number called. Check with your long distance company to learn if it offers this service. Past program participants, and parents, have recommended this type of arrangement as a means of guaranteeing somewhat regular
family contact as well as a way of controlling the expense of calls
placed to friends. In addition, most phone companies offer other special arrangements such as a discount when calling a previously designated number abroad, and access to that company's operators abroad. Contact your long distance company to learn which options are available to you.

Money
We recommend that students exchange $100-$150 into the local currency when possible before leaving the U.S. to cover minor expenses between the time of arrival and the opportunity to change larger
sums at a bank. Other than a small amount of local currency, where acceptable (check with your student’s program), we recommend carrying the bulk of funds in traveler's checks. Have your son or daughter leave with you a list of the traveler's check numbers in the event the checks are lost or stolen. In addition, most developed countries now have the same ATM networks (Cirrus, Plus) as are available in the U.S. See "Transfer of funds" below for more information. Depending on the student's own standard of living and how much traveling, shopping, and dining out he or she does, students' expenses (exclusive of a program fee) will vary. Be aware that the buying power is directly related to the strength of the dollar.

Transfer of Funds
The transfer of funds from a parent in the US to a student abroad is virtually an inevitable part of the study abroad experience. In recent years this aspect of study abroad has been greatly simplified by the advent of credit cards and electronic fund transfers. In most developed countries, it is now possible to obtain local currency with a Visa or Mastercard, or even with the card issued by your bank as ATM networks such as Cirrus, Plus, and NYCE become widely used around the world. Your bank should be able to provide you with a list of available locations in the countries your son or daughter will be visiting and tell you the fee they will charge. Bank card withdrawals are debited (in dollars using the market exchange rate) from the bank account directly, while credit card withdrawals are charged against your card. If using credit cards, parents would be wise to credit their account in advance to avoid interest charges. Service charges are usually minimal with bank cards, but considerably higher with credit cards. Holders of American Express cards may receive emergency cash drawn on their account, if necessary.

Health
Students who need special prescription drugs should take along an adequate supply, along with written instructions from a physician in case of emergency. We suggest that you contact the nearest international health clinic or the non-Brown program to obtain information on any inoculations that may be required for the host country. For comprehensive information, please see the Centers for Disease Control.

Health Insurance
Adequate health and accident insurance must be carried by each student. Brown University Student Health insurance is considered adequate by the Office of International Programs (but it should be noted that there is not always a Student Health Clinic available overseas). Students may be fully covered under a parent's policy, or they may wish to contract for insurance directly related to living abroad. Students and their families must decide what is adequate for them. Only a few policies arrange to pay the bill directly, most reimburse the user upon presentation of bills. For students on Brown programs, we must have the name of the student's carrier and the number of his/her policy. Students on Brown programs, Approved Brown programs and non-Brown students are given a card describing the Travel Assistance Program which covers those students for emergency medical evacuation.

Packing
If involved in packing, you will want to (a) make sure that your son or daughter is taking lightweight yet sturdy luggage (well-made fasteners, able to withstand airline luggage handling) which does not exceed international size regulations, and (b) make sure that they pack light. They will have to be able to carry, alone, all that they take. It may be important to remember that in most countries people have far fewer clothes than the typical American student. There is no stigma attached to being seen repeatedly in the same outfit. Encourage your son or daughter to take a small number of versatile clothing items. Students should take a small supply of toiletries, but plan to replenish such things abroad. There is absolutely no need for any student to pack a year's supply of hair products or antiperspirant. Contact lenses can pose problems, and it may be advisable to take an adequate supply of lens solution or to obtain the disposable lens now on the market.

Other recommended items: portable music player, small calculator for quick currency exchange calculations, extra batteries and comfortable shoes that can withstand a lot of walking.