PRE-DEPARTURE PACKET
This Pre-Departure Packet was adapted from the Cross Cultural I Workbook with permission from Dr. Bruce
LaBrack at the University of Pacific
Name
__________________________________________
Date
__________________________________________
Organization, City, and Country
_________________________________________________________________
The questions in this pre-departure packet will help you prepare for your internship abroad, regardless of your
destination or organization. Answers to the questions can be found in a wide variety of places including your
specific organization’s profile information, at the web sites listed, web-based Student Guides, or readily
available publications online. Please follow the format of the pre-departure packet when answering the
questions (i.e., I. A. 1., etc.) and TYPE YOUR ANSWERS.
You must attach the following:
- A copy of web information pertaining to your host country/organization where indicated (*);
If you feel that any of the questions in this pre-departure packet do not apply to your organization/country,
please give an explanation at the appropriate place (i.e., I. A. 1., etc.).
I. IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS
A. Your Passport
1. Ensure passport is valid for at least 6 more months.
2. Who should have photocopies of your passport?
3. What should you do if you lose your passport while abroad?
(Note: You should take at least two replacement photos with you.)
4. Should you ever surrender your passport?
Keep copies of your passport and visa and work permit at home and with you when you are travelling
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16
B. Visas –http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
1. Do you need a student visa to work in your host country?
2. How do you obtain a visa to work in your host country?
3. How much does a visa cost?
C. Other forms of I.D.
1. Do you have an international student ID card? Would you like one?
II. SAFETY AND LEGAL CONCERNS
24/7 EMERGENCY CONTACT
Carolyn Taylor Meyer
Cell: (831) 521-8566 or Office: (831) 647-6417
A. Consular Information Sheet
1. Save and read any current travel advisories or warnings for your country from the US Government
Advisory website.
2. Are there any current conditions, eg, transportation strikes, protests, etc., that will affect travel in
your host country or region? If so, what might be required to respond to this situation?
3. What types of crime incidents seem common?
4. Are the drug and alcohol laws similar to US laws? What are the penalties for breaking drug and
alcohol laws?
5. Has there been any terrorist activity in this country?
B. US Embassies and Consulates
1. Where is the nearest US Embassy/Consulate in your host country?
2. What types of emergency services are provided by consular officers abroad?
3. Will the US Embassy loan you money in an emergency?
4. Have you registered with the U.S. Embassy in your host country? Print out registration.
C. Crisis Management
1. In addition to your supervisor at the local host organization and the MIIS immersive learning staff,
who should you contact in an emergency?
D. Other
1. Does the US Constitution apply to you in your host country?
2. Do you need a financial power of attorney while you are overseas? Why or Why not?
[A financial power of attorney is a legal document you sign giving someone else
permission to deal with your personal affairs while you are abroad (i.e., file tax
returns, take money out of your bank account, etc.).]
III. HEALTH ISSUES
A. Center for Disease Control (CDC) Health Recommendations
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16
1. Print out your country’s CDC Online Profile
2. List the CDC's health recommendations for your host country.
3. List any specific immunizations you must have.
4. List any specific health warnings or health issues regarding your host country.
B. Health Insurance:
1. What type of policy do you have? Does this policy cover you during your time abroad? Are there
deductibles, limits or exemptions? Do you need to carry forms with you for reimbursement or will the
insurance carrier be billed directly?
2. MIIS requires that all students maintain adequate health insurance coverage. This coverage MUST
include emergency medical evacuations. Provide information showing that you have this coverage.
Note: The MIIS student health insurance plan covers you abroad and includes medical evacuation. If
you are not on the MIIS plan, you must show that you have coverage of at least $500,000 for Europe
and Latin America and $800,000 for the rest of the world. Check the immersive learning site
(http://sites.miis.edu/iplsp/) for more information.
C. Other
1. What medical facilities are available in your host country? Where is the closest hospital to your
organization and where you will be living?
2. If you have pre-existing health conditions, or you need to carry special medications overseas: what
specific steps should you take before you go abroad to ensure that you have an adequate supply while
abroad?
3. What are some of the foods that your country is famous for? Considering how poor this country is,
what are some of the local food staples? Do you have any dietary restrictions? If so, how do you intend
to compensate for this problem?
4. Do you have any food or substance allergies? Do you know how to communicate these allergies in
the language(s) of the country you will be going to?
IV. FINANCIAL ISSUES
A. Cost of Living
1. What currency is used in your host country?
2. What is the exchange rate with the US Dollar? http://www.xe.com/ucc/
3. Determine how you can get cash in host country: ATM? Credit Card? Traveler’s Checks? Wire
transfers? Checks? Bank drafts? Bring an emergency reserve in cash or traveler’s checks in USD.
4. Speak with either an international student at MIIS or someone who has returned from interning in
your host country. Ask about the cost living (eg: What is the cost of the "average" mid-day meal? What
is the cost of course books and supplies?) Or see the US Sate Department’s website.
5. If you are using college funds (including grants paid through the college), verify the requirements for
travel advances and reimbursements with the appropriate budget administrators.
6. Notify debit/credit card companies of your travel plans. Make sure your credit card (Visa,
Mastercard, etc) is accepted in the countries of travel. Bring debit/credit cards and the information on
card (number of card, phone number to call in case cards are stolen).
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16
B. Budget
1. How much money will you need to take with you to cover all initial costs?
2. What is the best way to access money while abroad?
V. HOUSING, MEALS & TRANSPORTATION
A. Housing
1. Is your organization providing housing?
a. If YES: What type of housing is provided?
b. If NO: What are your housing options? How much will it cost? Is there a deposit or
lease?
2. Will you need to bring linens, utensils, etc.?
B. Meals
1. Will your organization be providing meals?
a. If YES: What type of meals will be provided?
b. If NO: Will you be preparing your own food? What will you do? How much will
food cost per week?
C. Transportation
1. Who will pick you up from the airport?
2. How will transportation be provided on the job?
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
A. What are the seasonal temperatures during your semester(s)?
http://www.weather.com/weather/int/countries.html
What type of clothing is appropriate given the climate in your host country?
1. What type of clothing is appropriate in the culture of your host country (for professional attire,
casual , internships, etc. as applicable)
2. What type of clothing is appropriate to represent your organization outside the office? Inside the
office?
3. Are there any natural disaster risks during the time that you will be present in your country?
B. What types of voltage converter/plug adapters will you need for electrical appliances?
http://www.voltagevalet.com/country.html
C. Do you have a Google Chat account? Skype? Does your organization utilize these tools?
D. Have you purchased or viewed a travel guide such as:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.letsgo.com/
http://www.fodors.com/ (you can customize your own guide)
http://www.ricksteves.com/home.htm
If you have not done so already, please do so! You will be glad you did.
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16
VII. KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOST COUNTRY
A. General - https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
1. What language(s) is/are spoken in the host country?
2. What are the major religions in the host country?
B. Daily Living
1. What information is available about your host country?
(Print out the first page of web information about your host country.)
2. What information is available about your host city?
(Print out the first page of web information about your host city.)
3. What are the telephone codes for your host country and city?
a) Do you know how to use a phone in your destination country?
b) How do you dial the police or emergency phone numbers in your host country?
c) Is there an equivalent of 911 in your country or city?
d) Where is the best place to make a long distance call?
e) Will your cell phone work overseas under your current plan?
f) At 09:00 AM Pacific time, what time is it in your host country?
g) What is the custom for tipping?
4. All Ambassador Corps participants are required to have a cell phone in country. What cell phone
frequencies do local carriers use? GSM? GSM 1900, 1800, 950, etc? Does your cell phone work on
these frequencies? Do you need to unlock your phone or buy one in country?
C. Political Issues
1. Host Country
a. Describe the political system of your host country.
b. Has there been any political unrest recently that might affect your time in the host
country?
c. Who is the current Head of State/Government?
2. United States
a. Describe the political relationship between the US and your host country.
b. Are you prepared to answer questions about US politics and foreign policy?
(Remember: Most Pacific students that return from abroad comment that people abroad are better
informed politically than most people in the US.)
c. Are you prepared to ask intelligent questions about your host country’s politics and foreign
policy? If not, are you prepared to remedy this?
D. Poverty Profile
1. Define poverty. What is the poverty level of your country?
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16
VIII. HOST ORGANIZATION
A. What other NGO’s/Agencies are near yours? What do they do? Will you plan on meeting with
them?
B. What does your organization do, how does it do it, and to what scale?
C. How is your organization a social entrepreneurship organization?
D. What is your organizations role in alleviating global issues?
E. How will you contribute to this role?
F. Have you completed a work plan?
Additional Resources






U.S. State Department – international travel advice and information
Centers for Disease Control – Travelers Health Information (including what immunizations are required or
suggested)
“Tips for Faculty going on leave”:
This is a section of the Academic Affairs website page on the Research
Leave Program. Scroll down!
Going Abroad and Taxes - website maintained by the Middlebury Tax Office
Checklist for Students Going Abroad: Includes additional information more appropriate for those who don’t
travel abroad frequently
Study Abroad: Pre-Departure Handbook – although designed for students going abroad on non-Middlebury
programs, it could be a helpful resources particularly if you haven’t travelled abroad recently
Monterey Institute of International Studies
3/21/16