1. Offices
  2. Study Abroad & International Programs

Prepare for Travel

Congratulations! Now that you have been accepted to study abroad, a new phase begins. There will be many things to consider and forms to complete, but the effort will be worth it.

Pre-Departure Requirements

It is essential that any outstanding study abroad, financial, and academic issues are resolved before the due dates listed in the Study Abroad Application Portal. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your responsibility and proactive approach. Remember, if you do not complete your pre-departure requirements, you risk losing your eligibility to study abroad.

Passports

A passport is a must for international travel. Check its expiration date. If your passport is not valid for at least six months after your planned return from study abroad, expedite the application or renewal process. For guidance on applying for or renewing a U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

If your passport is misplaced or stolen abroad, report the incident immediately to local police authorities and the nearest US embassy or consulate. A copy of your passport will expedite the replacement process. It is a good idea to email a copy of your passport to yourself and keep a photocopy of it in your luggage or with your on-site program representatives. You can also access the copy you were asked to upload to the Study Abroad Application Portal.

Student Visas

The following students will likely need to apply for visas to enter their host country to study:

  • U.S. citizens participating in semester-long programs
  • U.S. citizens participating in the Pitzer Summer in Brazil or Pitzer Summer in Vietnam program
  • Students who do not carry U.S. passports (all programs)

The SAIP Office will assist students with navigating the visa process for Pitzer Programs and Exchange Programs. Students participating in programs through study abroad organizations should contact their program sponsor for advice on the visa process.

The SAIP Office is not responsible for obtaining your student visa, nor are we responsible for visa complications, delays, or denials. Although we can help you with the visa application process, we do not have any control over visa requirements or granting visas: the decision to issue you a visa rests solely with the consulate or embassy of your host country.

Entry requirements can change at any time, so you are advised to pay close attention to consular updates and be prepared to address all entry requirements for your host country. All students must obtain a visa from their host country to participate in their program if required. 

To confirm if you need a visa and the visa requirements for your host country, consult the embassy or consulate for your host country, or refer to this website, and search for your host country.

Be aware of the following:

  • International students: If you do not carry a U.S. passport and are planning to study abroad outside your country of citizenship, you will need to work closely with your program and the appropriate consulate(s) to ensure that you are eligible to travel to that location and that you have the proper documentation, which could differ from that of students who are U.S. citizens. Please speak to your international student adviser and your study abroad adviser about your plans.
  • Warning about pre-program international travel: You typically give up your passport to obtain a visa, so international travel during the months before your departure date is not recommended and could complicate or jeopardize your participation in your program.
  • Transit visas: If your flight itinerary includes layovers or stops in third (or fourth) countries, you may need a visa for those countries even if you do not need one for your destination country. Please check with your travel agent and the relevant embassies for information.

Flight Arrangements

Once you attend the mandatory pre-departure orientation session and complete all requirements in the Study Abroad Application Portal you may make your flight arrangements with Pitzer's designated travel agent. Tickets purchased through another travel agency or on your own will not be reimbursed or credited to your student account. Frequent flier miles may not be used to book flights. Allow ample time to work with our travel agent to arrange your flight by the date indicated in your study abroad application portal. 

Housing & Storage

If you are studying abroad in the Fall semester and will be living on campus in the spring, Residence Life and the SAIP Office will be in coordination regarding your Fall Study Abroad plans. Residence Life will follow up regarding a Housing Application for Spring in the Fall. Actions that will happen during the Fall include:

  • Group Leaders with suites slated to have spring openings will be contacted if they want to pull in any Fall Abroad students for the Spring Semester. 
  • If you know of a spring suite opening and want to join in the spring, please get in touch with Housing@pitzer.edu so they can coordinate that easy placement.  
  • If you are not pulled into a suite, complete an updated Housing Application in the fall.

If you are planning to live off-campus in the spring, Residence Life and the SAIP Office will be in coordination regarding your Fall Study Abroad Plans. Residence Life will follow up regarding an Off-Campus Housing Application for Spring in the Fall. 

Spring study abroad students who plan to live off campus when they return in the Fall are required to complete an Off-Campus Application. Contact housing@pitzer.edu for more information. 

Spring study abroad students who plan to live on-campus are required to complete the Housing Selection Application. Contact housing@pitzer.edu for more information. 

If you need off-campus storage for your belongings during the semester you are abroad or over the summer, Campus Storage LLC is a storage facility in the Claremont area. To learn more: http://www.campusstorage.com/

Communications

Keep in mind any time differences between the U.S. and your host country. Plan accordingly when communicating with people in the U.S. or other home country.

Also, keep your family and loved ones informed of your travel and other plans. Understand that they worry about you when they do not hear from you, so be sure to set clear expectations regarding your frequency of communication and notify them in advance if you will not be reachable for a period. (See the Health, Safety, and Security section.)

Cell Phones

You must be reachable in an emergency, and Pitzer requires a working mobile phone while abroad. You are responsible for maintaining a working mobile phone (charged, paid up, and ready to send and receive texts and calls) on your person throughout the program.

Getting a local SIM card with a local number and keeping in easy contact with Pitzer, local students, and your on-site program administrators is advisable. Even if your U.S. phone is compatible and you sign up for an international plan, it is pretty expensive for others to call a U.S. number. Cell phones in most program locations are relatively inexpensive, but if you prefer to obtain a phone before you go or use your current phone, be sure it is unlocked and compatible. Consult this resource for compatibility information: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html. Once you arrive, you can purchase pre-paid SIM cards and “pay as you go” credit at markets and telephone stores. Contact previous students for tips on cell phone purchase and use.

All Pitzer students must provide the SAIP office with their mobile numbers. You are also responsible for providing your cell phone number to program contacts in an emergency. You should also give this number to your emergency contacts.

Email & Internet

  • Official Communications & Pitzer Email. Any official communications will come through your Pitzer College email address. For non-Pitzer students, we will use the email you provided in your study abroad application. Failure to receive, read, and/or respond to communication sent to your official email address may result in penalties, including possible removal from your study abroad program.
  • VPN. We recommend installing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) onto your laptop before you leave to access Pitzer’s on-campus network and services from abroad. By using Cisco AnyConnect (VPN) software, you create a secure, encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VPN remote server. This will make it appear like you were on the campus network to access these resources. Contact the Pitzer Help Desk to request the Cisco AnyConnect VPN software (if not already installed).
  • Internet Access. You will most likely have Internet access in various facilities at your host institution and in your accommodations. For locations where internet access and reliability can be challenging, consult your Program Handbook (if applicable), host institution, or SAIP adviser. 
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Many Pitzer resources require two-factor authentication through a phone call, push notification through the Duo Mobile App, or a passcode generated through the Duo Mobile App. Your registered device and phone number are likely to change abroad, so you may need to add a new device once you have your local number. If you do not have cell service, you can use either of the features through the Duo Mobile App. You are encouraged to download the Duo Mobile app through the App Store or Google Play before you go. Email the help desk at help@pitzer.edu for assistance in getting set up.