* International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA), www.volunteerinternational.org
By Christine Victorino. IVPA is a professional association
for administrators of international volunteer programs, as well as advisers
and students interested in this type of international experience. Their website
lists programs for volunteering abroad, some of which offer academic credit,
and has extensive links to relevant resources.
Language Course Finder, International Where+How, www.language-learning.net
Online version of the Where+How Guides (publisher based in
Germany), this website's database includes some 6,000 listings of language
courses worldwide. Searches possible on a variety of categories. Some organizations
have descriptions and links to their websites, but for many listings the only
information provided is address, phone and fax. The site can be accessed in
over 20 languages.
Peterson's, www.petersons.com
Peterson's web site database lacks the detail of their hard
copy Study Abroad books. Information limited to location and academic subjects
(does not provide cost information, for example). Searches possible by either
country or academic subject, but not both. Provides addresses and telephone
numbers, but usually not email or web sites.
* Studyabroad.com, www.studyabroad.com
By Mark Landon. Very comprehensive database lists study abroad
programs as well as special databases for language
courses and internships/volunteer
programs. Information limited to location and academic subjects (does
not provide cost information, for example). Provides addresses, telephone
numbers, email addresses for all programs. Links to program web sites for
only some programs. Search possible by country, then within each country's
listings by academic subject. Don't miss the site's Study
Abroad Handbook, by Bill Hoffa. New feature of site is extensive country-by-country
travel information, Destination
Portal Pages.
Study Abroad Programs in Non-English Speaking Countries with Courses in
English, www.uga.edu/oie/courineng.htm
By Lindsey Parsons. Site provides a sampling of programs which
offer upper-level courses, taught in English, in majors which are less-commonly
offered in study abroad. Good place to begin exploring options of this kind.
* Transitions Abroad magazine, www.transitionsabroad.com
Transitions Abroad is unique in its coverage of all
education abroad options, from study and work abroad to educational travel.
In recognition of this, Founder and Editor Clay Hubbs was awarded NAFSA's
Homer Higbee award. Online version includes vast amounts of information such
as annotated guides to resources, country-by-country listings of programs
for study, work, internships, volunteering, language study, living abroad
and more, along with articles from a first-hand perspective. Search functions
available for entire site. The major sections of this site include:
* University of California-Irvine,
International Opportunities Program, www.cie.uci.edu/~cie/iop
Concept by Ruth Sylte, updates by UCI's IOP. Extensive directories
(not databases) of study abroad, summer programs, internships, research, teaching,
volunteering and work abroad programs with links to many other education abroad
web sites. (Developed with support of a NAFSA COOP / US State
Department Grant.)
University of California-Irvine, "The World at Your Fingertips,"
www.cie.uci.edu/~cie/world
By Ruth Sylte and students. Not a directory, but an instructional
site -- how students and advisers can use the Internet to research options
for education abroad. (Developed with support of a NAFSA COOP
/ US State Department Grant.)
* University of Michigan, International Center's Overseas Opportunities
Office, www.umich.edu/~icenter/overseas
By William Nolting. Not a database, but a collection of articles,
annotated links and print resources for study, work and travel abroad, including
in-depth reports on work abroad options -- the most unique feature of this
site.
* University of Minnesota, International
Study and Travel Center (ISTC), www.istc.umn.edu
Concept by Richard Warzecha. A comprehensive web site with outstanding
search provisions. Full contact information including links to web sites and
email provided for every listing (where available). Number of study abroad
listings somewhat less than other database sites but is being expanded. University
site includes several different searchable databases for:
Worldwide Classroom, www.worldwide.edu
Strengths of this site include listings of intensive language
programs and programs suitable for people from K-12 through adults. Search
possible by country or "category" (broad subject categories, age,
etc.). Site includes a "Travel Planner" section offering lots of
links. Web version of the International Study Telecom Directory. In
operation since 1968, this organization is affilated with the National Registration
Center for Study Abroad (NRCSA).
* World Wide Colleges and Universities, www.usc.edu/globaled/wwcu
Links to university and international office websites, organized
country-by-country, provided by the USC Global for Global Education, by Gary
Rhodes. May be especially useful for students looking for direct-enrollment
options, such as applicants for Fulbright and Rotary scholarships, .
Yahoo's Worldwide Colleges and Universities, http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/Higher_Education/Colleges_and_Universities
Links to university homepages (but not international offices)
organized country-by-country.
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REGION-SPECIFIC DIRECTORIES FOR
STUDY & WORK ABROAD
AFRICA (first see Worldwide
section above)
See also Middle East section for additional listings
for Northern Africa.
* National Consortium for Study in Africa, www.isp.msu.edu/ncsa
Hosted by Michigan State University's African Studies Center. Includes
an extensive list of study abroad programs offered by many US institutions,
with descriptions, contact information and links for e-mail and web sites.
Excellent video on study in Africa available.
University of Pennsylvania, African Studies, www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/AS.html
Huge number of links to sites for African & African-American
studies. While not specifically designed for study abroad, this site's search
engine produces lots of listings by using terms such as "study abroad,"
"scholarships," or "volunteer abroad." Country-by-country
information from a number of sources can easily be found using the site's
Country-Specific
Pages.
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ASIA (first see Worldwide
section above)
* Association for Asian Studies, www.aasianst.org
Professional association web site includes a section on study abroad
("study programs"),
which includes a sampling of US-sponsored programs, and a section on grants
and fellowships. Comprehensive links to other sites on all regions of Asia.
Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ), www.aiej.or.jp
Web site provides official information on study abroad and scholarships
for Japan. Does not list US-sponsored programs.
** Freeman Scholarships, http://www.iie.org/pgms/freeman-asia
Offers scholarships for undergraduates with financial need to study in Asia.
Apply online. Email Freeman-ASIA@iie.org.
Harvard University, Central Asian Studies World Wide, www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww
Web site provides information for a broad geographic area "encompassing
the region from Iranian Azerbaijan and Turkic/Muslim regions of southern
Russia in the west, through northern Afghanistan and southern Siberia,
to Tibet and Mongolia in the east."
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AUSTRALIA (first see Worldwide
section above)
* Australian Education Office (AEO), www.austudies.org/aeo
Officially-sponsored web site includes listings of study abroad
programs (including US-sponsored) at Australian universities. Large number
of links to related sites, including the Australian Studies Network
(www.austudies.org).
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EUROPE: CENTRAL, EASTERN & RUSSIA
AND THE NIS (first see Worldwide section above)
American Association of Teachers of Slavic & East European
Languages (AATSEEL), http://clover.slavic.pitt.edu/~aatseel
Professional association web site includes study abroad internships,
scholarships and career information related to Central & East European
Studies.
Indiana University, Russian & East European Institute,
www.indiana.edu/~reeiweb
Site has sections for academic programs (both in the US and abroad),
language programs, scholarships, employment, and country-by-country
links.
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), www.irex.org
Non-profit organization offers grants for study abroad in this
region.
*RussNet: The Russian Language Network, www.russnet.org/home.html
Comprehensive resources for studying and working in Russian.
Slavophilia: Slavic and East European Resources, www.slavophilia.net
While not specifically designed for study abroad, this site
provides country-by-country links to host-country universities, media, travel
information, and more.
University of Washington, Civil Society International,
http://www.friends-partners.org/CCSI
Web site provides information on voluntary assistance and NGOs
for Russia & the Newly Independent States. Click on "Int'l-NIS Organizations"
for listings of exchanges. Site has an extensive section for jobs and career
positions in this region.
*Why Study Russian, www.russnet.org/why/index.html
An introduction to the world of Russian studies.
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EUROPE: WESTERN (first see Worldwide
section above)
* American-Scandinavian Foundation, www.amscan.org/study.htm
Web site includes a comprehensive directory of study, language,
and work abroad programs in all the Scandinavian countries, including US-sponsored
programs.
* CDS International, www.cdsintl.org
Officially-supported non-profit organization offers several paid
study-internship programs in Germany for students, graduates and professionals.
Web site provides program information and listings of current internship openings,
plus links for information about Germany.
* EduFrance, www.edufrance.fr/en/index.htm
Official site provides comprehensive information on study abroad
(direct enrollment) and French as a foreign language courses in France. Does
not list US-sponsored programs. See also the Cultural Services of the French
Embassy site, http://info-france-usa.org/culture/education/index.html
for additional information on scholarships, teaching assistantships in France,
and more.
* German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), www.daad.org
Web site of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) in
New York provides comprehensive official information on study abroad (direct
enrollment), degree study and scholarships for Germany. Links to German universities.
Does not list US-sponsored programs. Links to DAAD's guide to Study
and Research in Germany (aka "Surfin' Germany").
* Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in
Higher Education (NUFFIC), www.nuffic.nl/index-en.html
Web site provides official information on study abroad (via direct
enrollment) in the Netherlands. Does not list US-sponsored programs.
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UNITED KINGDOM (first see Worldwide
section above)
* British Council USA - Study in the UK, www.studyintheuk.org
Comprehensive official information on study, scholarships, internships
and working as a student in the United Kingdom. See also British Information
Services, www.britainusa.com/educate/educate.asp
* British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX),
www.butex.ac.uk/butex
Web site has BUTEX's directories of undergraduate and graduate study
programs in the UK, which include most (but not all) UK universities. Does
not list US-sponsored programs.
NISS (National Information Services & Systems, UK),
www.niss.ac.uk
Site provides comprehensive information about higher education in
the UK, including official rankings of universities and departments. See "Colleges
and Universities" section.
Times Higher Education Supplement, www.thesis.co.uk
The (London) Times HES publishes official rankings of British
universities, in its "statistics" section, www.thesis.co.uk/statistics/main.asp
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LATIN AMERICA (first see Worldwide
section above)
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Latin American Studies,
www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas
Numerous links with academic area studies centers. Click on "Publications,"
then "Financial
Assistance Student Guide" for listings of scholarships and internships,
mostly for graduate students.
University of Texas, Latin American Network Information Center
(LANIC), www.lanic.utexas.edu
Exhaustive source for academic information on Latin America. While
not specifically designed for study abroad, this site's Countries
section provides links to host-country universities, media, country and travel
information, and much more.
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MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING NORTHERN AFRICA
AND ISRAEL (first see Worldwide section above)
* AMIDEAST's Guide to Study Abroad,
www.amideast.org/programs/study
By America-Mideast Educational & Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST).
Web site of this non-profit organization includes a database of study abroad
programs, perhaps the most complete listing of study abroad programs in the
Middle East. Includes US-sponsored programs. Development of this site was
funded by a NAFSA COOP / US State Department Grant.
* World Zionist Organization, Complete Guide to the Israel
Experience, www.wzo.org.il
Directories of study and volunteer opportunities in Israel,
along with offices in the US which can provide information and advice. Has
several related web sites:
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FINANCIAL AID, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR INDIVIDUALS
* Basic Facts Regarding Financial Aid for Study Abroad, www.oldsite.nafsa.org/secussa/basicfinancialaid.html
By Charles Gliozzo. Expert provides overview of how to use financial
aid and scholarships for study abroad, with links to websites for more information.
** Council Bowman Scholarship, www.ciee.org/study/scholarships/bowman.htm
Council's undergraduate scholarship funds the cost of airfare
and can be used for study, work, volunteering, or research in less-traditional
countries (i.e. excludingWestern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada).
Students at CIEE member institutions or participants in Council programs are
eligible. Students at institutions which sell ISIC cards
are eligible as well. Application deadlines are twice a year, typically in
October and March or early April. Council offers additional
scholarships for participants in Council's own study abroad programs.
** Freeman Scholarships, http://www.iie.org/pgms/freeman-asia
Offers scholarships for undergraduates with financial need to study in Asia.
Apply online. Email Freeman-ASIA@iie.org.
** Fulbright scholarships, www.iie.org/fulbright
There are actually several different Fulbright scholarship programs,
all of which are described on the IIE's site. Fulbright Student programs are
for graduating seniors, graduate students, and alumni; Fulbright Scholar programs
are for university faculty and international education administrators; the
Fulbright Teacher Exchange is for currently-employed K-12 and community college
teachers.
** Gilman Scholarships, http://www.iie.org/gilman
Provides assistance for undergraduates with financial need to use for study
abroad. Apply online or contact: Gilman Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarship
Program, Institute of International Education, 515 Post Oak Blvd. Suite
150, Houston, TX 77027. Telephone: (888) 887-5939, fax: (713) 621-7958, email:
gilman@iie.org.
* International Education Financial Aid (IEFA), www.iefa.org
Website provides free searches for scholarships for study abroad.
Worth a look, although it appears to have fewer entries, and to give less
information about each, than some of the other sites listed here. IEFA's Director
Joe Cronin has been affiliated with the IEFC (below).
* International Education Finance Corporation (IEFC), www.iefc.com
Corporation specializes in loans for study abroad.
** Institute of International
Education, Financial Resources for International Study and Funding
for United States Study, Marie O'Sullivan and Sara Steen, Editors. www.iie.org/help/search.htm
IIE's scholarship books online. Searches are free (no longer need
a password for access). These are among the most comprehensive and carefully-researched
directories of international scholarships. To search, remove the "X"
on IIE Resources and "X" only the book you wish to search.
* FastWeb, www.fastweb.com
Website provides free customized scholarship search after user fills
out profile. E-mail updates are then provided of scholarships based on the
profile. Links with FinAid.
* FinAid! (National Association of Financial Aid Administrators),
www.finaid.org
By Mark Kantrowitz. Web site of the main US professional association
for financial aid administrators provides scholarship searches and extensive
information about financial aid. Links with FastWeb.
National Endowment for the Arts, www.arts.endow.gov/partner/International.html
The NEA's International Partnerships Office has on its site the
full text of "World Arts: A Guide to International Exchange."
* National Security Education Program (NSEP), www.ndu.edu/nsep/
Information on NSEP scholarships for undergraduate
and graduate study in less-traditional
regions, as well as institutional grants. Note that NSEP grants have a service
obligation.
Minority International Research Training Grant (MIRT),
www.nih.gov/fic/programs/mirt.html
Program of the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes
of Health, sends minority undergraduates and medical students abroad to do
health-related research.
** Reference Service Press, Financial Aid for Study and Training
Abroad and Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad, www.rspfunding.com
RSP publishes of some of the best hard-copy directories of
scholarships for overseas opportunities, which include grants for all levels
of students as well as for postdoctorates and professionals.
** Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships, www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/rotarian/endowed.html
The Rotary Foundation provides the largest single US scholarship
program for study abroad. Scholarships are available for all levels of study,
from high-school, undergraduate and graduate students to alumni and professionals.
Generally not for use with study abroad programs sponsored by US institutions.
Application possible only through local Rotary Clubs. Deadlines (locally-determined)
may be as much as one and one-half years in advance. Web site provides scholarship
information and lists Rotary Clubs worldwide.
** University of Minnesota, International Study and Travel
Center (ISTC), Scholarships Database, www.istc.umn.edu/study/scholarships.html
An excellent, free online database of scholarships. Search categories
include study, research and internships as well as location and other variables.
** US Department of Education: Financial Aid for Students,
www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/Students,
The Student Guide to Financial Aid, www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide
and FAFSA on the Web, www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Student Financial Assistance, www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/students.
The federal government's official guides to financial aid. Overseas
universities --along with US universities, of course--which have registered
for eligibility for financial aid are now listed in the Federal School
Code Search Page (for overseas universities, choose "Overseas/Foreign
Country School" in the menu for "STATE") -- see: www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/apply/search.html.
* US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (formerly USIA), http://exchanges.state.gov
Official information about all Fulbright programs (for study,
research, and teaching abroad), about other official exchange programs, and
some information about US government regulations concerning international
educational exchange. See: Information on Study and Work Abroad, http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa/studyabroad.htm.
Also, Promoting International Educational Exchange, http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa.
Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship Foundation, www.woodrow.org/public-policy
Information on several multi-year scholarship programs for students,
especially minorities, interested in international careers.
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RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND ADVISERS:
WORK ABROAD & INTERNATIONAL CAREERS
http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/overseas/work/workabroad1.html
Links evaluated & annotated by William Nolting.
This very comprehensive set of links is located on the website of the University
of Michigan International Center. Please click on link for outline of contents.
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RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND ADVISERS:
TRAVEL ABROAD RESOURCES
OFFICIAL US RESOURCES FOR TRAVEL ABROAD
(HEALTH & SAFETY, PASSPORTS)
** US Department of State, www.state.gov
Essential help from the US government, for everything from
travel safety advisories to crisis assistance for US citizens abroad, as
well as contact information for all US embassies and consulates abroad.
Also lists foreign embassies and consulates in the US. Frequently-consulted
parts of this very comprehensive web site include the following.
- Travel Warnings and Information, http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
- Travel Tips for Students, http://travel.state.gov/studentinfo.html
- Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts (contact information
for all overseas US embassies and consulates), http://foia.state.gov/keyofficers.asp
- Online US Embassies, Consulates, and other Missions, http://usembassy.state.gov/
- Services for US citizens abroad, http://travel.state.gov/acs.html
- Important Telephone Numbers (for crises involving US citizens
abroad, the number to call is 202-647-5225), http://travel.state.gov/phone_faq.html
- Passport services, http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
- Foreign Entry Requirements (for US citizens traveling abroad
as tourists), http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
- Foreign Consular Offices in the US (for visas), www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/fco_index.html
- A Safe Trip Abroad, http://travel.state.gov/asafetripabroad.html
- Travel Warning on Drugs Abroad, http://travel.state.gov/drug_warning.html
- Travel publications, http://travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html
- Foreign Per Diem Rates (not for student budgets!), www.state.gov/www/perdiems
- Background Notes (country information), www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/
- Publications (country reports, embassy information), http://www.state.gov/r/pa/rls/dos/index.cfm?docid=221
** US State Department Travel Advisories mailing list
(a listserv mailing list)
Free to subscribe. Email listserv@listserv.uic.edu
and type in the message body "subscribe DOSTRAVEL yourname" (omit the quotation
marks and leave subject blank). This essential email announcement list sends
US Department of State travel advisories to your email inbox as they are announced.
** Centers for Disease Control, CDC Travel Information,
www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
Official US government information about health conditions worldwide,
including recommendations for immunizations and locations of travel
clinics.
US Customs Office, Traveler Information, www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/trtext.htm
Information on customs restrictions and duty fees on items brought
into the US by travelers, including the publication
Know Before You Go.
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HEALTH & SAFETY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
(first see section on official US information, above)
Association for Safe International Road Travel, www.asirt.org
Non-profit organization can provide information
worldwide on the risks of travel by road.
* Health Check for Study, Work and Travel Abroad, www.ciee.org/Isp/safety/healthcheck.htm
A checklist for an individual assessment of health considerations
before going abroad, produced in association with CIEE and NAFSA.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers
(IAMAT), www.sentex.net/~iamat
Non-profit organization can assist in locating English-speaking
physicians worldwide.
* MedicinePlanet.com, www.medicineplanet.com
Website has information on health, safety and more,
which can be brought up for individual countries. Site claims to use
information from the CDC, US State Department, World Health Organization,
and medical journals.
** Promoting Health and Safety Abroad in Study Abroad -- Guidelines
www.oldsite.nafsa.org/safetyabroad/guidelines1298.html
These guidelines state the responsibilities of
program providers, student participants, and students' families
regarding health and safety abroad. Guidelines were developed
by the Interorganizational Task Force on Safety and Responsibility
Abroad, a group which includes representatives of major international
professional associations and program providers.
* Promoting Safety Abroad in Study Abroad, from The Parents
Guide To Study Abroad, www.oldsite.nafsa.org/safetyabroad/promote.html
By William Hoffa. Expert describes the roles of
program providers, student participants and students' families
in minimizing potential risks when abroad.
*A Safe Trip Abroad -- US State Department, http://travel.state.gov/asafetripabroad.html
Tips from the US State Department for all who travel
abroad.
* SAFETI Clearinghouse -- USC, www.usc.edu/dept/education/globaled/safeti
By Gary Rhodes. An extensive collection of web
resources for education abroad administrators. Individuals (especially
those traveling to less-developed regions) may find useful this
site's Adaptation
of Peace Corps Resources.
* Travel Safe: Aids and International Travel, www.ciee.org/Isp/safety/travelsafe.htm
Recommended reading for travelers to all destinations.
Produced for CIEE.
** Travel Advisories -- US State Department, Travel
Warnings and Information, http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
Essential starting place for US citizens for travel
risk assessments (crime, travel safety, health, etc.) provided by
the US government.
** Travel Advisories -- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, Consular Travel Advice, www.dfat.gov.au/travel/index.html
Travel advisories provided by the Australian government.
** Travel Advisories -- Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade, Travel Information and Advisory Reports, http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm
Travel advisories provided by the Canadian
government.
** Travel Advisories -- United Kingdom
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Consular Division Travel
Advice, www.fco.gov.uk/travel/default.asp
Travel advisories provided by the British government.
HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES
(Editor's note: This is a sampling of companies which specialize
in health insurance for those going abroad for educational purposes, and
which sell plans to individuals. Because these plans usually do not cover
medical treatment in the US, i.e. have a "home country exclusion",
having other health insurance valid in the US is strongly recommended.)
Council International ID Card Insurance (this very
basic insurance is automatically included with international ID cards
issued by Council -- but it should not be your only health insurance!
), www.counciltravel.com/idcards/insure.asp
HTH Worldwide (formerly Hinchcliff International),
www.higsinc.com
International SOS (a medical evacuation service),
www.internationalsos.com
Medex International (a medical evacuation service),
www.medexassist.com
Seabury & Smith, (call 1-800-282-4495) www.gatewayplans.com
Wallach & Company, Inc., www.wallach.com
For more listings, see: U.S. State Department -- Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, http://travel.state.gov/medical.html
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
** How to get a US passport (Passport services, US State
Department), http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
US government site gives complete information
and downloadable applications for US citizens to apply
for a passport. A passport is required for travel to nearly
all countries. First-time applicants will have to apply
in-person at officially-designated places such as selected
Post Offices and County Courthouses (listed in
http://travel.state.gov/passport_easy.html).
Allow at least a month for processing, though expedited
processing (within 10 business days) is possible at extra
cost (see
http://travel.state.gov/passport_expedite.html).
** For visa information for US citizens traveling as tourists,
see the US State Department's survey of Foreign Entry Requirments, http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
Visas may not always be necessary for US citizens traveling
as tourists -- to Europe, for example -- but many countries do require visas
for tourists. Visas usually are required for study, work, or stays longer
than a few months. Note that visa requirements for citizens of other countries
will often differ from those for US citizens. See The Electronic Embassy,
below.
** For visa information, see The Electronic Embassy, www.embassy.org/embassies/index.html
Visas may not always be necessary for US citizens traveling
as tourists -- to Europe, for example -- but many countries do require visas
for tourists. Visas usually are required for study, work, or stays longer
than a few months. You can only obtain a visa from the embassy or consulate
of the country of your destination, and must do so before entering
that country. This website links to foreign embassies in the US. Look under
categories such as "travel", "visas" or "consular
section" to find visa requirements. Note that visa requirements differ
according to one's own citizenship.
For visa and travel information, also see Travel Document
Services, www.traveldocs.com
Site of this commercial visa service gathers together lots
of country-by-country information from official and academic sources, along
with basic entry information for US citizens (for student and work visas,
the site refers one to the respective country's embassy). Note that using
this service to obtain passports or visas will result in extra charges.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ID CARDS (ISIC,
ITIC, Go-25)
** Council Travel -- Cards Division, www.counciltravel.com/idcards
Council Travel is the sole authorized US distributor
of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Similar cards are also available for non-students under
26 (Go-25) and for Teachers and Faculty (ITIC).
ID card applications are available online. These cards
can also be bought at hundreds of campuses whose locations
are shown in this website. These cards bring discounts
on airfares (from student travel agencies below), discounts
abroad, and have additional benefits such as an emergency
assistance service, very
basic health & life-insurance coverage valid outside
the US (this should not be your only health insurance!)
free e-mail, and an optional telephone and voice-mail
service. Campuses interested in selling these cards
should contact Council Travel's Cards Division at 212-822-2680
or idcardorders@counciltravel.com.
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COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL OVERVIEW SITES
Air Traveler's Handbook, www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/mkant/Public/Travel/airfare.html
By Mark Kantrowitz (of FinAid fame). This website gives comprehensive
links organized by travel topics. A favorite of travel author Rick Steves,
it appears that this site is no longer being updated. See Kasbah
and Travlang, below, for up-to-date, all-encompassing travel sites.
* Kasbah, The Travel Search Engine, www.kasbah.com
This site links to every conceivable resource having to do
with travel -- and far more. Country-by-country searches bring up vast numbers
of websites from commercial, government and academic sources. Links are
displayed organized in dozens of categories ranging from practical travel
information to academic and cultural.
* Travlang's Travel Resources, http://travlang.com/trav.html
Website provides links to the most useful sites for all kinds
of travel needs and information, providing sources for everything from airplane
and rail tickets to hotels, currency, phones, weather, and more.
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FLIGHTS & STUDENT TRAVEL AGENCIES
* AESU Travel, www.aesu.com
AESU Travel is a student travel agency which specializes in
student-rate airfares, railpasses, and other products for student travellers,
particularly for European destinations.
** Council Travel, www.counciltravel.com
Council Travel is a large student travel agency, with branches
worldwide, specializing in student-rate airfares, railpasses, and other
products for student travellers. Affiliated with the Council on International
Educational Exchange (CIEE).
* Expedia, www.expedia.com
Website sponsored by Microsoft assists in finding the cheapest airfare.
Note that (possibly lower) special-status fares offered by student travel
agencies may not be indicated by this site. Site also provides general
information country-by-country. May not work with Netscape browsers.
Website sponsored by several major airlines, assists in finding the
cheapest airfare. Note that (possibly lower) special-status fares
offered by student travel agencies may not be indicated by this site.
** STA Travel, www.statravel.com
STA Travel is a large student travel agency (the largest, according
to STA), with branches worldwide, specializing in student-rate airfares, railpasses,
and other products for student travelers.
* Travelocity, www.travelocity.com
Website sponsored by the Sabre Company--which provides the databases
used by travel agents--assists in finding the cheapest airfare. Note
that (possibly lower) special-status fares offered by student travel
agencies may not be indicated by this site.
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TRAINS & TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
(Buy railpasses before you go, since Eurail & Europasses are not sold in
Europe)
* DER Travel Services, www.dertravel.com
Web site of a major US provider of Eurail passes has information
about point-to-point tickets and rail schedules, in addition to information
about Eurail and regional or country railpasses. The affiliated German Rail's
website gives extensive information on train schedules, http://bahn.hafas.de/english.html
European National Railways and timetables, http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/misc/timetabl.html
On this page you'll find links to the WWW servers of the European national
railways, to railfan pages with lots of information on a national railway,
and to on-line timetables and travel planners.
* Rail Europe, www.raileurope.com
Web site of a major US provider of Eurail passes has information
about point-to-point tickets and rail schedules, in addition to information
about Eurail and regional or country railpasses.
Routes International, www.routesinternational.com
Site provides links worldwide for all modes of transportation.
Youra Ferry Guide, www.youra.com/ferry/intlferries.html
Site provides links to ferry companies worldwide.
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BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS & TRAVEL INFORMATION
* Frommers Budget Travel Online, www.frommers.com
This website is not as low-budget oriented as the others listed
here, but contains much useful information -- and those who think of Arthur
Frommer as the dean of travel may be surprised to read his "Testy Comments"
about conventional tourism.
(**) Let's Go guidebooks, www.letsgo.com
Let's Go guidebooks are written by Harvard students, and these
are the most student-oriented of currently available guidebook series. This
website is pretty basic, and seems designed primarily to sell the books
(our "essential" rating of ** applies to the books, not the website).
The site does offer a collection of links for student travel.
** Lonely Planet guidebooks, www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet publishes guidebooks for independent and inexpensive
travel, with truly worldwide coverage. Their website provides extensive
country-by-country facts along with links to other sources of online information.
Lonely Planet also produces television shows on travel.
* Rick Steves Europe Through The Back Door guidebooks,
www.ricksteves.com
Rick Steves, a long-time contributor to Transitions Abroad
and producer of travel shows for PBS, writes guidebooks (for Europe only)
which attempt a balance between famous and lesser-known destinations.
He's also authored a self-guide to European museums, Mona Winks,
and Europe 101: History & Art for the Traveler. His site has
lots of great tips and links for the budget traveler.
** Rough Guides guidebooks, http://travel.roughguides.com
Rough Guides publishes guidebooks for independent and inexpensive
travel -- known for astute political and social commentary -- for locations
worldwide, though for fewer destinations than Lonely Planet. Rough
Guides claims to have the complete contents of their guidebooks online,
but the menus to access the texts are clunky -- it's probably cheaper
and handier to buy the books (our rating of ** applies to the books).
Rough Guide also produces television shows on travel, and the book Women
Travel (not online).
South American Explorers Club, www.samexplo.org
Non-profit organization offers assistance for travel in Latin
America. Web site has extensive links for travel, volunteering and study.
* Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory, www.towd.com
Links to the websites of official tourist offices, country-by-country.
Not budget-oriented, but usually an excellent source of information for
cultural events, museums, and more.
** Transitions Abroad magazine, www.transitionsabroad.com
Transitions Abroad magazine is unique in its
coverage of all education abroad options, from study and work abroad
to educational travel. Not a guidebook series, but a guide-to-the-guidebooks.
Online version includes very extensive coverage of print and internet
resources for travel abroad, such as recent articles, annotated guides
to resources, and country-by-country annotated guides to web and print
resources and travel programs. Search functions available for entire
site. The major sections of this site include:
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BUDGET ACCOMMODATIONS AND TIPS
(for more specifics, see TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS above)
* Eurotrip - Backpacking in Europe, www.eurotrip.com
An extensive site on shoestring travel in Europe, hostels,
cheap airfares, etc.
* Hostelling International: American Youth Hostels, www.hiayh.org
US branch of the non-profit International Youth Hostel Federation.
Their web site provides links to hostels worldwide. HI-AYH is the sole distributor
in the US of International Hostel Memberships, valid at IYFH hostels worldwide.
* Hostelling International (IYHF), www.iyhf.org
Worldwide site of the non-profit International Youth Hostel Federation.
Web site provides links to member hostels worldwide and access to their
electronic reservation service, "IBN".
An extensive site which provides truly worldwide coverage
for a broad range of hostels, including those which are not members of
the IYHF.
Not necessarily low-budget, this site lists tens of thousands of hotels
worldwide.
For those interested in staying at others' homes while traveling,
Servas is a key international organization. As their website states,
"Servas is a volunteer movement of caring individuals, not
a budget travel service. Travelers are encouraged to participate
fully in the lives of their hosts."
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CURRENCY CONVERTERS & ATM FINDERS
* Currency Converter -- Oanda, www.oanda.com/convert/classic
The Oanda converter allows for factoring-in different rates typical
of credit-card and cash exchanges.
* Currency Converter -- Universal (Xenon), www.xe.net/ucc
* Mastercard / Cirrus ATM finder, www.mastercard.com/atm
* Visa / Plus ATM finder, www.visa.com/pd/atm/main.html
CONNECTIVITY -- PHONES & INTERNET
** Country & city dialing codes (AT&T), www.att.com/traveler/tools/codes.html
Internet Cafe Guide, www.netcafeguide.com/frames.html
Online locator of cybercafes worldwide.
Roadnews, www.roadnews.com
and Teleadapt, www.teleadapt.com
Hardware & software tips for internet connectivity and power
for your laptop while traveling.
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DIVERSE POPULATIONS TRAVELING ABROAD
* Journeywoman, www.jouneywoman.com
Site has extensive information, articles, and links for women
traveling abroad.
* Lesbigay Special Interest Group of NAFSA, www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/
By Kathleen Sideli. A very comprehensive web site on issues
of concern to lesbian and gay participants in international exchange and travel.For
student perspectives, see the first-hand articles in Study
Abroad Student Perspective . Excellent links
(scroll down past the organizations section).
* Mobility International, www.miusa.org
Non-profit organization provides information on education and
travel abroad for people with disabilities. Site includes extensive links
to related organizations worldwide and to providers of travel services
for people with disabilities.
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GENERAL INFORMATION -- COUNTRIES & EVENTS,
LANGUAGES, MAPS, NEWS, WEATHER
COUNTRIES & EVENTS INFORMATION
* Kasbah, The Travel Search Engine, www.kasbah.com
Not only about "travel". Country-by-country
searches bring up vast numbers of links for everything ranging
from news, academic and official links to practical travel information.
Orientation.com, www.orientation.com
Information about regions outside Western Europe ranging
from news to travel.
* Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory, www.towd.com
Links to the websites of official tourist offices,
country-by-country. Usually an excellent source of information for
cultural events, museums, and more.
Travel Document Services, www.traveldocs.com
Site of this commercial service gathers together
lots of country-by-country information from official
and academic sources, along with basic entry information
for US citizens (for student and work visas, the
site refers one to the respective country's embassy).
Note that using this service to obtain passports
or visas will result in extra charges.
* US State Department's Background Notes (country information),
www.state.gov/www/background_notes/
Overviews compiled by the US diplomatic services.
VisitEurope, www.visiteurope.com
Comprehensive guide to cultural events and travel
in Europe (including some Eastern European countries) by the European
Travel Commission.
* Yahoo's Directory of Countries, http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/countries
Huge numbers of links country-by-country, organized into almost two
dozen subcategories such as cities, regions, arts & humanities,
education, health, news & media, etc. Links also provided to sites
in the language of the host country. Also links to ABC News Country
Profiles, the CIA World Factbook and more.
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LANGUAGES
* Travlang's Language Resources, http://travlang.com/lang.html
Website provides links to the most useful sites related to languages,
such as a guide to what languages are spoken in which countries,
online language-learning sites, online dictionaries, and more.
See also the University of Washington site in the NEWS section.
* University of Washington Languages on the Web, http://depts.washington.edu/llc/main/links/world.html
Site provides links to online language-learning resources
both in the US and abroad, and to worldwide media.
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MAPS
* MapQuest, www.mapquest.com
Click on "Maps" to be able to choose country, city
and street maps worldwide. Site is fast and has a convenient zoom
feature.
National Geographic's Map Machine, www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Offers maps, satellite images, and basic facts, but not street
maps; slow.
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NEWS & NEWS MEDIA
** BBC World News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world
Outstanding international coverage organized according to six world
regions.
* University of Washington Languages on the Web, http://depts.washington.edu/llc/main/links/world.html
Site provides links to newspapers, magazines and other
media worldwide, as well as language resources.
** The New York Times: International, www.nyt.com
Outstanding international coverage organized according
to five world regions (click on "International").
Also provides maps and 5-day weather forecasts.
WEATHER
* Weather Channel (US), www.weather.com
(World),www.weather.com/intl
Worldwide three-day forecasts, fast site.
The editor wishes to express his indebtedness for tips on the best
travel links to articles in Transitions Abroad by editors Rick
Steves, Kathy Widing and Clay Hubbs, and suggestions by NAFSA members
Heather O'Connor and Jim Gehlhar. But the final selection, however
imperfect, is that of the editor alone. Please send comments and suggestions
to the editor, William Nolting, at bnolting@umich.edu.
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