UC Merced Pre-Departure Checklist

Congratulations on your upcoming study abroad participation. This will be an exciting time for you that will forever change you. At the same time, study abroad requires significant preparation on many levels. Below are the main things you will need to handle before departure. To view your health clearance instructions click here:

Country & program information

  • Read program student guides (UCEAP guides) through the UCEAP website.
  • Be informed and read up on your host country.

Finances

  • File your FAFSA (or CA Dream Act Application) if you have not done so already.
  • Summer students: apply for summer aid through the Students First Center.
  • Apply for third-party scholarships.
  • File an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form for your program (available for all UCEAP options).
  • Notify your bank that you will use your ATM card abroad.

Health

  • Check out HTH Worldwide's series on student health & safety for study abroad on YouTube.
  • UCEAP students: complete the Confidential Health History Form before scheduling the required health clearance or physical examination. You will need to bring the Health Clearance Form (instructions) with you to your appointment in addition to the Confidential Health History Form.
  • Some medications commonly available by prescription in the U.S., are illegal or otherwise unavailable in other countries. Confirm that any medications are legal in your host country.
  • Make sure you receive any required immunizations. If you are planning to schedule your examination on campus be sure to make an appointment at least 2 days in advance.
  • UCEAP students: mail your UCEAP Health Clearance Form to the UCEAP Office at the address provided on the document. UC Merced can not mail this document for you.

Non-US Citizens

  • Contact the consulate or embassy of your host country for special visa instructions for non-US citizens.
  • Permanent residents: contact the Department of Homeland Security if you will be abroad more than 180 days.

Orientation

  • Attend the mandatory pre-departure orientation for UC Merced students.
  • Some programs require country-specific pre-departure orientations.

Parents

  • Consider giving your parent(s) or another trusted person Power of Attorney to handle financial transactions on your behalf while you are abroad.
  • Direct your parents to online program information.
  • Give your parents the program dates.
  • Discuss how and when you will contact your parents upon arrival in your host country.

Passport

  • If you program did not require a passport at the time of application, you will need to reapply for it through the Merced Post Office on M St. or through the Department of State online.
  • If you noticed that your name is misspelled or that your passport is about to expire, notify your study abroad advisor.

Program paperwork

  • Complete all online packet materials by the given deadlines.
  • If you cannot meet a particular UCEAP pre-departure checklist deadline, you must notify the UCEAP International Operations Specialist or UCEAP Program Advisor for the program to request a possible extension.

Special needs & disabilities

  • Although it is not required, it is highly recommended that you notify your study abroad advisor or your UCEAP International Operations Specialist of any special requests that may need to be accommodated abroad.
  • If you require special accommodations, acquire a letter from Disabled Student Services stating your needs.
  • If you have psychiatric needs, you need to notify the physician conducting your health clearance.

Student visas

  • Most programs require a student visa acquired through a consulate or embassy in the US. Check your paperwork to see if any visa is required.
  • Make sure to follow every detail of your visa paperwork as consular officers may not accept incomplete visa applications.

Travel

  • It is highly recommended that students purchase changeable or refundable tickets as program dates and plans change.
  • For UCEAP options: check the program dates: http://eap.ucop.edu/prospective_participants/countries/.
  • Make sure that your travel plans allow you to arrive in time for the on-site orientation.
  • Copy any travel documents and keep the copies separate from your documents.

Withdrawal

  • Check your application copies to find the deadline(s) to withdraw from your program with little or no financial penalty.
  • You must speak to your study abroad advisor to formally withdraw from UCEAP.