Global Student Teaching: Preparations

1. Obtain a Passport

• To apply for your first passport or to renew a passport made when you were less than 16 years old, you must apply in person at the Main Post Office or the County Clerk's Office. Downloadable application forms and complete information are available on the U.S. Department of State Website 

2. Send an introductory letter to your field supervisor

3. Obtain a letter of invitation from your host country supervisor if you are applying for a visa

4. Explore purchasing a ticket

• Ask your travel agent for "consolidated tickets". Send a proposed travel itinerary plan to Dr. Delano for approval. Do not purchase a ticket until your receive final approval from Dr. Delano. Please be reminded that traveling abroad is conditional upon your success in your first student teaching placement.
5. Apply for a visa

• This gives you permission to enter your host country. Please see the information below regarding visa information. You may also review additional visa information at: http://www.embassy.org or http://www.passportsandvisas.com/

Visa requirements by country:
Australia: Visa is required (need the Occupational Trainee visa: Subclass4420).
Botswana: Visa is required for American citizens for a stay of over 90 days.
United Kingdom: Visa required for American citizens for a stay of over 180 Days.
Ghana: Visa is required (need Multiple entry visa)
India: Visa is required (need Tourist/Research visa)
Ireland: Visa is required for American Citizens for a stay of over 90 days.
Japan: Visa required for American citizens for a stay of over 90 days.
Mexico: Visa required for American citizens for a stay of over 90 days. All U.S.
citizens must show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea.
New Zealand: Visa required for American citizens for a stay of over 90 days.
St. Lucia: No visa required for American citizens. Proof of Citizenship is required.

* Visa requirements continue to change, please confirm with the US Department of State

6. Contact the SNC health center or your own travel clinic for information regarding
immunizations/inoculations

• These are needed mainly for certain destinations in Africa, Asia or Latin America. Make sure to get a vaccination certificate listing your inoculations, since some countries (especially in tropical areas) require it at the border.
7. Begin communicating with supervisor, teacher and/or principal abroad
• (electronically/fax/telephone) around about 2-3 months before arrival in your host country

8. Begin communicating with your host family (electronically/fax/telephone)

• Name
• Interests
• Family
• Photograph
• Any other information
• Begin checking for information on currency exchange. For conversion:http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic

9. Explore obtaining an International ID Card (ISIC)

• This card makes you eligible for a broad range of discounts for airfare and overseas in some countries. (http://www.statravel.com/)

10. Register yourself with the U.S. State Department (US citizens only)

• To register, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html.
• Include your itinerary (dates, places and addresses abroad) and emergency contact information. If this cannot be done online, then register yourself once you are in the host country by phone, fax, or in-person. Keep the embassy/consulate contact information with you in case of emergency.

11. Sign contracts before departure from the United States

12. Attend Global Student Teaching Seminar