Prior to departure and while students are overseas, they should consider a variety of important issues. These include:

• Independence
  Study abroad students are expected to be higihly independent throughout the entire study abroad process. Although such entities as the Study Abroad Office and parents / guardians are available for guidance, the more a student can handle on his/her own, the more prepared that student will be for a study abroad program. Once overseas, students will be treated as adults and expected to perform academically while maintaining appropriate, culturally-sensitive behavior.
  
  
• Pre-Departure Preparation
  Study abroad does not occur between flights. All students must prepare for a study abroad program prior to departure. Students should understand how to negotiate stay healthy, as well as familiarize themselves with such phenomina as culture shock and reverse culture shock. Students are expected to consult the Health and Safety pages of this website prior to departure as well as the Pre-Departure guide prior to departure. Students are also strongly encouraged to read about the city, country, and culture in which they will soon be immersed prior to participating on a program. Having an understanding of the host culture can often ease a student's transition between the United States and their study abroad program.
  
  
• Academics
  a. Overseas: Students are expected to go to all of their classes. Similar rules will apply for skipping class overseas as in the United States. Students should also be aware that courses and assignments may be different overseas than they are in the United States. Students should expect such differences and should thoroughly prepare for all of their courses.
  b. At Pitt: Students must ensure that they have planned for the semester after their return by working with their academic advisors on Pitt's campus. Many students will choose to pre-register for the following term prior to their departure as part of the contract process (may not apply for students who study abroad in the summer). Other students work directly with their academic advisors from overseas throughout the term to register and add/drop. Students should have pre-approved all of their prospective courses prior to departure. However, in the event that a student wishes to enroll in a course that has not been approved, that student should consult with his/her academic advisor to approve the alternative. Students should not expect that courses will be automatically approved and should consult with their academic advisors in any circumstance regarding course approval.
  
  
• Transcripts
  Students should have their transcripts sent to the Study Abroad Office at the following address:
  Study Abroad Office
  C/O student's study abroad advisor
  802 William Pitt Union
  3959 Fifth Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15260
  
  
• Housing
  a. Overseas: Student housing overseas will vary widely and may not be the same as typical student housing in the United States. Students are encouraged to be flexible and understand that space is often extremely limited. Students should expect to be living with roommates while abroad - single rooms are the rare exception as opposed to the norm. If students are staying with a host family, they should be respectful and understanding of the family's belongings and home. They should abide by any rules put forth by their host family. Students should contact their program provider directly for information regarding their housing prior to departure. They should also be aware of and follow any instructions regarding maintenance issues while they are abroad.
  b. Upon return: Students may have to negotiate their housing on campus while they are overseas. If a students is planning to live on campus, they must contact Panther Central prior to departure to work out the details. If students are planning to live off-campus, they may need to sign leases from overseas which include shipping costs and a variety of signatures by both the students and, possibly, co-signers.
  
  
• Safety Overseas
  Students are expected to have read the Health and Safety pages and Pre-Departure Guide prior to departure. They are welcome to refer to the information therein throughout the duration of their time overseas. Students should pay particular attention to the recommendations in the While Abroad section of the Health and Safety pages to help stay safe and healthy overseas. Similarly, while students may travel during their programs, they are expected to be familiar with the potential risks involved. Students should avoid areas that are under current Travel Department Warnings and Alerts.
  
  
• Money
  Students should notify their financial institutions prior to departure. Otherwise, they risk having their accounts frozen due to the fact that a financial institutions may suspect identity or card theft. Students are also encouraged to check with their banks and credit card companies well in advance of departure to determine whether or not their cards can be used overseas. Most large banks and credit card companies may be used overseas, but there are notable exceptions.
  
  
• Theft
  Students should always be aware that theft may occur overseas. Students are expected to guard their personal belongings including money, passports, laptops, iPods, etc. However, in the event that theft does occur, contact the U.S. Embassy immediately to begin the passport replacement process. Also make sure to cancel all credit and debit cards and have the bank reissue. Students are encouraged to purchase theft protection plans to help defray the replacement costs of electronic devices.
  
  
• Troubleshooting
  Students should always consult with the resident directors and point persons on their programs to help troubleshoot any problems that arise. Students are welcome to inform the study abroad office as well should such problems fail to be resolved expeditiously. Any feedback that students provide about specific programs helps SAO staff advise future students.
  

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