Travel checklist for the individual traveler

Before leaving on your trip abroad, you should:

  1. Check your passport. Will it expire soon and need to be renewed? If you do not have a passport, apply now (there may be long waits for U.S. passports).
  2. Check the visa requirements for each country you are visiting to see if you need a visa to enter that country.
  3. Make an appointment with the Travel Health Clinic at Yale HEALTH, 203-432-0093. The Clinic provides pre-travel care including consultation, education, vaccination, travel medications, and, if necessary, referrals.
  4. Understand any changes in your health insurance coverage while you are abroad.
    1. Do you have coverage for routine care?
    2. Are there higher copayments?
    3. Is there prescription coverage?
    4. Are there excluded activities or geographic areas?
    5. Obtain additional coverage if needed.
  5. Check to make sure you can bring your medication abroad.  If you can, pack enough medication to last for your entire stay. Not all medications are available in every country.
  6. Familiarize yourself with political, health, crime, and other safety-related conditions prevailing in any country and specific locations within country that you will be visiting. In addition to MEDEX and the U.S. State Department, other resources include:
    1. Study Abroad Safety Handbook produced by the Center for Global Education
    2. Resources and advice on cultures
    3. Association for Safe International Road Travel (Contact the Office of Risk Management if you wish to obtain a country specific road travel report)
  7. Yale College students should contact the Yale College Center for International Experience, 203-432-8761. Before departure, Yale College students are required to provide a signed Student Acknowledgment and Release Form.
  8. Attend program pre-trip orientation.
  9. Be familiar with the University's polices and procedures regarding conduct and travel.
  10. Register Your Travel
  11. Provide emergency contact information to, and leave a copy of your passport/visa with, your faculty leader, trip sponsor, or student organization.
  12. Leave a copy of your itinerary with your family.
  13. Print out your Yale MEDEX card with information on what to do in an emergency. Keep your MEDEX card in your wallet or passport in the event of an emergency. Fill in your specific contact information on the bottom of the card.
  14. Understand what to do in an emergency.
  15. Carry a cell phone that you know will work at your destination(s) or at least a pre-paid phone card.

Upon Arrival in your Host Country, you should:

  1. Attend any orientation upon arrival in country.
  2. Register with the local U.S. Embassy or consular service.
  3. Stay in regular contact with advisor, colleagues, friends.