International travel is on the bucket list of many college students, but there are other costs besides airfare, hotels and food that students need to take into consideration when preparing to travel abroad.
In order to travel internationally, a U.S. citizen must have a passport - an official document that establishes a person's identity and serves as a form of identification no matter where they find themselves in the world, according to Rebecca Laumann, study abroad director for the University of Memphis.
Although the process of obtaining appropriate documentation and traveling to unknown places may seem intimidating, students can find information on how to apply for a passport on the U of M's study abroad homepage. Passport applications are also available at local post offices.
According to the U.S. Passports and International Travel Bureau, prices for adult passports start at $135, while passports for minors who are 16 years old and younger range from $80 to $100.
Having a passport is the first step to going abroad, but other important expenses include visas, international medical insurance and a calling card or cell phone plan.
Many European countries don't require a visa as long as a person is staying 90 days or less, but some countries require it no matter the length of time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, it costs $160 to apply for a visa.
For students who need international health insurance, the U of M Study Abroad office can help students find a plan online that works for them. Through organizations like HTH Worldwide, students can obtain long-term or short-term health insurance. On HTH's website, students can get personalized quotes and purchase insurance that covers hospital care, surgery, office visits, prescription drugs and medical evacuations. Plans usually cover month by month and range from $16 to $35 a month.
Many cell phone providers have international calling packages with rates that range from $10 a month with T-Mobile to $30 for 80 minutes with AT&T. Even though it may be difficult for some students to stay away from their phones, using instant messaging clients like Skype, who offers free internet calls all around the globe, can help save money when a student is budgeting in a foreign country.
Carissa Hoitenga, a study abroad advisor for the U of M, answers student's questions about the process of applying for a passport as well as aiding them through the often-tedious process of doing so.
"Students may want to travel abroad as a participant on a study abroad program, conduct research abroad as part of a thesis or simply to experience something new and explore the world outside of Memphis and the USA," she said.
Hoitenga believes that while traveling abroad may seem intimidating when you begin the process, it's still something everyone should do once. According to her, traveling to different countries can bring a completely different aspect of culture and life to people, and, most importantly, it allows many to get out of their comfort zone.
"Getting out of your comfort zone and seeing how very different life is in other countries is an eye-opening experience," said Hoitenga. "There are very different ways to do everyday things in other countries, and more importantly, there are different ways of thinking and new perspectives that can help us experience our own culture in a new way."
For students interested in traveling abroad, there will be a study abroad fair Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.
