Before leaving, it's good to do the following:

• Register with the US Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). In the case of an emergency abroad, you will receive alerts via email. 

  • Canadian Citizens - Registration of Canadians Abroad is a similar program. 

• Notify your bank - If you are bringing a bank or credit card, you must notify them that you will be using the card in a different location. Some institutions require this as part of their fraud or identity theft policy.

• Check Insurance - It's a good idea to check with your primary health insurance carrier regarding coverage in the location you'll be traveling to.  For programs outside of the US, your GLA tuition does include secondary medical and evacuation insurance.  

• Check your phone carrier - If you are planning to use your phone, check with your carrier regarding fees and how to set up your phone settings. Calls and data while roaming can get very expensive. Review our phone policy here and decide on a communication plan.

• Parental Authorization form for minors - For minors, we recommend that parents complete two original copies of this form.  We recommend it as a best practice whenever a minor is traveling around without parents to ensure there are no hiccups and so anyone who needs to verify, knows the minor is in a safe and approved situation. Pack a notarized original copy in your carry-on bag

• Essential documents - Print copies of your flight itinerary, contact info and address for where you're going (here is a handy contact card for this one), passport with copies, Required vaccines like Yellow Fever for Ghana, travel insurance and GLA's included insurance,  parental authorization form (for minors), visa (if required) with copies. Keep all of these in a safe space. Put copies in other areas of your luggage. 

• Register for TSA Pre✓®  or Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program (optional) - If you're a frequent traveler or are planning on traveling more often in the coming years, one of these may be worthwhile. TSA PreCheck allows you through US airport security TSA screening quickly and easily. Global Entry allows both access to the TSA PreCheck screening queues at US airport security and also special kiosks at US Immigration for virtually no wait times upon arrival into the US for immigration and customs processes. Our staff love it!