Things to think about
way before you go
PASSPORTS
Every American citizen who travels out of the
U.S. is required to have a U.S. passport (Mexico and
Canada excepted). If you already have a valid
passport, check to see that it will remain valid for
the period you will be overseas. YOU SHOULD
APPLY FOR A PASSPORT AS SOON AS YOU
KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE LEAVING THE U.S.
December or January is not too early if you plan to
leave this summer.
Before applying you must have (a) proof of
citizenship, (b) identification card, (c) two
duplicate photographs of yourself, not over 3” x 3”
nor less than 2>/2” x 2 V, taken within the past two
years.
Proof of citizenship and two passport
photographs must be presented to the county clerk
where you will fill out your application for passport.
The fee is $12.00, and it takes approximately one
week to ten days to be processed. The local County
Clerk offices are located at Lane County Court
house, 8th and Oak, Eugene. The passport is good
for 5 years and cannot be renewed.
Proof of citizenship should be in the form of a
CERTIFIED COPY of your birth record. This
document may be obtained for $1-2 fee from the
clerk of the county in which you were born. For
other proof of citizenship you may use a previous
passport, baptismal certificate, Department of
State Birth Affidavit, or naturalization papers.
Anything you wish to use must have a seal stamped
on it.
Identification is also required when applying
for a passport. Documents such as a driver’s license
or an O.L.C.C. card are acceptable.
Photographs are required with the passport
application and must meet the size requirements
stated above. A group picture is preferred when a
wife and-or children are included in the passport.
The International Education Center (IEC) will
recommend an inexpensive photographer upon
request.
VISAS AND TOURIST CARDS
A visa is an endorsement in your passport
which allows you to visit the country concerned. A
visa is a separate document; therefore, you must
present your passport (valid for at least one month
beyond the date you will leave the country for which
your visa is being requested) in order to receive a
visa from the appropriate consulate. Be sure to sign
your passport.
If you travel in Western Europe, Israel, and
Turkey, your passport is all that’s necessary, unless
your visit extends beyond two or three months in
any one country. (In Scandinavia, the three-month
period begins when the visitor enters any of the
countries that compose it — namely, Finland,
Sweden, Norway or Denmark). For a longer stay,
you will need a visa, just as you will for any visit to
the Soviet Union, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and
the Pacific.
A tourist card is a separate document issued in
lieu of a visa for most South American countries, or
it is ussued where no passport is required, as in
Central American countries. Most European
countries do not require visas, although a few
require visas after a three month period. Whenever
sending your passport through the mail, we urge
you to use Registered Mail. Your passport is one of
the most valued possessions, and it is difficult to
replace.
Your passport is your most important
possession. Don’t lose it. The best suggestion we
have is to keep it on you at all times. ON YOU
means exactly that. Many a person has been ripped
off by leaving their passport in their purse or
rucksack. Unexpected accidents may occur, and
that is the best recognized identity card for any
situations that might occur.
If you plan to travel in countries requiring
pictures for visas you should take along several
photos.
The International
Student LD. Card
Entitles students to discounts and student
reductions at many theatres, concert halls, shops
and most museums. Especially valuable to students
for intra-European student charter flights, student
railpass, low cost tours, camp sites, holiday cen
ters, accommodations in student hotels, meals in
student restaurants, student ships, etc.
The International ID card is not necessarily
useful at every theatre, museum, etc., some places
just do not offer student discounts. But always flash
the card and ask for a discount.
To be eligible for 1973 ID cards (valid until Dec.
31,1973) you must be a full-time student, enrolled at
least one term of the academic year (students who
graduate during the 72-73 academic year are
eligible provided they attended at least one quarter
full-time during the last year).
Required: Proof of full-time enrollment for at
least one quarter: paper ID (registration receipt,
not plastic ID!) or officially stamped letter from the
Admissions Office. Small passport size photo
(machine photos are acceptable). Cost: $2.00.
CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE Associated
Students Travel Service, Trident Lounge, issuing
agents for CIEE.
Odds & ends
IMPORTANT
In order to show that you are financially
responsible, it is a good idea to have at least $100.00
in travelers checks (or local currency) on you when
you enter any country.
TRAVELERS CHECKS
are better than cash. Accepted almost
everywhere, replaceable if lost or stolen, inex
pensive to buy. Best are American Express and
Cook’s because both have offices throughout the
world where numerous services are available to
their customers. Tip: Keep watch for U.S. banks
offering free travellers check service as a
promotional gimmick — good bargain! Get the
checks in various denominations and very, very
important — keep a record of the serial numbers in
a safe place, separate from the checks themselves,
so if you need to have them replaced, you can supply
the numbers. You can obtain a handy directory
from American Express, listing the addresses of
their offices.
Cashing your checks: Hint: Rates are usually
better if you cash your checks at banks rather than
at American Express, rail stations, change booths
or in shops, hotels or restaurants, since a service
charge may be deducted.
MAJOR CREDIT CARDS
These are honored in many places and are often
good for cash advances. BankAmericards, Master
Charge, Carte Blanche, and American Express
credit cards are generally honored. Some gasoline
cards are also accepted. Many airline credit cards
offer cash advances in many countries. Check with
your credit card company before you go.
WIRING MONEY
is very risky and can be disastrous. However, if
necessary, your best bet is a direct transfer from
your bank to a local European bank. Also, if your
bank has international offices, you may be able to
make deposits or withdrawals just like here. Check
it out first. You can also have money cabled from an
American Express office in the U.S. to one of their
bureaus abroad, for a fee.
EXCHANGE RATES
vary significantly depending on where you go.
To keep from getting skinned, learn beforehand the
current official exchange rate. Keep your fingers
crossed and hope that there is not a major currency
devaluation while you are abroad, because you’ll
find your budget may need a sharp revision.
CUSTOMS HINTS
The best advice is to suggest that you send for
U.S. Customs booklet, Know Before You Go,
available from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402, oooklet number 1970-0-407-788. The cost
is 35c. This booklet contains customs hints for
returning U.S. residents and helpful information
that can save you a lot of grief and aggravation.
There are many angles involved in customs and you
by no means can count on logic or common sense to
help you anticipate the various restrictions and
policies.
For details on customs procedures and
regulations in a given country, direct specific
questions to the respective consulate here in the
U.S. or when traveling, stop in at their local em
bassy or consulate before entering the country, if
you are in doubt.
There are quite a few duty-free ports where you
can mail your treasures to your friends or family
before you leave Europe. Be sure to check these
ports out. You can save a great deal off your
customs charges.
INSURANCE
It is very wise to have overseas insurance. You
never can tell. If you already have health and ac
cident insurance, be sure to find out the full par
ticulars: If it is good overseas, whether the
payments are made after you return, etc. Some
policies make you pay while you’re still in the
country you’re visiting. Plan ahead. Find out what
is included and excluded.
The. I EC has a recommended policy for
Students and teachers that covers accident and
sickness benefits. Copies are available in room 202
EMU