Preparation

As the traveler, you are expected to get your passport and visa (if applicable) for your time abroad. Unless your study abroad program specifically mentions that assistance is offered, you assume full responsibility for obtaining your travel documents. Refer to the admissions materials from your host institution or program for instructions. Remember to apply for these documents early, as paperwork can take some time to be processed.

International students who study abroad are required to have study abroad remarks on their I-20. You must inform the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office that you are studying abroad and submit a Study Abroad service request via iGlobal. International students are permitted to be out of the country for more than five months as long as their I-20 has study or research abroad remarks. When returning to the United States, you'll need a valid travel signature, visa, and passport. See the ISSS Study or Research Abroad page for more information.

Passport
You must have a passport that does not expire for at least six months following your anticipated date of return to the United States.

If you are a U.S. citizen and need to get a passport, follow the instructions on the U.S. State Department website. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you will need to apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. Apply as soon as possible, as it can take several weeks or months before your passport is delivered.

International students must contact their home country’s consulate to apply for passport renewal. Find your country’s consulate/embassy located in New York for more information and application instructions. Please keep in mind when making your travel arrangements that some consulates may have extended processing times to issue a new passport.

Visa
Some countries require you to obtain a visa before entering the country. Before traveling to another country, contact its embassy or consulate as far in advance as possible to find out:

• Whether you must apply for a visa to visit the country, and when.
• If the country has any other requirements you must meet before you can enter.
• Find additional information in the U.S. Department of State's information document for the country.

If you're studying abroad at Parsons Paris, helpful visa guidance will be provided in your pre-departure information.

All students are advised to plan early for the visa application process, as some countries have detailed application procedures and/or long visa application processing times. For general assistance with a visa application for study abroad, please contact [email protected].

On-Campus Housing in NYC: Outgoing Students
Before you leave campus, be sure to inform the New School Housing team that you are studying abroad. If you will not be enrolled in classes on campus in either the fall or spring semesters, you are not able to register for on-campus housing and must leave your on-campus residence by the move-out deadline of the semester before you are studying abroad.

Students who are studying abroad for the spring semester must depart their residences by the fall semester move-out deadline. Students who are studying abroad for the fall semester must depart their residences by the spring semester move-out deadline or may apply for Summer Housing (at additional fees and subject to availability).

On-Campus Housing in NYC: Incoming Students
To learn more about the residence halls on campus and apply for on-campus housing  for your stay in New York City in the fall and spring semesters, visit the New School Housing page. Please be sure to review the important dates for housing applications in order to secure your space. While every effort will be made to accommodate applicants, students who submit applications after the priority application deadline are not guaranteed a room on campus.

Students who are interested in on-campus housing over the summer may apply separately for Summer Housing.

Off-Campus Housing in NYC: Incoming Students
If you are looking for housing options off campus in New York City, see the Off-Campus Housing Resources page. Please note that The New School is not affiliated with these resources and we do not endorse any specific site nor do we vet any of the listings provided. When conducting your search, please be aware of scams, do not send money before viewing an apartment, and be careful about the information you provide.

Parsons Paris Housing
Housing is available in Paris for Parsons Paris students through an affiliate provider, API Abroad. Students may consider living in a shared apartment or an individual studio. For more information about on-campus housing options in Paris, visit the Parsons Paris Housing page.

The type of housing you stay in during your study abroad experience may vary based on your program. Most study abroad programs provide information about housing during the application process. Follow the instructions in your application materials to reserve your housing. You can also contact your host institution for more information.

Most study abroad programs have one or more of the following types of housing options:

• Homestay
• Student Dorm
• Apartment (individual or share)

Some study abroad programs have specific or required housing options as part of the program. Additionally, accommodations (ex. closets, linens, furnishings, elevators, laundry, etc.) may vary. Before you leave for your journey abroad, be sure to consult with your host institution or program provider to learn more about the housing accommodations.

Please remember that you will be billed directly by your study abroad program or alternative housing provider for housing-related fees and solely responsible for paying these charges.

If you are pursuing alternative housing options, please be aware of scams, do not send money before viewing an apartment, and be careful about the information you provide. Your study abroad program may be able to provide you with resources for housing not provided through your program, but you should be careful to also complete your own due diligence on any external resources before sending any money or information.

Access to money is very important for your travel, so be sure to prepare for ways to access cash and/or credit in your study destination. As you prepare, refer to the following tips:

• Beware of and protect yourself from international financial scams.
• Protect against fraud: Notify your bank to place a travel notice on credit/debit cards.
• Research partner banks in your study destination to reduce transaction fees (for example, Bank of America’s partner in France is BNP Paribas).
• Familiarize yourself with exchange rates and any international fees on credit/debit transactions.
• Plan a daily budget and carry only the cash you need each day.
• Keep some savings in a secure place for emergencies.
• Look for discount services such as monthly passes for local transportation.
• Carry the equivalent of $100 USD in local currency while in transit.
• Photocopy the front and back of all credit and bank cards you plan to take, add bank account numbers, and store them in a secure place for reference if necessary.

U.S. Cell Phones
Before departure, students are advised to consult their cell phone provider to discuss their options and the costs related to taking a U.S. cell phone overseas. There are often additional costs and fees related to using a U.S. cell phone abroad. Students should consider all options before bringing their U.S. cell phone to another country.

Getting a Cell Phone Abroad
Students may consider renting or buying a pay-as-you-go or prepaid phone in their study destination. It is a very common practice to find an affordable alternative to taking a U.S. phone abroad. It is advised to check with the host institution or study abroad program provider for cell phone recommendations for the study destination.

Alternatives to Cell Phones
Some students may want to consider ditching a cell phone altogether when studying abroad. There are many alternatives to cell phones to stay in communication with others, such as email, phone cards, social media, and blogs.

VOiP Alternatives
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOiP) platforms such as Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Skype, and WhatsApp are all alternative platforms for audio, video, and group conversations that occur over the internet without the need for a cell phone. It is best to set up and test a few of these platforms on your personal devices before leaving the U.S. so that you are prepared once you are abroad and connected to the internet.

Internet Connection
Internet connectivity is available nearly worldwide and many countries also have WiFi available in common public spaces. However, you may not have access to WiFi or the internet in the same ways that you do at home. It’s important to find out from your host institution, homestay family, and/or study abroad program provider where internet connectivity may be blocked or slow as well as if any firewall protection settings may prevent you from accessing certain websites. Remember to also be cautious when using public Wi-Fi connections. It is advised to never transmit financial or other sensitive personal information over a public network.

Plug-ins/Adapters
Before leaving, check that you have appropriate plug-ins/adapters, batteries, connectors, and removable storage for your device(s) to ensure that you can properly charge and connect to them in your study destination. Please refer to World Power Plugs to find out which adapters you will need.

We encourage students to familiarize themselves with and monitor the political, economic, and social climate of their host country before departure and during study abroad. Use the resources below to learn more about your study destination:

• CIA World Factbook
• GoinGlobal (accessible to all New School students via MyNewSchool)
• Let's Go Travel Guide
• Lonely Planet Travel Guides
• U.S. Department of State Country Information
• U.S. Students Abroad

Read the information provided in your acceptance or pre-departure documents to determine when you need to arrive in your host location for classes and any program orientations as well when you will return. You should plan on remaining in your host country until the term is finished and arrange for transportation accordingly. Student travel websites like Student Universe may provide cheaper flight options for students.

When preparing for travel, consider offsetting the negative climate impacts of your trip and reduce your carbon footprint such as by purchasing carbon offsets through your airline or other transportation provider, if offered, as well as through certified, non-profit organizations such as CoolEffect.