What resources are available to help you find a study abroad program in Portugal?

What issues should you consider when looking for a program in Portugal?

Where can you find information on the strengths and weaknesses of programs in Portugal?

How can your U.S. home campus study abroad office help you?

Is the program you have chosen affordable?

How much money will you need to save in order to participate in the program you have chosen?

About how much money do you think you will spend while in Portugal?

What study abroad program group size and class size would be ideal for you?

Do you prefer to be in a class with local Portuguese students, other U.S. students or a combination of the two?

Do you prefer to receive all of your instruction in Portuguese, English or a combination?

What are your personal goals for wanting to study abroad in Portugal?

Have you read and re-read every contract or obligation before signing anything?

If you don't understand what you're being asked to sign, have you had someone else read and explain it to you?

Do you know the penalties for not signing, and the rules you must follow if you sign?

What kind of relationship does your home college/university have with the study abroad program you have chosen in Portugal?

Can you identify which one of the five general types of program sponsors your program has?

What are the main differences among the five general types of program sponsors?

Why might you personally prefer one type of program sponsor over another (i.e. does your choice of program sponsor have any advantages/disadvantages)?

Will the level of support services provided by your program staff both in the United States and in Portugal meet your needs (if not, should you consider choosing another program)?

Can you name the national organizations responsible for regulating the quality of, and certifying minimum standards for, study abroad programs? (Trick question! There are none. It is your responsibility to take an active role in evaluating a program before deciding to participate.)

Do you know what the cost of living is in the area of Portugal where you plan to study?

How does the cost of living abroad in Portugal compare to the cost of living at home in the United States?

Have you started budgeting your income and/or saving money to provide for the costs of living abroad?

Do you try to give all your purchases a "work value" in order to see the time it will take you at work to earn the money to buy them?

What categories do you need to create in your budget book/ledger (rent, food, clothes, entertainment expenditures, etc.)?

What other community groups might want to financially sponsor you?

Have you spoken with an advisor in your school's Financial Aid department?

Do you know what your financial aid package does and does not cover in terms of study abroad expenses?

Before taking out a loan, have you looked at all other options (scholarships, grants, jobs, etc.) first?

For which scholarships, fellowships and grants are you eligible?

Are there any other ways to cut back on expenses (i.e. clipping coupons, not eating out, etc.)?

How is your personal statement/essay like a "written handshake"?

What are some of your best qualities and talents you can emphasize in your personal statement/essay?

If your GPA isn't the greatest, can you explain why, or include other activities you've been involved in instead?

How many letters of recommendation do you need, and have you given your contacts plenty of time to write their letters of recommendation?

Have you written, re-written and asked someone to look over your personal statement for you (especially if you have to write it in Portuguese)?

Have you made sure to include in your personal statement/essay why you want to study abroad in Portugal?

Did you get a good night sleep, dress professionally, and read about Portuguese current events before your interview?

Were you polite and well-mannered when answering all your interview questions thoroughly and specifically?

Have you compared ticket prices offered by travel agents, student agencies and websites?

Do you have a valid passport and visa?

Does your program require you to show proof of insurance, provide a doctor’s letter or confirmation of sufficient funds?

Have you made multiple copies of all important travel documents?

Have you registered to obtain absentee ballots so you can vote in U.S. elections while in Portugal?

Have you set up power of attorney?

Have you established how you are going to pay your outstanding U.S. bills while in Portugal?

Can you register for next semester's courses from Portugal, or can you have an advisor register for you?

Have you taken care of all your financial aid and scholarship forms so that you continue to have financial support at your U.S. home campus when you return?

What kinds of legal assistance can the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate provide you?

What are the penalties for drug use in Portugal and in the other countries you will visit?

Is consumption of alcohol legal in Portugal and in the other countries you will visit? If so, what is the legal age for alcohol consumption?

Do you know how the legal system works in Portugal and in the countries to which you will be traveling ("innocent until proven guilty" or "guilty until proven innocent")?

In addition to any local/national laws, what is your program's specific set of rules to be followed?

What are the telephone numbers (regular business hours and emergency after hours) for your program's administration office both in the United States and in Portugal?

What is the telephone number that will be used to reach you at your place of residence?

What is the telephone number for the housing staff at your place of residence?

Where can you get the best deal on calling cards, in the United States or in Portugal?

Will you need a cellular phone while in Portugal?

What are the fax numbers for your program's administration office, both in the United States and in Portugal?

If you plan to bring your PDA, will it work in Portugal?

Have you created an internationally accessible e-mail account?

Have you given out all of your contact information (e-mail, phone and fax numbers) to your emergency contacts both in the United States and in Portugal, as well as to family and friends?

Do you know the address of your program office in the United States and the address of your place of residence in Portugal?

Does the mail service in Portugal tend to run faster or slower than U.S. mail (i.e. how long will it take a standard letter to get to the United States)?

Have you kept a record of everyone to whom you have given out your address, and asked them to alert you before they send you anything in the mail?

What are the pros and cons of living in a home-stay, residence hall/dorm or apartment environment in Portugal?

Can you change your place of residence in Portugal if things don't work out?

After making a list of pros and cons, which type of housing suits your needs best and why?

What can you do to help yourself prepare for the Rules, Privacy, Sharing, Telephone, Meals, Language and Social Network aspects of the type of housing you have chosen?

Do you know how much luggage your airline allows you to check and to take on board your flight?

Do you know what your airline permits you to carry in your carry-on bag(s)?

Have you researched the weather conditions over various seasons in the region of Portugal where you will be?

Did you remember to pack all important travel documents in your carry-on, not your checked bags?

Did you make an itemized list of everything you packed in your suitcases in case things get lost or stolen and you need to make an insurance claim?

Did you make an itemized list of everything you packed in your suitcases in case they are lost or stolen and you need to make an insurance claim?

If you have decided to ship some items, who have you contacted in Portugal to insure pick-up and/or payment for these items upon arrival?

How will you have to adapt your routine and schedule to life in Portugal?

What is the general quality of facilities like hospitals, restaurants, public transportation, payphones, etc. in Portugal?

What modern conveniences does Portugal offer (i.e. internet hookups, supermarket chains, name brand stores, microwaves, cell phone service, air conditioned classrooms, etc.)?

What kind of restroom facilities and toilets are standard in Portugal?

Will you be living in a co-ed dorm or apartment in Portugal, or does your program permit co-ed living?

Does the program you are considering include insurance as part of its program fee? If so, what kind of insurance does it provide you?

1. Are sports accidents covered?
2. What does the plan consider to be "high risk activities"?
3. Is dental and/or optical care included?
4. Are pre-existing conditions excluded or covered?
5. Are sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS) covered?
6. Is emergency evacuation for medical and psychological problems covered?

Should you consider purchasing your own insurance? If you do, will you not have to pay for the "package deal" insurance provided by the program?

Will you have to pay for medical care as you receive it, and then be reimbursed by your insurance company?

In case of death, will the insurance company pay for repatriation - the return of your body to the United States?

What are the financial limits of coverage?

What are the insurance policy's start and end dates? How long after the program ends will you be covered?

Does your insurance policy provider have a 24-hour assistance phone number/hotline?

If your illness requires long-term care, for how long will you be covered?

What specific travel advisories has the U.S. Department of State recently issued for Portugal and the other countries to which you will be traveling?

What types of crimes are common in the area/city where you will be studying and living in Portugal?

Use and abuse of what, increases the risk of accidents and injury abroad?

What health recommendations has the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently made for Portugal and the countries to which you will be traveling?

Are there any specific immunizations you must get before entering Portugal and the countries to which you will travel?

If you have any pre-existing health conditions, or you need to carry special medications abroad, what should you do before you go abroad?

With whom can you leave copies of your important health-related documents?

Will your prescription drug(s) be legal and/or available in Portugal and the other countries to which you plan to travel?

What is the generic name and Portuguese name for your medication?

Can your program provide for any special needs you may have (wheelchair ramps, un-timed tests, etc.)?

Does the staff speak English or Portuguese?

Do you have access to adequate medical facilities?

What is the cost of typical medical services?

Who among the program staff should be informed of your travel plans, or who can serve as an emergency contact for your family back home?

Who are your emergency contacts in the United States? Do they have copies of your important documents? Can they make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself (do they have power of attorney)?

If you have to return to the United States because of evacuation or medical emergency, will you be refunded for the program fee?

What are the general sanitary conditions in Portugal? What kinds of precautions are necessary when drinking water or eating local food?

Do you have any dietary restrictions? If so, do they pose a problem in Portugal?

How extensive, safe, and reliable is the public transportation system in Portugal and the others countries to which you will be traveling?

How much walking will you be doing in Portugal? How can you prepare yourself for higher levels of physical activity?

What should you carry in a first aid kit?

Do your emergency contacts know how to reach you at all times?

Do your contacts have photocopies of your plane tickets, passport, visa, etc?

What common tricks or tactics do criminals use in the regions in which you will be traveling?

Is local transportation (metro, buses, taxi cabs, etc.) safe to use?

Are roads in generally good condition, or are there common road-related problems (overturned buses, potholes, collapsed bridges, etc.)?

Is it safe to exercise or do outdoor activities on the streets (jogging along roads, running at night, etc.)?

Does your residence, university, etc. provide more than one escape route/exit out of buildings?

Why might there potentially be a need to evacuate in your particular area (fire, natural disaster, bomb threat, etc.)?

What types of notification systems are used in the event of an emergency (alarms, flashing warning lights, curfews, lockdowns, etc.)?

Are there high rates of sexual assaults in the areas you will frequent?

How do locals and local laws deal with harassment and sexual assault (a cultural norm, supportive of victims, blame victims, prosecute, etc.)?

Do locals tend to discriminate based on your particular cultural background, race, religion, skin color, disability, sex, or sexual orientation, etc.?

Does it matter that your cultural background, race, religion, skin color, disability, sex, or sexual orientation, etc. may place you in the minority or the majority in countries to which you will be traveling?

How can you prepare yourself to deal with any prejudice you may face?

What is the current U.S. foreign policy in Portugal and the countries to which you will travel?

What things about you, your way of communicating, dressing, etc. identify you as a U.S. citizen?

What events, celebrations, and groups might pose a threat to you as a U.S. citizen in the countries to which you will travel?

What type of clothing might make you stand out as a tourist/U.S. citizen, or cause you to receive unwanted attention?

Do the countries to which you are traveling have friendly relations with the United States?

What is your program's EAP & what is your personal EAP?

Is your EAP up-to-date, and do all of your U.S. and abroad emergency contacts have a copy of your EAP?

How long has the program been in existence (a new program doesn't necessarily mean a bad program)?

How many other students participate in the program each semester/year?

Are most of the students in the program U.S. citizens, or is it an international group of students? Will there be local students?

Can your program administrator put you in contact with any past program participants so you can ask them questions about their personal experiences abroad?

Does the program emphasize "total immersion" in the language and culture, or are you placed solely with other students from the U.S.?

What are the average class sizes, and how much individual attention can you expect?

Will you be studying at a U.S. university, a Portuguese university, or neither?

What is the language of instruction?

What is the program's current financial situation?

Can you identify what causes you the most stress about your plans to study abroad and why?

What steps can you take to reduce your stress/concerns about study abroad?

What are the three main phases of crisis, and what physical and emotional symptoms may result from each phase?

What are some emotions you may experience during a crisis?

What are some of the active steps you can take to make yourself feel calmer and safer in a crisis?

Do you have all of your identification and travel documents in an assessable, yet secure, location?

Did you accept anything from anyone before boarding your flight?

Did you pack your bags yourself?

Did your bags ever leave your sight or supervision before they were checked in?

Did you fill out all necessary declaration forms?

Were you honest in declaring everything you are bringing into or out of the United States?

Were you careful to avoid carrying any item that be considered illegal in the United States or Portugal, or may cause you to be suspected of smuggling?

What items cannot be brought back into the United States from Portugal?

What steps can you take to maximize your safety while at airports?

What are your airline’s regulations in terms of what you can and cannot pack in your luggage, including carry-on bags?

When should you fill out a duties and customs declaration form?

What are some of the common emotional side effects of culture shock?

How can you avoid feeling frustrated, depressed or discouraged?

What are some things you can do to combat stress?

What are Rhinestein’s 10 phases of cultural adjustment?

Have you experienced any of Rhinestein’s 10 phases, if so, how did you deal with your feelings?

Can you identify any possible cultural differences--between home and Portugal--that might potentially cause you anxiety?

How is culture shock like a roller coaster ride?

Do all students experience culture shock the same way, at the same time?

Why is it harmful to “fear” a country’s culture?

What is the name of your program’s student counselor (in case you need to talk with someone about your problems)?

Why might you also experience reverse culture shock upon arrival back home?

What are some of the common emotional side effects of reverse culture shock?

How can you avoid feeling frustrated, depressed or discouraged upon return home from Portugal?

What are some things you can do to combat stress at home?

What are Rhinesmith’s 10 phases of cultural adjustment and how are they applicable to returning home?

Have you experienced any of Rhinesmith’s 10 phases in Portugal, if so, how did you deal with your feelings? Are you experiencing similar phases now that you are back home?

Can you identify any possible cultural differences--between home and Portugal—that cause you anxiety?

How is reverse culture shock like a roller coaster ride?

Do all students experience reverse culture shock the same way, at the same time?

How has home changed since you’ve been away?

Are you more critical or more accepting of home, and why?

What careers are you considering that might be related to your study abroad experience?

Does your university's career center offer any special services for students considering employment abroad?

If you are considering graduate school, does your home institution offer opportunities to do this abroad?

What accomplishments from your time abroad should you, or can you, include in your resume?

Would you like to return abroad, and what is the best way for you to be able to return?

What do you want to do abroad - study, research, work, volunteer, intern, travel?

Who do you have to start talking to, to begin the process of going abroad again?