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Travel Advice

Advice: Melbourne Abroad | Passport/Visa | Communication | Travel | Useful things to pack | Before you leave | While you are away |

Money Matters: Foreign Banking | Credit Cards | ATMs | PINs | Travellers Cheques | Foreign Currency | Youth Allowance | Help |

Melbourne Abroad

The following checklists have been devised by "Melbourne Abroad" (part of the University of Melbourne International Office ) for students participating in their Melbourne Abroad Exchange Program. It is strongly advised that you read the sections below thoroughly. The Melbourne Abroad staff are very experienced at dealing with all issues surrounding international student placements, and would be more than happy to answer any queries that you may have regarding travel in general.

Melbourne Abroad Office
Level 3, John Smyth Building
(located near the corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets)
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 7452/ 0342
fax: +61 3 8344 3734
web: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/exchanges/index.html

Passport/Visa

You will need a valid passport that will be current for a minimum of six months beyond the total duration of your planned stay. Apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible to avoid delays. Application details are available at the post office.

Contact the Embassy or Consulate of your host country to determine if a visa is required and to clarify application details. In most cases you will be required to provide a letter of confirmation from the AMS Administrator and an acceptance document from your host institution.

Make sure you have the appropriate documentation packed in your hand luggage for your arrival at customs. Normally this would include: letter of offer from the host institution, financial statement (proof of funds) and evidence of accommodation, in addition to your standard travel documents

Communication

Ensure that the AMS Administrator has your permanent Australian contact details and your contact details in the host country.

Set up a free global email account:

Remember, the AMS office and the university will always contact you via your UGRAD email account, so ensure you check this regularly. You wil still need to re-enrol for the next semester, even when overseas.

Organise a system for calling home. Telstra has a telecard system that enables calls to be charged to a home phone account (within Australia ). It is useful to arrange a set day and time to call home on a regular basis.

Make sure you have the contact details for your AMS unit coordinator/supervisor and the International Students Office (if applicable) at your host institution.

Travel

Organise an International Student ID card. Application forms are available at STA travel.

An international Youth Hostel card is available from the YHA.

Organise an International Drivers Licence through the RACV. You will need passport photos and a copy of your current licence.

Take two photocopies of the following documents. Leave one copy at home and take a copy overseas with you (store in a different place to your originals):

Passport and visa details
Airline ticket
Travellers cheques
Insurance policy
Letter of offer from host institution
Your approved study plan

Bring extra passport photos. These will be useful for library cards, student cards, etc.

It is a good idea to organise a Power of Attorney certificate allowing someone to sign on your behalf. This can avoid problems with banking, university issues, tax and concession benefits, etc, that may need to be resolved while you are overseas.

Try to plan ahead for your studies and pack (or mail ahead) items that you already have (eg: particular text books, lab coat, etc).

Take a University of Melbourne calendar to remind yourself of closing dates for enrolment, etc. It is your responsibility to manage your continuing enrolment at Melbourne while you are abroad. Late fees are charged if you miss re-enrolment deadlines.

Returned University of Melbourne exchange students offer the following advice to students travelling overseas:

Useful things to pack

alarm clock or clock radio (the clock radio can double as a stereo)
laptop computer
posters and blutack (you can mail these ahead in a postal tube)
photos of family and friends
bed linen (sheets, pillow cases and doona cover)
sleeping bag (put your sleeping bag in a doona cover to make a doona)
a few favourite recipes (to cook for yourself and friends)

Before you leave

Email your host institution regarding student bank accounts and packages.
Investigate phone cards and telecards before you go.
Plan some of your travel before you go. Rail passes are often cheaper if bought in Australia.
Visit your bank to find out about the best way to handle money while overseas. Find out about all of the fees and charges that you may incur using various methods.
Start looking for accommodation as early as possible.
In addition to an address book, it is a good idea to send an email containing important addresses and information to yourself. If you lose your address book you will still have an electronic copy.
Make sure you have filled in any relevant AMS documentation.

While you are away

Keep an eye on your budget and always have an emergency plan to cover unexpected expenses.
Plan to take a multivitamin supplement before you leave and for the first few weeks that you are away to help your body stay healthy while you acclimatise to the change of environment.
Keep a diary/scrapbook
Get involved in clubs and societies or short courses
Buy a pot plant for your room to brighten things up
Try The Age on-line if you are feeling homesick for news of Melbourne: www.theage.com.au
Other useful websites include:
· www.statravel.com (and the Australian site: www.statravel.com.au )
· www.lonelyplanet.com
· www.letsgo.com

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides a website which supplies information to Australian nationals about current crisis situations in overseas countries, such as natural disasters or civil unrest. This is an excellent way of accessing up to date information and advice on what to do in case of emergency: www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/

Foreign Banking

In most cases, it is possible to open a local bank account when you arrive overseas. Find out about special student accounts, as these may have added benefits including commission free travellers cheques, no minimum balance, etc.
It is wise to use a combination of methods when taking money overseas, such as travellers cheques, debit card, credit card, electronic transfer and cash. It is never advisable to carry large amounts of cash.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are useful for emergency backup. Visa is widely accepted throughout the world. American Express is widely accepted in America , but acceptance may be limited in Europe and Asia . Acceptance of Mastercard may be limited in some countries.

ATMs

Most banks have a debit account card function (eg Cirrus or Maestro) that allows you to withdraw money from your Australian bank account from designated ATMs overseas. These account cards also function as EFTPOS cards at designated businesses. The fees for this service can be quite high (for both cash withdrawal and account balance), so check with your bank before you leave. Be aware of the current exchange rates when using this service.
Debit Visa cards are another option. They have the acceptance of a credit Visa, with the advantage that the money is taken directly from your savings rather than a credit account. Debit Visa cards function as an EFTPOS card, a Visa card and allow you to withdraw cash from ATMs. Check with your bank regarding the fees incurred for these services.
The majority of ATMs in non-English speaking countries automatically change to English settings after reading your card.
It is advisable to have someone at home monitor your accounts. For example, in the event of someone obtaining your credit card number they will be able to pick up any unusual spending habits and advise you.

PINs

If possible, memorise your account PINs and don't carry written copies. If you need a visual reminder encrypt them as phone numbers or in a hidden form. Don't carry them in your wallet with your cards. Never divulge your PIN to anyone.

Travellers Cheques

Travellers cheques in American dollars are the most widely accepted. They are a safe way to carry cash. Keep a record of the travellers cheque numbers (or photocopy the cheques) in case of loss.
Plan ahead and keep a close eye on the exchange rate and aim to transfer your funds at the most opportune time, even if this means organising your travellers cheques well ahead of your travel time. If you think that the rate looks good but may improve further, you may like to only change half your money at the good rate to hedge your bets.

Some places will change travellers cheques free of commission for students. It's worth asking.

Foreign Currency

It is advisable to start your trip with a minimum of the equivalent of $200 in the appropriate currency to cover the first few days abroad.
It can be useful to have a small amount of American dollars in small bills as these are widely accepted.
Carry some Australian dollars. You may be able to exchange them in a country with a favourable exchange rate, and people in your host country will enjoy seeing what our currency looks like.

Youth Allowance

If you are currently receiving Youth Allowance/Austudy or any student loans or grants, you are usually eligible to receive this while on an overseas student placement. Contact the appropriate organisation to confirm arrangements.

Help!

There is a chance that your carefully planned budget may not hold up to the scrutiny of fantastic places to see and shops to spend in, or even the general cost of living. It is important to have an emergency financial plan.

Work out what you would do if faced with a situation of urgent financial need and plan a strategy. This may include such contingencies as:

an emergency only credit card
a phone call to mum and dad
arranging for someone at home to sell an item of value (ie your car)

Make a special time to meet and discuss your emergency plan with those people involved and make sure they agree to the process. Organise any documents that you will need to make this plan a reality. For example, if you planned to let your parents sell your car, arrange a signed transfer of ownership form to leave in their care.

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