Travel Resources
Pre-Departure Information
- EdAbroad mandatory Pre-Departure Orientations for study abroad, Global Learning Faculty-led, exchange, and internship participants:
- Orientation 1 No Fear Less Gear
- Orientation 2 Health and Safety
- Orientation 3 All About Culture
- EdAbroad and Career Services Workshop: Suitcase to Briefcase: Your Ticket to Pursuing International Careers
Culture Shock
Combating Culture Shock and Homesickness
Passports & Visas
Air Travel
- Allegiant Air
- YVR deals.com - cheap flights out of Vancouver, BC
- Cheapflights.com: Helping you plan your next travel adventure
- EasyJet
- Germanwings
- Google Flight Search
- Hopper: Tells you when to fly and buy and scores you the lowest fares
- Iberia
- IcelandAir
- momondo: Compare cheap flights and hotels
- Omio: Cheap flights to Europe
- RyanAir
- Skyscanner: Compares millions of flights to find you the cheapest deal, fast
- StudentUniverse.com: Student discounts on travel
- Transavia
- Travel Cuts: International Airfares
- Travel Startups: These 12 startups help you book flights, find the right hotel room, assemble an itinerary and save money — they'll help you land amazing vacations at better prices than ever
- Virgin Airline
Accommodations
- Airbnb: Rent from people in over 34,000 cities and 192 countries
- TripAdvisor Reviews on hotels, trip planning, things to do all around the globe
- Bakpak Guide to Europe: Download free copies of Europe Hostels & Travel Guides
- Casamundo: More than 50,000 holiday homes throughout Europe!
- Couchsurfing: Connect with new friends all around the world
- Hotel Tonight: Good deals on last minute hotels
- Hostelling International: Discover the real hostel experience
- HostelWorld.com: Home to the world's greatest Hostels and B&B's
- HouseTrip: offers an alternative to hotels, providing space, flexibility, privacy and value
- Travel Startups: These 12 startups help you book flights, find the right hotel room, assemble an itinerary and save money — they'll help you land amazing vacations at better prices than ever
- WWU Off Campus Living
- A Guide to Housing: Navigating your Housing Situation Before & After you Study Abroad
Sustainable Travel
- Green Passport: Make your travel sustainable
- Lonely Planet
- Sustainable Travel International
Bus Travel
Rail Travel
- Trains and Rail Passes -Rick Steves
- Eurail (for non-European residents)
- EuroStar
- InterRail (for European residents and students living in Europe for six consecutive months or longer)
- Norwegian State Railways
- Rail Europe
- Japan Rail Pass
- Japan Rail Pass Fare Calculator
- Omio
- Rail passes around the world
Ferry/Boat Travel
- European Ferries by Rick Steves
- Blue Star Ferries (Mediterranean)
- P&O Ferries (North Sea, Britain)
- Trasmediterranea (Spain)
- Viking Line (Baltic Sea)
Finances
- Cost of Living Abroad Compare cost of living around the world to consider which countries are the most cost effective!
- Cost of Living Abroad Comparisons Compare cost of living abroad to costs in your hometown, food, rent, etc.
- Universal Currency Converter XE.com
- Western Union: Send and receive money anywhere
- Using Credit Cards Abroad - OSAC.pdf
- Using Credit Cards While Studying Abroad - Credit Card Insider
- Travel Credit Card Guide from MyThreeCents
- Consumer Affairs Best Travel Credit Cards
Insurance
Western Washington University requires that students engaged in international educational activities be insured through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) prior to travel outside the U.S. Western requires evidence of health insurance (photocopy of insurance confirmation letter or I.D. card) and a completed Health Insurance Questionnaire in the online EdAbroad application.
The insurance plan provides the following minimum amount of coverage:
- Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per injury or sickness.
- Accidental death & dismemberment indemnity in the amount of $10,000.
- Repatriation expense benefits of $15,000.
- Medical evacuation benefits of $50,000.
- Family air fare expense of $1,500.
- Overseas travel and assistance services.
Where can I purchase this insurance? **
- CISI: self-enrollment in group CISI plan for individual Western students. WWU sponsor code is: WWAU
Note: Other plans may be available that fit your needs. Not all plans meet the University’s requirements. Make sure that you become familiar with an individual plan’s eligibility requirements, coverage, limits, exclusions, and premiums before purchasing it. Be certain the plan meets your personal needs for health insurance coverage.
If you have any questions, please contact WWU’s EdAbroad office at (360) 650-3298 or WWU’s Risk Manager at (360) 650-3065.
** Participants of the programs listed below do NOT need to purchase additional insurance.
Academic Programs International (API), American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), CEA Study Abroad, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), International Studies Abroad (ISA), SAI Programs, School for International Training (SIT), The Intern Group, University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), and WWU Global Learning faculty-led Programs.
The University policy Traveling Outside the U.S. (POL U5950.17) applies to travel abroad for students, faculty and staff.
Other resources:
Calling & Communications
- App: Google Translate
- App: Line
- Mobal International Cell Phones
- Cellhire
- Skype
- Smart Phone Apps for Study Abroad
- Best Smartphone Apps for Studying Abroad
- App: Snapchat
- Tips for using your phone abroad
- Telestial Wireless Solutions for Travelers
- T-Mobile International Plan
- App: Viber
- App: WhatsApp
- Student Stories EdAbroad Blogs
- WWU Education Abroad Facebook Page
Voting
Youth Vote Overseas: Online access to voter registration needs for overseas American citizens who wish to participate in federal elections.
Foreign Consulates & Embassies in U.S.
Country Specific Information
- U.S. Department of State
- USA StudyAbroad - Department of State
- Center for Global Education
- City Maps 2 Go Offline Maps: Pre-download maps that you can use when you are offline
- Go Overseas
- Let’s Go Travel Guide
- HostelWorld Free Pocket Guides
- Study in Australia
- App: Triposo
- CDC App: Can I Eat This?
- CDC App: TravWell
Student Engagement
Identity and Diversity Abroad
Other
- Stress reduction: Mindfulness App
- Stress reduction: Calm, Meditate, Sleep, Relax
- How to be Alone video
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC): Student discounts around the world
- World Geography Quiz
- Her Packing List: Site for female packing and travel gear advice
- Matador Community: Travelers of the World, Unite!
- Smart Phone Apps for Study Abroad
- Traveling as a College Student
- Travel Startups: These 12 startups help you book flights, find the right hotel room, assemble an itinerary and save money — they'll help you land amazing vacations at better prices than ever
- Tripit: Organize your travel itinerary in one place, accessible with and without Wi-Fi
- Skyscanner: Compare costs of flights, hotels and travel budgets
- Wi-fi Finder apps: Finds free wi-fi in 144 countries
- Affordable Colleges Online Study Abroad Resource
- GoinGlobal: Jobs here, there, everywhere