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Traveler's Checklist

Before you embark on a trip abroad, consider these recommendations:

 

1. Learn about your destination

Familiarize yourself with the customs, culture, language, and laws of your host nation by:

  • Visiting the Duke-International SOS portal where you can sign up for email alerts for your destination country and read about their security information, medical advice and traveler tips
  • Visiting your host country's Embassy website to find out what the entry requirements are, you may need a visa or there will be passport validity requirements
  • Turning to Duke Libraries where their Librarians can help you find materials from around the world, visit International Research
  • Read the Country Information compiled by the U.S. Department of State
  • Visit sites like Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, where you can chat in online Country Forums to ask questions in their "community of independent travelers"

2. Alert your providers

  • Notify credit card and banking institutions about your upcoming foreign travel. Duke procurement card holders for example should contact Bank of America/Merrill Lynch prior to departure. Financial institutions have anti-fraud mechanisms that may automatically reject a charge initiated outside of the United States, particularly if you are not someone who travels frequently. Alerting your account provider in advance of your planned destionations can prevent inconvenience caused by a freeze on your access to funds. You may also be prompted to set up a PIN in advance of travel
  • Contact your wireless carrier to ask about international usage fees and global calling plans. If you carry a Duke-paid cell phone, check with your departmental or school business managers before departure

3. Ensure your connectivity

  • Visit Duke's Office of Information Technology's Global IT Checklist and follow their advice to ensure you can access Duke resources such as your email, Duke@Work, networked files, and library resources from abroad
  • Familiarize yourself with Eduroam, which allows you to get secure (encrypted) wireless access using your Duke NetID in 101 territories worldwide

4. Stay healthy

  • Visit the Travel Clinics for a pre-travel health checkup to ensure you are healthy enough for travel and that you have any destination-specific vaccinations that are required
  • Check you destination's laws regarding prohibited pharmaceuticals, as the type or quantity of your typical medications may not be allowed in every country. For detailed guidance, consult your healthcare provider or check with the embassy of your destination country. For information on narcotics or psychotropic medications, visit the INCB International Travelers webpage
  • Remember that even over-the-counter medications and other common goods, such as bug spray or sunscreen, might not be available at your destination.  Plan ahead and include those remedies when you are packing

5. Register Your Trip

6. Prepare for illness/injury or other event