Travel
Passport
A valid passport is required to enter and leave most countries and must be obtained through the U.S. Department of State. Passports are required for every abroad program offered by Kettering University.
Due to various processing times, we recommend applying for a passport as soon as possible. All passports must be valid at least six months beyond the return date of your education abroad program. Should your passport expire before then, you should renew it immediately.
Passport applications for U.S. citizens are available at most post offices,
Each passport application must include the following materials:
Make several copies of your passport, leave a copy with family in the US and carry a copy with you at all times. Be sure to keep an additional copy with your belongings. In the event of you losing your passport, the copies may speed up the replacement process. If this happens you must contact the the nearest US Embassy or Consulate immediately.
ISIC Card
Next to your passport, your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is one of the most valuable travel documents for you to have. It verifies your student status and is widely recognized throughout the world. The card provides discounts on some goods and services, this ranges from lower airfare, cheaper insurance, reduced fees (or free entry) to museums, theaters, concerts and cultural sites around the world.
ISIC also provides supplemental health insurance coverage. This plan covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas, it also includes repatriation of remains in case of death.
Please contact the OIP for details on how to apply for your ISIC card. Please note that you MUST obtain the Premium Card and Kettering University will not allow the Basic Card to be substituted for the Premium.
Visas
Some countries require that U.S. citizens have a visa, depending on the length and purpose of their stay. A visa is an official document giving permission to enter a country and is granted by the government of the country you wish to enter. It may be in the form of a stamp imprinted on a page in your passport or it might be an official document, which includes a photograph.
Visa requirements vary from country to country. Information relating to all visas may be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate of the country or countries in which you will study and/or travel. To find out which countries require visas, visit the U.S. State Department's country specific information page.
Visa requirements are usually different for non-U.S. citizens. Please read the FAQ: Education Abroad for International Students.
If you are at Kettering as an international student, you must let your student coordinator know that you plan to study in a country that requires a visa for your nationality, whilst we do not complete the visa application for you, we are happy to guide you and provide assistance for your application. Visas are granted solely at the discretion of the Embassy or Consulate of the host country.
Customs & Immigration
Upon arrival into your host country, immigration officials will ask you the purpose of your visit and how long you propose to stay in their country. They will examine your passport, as well as visa and immunization certificates if they are required. They may or may not then stamp your passport, and you are free to enter the country. Depending on local practice, as well sometimes as the season and time of your arrival, this procedure can range from being quick and cursory to laborious and time-consuming.
After Immigration comes Customs. You will be asked to declare (perhaps in writing) if you are carrying certain items in your luggage. Be sure to declare any restricted items, as luggage may be opened and checked. Always be respectful and polite. Never make jokes about bombs or illegal drugs. This kind of behavior can get you detained by the police.
If you plan on taking expensive items, such as cameras, iPods, iPads/tablets, laptop computers, etc., you should consider registering them with U.S. Customs before you leave. That way those items will not be subject to duty when you return. Save receipts for major purchases made overseas, as you may be able to get reimbursed for the taxes (VAT) paid. You are allowed to bring up to $400.00 of gifts and souvenirs duty-free. Above that amount, you will be charged an import duty equivalent to ten percent of the value of the items. A good publication to get before you leave is "Know Before You Go," which can be obtained from the U.S. Customs Office website.
Travel Arrangements
All study abroad programs offered require you to make your own travel arrangements, the Office of International Programs will provide instructions on when and where to arrive. Often a designated meeting place and time are established so that program staff can greet students upon their arrival.
It will be beneficial for you to book your flights well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during any period when air travel is heavy. Make sure you know what arrangements have been made for the arrival of students in your host country before finalizing your flight reservations. Be cognizant of airline seat sales and be sure to look for "Student Fares" which are fares made available only to degree-seeking students. Using your ISIC Card my also provide a discount against certain fares. Student airfares can be found at websites such as STA Travel
Please remember that you are required to submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Office of International Programs 1 month before departure.
Airport Regulations and Safety
Depending on the airline you fly with, you will be allowed to check one suitcase, but check on your airline’s website for weight regulations and baggage fees, as many airlines now charge for checked baggage. You may also have one carry-on item, usually not including a small purse or jacket.
Check the travel security information for any countries you are flying to, since current security levels are higher. In the US, if carrying liquids in your carry-on, you must follow TSA rules carefully.
Always answer the questions from airport officials seriously and honestly: a joke about terrorism and hijacking may lose something in translation…
| Brandenburg Gate |
A valid passport is required to enter and leave most countries and must be obtained through the U.S. Department of State. Passports are required for every abroad program offered by Kettering University.
Due to various processing times, we recommend applying for a passport as soon as possible. All passports must be valid at least six months beyond the return date of your education abroad program. Should your passport expire before then, you should renew it immediately.
Passport applications for U.S. citizens are available at most post offices,
Each passport application must include the following materials:
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate if you are a U.S. citizen by birth or your naturalization certificate if you are a naturalized citizen)
- Proof of identity (items containing your signature and physical description or photograph, such as your driver’s license)
- Two photographs (must be passport-sized photographs meeting the specifications stated on the application)
- Passport fee of $135
Make several copies of your passport, leave a copy with family in the US and carry a copy with you at all times. Be sure to keep an additional copy with your belongings. In the event of you losing your passport, the copies may speed up the replacement process. If this happens you must contact the the nearest US Embassy or Consulate immediately.
ISIC Card
Next to your passport, your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is one of the most valuable travel documents for you to have. It verifies your student status and is widely recognized throughout the world. The card provides discounts on some goods and services, this ranges from lower airfare, cheaper insurance, reduced fees (or free entry) to museums, theaters, concerts and cultural sites around the world.
ISIC also provides supplemental health insurance coverage. This plan covers emergency medical evacuation in case your illness or injury cannot be treated overseas, it also includes repatriation of remains in case of death.
Please contact the OIP for details on how to apply for your ISIC card. Please note that you MUST obtain the Premium Card and Kettering University will not allow the Basic Card to be substituted for the Premium.
Visas
Some countries require that U.S. citizens have a visa, depending on the length and purpose of their stay. A visa is an official document giving permission to enter a country and is granted by the government of the country you wish to enter. It may be in the form of a stamp imprinted on a page in your passport or it might be an official document, which includes a photograph.
Visa requirements vary from country to country. Information relating to all visas may be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate of the country or countries in which you will study and/or travel. To find out which countries require visas, visit the U.S. State Department's country specific information page.
Visa requirements are usually different for non-U.S. citizens. Please read the FAQ: Education Abroad for International Students.
If you are at Kettering as an international student, you must let your student coordinator know that you plan to study in a country that requires a visa for your nationality, whilst we do not complete the visa application for you, we are happy to guide you and provide assistance for your application. Visas are granted solely at the discretion of the Embassy or Consulate of the host country.
Customs & Immigration
Upon arrival into your host country, immigration officials will ask you the purpose of your visit and how long you propose to stay in their country. They will examine your passport, as well as visa and immunization certificates if they are required. They may or may not then stamp your passport, and you are free to enter the country. Depending on local practice, as well sometimes as the season and time of your arrival, this procedure can range from being quick and cursory to laborious and time-consuming.
After Immigration comes Customs. You will be asked to declare (perhaps in writing) if you are carrying certain items in your luggage. Be sure to declare any restricted items, as luggage may be opened and checked. Always be respectful and polite. Never make jokes about bombs or illegal drugs. This kind of behavior can get you detained by the police.
If you plan on taking expensive items, such as cameras, iPods, iPads/tablets, laptop computers, etc., you should consider registering them with U.S. Customs before you leave. That way those items will not be subject to duty when you return. Save receipts for major purchases made overseas, as you may be able to get reimbursed for the taxes (VAT) paid. You are allowed to bring up to $400.00 of gifts and souvenirs duty-free. Above that amount, you will be charged an import duty equivalent to ten percent of the value of the items. A good publication to get before you leave is "Know Before You Go," which can be obtained from the U.S. Customs Office website.
Travel Arrangements
All study abroad programs offered require you to make your own travel arrangements, the Office of International Programs will provide instructions on when and where to arrive. Often a designated meeting place and time are established so that program staff can greet students upon their arrival.
It will be beneficial for you to book your flights well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during any period when air travel is heavy. Make sure you know what arrangements have been made for the arrival of students in your host country before finalizing your flight reservations. Be cognizant of airline seat sales and be sure to look for "Student Fares" which are fares made available only to degree-seeking students. Using your ISIC Card my also provide a discount against certain fares. Student airfares can be found at websites such as STA Travel
Please remember that you are required to submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Office of International Programs 1 month before departure.
Airport Regulations and Safety
Depending on the airline you fly with, you will be allowed to check one suitcase, but check on your airline’s website for weight regulations and baggage fees, as many airlines now charge for checked baggage. You may also have one carry-on item, usually not including a small purse or jacket.
Check the travel security information for any countries you are flying to, since current security levels are higher. In the US, if carrying liquids in your carry-on, you must follow TSA rules carefully.
Always answer the questions from airport officials seriously and honestly: a joke about terrorism and hijacking may lose something in translation…
- NEVER carry packages or letters for strangers.
- NEVER leave your bags unattended: notify security if you see other bags without owners nearby.
- Avoid carrying items like corkscrews, knives and lighters in your carry-on bag. Matches and lighters are banned from most flights, so buy them once you land.
- Go here for a list of prohibited items.
- Check under your seat and in your overhead compartment, and if anything appears out of place, alert an airline attendant.
- If you carry an alarm clock or camera, be prepared to turn it on or take a snapshot of the customs official to prove it is actually what it seems to be.