Attend all mandatory meetings and orientation sessions. The schedule is posted on MyUCR Abroad (the online portal used for your UCR Education Abroad application). 

Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for information on how to obtain a U.S. passport.

Important Note on the "X" Gender Passport Option: 
On April 11, 2022, the United States joined a growing list of countries that allow for a third gender option (“X”) in passports. Because most countries continue to offer only binary options for identifying sex and the "X" gender option remains unknown to many border control agents and passport screeners, students traveling with an "X" gender option on their passport may encounter issues if their host country does not recognize this option. If you plan to travel with an "X" gender option on your passport, please contact our office so we can advise on next steps based on your host country's recognition of this option and provide other resources such as the U.S. Department of State’s travel guidance for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Depending on where you are traveling, you may need a visa. This includes any countries you may be traveling to other than your primary destination. Find out more online by visiting location-specific government websites.

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only internationally recognized student ID card. Since its launch in 1953, the ISIC card has helped over 40 million students get the most out of their travel experience. With access to a global network of affordable and specialized student services, the ISIC card is your key to more than 40,000 discounts and benefits in 120 countries worldwide. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Association is a member of the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation (WYSE Travel Confederation), a not-for-profit organization which brings together world-leading specialists in student and youth travel services.

Some programs will include the ISIC card as part of your program fees. If the card is not included as part of your program, students have the option to purchase the ISIC card and the fee will be billed to your UCR student account. If you choose to use STA Travel to book your airfare, you must purchase the ISIC card to book your flight.

To purchase the ISIC card, contact the Education Abroad office for details.

Although students will be enrolled in either the University of California’s Travel Insurance Coverage, UCEAP Insurance, or a non-UC program insurance plan, we recommend that students check with their personal health care provider to confirm that their coverage extends beyond U.S. borders during the time that they will be traveling.

In addition to your program insurance plan, students who purchase the ISIC card may have ISIC Basic Insurance Coverage.

The ISIC card MUST BE ACTIVATED in order to access its benefits. 
PLEASE ACTIVATE YOUR CARD IMMEDIATELY and PRIOR TO DEPARTURE!  

Your policy will govern the final interpretation of any provision or claim. It is important that you read your policy carefully.

Visit the ISIC website for more information.