This document provides a step-by-step guide to planning a study abroad trip to Mexico. It outlines 8 key steps: 1) register for a study abroad program by the April 16 deadline; 2) apply for a U.S. passport; 3) register with the U.S. embassy/consulate; 4) address health considerations like insurance and vaccinations; 5) check cellular coverage; 6) purchase airline tickets through online travel sites; 7) pack bags following TSA guidelines; 8) references for more information. Each step provides details on requirements, links to relevant resources, and tips for ensuring a smooth process.

1. Study Abroad in Mexico A Step by Step Guide to Planning your Excursion

2. Step 1 Register for AHA study abroad program Deadline April 16 Requirements: Sophomore standing 2.5 GPA How: Some universities allow students to apply online directly to AHA, while other universities require students to apply directly to their home campus study abroad office before applying to AHA.

3. APPLYING THROUGH AHA INTERNATIONAL If your university allows you to apply directly through AHA International, follow these steps: Create a profile in the AHA online application system. Go to the program page for the location you intend to apply for, and click the “apply now” button. You will be prompted to fill out your personal details and create a log-in account. Then, you can select the term you would like to apply for. If you would like to apply for more than one term, select the “apply now” button again, and follow the prompts to select your second term. The AHA online system is where you will access important information throughout the process of studying abroad. http://www.ahastudyabroad.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=9767C83E-0E7F-1B20-9A942D62F2686B76&Link_ID=1C080A3C-19B9-D317-A36BF1F799773F89

4. APPLYING THROUGH AHA INTERNATIONAL 2. Read university-specific application instructions Once you have created a profile and logged in, please read the Application Instructions page for further details regarding the application process for your campus. Campus processes vary, so it is important to pay close attention to the details listed on the Application Instructions page.

6. Submit evidence of U.S. citizenship

7. Present Identification

8. Submit a photocopy of the identification document presented

9. Pay the applicable fee ($95.00 + $25.00)

10. Provide two passport photos

11. You are applying for your first U.S. passport or

12. You are under age 16or

13. Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16or

14. Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damagedor

15. Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years agoor

18. This permission must include:

19. the name of the parent

20. the name of the child

21. the name of anyone traveling with the child

23. (usually a birth certificate or court document)

24. an original custody decree, if applicable. Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate for current information.

25. Travel Visa Visas are not required for studies in Mexico: - lasting six months or less - up to 180 days as a tourist.

26. Step 3Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.

27. Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate In order for the US Embassy to assist you - in the event of an emergency, leave your contact information, including: - a valid e-mail address - a phone number where you can be reached - the address where you will be staying

28. Registration with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Register here:https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/For specific questions regarding registration contact:ConsularMexico@state.govUp to date travel advisories for travel in Mexico:http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

29. Step 4All Things Health Insurance1. Check with your insurance company for health coverage when traveling abroad.2. The CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.

30. See your Health Care Provider 4 - 6 weeks prior to departure Get necessary vaccines: Information on vaccines, etc. the Centers for Disease Control website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mexico.aspx To contact the CDC: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

31. 2. Prevent Insect Borne Illness Travelers can reduce their risk of getting dengue fever by protecting themselves from mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy. Travelers should follow the steps below to protect themselves from mosquito bites: 1. Where possible, stay in hotels or resorts that are well screened or air conditioned and that take measures to reduce the mosquito population. If the hotel is not well screened, sleep under bed nets to prevent mosquito bites. 2. When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. If sunscreen is needed, apply before insect repellent. - Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. 3. Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. For greater protection, clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.) If you return from a trip abroad and get sick with a fever, you should seek medical care. Be sure to tell the doctor or other health-care provider about your recent travel.

32. Medications to take with you: And Don’t Forget: Iodine tablets and portable water filters in case purified water is not available Recommended filters: - Look for the words "reverse osmosis" - "absolute 1 micron" filters - look for the NSF trademark plus the words "cyst reduction" or "cyst removal" on the product label information 2. For more information or to see if your filter is safe: http://www.nsf.org/certified/DWTU/info@nsf.org Antibacterial hand wipes Sunblock Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes Bed nets treated with permethrin, if you will not be sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room and will be in malaria-risk areas 1. Carry prescription medication in your carry-on and make sure it is enough for the duration of your trip2. Anti-malarial drugs if going to an area with malaria3. Medication for diarrhea4. Over the counter medications

33. Step 5:Cellular Phone Coverage Check with your cellular phone service provider prior to departure to confirm that your cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks

34. Step 6Airline Tickets Here are a few Trip advisor browses the top online sites for the best prices and is fairly easy to navigate. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights Others include http://www.sidestep.com/ http://www.expedia.com http://www.vayama.com http://www.lowfares.com http://www.kayak.com/ http://www.hotwire.com/ http://www.cheaptickets.com/ Every internet search done for low airfare, results in more sites and more options. Airline Tickets may be purchased nearly a year in advance. Thursday travel seems to be the optimal time for more reasonable rates. Purchasing tickets directly through the airlines triples the cost of airfare. There are many competitive online sites to purchase reasonably priced tickets. Alerts can be created to have you notified via email when a fare drops

35. Step 7Now It is Time to Pack Your Bags Now that airport security is so much tighter, due to the threat of terrorism, it is less easy to pack for a trip than it once was. Here are a few guidelines (For a more comprehensive list) http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

36. A Few More Guidelines 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure. Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience. 3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage. Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

37. References United States. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Apply for a U.S. Passport. February 1995. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://travel.state.gov/about/about_4955.html United States. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. U.S. Visas. February 1995. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html Mize, K. ESOL/Bilingual Education,Summer Morelia, 1999. Western Oregon University. Web. 7 June 2010. http://www.wou.edu/education/teacher_ed/esol_bilingual/morelia-flyer10summer.pdf AHA International Study Abroad, Application Process FAQ. 1999. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.ahastudyabroad.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=9767C83E-0E7F-1B20-9A942D62F2686B76&Link_ID=1C080A3C-19B9-D317-A36BF1F799773F89 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your Online Source for Credible Health Information. 1999. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mexico.aspx Transportation Security Administration, Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1. 2009. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm TripAdvisor. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights SideStep, Inc. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.sidestep.com/ Expedia, Inc. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.expedia.com/ Vayama. 2006-2010 Airtrade International Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.vayama.com/jsp/aboutUs/aboutus.jsp?s=345266901 LowFares.com. 1995 - 2010 LowFares.com, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.lowfares.com/ Kayak. 2010. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.kayak.com/ Hotwire. 2000-2010 Hotwire, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.hotwire.com/ CheapTickets. 2002-2010, Trip Network, Inc. Web. 7 June, 2010. http://www.cheaptickets.com/