• At least three to four weeks are required to obtain a passport in many countries. Get started on this early. You can’t leave home without it!
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned date of return.
• Keep a photocopy of the page that shows number, date and issuing office, and a copy of your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
• If you lose your passport, contact your Embassy or Consulate to report it missing.
  

Visas
Some countries require a visa in your passport. Apply for visas for ALL countries you will visit before you depart from home.

Immunizations
Begin immunizations early to ensure protection and to avoid receiving injections overseas. Keep booster shots up-to-date for continued protection. Click http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx for a listing of the immunizations you need.

Yellow Fever vaccine is required by all persons 9 months of age and older (6 months in high risk areas) if living, traveling or transiting through regions located between latitudes 20 degrees North and South of the equator in Africa and South America. In parts of Asia the certificate is required of all travelers, even those transiting through yellow fever zones. Certificates of Vaccination become valid 10 days after the injection.

Itinerary

• Plan to arrive in your country in the daytime and during business hours if possible. Avoid arriving on national holidays or during strikes when everything is closed down.
• Leave an itinerary and list of contacts for your family or friends.
• Read relevant newspapers — watch the news — check to verify the stability and safety of the country where you will serve.
  

• setting your watch to the destination time as soon as you board the plane and acting according to the new time, such as sleeping on the aircraft
• avoiding heavy meals.
• increasing fluid intake (water and juices) to counter dehydration.
• resting for the first few days after arrival in your host country.
  

• Debit cards are now a better way to handle money at ATM’s or banks.
• Before you go, exchange a small amount of money into the foreign currency if possible, or alternatively, change some money at the airport upon arrival but preferably before you leave the immigration hall.
• Take the rest in travelers’ checks.
• Find out what the exchange rate is prior to departure.
• Be sure to carry passport, credit/debit card, and money in a money belt or pouch on your body.
• Divide your money between a waist pouch and an inside pocket or pouch below the knee.
• Keep your traveler’s checks and credit/debit card in separate places in case of loss or theft.
• Have options in case of emergencies - don’t rely on only checks or just a credit/debit card.
  

• Bank line-ups can be hours long.
• Hotels and restaurants have unfavorable rates.
• You may find a better exchange rate at the exchange shops.