Travel Tips for International Students

Expect the unexpected. Check in for all flights well in advance of departure. If you are planning on spending the night in a hotel, either during transit or upon arrival in Scranton, arrange to have your reservation guaranteed to a credit card in case your flight is delayed and you arrive later than expected.

Documents

• Keep your important documents on your person at all times. (ie., Passport, Certificate of Eligibility I-20)
• You should keep photocopies of all your important documents in each of your bags.

Luggage

• Carry On Luggage - To limit inconvenience in the case of lost luggage, keep in your carry-on luggage all of the items you would need for one night's emergency stay in a hotel. Keep your carry-on luggage light; you may have to walk a long distance in the airport to catch a connecting flight.
• Label Luggage - Make sure you print your name and address (c/o Keystone College, One College Green, La Plume, PA 18440 U.S.A.) on identification tags and put them inside and outside on all your luggage.
• Luggage - Try to book your luggage through to Scranton, or at least your port of entry to the U.S. This will save you a lot of time and trouble.
• Be careful at airports - do not leave your bags unattended or with strangers!
• Carry labeled medicines with you - you never know when you will get a headache or become sick.

Airline

Contact the airline you will be traveling on to determine the weight/size restrictions and number of pieces of luggage that you can check and carry on board with you. Be sure to label all luggage with your name, address, and telephone number.

Money

Carry the bulk of your money in Travelers Checks. They are safer than cash and convert easily to local currency. Carry some small change in $1 bills, and some quarters, which are useful when you need to make a local telephone call. You may want to bring a telephone calling card with you if you need to call Keystone College.

Comfort

• During the flight, consider placing your feet on some type of footrest, or even your carry-on luggage, to take the pressure off the backs of your legs.
• Request a small pillow to use as a lumbar support for your lower back. You may also wish to use an additional pillow to support your neck.
• On long flights it is wise to get up and move around the cabin periodically. This is, of course, easier to do from an aisle seat so you may want to request when you book your flight.
• It is a good idea to drink at least one glass of water or juice every hour to prevent dehydration. You should avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, as they contribute to dehydration.