It is recommended that you undertake the following steps before departing Australia or whilst overseas:
Leave copies of all your important documents with someone
It is imperative that you leave copies of all your important documents with family or a friend before you go. This is critical in the event of an emergency. This includes photocopies of: your plane ticket, passport, visas, travellers cheques, insurance policy, credit cards, emergency phone numbers, etc. Also keep a copy of all these documents yourself incase anything gets lost or stolen. It is also advised to carry a copy of your letter of acceptance with your travel documents in case it is required.
Visit a GP and get your vaccinations
Visiting a doctor, preferably a specialist Travel Doctor, is extremely important. They will be able to give you all of the information, vaccinations and health advice that you require about your destination. If you are on medication of any sort, be sure to bring an adequate supply along with you, as an equivalent medication may not be available at your destination. You will require a note describing the contents of the medication from your doctor to carry your medication through customs in Australia as well as overseas.
Carry your study plan and latest academic transcript
A copy of your latest academic transcript will make enrolling much easier at your host institution. You must carry a copy of your study plan so you know what units you already have equivalencies for, and which units you still need approved, once you have enrolled overseas.
Mailing address and email address
You must advise us of an address where correspondence can be sent whilst you are overseas. Additionally, 95% of our correspondence is conducted by email – you must have an operational email account that you check regularly. That's fine if you decide not to use you student email account but you must redirect emails to your own personal account. Ensure we are listed in your address book so our emails are not removed by your junk mail filter.
International Students
You must report to DIMIA before leaving Australia for your exchange program. UQ Abroad will have provided you with a letter to present to DIMIA explaining your exchange program.
Withdrawing from units
If you are going on exchange during UQ's second semester, you must ensure that you have withdrawn from all your units for second semester prior to your departure.
Register with the consulate abroad
When you arrive in your destination country, you must register with the consulate of your home country there. This is important for officials from your country to locate you in the event of an emergency.
Carrying your money overseas
Never carry more money than you can afford to lose. Carry a balance of cash, travellers cheques and credit cards. Remember, travellers cheques and credit cards can be cancelled and replaced, but cash is never covered by travel insurance. At the same time, always have enough money for a taxi or at least an emergency phone call.