When you are accepted into your program, you will receive a comprehensive pre-departure briefing package, including information about health and safety, which will also be addressed in your pre-departure orientation. Here are a few basics:

Immunizations
- Check your immunization record and make sure your vaccinations are up to date. See your doctor 4-6 weeks before departure so any vaccinations will take effect in time. Visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn what is recommended for your destinations. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

Important Information
- Write down important names, phone numbers, postal and email addresses of home campus personnel that you might need to contact during your time in other countries.

International Student Identity Card
- Get your international student identity card (ISIC). For more information, please visit http://www.isic.org

Document Copies
- Make multiple copies of your passport & visa. Leave a copy at home with your family. Take photos as well to have on your phone.

Inform Banks & Credit Card Companies
- If you have credit cards and debit cards, call the respective customer representatives and tell them that you will be out of the country for a period of time. Discuss matters concerning your account such as withdrawal fees, daily ATM limits, how your cards will function overseas, setting up online accounts, etc.

- Write down the customer service phone numbers for each card and the card numbers in case they are lost or stolen.

- Make copies of your credit and debit cards and leave them with a responsible person at home.

Health & Safety
- Discuss safety with your family members and develop emergency contact procedures.

- Read over your Medical and Evacuation insurance plan, and make sure you and your family fully understand your coverage.

- Obtain all medical prescriptions, copies of the prescriptions, and adequate supplies. Be sure to obtain a letter from your physician indicating that these prescriptions are for personal use and are needed for a personal medical condition.

Pack light, and check with your airline representative for information on baggage for international flights. Visibly mark your luggage for easy identification.

Most airlines allow you to check two bags and bring one carry-on. Keep in mind that every item you pack may return to haunt you when traveling. When packing, try to keep your load under 25 pounds and remember that large suitcases may not fit on buses or trains.

Be mindful of the extensive security measures at airports. Do not carry in your hand luggage anything that could be considered a weapon. Matches and lighters are also not allowed. Limit liquids and gels to 3 ounces or less. Please check TSA (www.tsa.gov) for up-to-date information. Respond to all questions seriously and honestly at security checkpoints. Never carry packages or letters for strangers. Never leave your bags unattended.

Your experience abroad will be shaped in part by the local climate, which varies across our program locations. In Shanghai, you’ll enjoy four distinct seasons, from chilly, damp winters that sometimes dip below freezing to hot, humid summers with the occasional thunderstorm or heavy rain. Spring and fall offer mild, pleasant weather in the mid-60s°F. Chengdu also experiences four seasons, influenced by a humid subtropical climate—winters average in the mid-50s°F, summers are warm to hot and humid, and rain is common year-round. Taipei shares this humid subtropical climate, with mild winters, hot and humid summers, and steady rainfall throughout the year. In Tokyo, you’ll find four distinct seasons as well—mild winters in the 40s°F, spectacular cherry blossoms and comfortable temperatures in spring, hot and humid summers occasionally affected by typhoons, and crisp, clear days in autumn.

We recommend you bring small gifts from the US to give to your local friends.

• • TSA Compliant Toiletry Kit-1-quart zip-top Ziploc bags
  • Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Brush/Comb
  • Razors and other shaving supplies
  • Nail clippers
  • Makeup
  • Over-the-counter medicines, e.g. pain reliever and anti-diarrheal
  • Contraceptives
  • Eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution
  • Prescription medicine and prescriptions
  • Sunscreen
  • Small first aid kit
  • You can eaily buy those items on local market, but it would be helpful to prepare some for the first few days.

• • • Plug adapter and voltage converter
    • Camera
    • Money belt or neck wallet
    • Pictures of your friends and family
    • A Chinese phrasebook
    • Laptop computer (we recommend you insure it.)

Food is at the heart of cultural life, and both Chinese and Japanese cuisines are celebrated for their variety, sophistication, and regional specialties.

In China, flavors range from the bold spice of Sichuan dishes to the delicate dim sum of the south, with group dining offering the best way to sample it all. You might enjoy large steamed dumplings from a street vendor for about 3 RMB ($0.50), a quick restaurant meal of rice or noodles for around 25 RMB ($4.00), or a multi-course dinner at a mid-range restaurant for roughly 80 RMB ($13.00).

In Japan, cuisine is equally rich and diverse, from beautifully prepared sushi and sashimi to hearty bowls of ramen and sizzling skewers of yakitori. For example, you might grab a quick onigiri rice ball from a convenience store for around 150 JPY ($1.00), enjoy a satisfying ramen meal for about 1,000 JPY ($7.00), or treat yourself to a premium sushi dinner starting around 6,000 JPY ($42.00).

China offers excellent and affordable public transportation, making it easy to navigate cities and travel between destinations. The metro is efficient and inexpensive, with rides starting around 3 RMB ($0.50). City buses typically cost about 2 RMB ($0.30), while taxi fares average 2.2 RMB ($0.35) per kilometer—a 20-minute ride across town is roughly 25 RMB ($4.00).

Japan is equally well-known for its clean, punctual, and extensive transport networks. A short subway trip in Tokyo usually costs around 200–250 JPY ($1.40–$1.75), a local bus ride is about 210 JPY ($1.50), and a 20-minute taxi ride can range from 2,000 to 2,500 JPY ($14–$18) depending on distance and traffic. In both countries, public transit is not only cost-effective but also an excellent way to experience local life.