Lucky for you, the Department of State has a webpage dedicated to information for students planning to travel abroad. We really recommend you check it out – you're more than likely to learn useful stuff you didn't know before. And it's also something you might want to check out while abroad, as well.
Ever wondered what you'd do if you lost your passport? Precious as that little booklet might be, it's not like it's less susceptible to theft than a wallet or a cell phone. On the DoS site you'll find clear instructions and the numbers to call in case this tragedy happens to you.
Are your parents worried about you getting mugged? After you read the State site you'll have things to say to them to soothe their fears – you could even memorize the consulate's phone number.
Here's a sampling of the kinds of tips and info that are available on the site:
Packing
Local Laws
Driving Abroad
For GLBT travelers
Vaccinations
Mental Health
Victim of a Crime
Absentee Ballot (you are voting this November, right?)
...and much more
All this and more is available at studentsabroad.state.gov. It's one of the few places on the internet where very important information is reliable. So take a look before you go abroad, and make sure to remember it if ever you're not sure how to handle a situation.
by Fedor Zarkhin