Pre-departure Logistics

Documentation Requirements

A valid passport is required for participation on all seminars. Please note that many countries require a visitor to hold a passport that will be valid six months beyond their arrival date. Applicants who do not have a valid passport, or have one due to expire shortly after their scheduled travel dates, should apply for or renew one immediately.

Visa processing assistance will be provided by Travisa for U.S. citizens who must obtain applicable visas for countries that require advance approvals. The cost of this service is paid by CIEE and is limited to seminar-related travel requirements, in conjunction with the seminar dates, and adherence to scheduled deadlines. Visa application forms and instructions for U.S. citizens are provided electronically approximately two to three months prior to departure. Participants who need additional visa services, including but not limited to: non-seminar related multiple entries, rush services, or other individualized requirements, must obtain and purchase their visas independently. Non-U.S. citizens are required to check with the appropriate host country consular office nearest their place of residence to determine entry requirements. There are no refunds for unused visa application fees.

International Flights

International airfare is not included in the seminar fee. All participants are responsible for making their own international flight reservations. Some seminars include internal travel (within the country or to a neighboring country) in the seminar fee. Please note that some seminars begin and end in different cities. Also note that under no circumstances is CIEE responsible for any flight cancellation or flight change charges incurred for travel to and from the seminar start and finish cities. Therefore applicants should not purchase plane tickets until CIEE confirms the seminar and provides seminar specific flight booking instructions.

Planning Arrival / Departure Times

Each seminar is unique and therefore will have different start and finish times. Exact times are included in the pre-departure information. However, all seminars begin on the first date listed in the seminar description and end on the last day. Though not included in the seminar fee, many past participants have found it advantageous to arrive at least one day prior to the start of the seminar in order to settle in and adjust to the time change. Participants opting to arrive early must make accommodation arrangements and payments for the additional day(s) independently. Past participants have also noted that due to the intensive nature of the seminars, personal travel pre- or post-seminar may be necessary to be able to pursue individual interests.

CIEE International Medical and Travel Insurance

All participants receive international medical and travel insurance through the iNext card, which provides insurance coverage when traveling outside the United States. Benefits include access to a 24-hour emergency help line, and basic coverage for accident, sickness, emergency evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, trip cancellation/interruption, and repatriation of remains.

Pre-departure Information

Seminar participants receive extensive pre-departure preparation materials via their online application checklist, including a bibliography of recommended readings; information on the seminar's leadership, host institution, and lecturers; a detailed program itinerary; and safety, health, and cultural information on the overseas destination. Upon arrival overseas, participants are given an orientation to the seminar destination and program by the seminar leader.