You will enjoy your time abroad more fully if you get to know the customs and culture of your chosen country before you go.

Spend some time reading or searching the internet. Talk to someone who has been to the country you'll stay in. Learn basic phrases in the native language to help you communicate.

We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with current travel information for your local area as well as general travel safety tips.

Plane Ticket Websites

• Student Universe ; try Promo Code: NAMSP07

• STA Travel

Health

• Center For Disease Control www.cdc.gov/travel

• UW Travel Medicine Clinic www.healthyu.org/living/documents/travel_clinic.htm

Safety

• US State Department Travel Information www.travel.state.gov/travel

• CIA country Fact Sheets www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators www.nafsa.org

Students with Disabilities

• Mobility International USA www.miusa.org/

Travel Guidebooks & Websites

• Lonely Planet Travel Guide http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

• Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door www.ricksteves.com/home.htm

• Fodor's www.fodors.com/

Travel Stores

• Rick Steves' European Travel Center www.ricksteves.com/welcome/home.htm

Maps

• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/

Costa Rica

• www.crica.com

• www.intnet.co.cr/site/publish/

• www.cocori.com

London, England

• Imperial College Website www.ic.ac.uk

• Official Royal Family Site www.royal.gov.uk

Florence, Italy

• Art Guide to Florence www.mega.it/eng/egui/hogui.htm

Paris, France

• www.parisinfo.com/

• www.discover-paris.info/

Salamanca, Spain

• http://www.aboutsalamanca.com/

• http://www.lasalina.es/turismo/default_e.htm