Before heading to the airport, sit down with your family and make a plan for how to get in contact upon your arrival overseas. Make sure that they have a copy of your itinerary and keep in mind that you might not be able to contact them immediately depending on how accessible public phones and computers are, or how long it takes to acquire a cell phone and get it up and running. It is a good idea to bring a pre-paid phone card, which will allow you to make calls from pay phones.
It is a good idea to buy a cellular phone when in your host country. Most countries provide short-term plans that are flexible and affordable. Having a cell phone is not only convenient but can also be an asset in case of an emergency. You must log in to MyBentley and enter your cell phone num-ber into BannerWeb. Click on the Education Abroad menu option under student main menu. You will see an item labeled “Phone Number Abroad-Upon Arrival.” Click on this link and enter your phone number abroad. If you do not obtain a cell phone, enter the phone number at your residence where you can be reached. This information will be stored in Banner.
It is very important that our staff be able to contact you in the event of an emergency back home or abroad.
Enter all emergency contacts into your cell phone, such as the Office of International Education, Bentley Campus Police, on-site emergency phone numbers and so on. Emergency numbers differ for each country (usually not “911”), so learn the appropriate number for your destination.
Computers
Most host institutions have a computer facility that is accessible to Education Abroad participants. However, the facilities may not be as state-of-the-art or as readily available as computer facilities at Bentley. Often, you must pay for paper when using academic computer labs or photocopying machines abroad. You should take your laptop computer with you abroad, but you must have an adapter for the power system. You should check with Client Services regarding power requirements for your equipment. Adapters should be purchased before departure. Do not expect to have Internet connections readily available while abroad, especially at your housing. When connecting to the Internet while abroad or when transferring files via CDs, be extra vigilant regarding viruses. Update your virus software and run virus scans frequently.
Before leaving for abroad, please be sure that your MyBentley login is successful, you are able to check your email successfully and you are able to log into your notebook computer with your Ethernet cable disconnected and your wireless notebook turned off.
If you have issues with your computer notebook while abroad:
For hardware issues:
Realize that Bentley is available to assist you with your computer related issues. However, due to shipping costs for which you are responsible, turnaround time, and customs clearance, sending your computer to Bentley for repair is not advisable. The fastest and most cost efficient method is to contact the HP office appropriate for your country. Telephone numbers can be found on http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html. If HP is unable to resolve your issue, please contact the Computing Services Help Desk at helpdesk@bentley.edu or 781-891-3122.
For virus, software, and other assistance:
The Bentley University Computing Services Desk is here for you even when you are thousands of miles away. Visit the Computing Services site, call at 781-891-3122, or simply send an email to helpdesk@bentley.edu. If there appear to be viruses or malware on your notebook, these can usually be eradicated with Forefront which is already installed on your notebook. Please ask for assistance if you are unsure how to proceed.
Email is the official means of communication at Bentley. Therefore, you must check your Bentley account or forwarded account regularly. All students will have access to email facilities while they are abroad. However, it may take a few weeks to set up your email account, and you will not know your email address until then. Students in some countries may not have access to private email accounts, nor is it guaranteed that you will have free Internet service while abroad.
Travel away from host city
If you plan to travel while abroad, inform your family back home and your on-site coordinator. Leave them a copy of your itinerary or, at the very least, tell them when you are leaving, where you are staying and when you plan on returning. Make sure that your family, on-site coordinator and friends have your cell phone number or the phone numbers of places you will be staying. This information is vital in reaching you in case of an emergency. Update your profile on the U.S. Department of State
web site at www.studentsabroad.state.gov if you will be traveling outside your host country.