ACU Study Abroad · Before departure

Ready for takeoff?

You've chosen your adventure. Now let's get you ready for it—from travel documents and packing to flights and your first days abroad.

Departure prepACU · Study Abroad
01—04

Four essentials before you board

  • Confirm passport and visa requirements
  • Complete program orientations
  • Review flights and program calendar
  • Pack for your destination
Your adventure starts with preparation
Start here

Your pre-departure checklist

Use this visual checklist to organize your preparation. Checkmarks are for your own reference and are not saved between visits; official requirements still come from your ACU program communications.

Documents & requirements
Daily life & packing
Helpful starting points

Everything to review before you depart

01 / ORIENTATION

Pre-departure module

Complete the orientation instructions provided by ACU and watch for required pre-departure meetings.

View pre-departure resources →
02 / PASSPORT

Passport & visa guidance

Review ACU's passport guide and official U.S. Department of State information. Visa rules vary by destination and citizenship.

Open passport guide →
03 / CALENDARS

Academics & program dates

Check calendars, schedules and course details before booking personal travel.

View academic calendars →
What to bring

Pack smart. Travel lighter.

ACU recommends a lighter packing approach: students are responsible for moving their own luggage, and ACU international houses provide laundry facilities and basic linens.

Typical allowance

One checked bag

Usually under 50 lb (23 kg), plus one airline-approved carry-on and one small personal item. Airline rules control actual allowances, weights, and sizes.

ALREADY PROVIDED

Leave bedding at home

ACU supplies pillows, sheets, pillowcases, duvets, and towels at its international houses.

PACKING PRINCIPLE

Less is more

Extra checked bags may carry airline fees. Laundry is available and everyday items can be purchased locally.

Destination packing guides

Prohibited and restricted itemsDo not assume U.S. self-defense products can legally be carried abroad. Laws and airline rules differ by country and product; check official destination guidance and airline restrictions before packing pepper spray, stun devices, or similar items.
Before the flight

Know your departure plan

These are the approximate time frames and departure arrangements currently described on ACU's Preparing to Go page. Final instructions are program-specific and may supersede these general descriptions.

Fall semester

Begins early September and ends in early December.

Spring semester

Begins after the winter holiday period and ends in early to mid-April.

Summer I

June 1–28.

Summer II

July 1–28.

Fall & spring

Farewell reception

There will be farewell reception at ACU Dallas, where students and families may attend and staff provide check-in support and final documents.You will then be transported to DFW international airport with your cohort.

Summer

Airport check-in

Students will meet at DFW International Airport and check in at least 3.5 hours before departure, with optional group coordination through WhatsApp.

On location

Living and learning overseas

HOUSING

Living arrangements

At our international campuses, students live in ACU facilities with local staff or faculty-in-residence. Rooms will be shared with one or more roommates, with shared bathrooms. Facilities include furnished kitchens and supplied linens.

Housing and roommate requests →
ACADEMICS

Classes and field trips

Semester students take at least 12 ACU credit hours. Summer students take at least 3 credit hours, and some summer programs require six. Courses and educational field trips vary by program.

Course and schedule information →
CONNECTION

Wi-Fi and everyday life

ACU international houses provide wireless internet and are located near everyday amenities such as parks, markets, public transportation, and cafés.

Practical information →

Independent travel and safety

Students often travel independently during weekends and breaks. The published ACU guidance requires students to record travel in the ACU Travel Tracker each week. It describes travel to U.S. State Department Level 1 and 2 destinations as permitted, with an exemption process for Level 2+ locations. Consult the current Travel page and staff before making plans.

ACU on-site staff will assist with emergency response plans, partner with local authorities and embassies, and medical/evacuation insurance for participating students. Students are encouraged to register their trips with the U.S. State Department's STEP program.

Stay connected

Your phone plan abroad

OPTION 02

Use Wi-Fi

Students may use Wi-Fi in campus housing and local businesses while disabling cellular roaming. Offline navigation and emergency connectivity should also be planned.

OPTION 03

Buy local service

Students have also purchased local pay-as-you-go service at approximately $15–$20, depending on location and plan. You may use a local SIM or compatible eSIM; confirm whether your phone is unlocked.

Device safety

Electrical outlets and adapters

Oxford, Leipzig & Valencia

Outlets are 230 V as the local standard for its three International Campus locations, compared with approximately 120 V in the United States.

Check the INPUT rating printed on each device before plugging it in.

Adapter vs. converter

A plug adapter changes the plug shape; it does not change voltage. Most modern laptops and phone chargers accept a range such as 100–240 V, but verify your own device's label.

Leave incompatible U.S. appliances at homeACU specifically warns against bringing U.S. hair dryers, flat irons, power strips, and extension cords that are not designed for the destination's electrical system. Local appliances and power strips can be purchased after arrival. Converters may fail or damage devices; discuss essential medical equipment with staff in advance.
Special considerations

International students

Review immigration requirements before signing

ACU international students may face additional U.S. re-entry, visa and immigration considerations when studying abroad. Our collegues have put together a guide as well as given you the contact information for Lucy Dawson, Associate Director of OISVS, for individualized support.

The linked Google document may require appropriate access permissions.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can my family attend the farewell reception?
Yes, we would love for your parents and families to come participate in the fall/spring farewell reception.
Can I bring more than one checked bag?
Extra checked luggage may be available for an additional airline fee. Check your booked airline's published allowance and remember that you must transport your own bags.
Are linens and towels provided?
Yes. ACU's international campuses provide bedding, pillows, sheets, and towels.
When can I book independent travel?
Wait for your final program calendar and review the current Travel policies, destination advisory level, and weekly Travel Tracker requirements before booking.
What if I have a medical device that needs power?
Review its voltage and plug specifications and contact ACU staff about any necessary equipment. Converters are unreliable, so plan this well before departure.
IMPORTANT EDITOR NOTES (not displayed on the live page): 1) Existing Styled Calendar is embedded via a separate third-party block. Copy that block from the original page into a blank section beneath "Everything to review before you depart". This file does not include its secret/configured embed ID 2) Current Preparing to Go page says summer departure at DFW with 3.5-hour check-in; Flight Information page says all groups gather at ACU Dallas. Reconcile this conflict with Study Abroad staff; current code calls out both and tells students to rely on confirmed itinerary. 3) Old "Program calendars can be found here" link leads to /student-academics (404). This version uses /academics; check its content before publication. 4) International Campus summer timing, academic requirements, specific phone-plan prices, program policies and legal guidance require annual review. The original page's pepper-spray/legal assertions are not repeated as universal claims, to avoid unsafe/outdated instructions. 5) The OISVS document may be access-restricted; confirm with student account. 6) Check all internal page slugs in Squarespace, including any recently renamed destinations, before publishing. 7) To preserve product examples without embedding affiliate/tracking codes, this version links to the same Amazon item IDs in shorter URLs. 8) Checkboxes are for visual use only and do NOT save progress, collect data, or submit anything.