Returning from abroad  

For many students, meaningful cross-cultural learning continues in the weeks and months following the study abroad experience.  This section of the handbook details what you can do to ensure a smooth return to the U.S. and to continue your international and inter-cultural learning back home.

Leaving your host country

Program evaluation

At the end of the program, all participants complete a program evaluation. A volunteer student from your group will be asked to collect the student evaluation forms to return to OSA immediately following the program. Course instructors will not review student evaluations until after grades have been submitted.  The information you provide will be crucial in helping the academic units and the Office of Study Abroad make program improvements and will provide valuable information to students participating in future study abroad programs.  If you do not turn in an evaluation while abroad, please fill out and return a completed evaluation to the Office of Study Abroad immediately upon your return to the United States.

Customs information

The government requires you to pay duty on goods purchased abroad and brought into the United States.  You should know and understand these requirements before leaving so there are no problems when you return.  You must declare expensive and/or foreign goods you will take with you before leaving the United States so that you are not charged duty on them when you return.  If you are taking imported articles such as cameras, binoculars, watches, laptops, etc., register these foreign-made articles with Customs (before leaving the U.S.) to avoid extra duty charges upon re-entry.

Your exemption is $800 (retail value) on articles acquired abroad, if:

• Articles are for personal use or gifts.
• Articles accompany you.
• You have been out of the country at least 48 hours (Mexico and U.S. Virgin Islands are exempt from the 48-hour limitation).
• You have not claimed the exemption within the preceding 30 days.
• Articles are not prohibited or restricted.

Upon your return, group purchases together and keep receipts ready for Customs inspection.  Should you bring back foreign pharmaceuticals, have the prescriptions ready to present.

You must declare, at the price paid, everything acquired abroad, including gifts given to you and articles worn or used.  If you fail to declare or understate the value, penalties may be severe.  You cannot bring meat, fruits, vegetables and Cuban cigars into the United States.

Check Know Before You Go for more customs information.