Before you go:

• Make sure all students have got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that all passports are valid.
• For certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date; we will submit these details on our website.
• Take photocopies of passports and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.
• Make sure students fill in the emergency contact details in their passports. This will make it much easier for us to contact someone if necessary.
• Students should take enough money for the trip and some back-up funds in a mix of cash and travellers cheque - it would be an idea to make a note of the cheques' numbers before you go.
• Invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip.

When you are away:

• Think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts - don't take risks that you wouldn't at home.
• Tell students not to openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks.
• Find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws -there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home.
• Be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. Such activities may be misunderstood, especially near military installations.
• Store useful numbers on your mobile such as the Travelbound emergency number: Also, check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad.
• Check whether it's safe to drink local tap water- if not, stick to bottled water and avoid salads, non-peeling fruit and ice in drinks.
• Use your judgement when buying and eating food you've not prepared yourself.
• Respect the environment; don't buy wildlife souvenirs, conserve resources like water and don't drop litter.
• Check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK.

This travel guide was designed with the help of the Foreign Commonwealth Office website.