NEWS RELEASE

Attending FutureDocs Abroad isn’t just big news to your family, it’s also the kind of news your community papers, radio stations, and even television stations like to share!

We’ve created a template for you to use to create your very own News Release. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Copy the News Release text below and paste into a document editor.

Step 2: Complete the information to personalize your news release with your name, hometown, and school. Then print the completed document.

Step 3: Create a cover letter from you that lets the reporter know more about you (hobbies, honors, other awards or sports). Optional: Attach a picture (a nice touch).

Step 4: Create a distribution list of local newspapers and magazines (include your school paper), radio stations, and television stations. Go online to find addresses. You can also distribute your news release to reporters email addresses.

Step 5: Send your letters and news releases to the attention of the City Editor at newspapers, the Assignment Desk at television stations, and the Station Manager at radio stations. It is not necessary to research their name, just send to the title.

If you talk with a reporter, be prepared to talk about yourself. You may want to prepare some bullet points about why you’re so passionate about medicine. If they have any questions about the program or the organization, have them call Lisa Rossi at 202-599-8442, extension 701.

[Student First and Last Name] to Attend FutureDocs Abroad in Hue, Vietnam

[Your city/town, state] – [Student First and Last Name], a [Grade] at [Your High School] of [Town/City] will attend a summer honors program in Vietnam from July 1 to July 16, 2023.

FutureDocs Abroad is an honors-only program that allows high school students to access what only third and fourth-year medical students can in the United States. The purpose of this internship is to honor, inspire, motivate, and direct the top students in the country who aspire to have careers in medicine, to stay true to their dream and, after the program, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.

“[Insert a great quote from you about what you’re most excited for during your time in Vietnam. Perhaps about what you’re going to learn and/or experience.],” says [Student First Name].

During the two-week program, [Student First Name] will join students from across the United States and spend time observing surgeries taking place in the operating room, with the surgeon explaining the procedure as it’s being performed.

[Student First Name] will be in the gross anatomy lab with an anatomy professor, learning about the anatomy and proper dissection of human cadavers and practicing dissection techniques on animal parts.

And [he/she/they] will also shadow physicians in the Emergency Room, clinics, and wards in over a dozen areas of specialty (pediatrics, oncology, surgery, orthopedics, OB/GYN, and more).

FutureDocs Abroad is a program of The National Leadership Academies, which was founded on the belief that strong emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of student success and is committed to supporting students in their development. The National Leadership Academies also recognizes that prospective talent must be identified at the earliest possible age and help must be given to these students to acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of vital careers as leaders and in the fields of medicine and the sciences.

For more information please visit www.TheNationalLeadershipAcademies.com or call (888) 986-6563.

PASSPORT INFORMATION

GETTING OR RENEWING YOUR PASSPORT

Your passport will need to be valid through January 1, 2024, in order to enter Vietnam. Vietnamese immigration requires all passports to have at least 6 months’ validity beyond our departure date from Vietnam. Check the expiration date on your passport.

This is a VERY IMPORTANT STEP AND TIME SENSITIVE as you will need a valid passport through January 1, 2024, in order for us to apply for your Vietnamese Visa and secure your international flight. 

If your passport is VALID through January 1, 2024, take a picture of the photo page of your passport and upload it to the portal immediately.

If your passport is NOT VALID through January 1, 2024, visit the State Department website for instructions on how to renew your passport.

If you DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, please visit the State Department website for instructions on how to apply for a passport immediately.

NOTE: Passports can take up to four weeks to arrive, so please make sure you apply immediately to avoid delays. All students are required to have a valid passport book to travel to Vietnam. Passport cards are not valid for international travel to Vietnam.

Additionally, confirm that you have signed your passport on the page opposite the photo page. A U.S. passport is only valid once it is signed! If you have NOT signed your passport, use a non-ballpoint pen and make sure the ink is dry before closing your passport. We recommend that you add your contact information in pencil on the Personal Data and Contact Information page as well. If you lose your passport, this will give you the best chance of getting it back.

As a reminder, you must submit a copy of your passport into the student portal by December 30, 2022.

Please inform the admissions team of any possible delays in obtaining your passport by emailing admissions@allaccessmed.com, or by calling us at (888)986-6563.

FOREIGN PASSPORTS

If you are a citizen of any country other than the USA, and require a visa to enter the USA, please be sure to upload a scan of this document on the “Other” tab along with a scan of your passport photo page.

IMMUNIZATIONS

It is REQUIRED that all students be up-to-date on all routine immunizations stated by the CDC website, including:

• DTAP
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal
• MMR
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

To access the clinical facilities in Hue, students are also REQUIRED to have:

• Typhoid vaccination

Please schedule a visit with your physician’s office or a travel clinic to obtain your Typhoid vaccine as soon as possible. You are required to upload a copy of your routine immunization record and Typhoid vaccination record into the portal by March 30th, 2023.

For more information regarding the Typhoid vaccine, please visit the CDC website.

COVID SAFETY

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

As of today’s date, showing proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or presenting a negative COVID-19 test is not required for US Citizens to enter Vietnam, or return to the United States.

Please be advised that mandatory COVID-19 restrictions can be put in place by each destination’s respective government at any time.

Regular testing may be required by all students, regardless of their vaccination status, to ensure they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus upon entering the medical facilities. Our University partners in Hue reserve the right to restrict any person who tests positive for COVID-19 from entering their facilities.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

CURRENT COVID-19 ENTRY REGULATIONS FOR VIETNAM

Effective May 15, 2022, the Vietnamese Government no longer requires a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry into Vietnam.  Prior to travel into Vietnam, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City recommend all U.S. citizens check with airlines to confirm airline-specific policies on testing for flying or for transit through other countries.

CURRENT COVID-19  TESTING FOR ENTRY TO USA

Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer order air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States.

VIETNAMESE VISA INFORMATION

In order to travel to Vietnam and participate fully in the program activities within the clinical facilities, you MUST have a Vietnamese student visa, class DH-1. This type of visa is only granted upon receiving a sponsorship from our host university in Hue. 

FutureDocs Abroad is required to obtain a unique application code from the Vietnamese immigration Department for our students’ visas. Your student visa is only obtainable with this unique ID.

ATTAINING YOUR VIETNAMESE VISA

We will complete all necessary application paperwork and submit it to the Embassy on your behalf. You will be notified of the fee in the coming weeks

For us to complete your application, it is important you take immediate action by following the below and instructions and submit all the necessary documents listed below.

Please complete these steps as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

STEP 1: Ensure you have submitted your headshot photo and scan of your Passport to Admissions by uploading it to the portal.

STEP 2: Make payment via link emailed to you. (you will be notified as the program approaches)

STEP 3: Nothing. You’re done! You will collect your visa from the team at the airport on July 2. 

Failure to upload your ID photo or upload a copy of your passport will result in you not being able to travel to Vietnam and participate in the FutureDocs Abroad program. 

Note: 

• You cannot use any other process to obtain your student visa to enter Vietnam with the FutureDocs Abroad program.
• Tourist visas are NOT accepted to study within the clinical facilities.
• The only individuals exempt from this student visa requirement are Vietnamese Passport holders. 

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT INFORMATION

OUTBOUND FLIGHT

Airline: Korean Airline

Departure Airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Departure Time: Sunday, July 2 @ 12:50 AM (EST)

Arrival Time: Monday, July 3 @ 1:50 PM (ICT)

Flight Numbers: KE86, KE457

Route: New York (JFK) → Seoul (ICN) → Da Nang (DAD)

Our flight to Vietnam is scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York on July 2 at 12:50 AM local time. You must work with Atlas Travel to book your domestic flight within the designated arrival time in order to ensure enough time to check in and move through security with the group. 

After you have collected your luggage, you will need to make your way to Terminal 1, International Departures and the Korean Airline check-in area. Here you will check-in with a FutureDocs Abroad team member.

Special notes to remember for flying to JFK:

• The night before you travel, check online flight departures for any delays on your domestic travel from your hometown.
• The morning of your flight, check again for any delays. Apps like flighttracker.com can be used to check delays or you can type your airline and flight number into Google.
• If you have any issues at all with your travel plans or disruptions, please call us immediately so we can put the appropriate measures in place ahead of time. 
• Once you arrive at JFK remember to pick up all of your luggage at the baggage claim before heading to the group meeting point! Terminal 1, Korean Airlines. Your baggage will NOT automatically check through for our international flight. 
• If your baggage is lost or delayed upon arrival into JFK airport, please call the Admissions Team to inform us. We will give you instructions based on connection time for our international flight. 

Group meeting point at JFK:

It is crucial that you check in with the FutureDocs Abroad team. You SHOULD NOT check-in for our international flight without the group.

After you have picked up your luggage from baggage claim, you will need to follow the signs to the air train which will take you to Terminal 1. Upon arrival into Terminal 1, follow the signs to international check in and locate the Korean Airlines check-in desk. Please check-in with a FutureDocs Abroad team member and await further instruction. 

What to do if you can’t find your group meeting point 

Please call the team leader (number to be released 1 month prior to departure date) who will be able to direct you to the meeting point.

INBOUND FLIGHT

Departure Airport: Da Nang International Airport (DAD)

Departure Time: Saturday, July 15 @ 3:40 PM (ICT)

Arrival Time: Sunday, July 16 @ 11:20 AM (EST)

Flight Numbers: KE458, KE81

Route: Da Nang (DAD) → Seoul (ICN) → New York (JFK)

AIRLINE BAGGAGE POLICY

Please visit the Korean Airlines Website for baggage policies.NOTE: All students will be traveling in economy class. Checked baggage in excess of the airline’s free checked baggage allowance, and any domestic airline baggage fees, are not included in the program tuition cost and are the responsibility of the student. It is advisable to bring only 1 carry-on bag and 1 checked bag. The savvy traveler will restrict luggage to one carry-on bag and one checked bag to limit the possibility of lost items.

PASSPORT CONTROL & IMMIGRATION

The information below is to prepare you for the arrival process into Da Nang, Vietnam. Be sure to read through this very carefully.

In preparation to go through Passport Control, make sure you have:

• Your passport in hand
• Your visa
• The full name and address of the Park View Hotel in Hue – 09 Ngô Quyền, Vĩnh Ninh, Tp. Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
• Arrival and departure flight information and dates (airline and flight number will be located on your boarding pass)

Make sure you start to queue in the correct passport control line. There are two different types of entry. One is strictly for Local Passport Holders and the second is for All Passport Holders. Please make sure you queue in a line for All Passport Holders.

Once you reach the front of the Passport Control line, you will speak to an agent. The agent will ask questions about the purpose of your visit. Below are some possible questions and suggestions for how to answer them.

Q. How long are you here for? A. Two weeks.

Q. What are you doing? A. A summer program at Hue University of Medical Sciences.

Q. Where are you staying? A. Park View Hotel in Hue.

The immigration officer will stamp your passport and hand it back to you along with your Vietnamese visa. 

Once through Passport Control, you will be directed by a chaperone to the baggage claim hall.

VERY IMPORTANT: Keep your Vietnamese visa inside your passport and place it in your travel wallet for safekeeping.

BAGGAGE CLAIM

Da Nang International baggage claim is a small hall consisting of 5 carousels. A chaperone will guide students to the correct baggage carousel, where you will need to watch for your luggage to arrive. 

It is strongly advised that you place an easily identifiable ribbon or luggage strap/tag on your luggage so you recognize your suitcase as it arrives on the carousel. Most importantly the luggage tag should have your name and address clearly written on it. Another slick trick for travelers is to place a label on top of all your belongings inside your bag should the luggage tag fall off in transit. 

Once all students have collected their luggage, we will walk to the Customs area together. 

CUSTOMS

Each person will go through Customs individually with their own luggage. When you pass through Customs, individuals will be chosen at random to place their luggage onto the scanner belt to be screened. 

A customs officer may ask to inspect your luggage and ask if you have firearms, drugs, certain electronics, and other items that are not allowed or cannot be imported duty-free. 

If you are selected for the inspection, don’t worry. The additional screening is a simple procedure and designed to keep everyone safe. Just be ready to answer a few questions and run through a brief inspection. 

A chaperone will be on hand at all times should any student need assistance. 

A few notes on Vietnamese Customs and Immigration to prepare you before travel:

• Check the International medical insurance website about importing any medications prior to arriving in Vietnam.
• All medications should be clearly labeled and stored in a clear plastic bag.
• Remember, liquids must be under 100mls or 3.4 oz per container if packed in your carry-on bag.

PACKING LIST

Shared below is a basic packing list for FutureDocs Abroad. Keep in mind this list is intended to provide basic guidance for essentials. This does not necessarily include every item that you may personally require.

A few things to keep in mind as you pack:

• Do not bring any fruit, dairy or meat, and absolutely no living or dried agriculture objects, as you cannot travel to another country with these. The same applies to your return trip to the United States.
• Clearly label all of your luggage so it is easily identifiable; remember, many bags look alike!
• The hotel does provide limited personal toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and shower soap/body wash, but please pack an additional supply of each to be comfortable. These are included in the packing list below. 
• As you pack, keep in mind that there are laundry services available at the hotel for a fee.
• We recommend you pack any over-the-counter personal hygiene items you might need because many personal items we are used to getting easily in the United States are not as easy to get in another country, especially feminine hygiene products.
• If you are taking any prescription medicines, be sure to pack enough for every day you are away from home, along with an additional three to four days’ supply. Students are required to keep all prescription medications in the original prescription bottles and to always carry those bottles in their carry-on luggage. Be sure to check TSA guidelines if the medicines are liquids.
• Refer back to the airline’s baggage restrictions. Remember, savvy travelers will restrict luggage to one carry-on bag and one checked bag to limit the possibility of lost items. 

IN YOUR TRAVEL WALLET

• Passport
• National medical insurance card
• A copy of the Park View Hotel address – 09 Ngô Quyền, Vĩnh Ninh, Tp. Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
• Vietnamese Visa  (You will receive your Vietnamese Visa on arrival at JFK Airport)
• ID/wallet, including personal spending money

Once you’ve checked in for your flight to Vietnam, you should add these two items to your travel wallet:

• Your boarding passes
• A copy of your luggage tag receipt

IN YOUR CARRY-ON

• Cellphone
• Phone charger and chargers for any other electronics
• A card with your parent/guardian’s number and the FutureDocs Abroad Admissions team number/emergency line in case you need to borrow a phone. (Will be released prior to departure)
• Pen(s)
• Small notebook
• An umbrella and/or other rain gear
• Entertainment for the plane ride (headphones, phone, playing cards, book, etc.)
• Empty reusable water bottle (you’ll need to fill it up after you get through airport security; keep in mind this is only for use with potable water in domestic U.S. airports)
• Travel insurance information, if you purchased coverage
• Vietnamese adaptor and converter
• If needed, prescription medications
• A change of clothes for 2-3 days – It is very important to include a change of clothes that will be appropriate for Orientation and the Opening Ceremony (refer to Dress Code section) in your carry-on. In the event that your hold luggage is lost in transit, you will need to be prepared for the first couple of days of the program. Lost luggage normally takes between 1 to 3 days to be returned. 

CLOTHING

• 5-6 sets of scrubs for rotations – You will be rotating in the clinical facilities for 9 days. Packing 5-6 sets of scrubs (and planning to do laundry once or twice) should cover the trip
• 1-2 long white lab jacket(s)  – Must be worn over scrubs for most rotations
• 2 business casual outfits and appropriate footwear for orientation and the closing ceremony at the university.
  • MEN: Trousers/khakis and collared shirts
  • WOMEN: Knee-length dresses or skirts, trousers, collared shirts, blouses 
  • NOTE: No jeans, shorts, or athletic wear
• Clean, comfortable, closed-toe shoes for rotations (sneakers are fine as long as they are clean)
• Clothing for cultural tour – Please refer to Dress Code section for appropriate guidelines
• Pajamas/sweats for your overnight accommodations
• Light hoodie and waterproof jacket
• Travel outfits (2-3 recommended)
• Compression socks for travel. NOTE: Many students and staff experience swelling in their legs/ankles/feet while traveling to and from Vietnam. It is highly recommended that you wear compression socks, drink lots of water, and stretch throughout the airplane ride. 
• Socks and undergarments
• Bathing suit & towel if you wish to use the hotel’s pool. 

TOILETRIES

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Brush/comb
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Sunscreen
• Small first aid kit
• If needed, glasses/contacts, contact case and solution
• Ladies, please be mindful that feminine hygiene items are difficult to come by in brands and styles you might be comfortable with. Be sure to pack these items with you if you’ll need them on our trip.

OTC MEDICATIONS

• Advil, Midol, Imodium, Vitamin C, Hydration tablets/packs 

….to name a few of the most common items

DRESS CODE

Below you will find a breakdown of our various activities and the dress code for each.

It is important to keep in mind when packing that Vietnamese people dress conservatively, and visitors should do the same. Men and women should keep their shoulders covered and shorts should always be knee length. The only time when this note is not applicable is on travel days, and our mid-program rest day.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM VIETNAM
Ultimately, comfort plays a large part in making long-haul flights pleasurable. Always wear comfortable clothes, and this includes your travel shoes.

• Wear layers – You will need pieces that you can easily take off or put on to help you combat the varying temperatures you encounter throughout your journey.
• Wear something that you can keep on for the next 24 hours – travel time to Vietnam including your domestic travel will be at least 24 hours.
• Wear clothes that don’t restrict you. 
• Wear natural, breathable fabrics.
• Wear socks and comfortable footwear.

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES
This will be your first and last impression when greeting and saying goodbye to your Vietnamese hosts at Hue School of Medicine. Dress to impress with a business casual outfit.

Ladies: Plan on wearing dresses/trousers/knee-length skirts and shirts with a collar or blouses, and comfortable shoes
Gentlemen: Wear trousers/khakis and collared shirts, and comfortable shoes

NOTE: Absolutely NO athletic wear, NO jeans, and NO shorts

ROTATIONS AT CLINICAL FACILITIES (9 DAYS)
Students will be asked to wear scrubs and a long white lab coat for all sessions at the hospital and medical facilities. 

• Scrubs can be any color/pattern/short sleeve/long sleeve
• Lab jackets are required for most rotations  (Short sleeve if possible as it is very hot)
• Comfortable/clean footwear – You will be on your feet for long periods of time so comfortable, closed-toe, clean shoes. Sneakers are permitted for rotations in the hospital but must be clean. 

REST DAY (Saturday, July 8)
You are welcome to kick back and relax in whatever clothes are most comfortable for you. If you plan on spending time at the pool, be sure to pack a swimsuit.

CULTURAL TOUR (Sunday, July 9)
A full day is planned to explore the fascinating history of Hue. Keep in mind that Vietnamese people dress conservatively, and visitors should do the same. Men and women should keep their shoulders covered and shorts should always be knee length. Another factor to keep in mind is the weather. It will be incredibly hot and humid, so light, natural fabrics like cotton are advisable. 

• Wear comfortable/breathable casual clothes (shoulders must be covered and shorts should be knee-length)
• Wear comfortable shoes (sneakers are a great option)
• Bring a sunhat
• Wear sunscreen 

NOTES
Remember, laundry facilities are available for students at the Park View Hotel. Check the Overnight Accommodations section for more details.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

Students will be staying at the Park View Hotel in Hue. The hotel is about a five minute walk to the main campus of Hue UMP where students will be doing their rotations. 

The address is 09 Ngó Quyén, Vĩnh Ninh, Tp. Hue, Thúa Thiên Hué, Vietnam.

ACCESS
All students will be given a room key upon arrival. You must keep this on you at all times to access the elevators and your hotel room.

If you lose your room key during your visit, you will need a valid form of photo identification and a $2 fee will be due to the Park View Hotel Reception in order to receive a new key. With this in mind, please ensure you carry a safety wallet and/or lanyard to hold your important items and key at all times.

The hotel reception desk is available 24/7 on the ground floor for any questions you may have. Remember, our very own team of experienced staff will also be available 24/7 should you need any assistance at all.

LAUNDRY
The hotel offers a laundry service. Laundry bags and request sheets will be available within each hotel room. Students will need to fill out the request sheet and take the bag of laundry to reception and pay individually in the local currency. The clean laundry items will be delivered to the individual’s room.

Items received before 10 AM will be delivered the same day after 6 PM.

Items received after 10 AM will be delivered the following day.

TIP: To avoid laundry charges, it is advisable to bring a small bag of laundry detergent with you. You can then launder your own clothes within your bathroom in your hotel room.

LOUNGE / STUDY AREA
Each hotel room offers a quiet and peaceful place to rest and relax. There is also a dedicated desk for study in each room. Otherwise, the hotel has plenty of communal areas for study or relaxation within the main lobby, or you can opt to unwind by the pool.

WIFI
The Park View Hotel offers WiFi throughout. WiFi in clinical locations is available but can be unpredictable depending on the location.

AIR CONDITIONING
The Park View Hotel is air-conditioned throughout, but the clinical facilities are not.

Hue is situated in central Vietnam near the coast. Summer months in central Vietnam are generally hot, humid, and sunny, with temperatures in the high 80s-90s. There are occasional rain showers.

WHAT TO BRING
Prior to departure, a suggested packing list to prepare for the summer weather will be provided to ensure safety and comfort.

Basic washing goods are provided (shampoo, conditioner, and soap), but it is advisable to bring your own as only small quantities and limited items are provided. Don’t forget toothpaste, deodorant, and any other personal toiletries you may require. It is strongly advised that female students pack a healthy supply of feminine hygiene items as western brands and goods are not available in Vietnam.

NOTE: Hairdryers are provided in the rooms. However, if you decide to bring your own, make sure you check the Powering Electronics section below to confirm you have the correct adaptor.

MEALS AND WATER

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided in the hotel. A large selection of food will be available including authentic Vietnamese fare, and a variety of American classics. 

Meals will also be provided on off-campus activity days and will include lunches in local restaurants depending on the location of activities.

NOTE: Meals are not provided during travel with the exception of the meals and snacks the airline provides. Although this may differ from airline to airline or route taken, generally, two meals and soft drinks, water, and coffee will be provided on the long-haul section of your journey. A snack may be provided on the connecting flights to Vietnam. 

If you would like to purchase additional snacks in the departure or connecting airport, it is advisable to carry a widely accepted bank card (Visa or Mastercard) to make purchases in the airports easily.

Be sure you have indicated any special dietary requirements on the medical history form so we can be sure to not only prep the chef ahead of your arrival, but also pre-request any special requirements for meals that may be provided on your long-haul flight to Vietnam. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the Admissions Team.

It is important to remember that we will be situated on the other side of the world for this incredible two-week adventure. Most of our meals will be provided in the Park View Hotel, however, it is a huge part of cultural immersion to understand that the culinary delights will be very different from home. It is important to come with an open mind and embrace the culinary diversity of our host country.  

WATER

Vietnamese tap water is not safe to drink. One bottle of water is provided within the hotel room daily per person. Bottled water is easily accessible in local convenience stores either within the hotel or right across the road. Chaperones will be organizing trips to the local convenience store as needed.

Secondly, it is strongly advisable not to digest the ice while in Vietnam. Ice is generally produced from tap water. Small fridges are located in all hotel rooms to refrigerate drinks.

POWERING ELECTRONICS

The voltage supplied in electrical outlets, as well as the outlet type, varies in countries throughout the world, so in order to charge your devices when you visit another country, it’s important to check the voltage and outlet requirements of your host country.

• You will need an adaptor for all electrical devices as the sockets in Vietnam are different
• The standard voltage is 110 / 220 V. This is the same as U.S. power outlets
• The power outlet frequency differs in Vietnam at 50 Hz compared to the U.S. at 60 Hz

Be warned! Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers, hairdryers, and hair straightening devices to list a few. You will not be able to use these electrical appliances in Vietnam without an adaptor and converter.

Other appliances only require a Vietnamese plug adaptor and do not need a frequency converter. Check the label on all of your appliances that you plan to bring. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in Vietnam with the correct plug adaptor. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.

In either case, check your devices and determine if you will need to bring along a converter and/or an adaptor.

Find voltage converters at AMAZON.COM

Find combo plug adapters/converters at AMAZON.COM

INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE USE

NOTE: The use of cell phones is NOT permitted during rotations or while at medical facilities. Cell phones may be carried by students for emergency use only and should remain safely stored in a pocket/bag at all times.

In all likelihood, your cell phone plan does not accommodate international texting, calling or data use. If you use these functions while traveling abroad, you will likely rack up a huge roaming bill – possibly in the thousands of dollars. 

To ensure this doesn’t happen, be sure to turn off your cellular data and put your phone in airplane mode before we depart on our international flight. You will still be able to connect to WiFi where available while on airplane mode. 

It’s safest to leave your phone in airplane mode for the duration of the trip, and only use WiFi for internet access, in order to avoid a surprise phone bill when you get back. 

Local sim cards are available to purchase from the airport or local convenience stores with unlimited data and free local texts and calling for a 30-day period. Cost depends on the provider, but most local sims range between $5-$15. If you plan to utilize this option, you may want to check your phone is unlocked and available to be used by alternative carriers before you depart from the U.S.

Alternatively, you can explore options with your cell service provider for international travel plans. Most cell service providers offer a daily or monthly plan ranging from $5-$20 per day for international travel. Be sure to explore all the limitations before traveling.

CURRENCY AND PAYMENT

The Tuition includes all program costs, international airfare, accommodations, local in-country transportation, and meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on location. Please note that meals are not provided during travel to and from our host destination, with the exception of meals provided by the airline. 

Students may want to bring pocket money for their own personal expenses, shopping, personal care items, souvenirs, snacks, etc. ($100-$300 should be more than adequate). 

In advance of your trip to Vietnam, we recommend you decide on how you will pay for personal expenses while abroad. You may choose to carry a credit card, withdraw Vietnamese dong using an ATM card, bring U.S. dollars to exchange in Vietnam or some combination of these options.

NOTE: It is advisable to carry both a widely accepted credit card, and some Vietnamese dong in small denominations. While bank cards are widely accepted at airports and large stores, many smaller convenience stores and tourist attractions only accept cash. 

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Vietnam; Discover and American Express are rarely accepted. If you plan to use a credit card while in Vietnam, be sure to ask your credit card company about their international transaction fees and alert them of your international travel plans beforehand to avoid security holds. Check the expiration date on your credit/debit cards and make a separate note in a safe place of their numbers and the service number on the back of the card.

Past students have had issues with Visa gift cards. Be sure to explore the limitations before using this option. While Visa gift cards are accepted by many larger stores, we have experienced issues when trying to withdraw cash from foreign ATMs with this option. 

Vietnam’s currency is the dong. Currently, 1000 Vietnamese dong equals about 0.04 USD. U.S. bank ATM cards can also be used in Vietnam to obtain dong. Students should check with their bank about foreign ATM transactions and conversion fees. To avoid additional fees, students may bring U.S. dollars that can be exchanged for the local currency, which the FutureDocs Abroad staff can facilitate on-site for students. It’s recommended that if you bring U.S. dollars, only bring crisp, clean bills, as bills with marks, tears, or creases are likely to be rejected when you go to exchange them in Vietnam.