Once you have confirmed your participation in a Carleton program you are required to:

• Register for your Carleton Seminar through the Hub during your registration window.
• Attend program-specific pre-departure meetings and retreats. Meeting dates and times are posted on your program's pre-departure website and reminders will be sent via email.
• Inform the College of important contact and travel information by filling out the Pre-Departure Information Form. This information is due to OCS no later than one month prior to the program start date.
• Make two copies of your passport and turn in to OCS or scan it and email it to lvanderw@carleton.edu. OCS will register all US citizens with the US State Department and keep the copies on file for the duration of the program.
• Read your email from OCS and your program directors for program-specific information such as picking up food stipend checks, applying for visas, purchasing group airline tickets, etc. Follow through promptly with all requests.
• Attend the mandatory Health and Safety meeting presented by OCS and the Wellness Center. Dates and times for 2009-10 meetings are noted on each program's pre-departure page.
• Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to fill out the Health Assessment Form. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see if you are covered overseas. Health assessment forms are due in the OCS office the third Friday of the term prior to seminar's departure.
• Review general health and safety information for travel abroad as well as country-specific information provided by your health care provider or the Centers for Disease Control.
• Visit the International SOS website to learn more about this travel assistance program that covers all participants on Carleton programs. While SOS does not provide comprehensive medical insurance, they can assist in case of medical, personal, or political emergency. You may also enter your personal health history on the website so that it is available when you travel. SOS cards will be distributed at pre-departure meetings.

You are recommended to:

• Consider applying for an International Student ID Card (Discounts, Travel Insurance, Phone Card).
• Remember to take photos for the Annual OCS Photo Contest. Submissions are due the first week of spring term and winners receive a cash prize and recognition. Judges choose winners in four categories: people, place, story, and library. The People's Choice Award is selected through on-line voting among the top 25 photos.
• • If you plan on submitting digitally, we recommend that in order to prevent intense pixelization, that you use photos which have a high resolution or that were taken with high megapixel setting. As a rule of thumb, you should have your camera set at a much higher MP setting than you think you need. Although this means that your memory card will not be able to hold as many pictures, the amazing quality of your photographs will be worth having to upload your pictures more often.