Pre-departure tips

Pre-departure tips

Visa applications

• i. Requirements and procedures – Personal appearance– Application form – Valid passport – 2 recent passport photos– NSO- birth certificate + copy– Flight reservation– Travel insurance with a minimum medical coverage of Euros 30.000– Consular fee in cash (exact amount)– Proof of sufficient financial means (ex. original bankbook and copy, dating

back one year , affidavit of support, bank statements, etc.)– Additional documents (school acceptance letter and proof of residence)– Proof of enrolment and authorized leave of absence in case of students.

Visa applications

• i. Requirements and procedures– Complete requirements– Call and schedule an appointment

• 1-909-101-1919• 1-900-101-1919• 1-903-101-1919

– Do NOT be late!

Visa applications

• ii. (If with interview) Common questions encountered in the interview – No interview

• iii. Visa processing time - How long did it take to get your visa?– Around 4 to 5 weeks

Visa applications • iv. Any difficulties encountered while trying to get your visa?

– No, but it takes a while for the embassy to process.

• v. (If applicable to your destination) Schengen visa procedures– Same as visa procedures

TIP: Try to apply for the visa as early as possible so that IF the embassy does not give you a Schengen visa, there may still be some time to apply for the Schengen at a different embassy (i.e. German embassy – rumoured to have the fastest processing time)

Visa applications

Travel insurance procedures and policies

• Call Blue Cross directly – they give discounts to Ateneo students– 8000 Makati Avenue, Makati City, Manila Philippines

TIN 000-440-080-000Tel. No.: 899-8001Fax No.: 899-5389Email: [email protected]

• Coverage: 150 Days

mailto:[email protected]

Efficient packing for your trip: What to bring and what not to bring

• i. Is it easy or cheaper to buy toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.) there or should they bring some when they arrive?– Bring some when you arrive, at least for a couple

of weeks while you get settled in.

TIP: Sachets are useful during trips.


• ii. Should they bring a lot of medicines in case of illness or is it easy or cheaper to buy medicines there? If so, how much do you think should they bring?– Bring the essentials with you (Vitamins [C and

multi]; for allergies, colds, hyperacidity, LBM, cough, fever, etc. )

– get vaccinated (flu and pneumonia)


• iii. Should they bring pots, pans, utensils, plates, cups, bedsheets, blankets, and pillows or are they provided for in their accommodations? – Already provided for.


• iv. How much clothing should they pack or is it cheaper to buy clothing at their destination? What clothing do you recommend them to bring with them in their destination?– Clothing that should last for approx. 2 weeks– Bring lots of t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts– Sweaters, cardigans, “air-con jackets”– Thermal underwear (leggings, undershirts)

TIP: Layering! Gives you different looks and keeps you warm at the same time.


• iv. How much clothing .....– Winter jacket should be thick and waterproof– Waterproof shoes– Lots of socks and underwear (disposable

underwear may be considered)– Scarves, gloves, hats

TIP: Don’t be afraid to reuse your clothes without washing them.


• v. How was the weather when you arrived? (eg. If the students are going to countries with temperate climates, should they arrive at their destination wearing thermal / winter clothing?) – Approx. 9°C when we arrived– Bring a jacket. Can also pack extra layers in your

carry on baggage for easy retrieval.


• vi. Is there anything you wish you had brought with you before you left the Philippines for your JTA?– Maybe more Filipino stuff for the International Fair

(i.e. Costumes, food)


• vii. Is there anything you wish you didn’t bring with you when you left the Philippines?– Not really


• Other things to bring...– Travel adaptors– Extension cord– Hair dryer– Blank CDs/ hard drive

TIP: photocopies/electronic copies of travel documents (passport, visa, credit cards, Ids, tickets, etc.)

Other preparations

• i. Language (if applicable) – 1. How difficult is it to get by without knowing the

local language? How many of the locals you approached know even a little English? • Not that hard• Most of the youth know how to speak English.• Generally, the Polizei, Bahnhof people, train

conductors, tourist info station, etc. know how to speak English

Other preparations

• 2. What useful phrases should they keep in mind in order to: – a. Introduce oneself (eg. “I am ___ from Ateneo de

Manila University) • Ich bin ____ vom Ateneo de Manila University

– b. Ask for directions (eg. “Where is ____?”; “How do I go to ____”) • Wo ist _____?• Wie komme ich ___?

Other preparations

• 2. What useful phrases should they keep in mind in order to: – c. Ask if the local person knows how to speak

English and tell him they do not know how to speak the local language. • Sprechen Sie Englisch?• Ich spreche kein Deutsch.

– d. Ask for help • Hilfe!

Other preparations

• 2. What useful phrases should they keep in mind in order to: – e. Order food in restaurants/cafeterias • Ich möchte gern ....

– Wiener Schnitzel– Knödel – Apfelstrudel– Sachertorte– Heiße Schokolade

Other preparations

• 2. What useful phrases should they keep in mind in order to: – f. Shop• Wie viel ?• Was kostet?

Other preparations

• More phrases...– Grüß Gött– Hallo– Danke– Bitte– Entschuldigung– Tchüss– Auf Wiedersehen

– Wie heißt du?– Wie geht es dir?– Eins, zwei, drei,...– Sehr gut– Genau– Frohe Weihnachtenhttp://www.dict.cc/

Other preparations

• ii. How essential is it to learn household chores (cooking, laundry, cleaning, ironing) prior to leaving for your JTA? – Very important, specially cooking and laundry.

Other preparations

• Get a Hostel card– 4227 Tomas Claudio St., Paranaque, Metro Manila,

Philippines. (ID pic)• Teach parents how to use Skype

Documents

Pre-departure tips