Passport

First you need a passport to leave the country, well not so much to leave the country, more so to get back in. To get a passport, you must have two passport photos and the application filled out and take them to the post office. Remember to bring cash or cheque, they wouldn't let me use a credit card in Champaign. Then they said it was OK for one fee but not the other. It is much easier to use cash or cheque. Also you must have an official birth certificate, they will return it when they are done processing the application. There is a way to expedite this process for a fee, and all of that info is on the passport site. For passport information see http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html . This should have all the information that you may need. To find the closest post office in any area go to http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ .

I had absolutely no trouble with this, however because of heightened security, it could be a drama if you don't have something.

Checklist for most cases:

• Filled out Application
• Previous Passport or Birth Certificate
• Proof of Identity (Current Driver's License)
• Two Passport Photos
• Fees
• Social Security Number

Once you have your Visa then you should make copies of it immediately. This is what you should carry with you. Your Visa is your ticket back into the United States. I would even suggest scanning it and saving it many places. Many companies have services that will help you with this. The ISIC card is one such company.

On to Confirmation of Enrollment