It is essential to have an active passport if you are studying abroad in a foreign country. If you already have a passport, it is important to make sure it is valid through your entire time abroad and six months after as well. The government has wonderful website.
An Adult Passport costs
$135. The US Government has also begun to issue "Passport Cards."
"The Department of State has developed a Passport Card as a more portable and less expensive alternative to the traditional passport book." -(http://travel.state.gov)
The Passport Card is an additional
$30 and is by no means necessary. I opted out of this as I didn't see the need to spend more money on something I wouldn't get much use out of.
The best description of the ISIC (International Student Identity) Card can be found on their website:
"The ISIC card is the only internationally-recognised student ID and ISIC card holders are members of a truly global club. Every year more than 4.5 million students from 120 countries use their student card to take advantage of offers on travel, shopping, museums and more, worldwide." -(http://www.isic.org)
Basically, when you go to an attraction in another country, almost everything has a "student rate." From the research I've done on various museums, landmarks and transportation, the discounts are large and helpful. Attractions don't won't to dole these steep discounts to anyone, so a lot require more than a simple school ID--this is where the ISIC card comes in.
The ISIC card will only set you back
$28. That's a small price for a LOT of discounts!
**More necessities will be added as I find more "must haves" for a successful trip to London.**
~Carson
Regents College (soon to be University) London is located right in the heart of London. This small, private college is where I will be spending the entirety of the Fall semester.