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Friday, November 20, 2009

bday 21

i feel so old now. i wish time would stop and i could be 21 years old forever.
spent the bday with my closest friends. we went to clys.
interesting how i don't feel like drinking anymore, cuz the excitment from thinking i might get caught no longer exists.

it doesnt feel all that different to be 21
absolutely normal

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Carrying $/ ATMs & Credit Cards/ Safety tips

Carrying Money
The general rule is that you should never carry too much cash with you, even as you arrive in your host country.  As a practice, I normally have no more than the equivalent of US$500 in cash when I arrive in a country, US$200-300, possibly less, of which will be in the local currency. The actual amount depends on your location: if the country is largely cash-based, e.g. Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, I will have more cash on hand; if the country is credit-card-friendly, e.g. UK and Ireland, I will have less cash when I arrive and just make withdrawals after arriving.

Should you carry cash with you, make sure that it is with you — NOT in your check-in!!  It is also wise to have a money belt, especially if you arriving in an area that is crowded.  You should also split up your cash: some in your money belt, a small amount in your wallet, another amount in your pockets, and some in your carry-on bag.

HAVE SMALL CHANGE!  This includes both local and US currency.  Have several small US and local currency, which you can easily pull out for tipping (if the country has a culture of tipping or if you feel like it) without having to flash a large wad of cash in public.

Please also remember that if you need to make payment for a visa entry stamp, plan to have exact change, e.g. in Egypt and Jordan, you will need to pay in US dollars.

Some travelers recommend carrying traveler's cheques as a back-up source of funds.  Having traveler's cheques is useful in some countries, but it can be an inconvenience, in terms of cashing the travelers cheques, in other countries.

NOTE:  Personal checks drawn on US banks are NOT ACCEPTABLE overseas.

The Lonely Planet guidebooks (Directory section) provide very good information on carrying and managing money in your host country.

ATMs and Credit/Debit Cards
Most U.S. credit and debit cards will allow you to access your home bank funds, as long as it is connected to the Cirrus and/or PLUS systems: http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=41&category=8.

Visa and Mastercard are the most convenient cards for international travel.  American Express is useful for making credit card purchases in some places, although less widely accepted than Visa and Mastercard.

If your Personal Identification Number is more than four numbers long, get it changed before departing, since some countries only permit 4-digit PINs.
If you use your credit/debit card for purchases overseas, be aware that your country may have different procedures for handling credit/debit cards.  Australia has a system called EFTPOS, which is similar to that in the US, but has a few small differences that may initially throw you off.  Just ask for an explanation at the counter if you feel a little lost.  Don't freak out.  

In the UK, Ireland, Europe — and increasingly, across Asia — ATMs and points of purchases will only accept smart cards (debit/credit cards with a microchips).  These cards are used to reduce the occurrence of fraud.  In the UK, for instance, a representative of the place that you are making your purchase in is required to bring a handheld debit/credit card reader to you so that you may enter your PIN in it.  In other words, the vendor must perform the credit/debit card transaction in your presence.  Most US credit/debit cards do not work on those machines and the vendor will be required to bring one that issues receipts.  Not every place carries machines to read cards that do not carry a chip.  It is advisable that you ask your issuing bank if they are able to change your existing card to a smart card, i.e. one with a microchip.  For more details, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartcard as well as www.lonelyplanet.com and look up the Money section.

From the England pages on www.lonelyplanet.com:
Since early 2006, nearly all credit and debit cards use the ‘Chip and PIN’ system; instead of signing, you enter a PIN (personal identification number). If you’re from overseas, and your card isn’t Chip and PIN enabled, you should be able to sign in the usual way, but some places will not accept your card.

It is very important that you notify your bank that you will be making purchases/charges from the countries that you will be visiting.  Additionally, you should provide them with the estimated dates of your travel.  Various students, in the past, have had their accounts blocked after making just one international transaction.  Even if you have informed your bank of your travel plans, it is advisable to have a back-up source of funds should a "freeze" on your card occur.  As discussed at the Health & Safety Orientation, make copies of the front and back of your credit/debit cards and know how to get in touch with your bank while you are overseas.

When overseas, it is useful to check your local bank account and/or credit card account regularly, especially if you are making purchases and withdrawals against your local bank and/or credit card account.  This will help you notice any discrepancies or fraud as soon as they appear.  If you notice a transaction on your account that you do not authorize, inform your bank immediately.

Alternatively, you may obtain a pre-paid card that functions almost like a credit or debit card and can be topped up as well.  The major advantage of having a pre-paid cash card is that it is not tied to your local bank and/or credit card account.  One possibility is the AAA Visa Travel Money Card: http://www.autoclubgroup.com/chicago/travel/index.aspx and then click on "Travel Money and Cheques" from the menu on the left of the page.  Please check that the card can be used overseas before purchasing it.

For those spending a semester or year overseas, you may wish to consider opening a bank account in your host country and using the debit card that they issue.  Besides the advantage of the card not being attached to your home accounts, there is also the benefit of having an account to wire money to, should there be an emergency.  Naturally, you should opt for a bank that has multiple branches throughout the country or region you are studying abroad in.  This option is highly recommended for students going to the UK for the academic year.  You should check with your US bank is it has linkages with banks in your host country.  Some US banks are associated with banks in your host countries, which might make opening a local account easier.

When making withdrawals from ATMs, please beware of surcharges.  In many countries overseas, there isn't a fee for withdrawing from another bank, but your local bank will add a transaction fee, which can range from $1 to $3.  Please note that some credit card companies also charge a fee for converting foreign currency to US currency on transactions made.
Finally, if you are going out to the clubs/bars overseas, do NOT leave your card with the bartender.  Pay cash or charge each individual round of drinks.  Do not run a tab and leave your credit card behind the bar or with the bartender/server.  Please review the safety tips at the end of this section for other advice regarding your money.
 
Safety Tips
At orientation, we addressed ways to protect your identity and what you will need to do should your credit card be stolen.  That Powerpoint presentation can be viewed on https://www.studyabroad.illinois.edu.  Here are some reminders:
  • Make copies of your credit and debit cards (both sides);
  • Leave one set with your family/relatives/trusted friend (it is not advisable to leave such information with someone you're just dating);
  • Include on those copies the 24-hour emergency number (in the U.S. and in your host country) that you would need to call should you need to cancel your card.
  • If your belongings are stolen or if your card is swallowed up by an ATM machine, cancel your card immediately.
I also keep my credit card information and emergency numbers on my personal e-mail account when I travel – delete that e-mail as soon as you don't need it further.  Of course, make sure that you are very careful when logging onto your e-mail account from a public computer.  Make sure you log off and FILE & QUIT the application as soon as you are done; do not simply click to close the window.

Finally, a reiteration of what was printed in the Health & Safety Tips about using ATM machines:

Cash machines are favorite hunting groups for sophisticated conmen who use cunning rather than force to seal money. Never underestimate their ability and don't get drawn into any interaction at an ATM, no matter how well-spoken, friendly or distressed the other person appears.  If they claim to have a problem with the machine, tell them to contact the bank.  Don't let people crowd you or see your Personal Identification Number (PIN) when you withdraw money.  If in doubt, go to another machine.  Use an ATM machine during the day and remain in well-lit areas.  Where possible, use the cash machine during business hours, when the bank is open.  If there is an ATM machine IN the bank during the business hours, use that machine, not the one outside the bank.  Finally, if your card gets swallowed, report it without delay.

- info provided by my study abroad advisor- Jerome Ng (one of the coolest study abroad advisers ever!)

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Kingdom Culture Kingdom Feb 2010 in Taipei!



讓我們重回耶穌屬天的生活方式
釋放撼動世界-光與酵的影響力

神的國不在乎言語,乃在乎權能 -林前4:20
耶穌帶著轉化世界的兩種影響力:
踐踏蛇蠍的神蹟異能,直接正面衝擊黑暗權勢的光的影響力
屬天卓越的超人思想,為世界帶來隱性滲透與改革轉化的酵的影響力
天國文化特會,挑戰你重回耶穌屬天的生活方式,教導你顛覆世界的天國思想,同時擁有如同耶穌一樣光與酵的影響力,釋放你我成為轉化世界的超自然群體!

超強講員
比爾‧強生(Bill Johnson)、海蒂‧貝克(Heidi Baker)、腓力‧曼都法(Philip Mantofa)
時間: 2010 年 2/2(二) ~ 2/5(五)
地點:台北小巨蛋
對象:所有渴望生命與能力更像耶穌的基督徒和教會領袖

http://www.asiaforjesus.net/2010kingdom_culture/
http://www.asiaforjesus.net/