Logistics

LTU Administrative Tasks

Application

Application for this project typically occurs early-midway through the first semester of final year (at the same time as expression of interest placements).

You will need to write a one-page letter exploring the following:

Why you are interested.
Why you think you're a good fit.
Current WAM / relevant subject marks.
What you see as the advantages of participating in an overseas exchange.
Previous travel experience.

1-2 hours to complete.

Global Experience Credit Approval (GECA) application

To ensure the subjects you study on an Overseas Short Program are credited back to your La Trobe University degree, you will need to request pre-credit approval.

Approximately 15 minutes to complete.

LMS - Global Experience Pre-Departure Module

This module prepares you for your departure overseas and covers important topics including health and safety, academic requirements, culture shock, and more. You require a certificate of completion to continue with your application.

Approximately 2 hours to complete.

Overseas Short Program (OSP) Application

You will need to fill in program and personal details and attach the following supporting documentation:

GECA certificate.
Pre-departure module certificate of completion.
Program confirmation/acceptance letter.

Approximately 1 hour to complete.

Flight Preferences

Three alternatives for flights to and from Europe to be emailed when requested. These can be to the destination of your choice, however, this will obviously depend on the timing of your trip. In 2023, students were able to fly into and out of any destination and on any day of choosing, provided they were in Mainz the day prior to the project commencement date.

Approximately 1 hour to complete.
In 2023, the cost of these flights was fully covered, however, please confirm this is the case when you apply.

(La Trobe University, 2023; School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport: La Trobe University, personal communication, 2023).

Figure 4
U.S. dollar banknote with map

During our road trip on highway 66 we st

Cost

In 2023, the cost of the week in Mainz was fully covered.
As previously discussed, the flights were paid for. Please note, however, that this is subject to each attendee making conservative choices when placing preferences.
Furthermore, on approval of your Overseas Short Program application, you will be considered for a mobility grant from LTU. In 2023, all three attending students received a grant of $1000 which we utilised to pay for our shared accommodation. What remained was spent on food, transport tickets, and entertainment.

(School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport: La Trobe University, personal communication, 2023).

Note. U.S. dollar banknote with map, by C Roy, 2017, Unsplash
(https://unsplash.com/photos/us-dollar-banknote-with-map-ir5MHI6rPg0).
Unsplash License.

Personal Administrative Tasks

Passport

Ensure your passport is valid. This means, making sure that you have at least 6 months before expiry of the passport for the date of your return to Australia.

(Study Abroad: La Trobe University, personal communication, 2023).

Visas

In 2023, a visa was NOT required for undertaking travel or study in Germany provided you do not stay for more than 90 days in a 180-day timeframe.

(Study Abroad: La Trobe University, personal communication, 2023).

Travel Insurance

Students are covered automatically under the University's travel insurance for an Overseas Short Program approved by LTU, once all forms are completed and acknowledged by La Trobe Abroad.

Insurance cover for non-LTU approved activity is limited to the equivalent amount of study days approved (e.g., if the program is 7 days, you are only covered for 7 days of personal travel either side of the program). You should purchase your own travel insurance for any additional days.

(La Trobe University, 2023)

Accommodation

You are required to book your own accommodation for the duration of the project. It is my recommendation that you book this in the vicinity of both the university and Mainz Central Station, as these locations are typical meeting points used throughout the exchange.

To save on the cost, reach out to the other Australian students attending the exchange!

(School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport: La Trobe University, personal communication, 2023).

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(Australian Government: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, n.d.)

Centrelink Notification

If you are in receipt of Centrelink payments, you may be eligible for continued payments while overseas. Please check the details for the payment applicable to you on the Services Australia website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/payments-while-outside-australia

(Services Australia, n.d.)

Money

Two things I recommend acquiring are a travel money card and cash.

Travel Money Card: there are a myriad of options when it comes to travel cards. Take some time to assess the different rates, and pros and cons of each before making your decision. Note that this process might take some time, especially if you need to open an account with a new bank.
Cash: in Germany, it will be inevitable that you use cash. A link has been drawn between the country's history of socialism and its preference toward cash payments given the perceived privacy of these untraceable purchases (Bucher-Koenen & Lamla-Dietrich, 2017). If you do not get cash out prior to departure, I implore that you do so from a reputable ATM or money exchange office at an airport or train station on arrival.

Packing

Make sure you leave adequate time to pack your belongings, particularly if you are planning holidays around the project. Look carefully at the forecasted weather, and consider clothes that can be mixed and matched easily.

Cull at least once, if not twice before travelling because you likely won't need that third jumper during European summer. It will save you time and energy each time you repack.

Some of my personal packing recommendations include:

a power adapter for each location
a power board (then you only need one adapter!)
a raincoat - there is nothing worse than having wet clothes and these typically don't dry that well in hotel rooms!
laundry soap (such as Sard Wonder Soap - for cleaning "pits and bits" when you can't make it to a laundromat)

Internet Access & Communication

Prior to departure, I purchased an eSIM from Simify. Some alternatives are a traditional insertable SIM which can be purchased pre- or post-arrival or purchasing international global roaming through your existing provider. You may also decide to rely on WIFI.
When making this decision, it is important to consider how you will communicate with people both at home and at your destination, and the potential reliability and availability of WIFI in public places.

Photos

If you are anything like me, you will likely take thousands of photos of your travels. Prior to departure, consider whether you will rely on your phone camera or bring a seperate camera. It is also worthwhile considering options for backing up these photos so you can save on device storage and avoid a dreaded technology failure!