These are questions that Fellows frequently ask before their programs. Program manuals and general information on travelling are sent to Fellows well before their arrival.

Overseas Fellows

Should I bring a laptop?
Most Fellows feel that a laptop is absolutely necessary while traveling. They use them for taking notes, keeping records, and staying in touch with each other and with their EF program officer and family at home.
Will I have an e-mail address? How will I access my e-mail?
Fellows will use their own e-mail addresses during the program. Eisenhower Fellowships provides an e-mail list for each group of Fellows so they can keep in touch while on the road.
How much time will I spend in each city?
Most itineraries allow for two cities per week.
When will I know my schedule?
Draft itineraries will be sent to you before your arrival in the United States. You will receive the first two to three weeks of your scheduled appointments on the last day of the opening seminar week.
How many appointments will I typically have in a day? Can I make my own?
You will typically have two or three appointments a day. Yes, you may schedule your own appointments, but you must coordinate this with your Program Officer to avoid conflicts with appointments that he or she is making on your behalf.
What types of accommodations are arranged for me?
You will stay at moderately-priced business class hotels conveniently located for your appointments. (We try to have Fellows in the same city stay in the same hotel so that they can get together outside of their professional schedule.)
For whom should I bring gifts?
Fellows generally like to bring a few small gifts for families who offer home hospitality.
What type of health insurance does EEF provide?
While Fellows are traveling in the U.S., they are covered by an accident and medical insurance policy.
What will the weather be like throughout the program and how should I pack for it?
For both spring and fall programs, Fellows experience changing seasons and climates. Therefore, both cold- and warm-weather clothing are needed. A coat with a removable lining can be used in both cold and milder climates. A warm sweater is also necessary.
What should I wear during the opening and closing seminars?
Dress is generally “business casual” during in-house sessions, and normal business attire for outside sessions.
Do I need to get an international driver's license?
Although Eisenhower Fellowships does not require you to drive during your fellowship, the ability to do so will make it easier for you to visit a number of cities, smaller towns, and rural areas that lack good public transportation. An international driver’s license is strongly recommended to complement your national license, and is definitely required especially if the latter is not in English.
How much free time will I have to see Philadelphia?
The weekend before the opening seminar is your best opportunity. Eisenhower Fellowships organizes a two-hour tour of the city, and you will have some additional time to visit museums and explore. Throughout your program, weekends are generally reserved for sightseeing.
What about evenings?
Except during opening and closing seminars in Philadelphia, your evenings will generally be free unless home hospitality has been arranged or if a dinner meeting has been scheduled.
Does Eisenhower arrange for tickets to cultural or sports events?
Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to arrange for tickets, but at most hotels a concierge can tell you about entertainment and help you make arrangements to attend.
How much money do I need to bring?
Fellows usually like to bring extra money to cover extra meals, entertainment and personal shopping. The EF per diem covers hotels, three daily meals, and transportation. Credit cards will make covering your non-reimbursable expenses much easier.

USA Fellows

What opportunities will I have to meet other USA Fellows?
Once you have accepted the fellowship, we will invite you to an orientation seminar with other U.S. Fellows traveling in the same year. Alumni Fellows, whom you will meet at the orientation and for whom we will provide contact information, will be able to advise you on what to do and how to prepare for your fellowship. After completion of your fellowship, you will present an oral report to a group of international and USA Fellows at the Closing Seminar for either our spring Multi-Nation Program or fall Single Region Program. This will give you an opportunity to be introduced into the broader Eisenhower network of USA and international Fellows.

Worldwide and regional conferences, hosted by Eisenhower Fellows, are held a few times each year. These provide excellent opportunities to expand your contacts among Fellows from many countries and many professional fields. Between conferences we encourage Fellows in a particular country or region to gather regularly on a formal or informal basis to network amongst themselves.
How much money will I be allotted for my trip and how much money should I take abroad?
The amount of money given to a Fellow is typically based on either actual costs or on the U.S. State Department per diem rates for the various cities and countries being visited. The allowance covers hotel accommodations, meals, and intra-city travel. Airplane tickets (both domestic and international) and rental cars will be billed directly to Eisenhower.

You may wish to take a limited amount of foreign currency for immediate use when you arrive, in case you do not have the opportunity to cash U.S. dollars or find an ATM right away. ATM machines and credit cards generally offer the best exchange rates, and you can withdraw money from both bank accounts and credit cards from most ATM machines abroad.
What is the best method to get over jetlag?
Immediately before or upon arrival adjust your watch to the local time, and try to follow a normal schedule on the new time – e.g. if you arrive in the morning, do not go immediately to sleep. With the possible exception of a brief nap, it is best to stay awake the entire day until evening, so that you are going through a typical wake/sleep cycle. If you go to sleep during the day, because it is still nighttime in the U.S., you likely will have a harder time adjusting to the clocks in your destination country.
Who typically arranges a USA Fellow’s program while abroad?
Within each destination country, a program coordinator organizes the Fellow’s program. This program coordinator either contracts directly with the EF office in Philadelphia, or else is a designee of the alumni Eisenhower Fellows in the destination country. Alumni Fellows actively participate in the organization of a USA Fellow’s program.
How many appointments will I have in a typical day?
A typical day on a fellowship averages to 2-3 appointments. There may be days with only one appointment, others with 3-4 meetings. We try to build into each program sufficient time for reflection and last-minute meetings suggested by previous contacts to maximize your experience abroad.
Will I be able to sightsee?
Weekends are generally considered free time for sightseeing.
How much within my destination country will I travel?
Travel within a destination country varies from program to program, depending on the field of inquiry and length of the fellowship. In organizing a program, we encourage Fellows to broaden their perspectives by obtaining many different points of view, so this may include travel to large cities, small towns, and rural areas.
What will the weather be like where I am traveling?
This is best determined by communicating with your program coordinator in the destination country, but you can also find out climate conditions in major cities around the world through web at sites such as http://weather.yahoo.com.
What method of transportation will I use while in my destination country?
This will be determined based on your program and the country concerned. Within cities, public transportation or taxis are normally recommended. If traveling to more rural areas you will most likely drive. In larger countries, you would most often take flights from one city to another.
Will I need to speak the language of my destination country?
While this is not required, it is certainly preferable and enhances the experience significantly. Although a number of hosts do speak English, those in Spanish-speaking countries, for example, expect a reasonable command of their language. Where necessary for key appointments, a translator can be provided by Eisenhower Fellowships.