Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to participate in a study abroad program. Check out these resources before saying, “Bon Voyage!” and get a clue about the country that’s soon to become home for the next summer, semester or academic year:

Hit the books.
If you’re heading to Barcelona or Tokyo, pick up copies of Culture Shock! Spain or Culture Shock! Japan. The Culture Shock! series highlights the historical and cultural quirks of the country you’ll be studying in, serving up the important tidbits and colloquialisms that more traditional guidebooks leave out. Other great guidebook series include: Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, Rough Guide and Rick Steves’. Remember to check the publishing date to ensure you are reading the most current and up-to-date information.

Search the web.
For specific questions, a basic search or “googling” is your first line of defense. Be as specific as possible when performing searches, because chances are someone else has asked a question similar to yours!

If have so many questions that you don't even know where to begin, check out these comprehensive websites: