Do you have all required travel documents?
Beginning with the most obvious, nearly all U.S. citizens must acquire a U.S. passport prior to traveling overseas and attempting to reenter the United States. Although some foreign countries may allow entry without a passport, it is important to remember that all U.S. citizens traveling by air must present a valid passport to be admitted back into the United States! Before leaving for your trip, be sure to make photocopies of your passport in the unfortunate event that your passport is lost or stolen. Having a photocopy of your passport will help to expedite the process of receiving a new passport and may prevent any unwanted extra days of travel.
Obtaining a passport is typically one of the first things on a travelers mind, but obtaining entry visas and return tickets often slip the minds of new and veteran travelers. While Western European countries do not require entry visas for citizens carrying a United States passport, many countries around the world do. Some countries even require individuals to show proof of onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for their stay. The U.S. State Department website is an extremely helpful resource if you are interested in finding out the requirements for a specific country!
One last thing that is not required, but what I consider a “must-have” when traveling abroad is an international student card. If you are a college-aged student, obtaining an international student card before traveling abroad will help save a lot of money by providing special offers and discounts, particularly at popular tourist attractions. Nearly everywhere I visited, I asked if they offered discounts for students with an international card and was often surprised at how frequently the card was accepted. My international student card turned out to be a life-saver (and a money saver!)
In your final preparations, check once, check twice and then check again to ensure you have packed all the necessary documentation! Imagine how horrible it would be to arrive at the airport just in time for your flight and then realize you forgot your passport!!
Source: http://www.studyabroad.com/articles/travel-documents-for-study-abroad.aspx
