<p>Somewhere I heard that study abroad students need to buy a round trip ticket, to ensure high likelihood of timely return. True? </p>
<p>For our example, DS would be studying in Singapore or possibly Scotland or Spain.</p>
<p>You would need to check the college or program policy on this. Some will allow time at the end, for travel. It’s usually cheaper to buy R/T, though sometimes the last minute return deals are just as good.</p>
<p>I’ve entered Singapore & EU countries countless times on a OW ticket, w/o any questions. It’s generally not an issue w countries not requiring an entry visa for U.S. passport holders. I have, however, watched my colleagues w less-forgiving passports get hassled.</p>
<p>The greater issue may be economic, not consular. If u are buying an economy class ticket, a OW ticket often costs more than a RT ticket, especially w U.S. carriers. </p>
<p>Check w Expedia to get an idea of fares, then book w the airline directly, not Expedia, to minimize headache in case u want to make changes in the booking.</p>
<p>I was fine going to a department of France with a one-way ticket. I’d check with the school to make sure, though.</p>
<p>Thanks, all. We will definitely have DS check with the school. </p>
<p>We have a concern about his early January travel being expensive if we wait too long. Acceptance dates tend to be late, so we would possibly consider chancing ticket purchase. The risk is low since the school have a direct exchange program, and all that have applied in past have been accepted. Still would prefer not to gamble on RT ticket. Also there is more flexibility on May plans if we just book OW. Sorry - thinking out loud here ;)</p>
<p>Also be careful about travel arrangements after the end of the semester. Full semester study abroad plans will require a visa in almost all countries - yes, even for Americans.</p>
<p>My DS was in Luxembourg which is a Schengen country. Spain is also in the Schengen zone. In Lux you don’t get the visa card until several weeks after you arrive. His school warned not to plan travel to other Schengen countries at the end of the term since there is no guarantee what date the visa will expire- it can vary from one day to one month after classes end. Once your Schengen visa expires you cannot enter any Schengen country for 90 days. Almost all continental western European countries are in the Schengen zone; however, Britain and Ireland are not, so end of term travel there is OK.</p>
<p>After New Years holiday, airfares to Europe in Jan are dirt cheap because demand is low</p>
<p>Check what some of the airlines, offer, too. If you’re not sure of the return date, some of them offer tickets with flexible return dates that you can change once you know the end of term schedule. They’re not the cheapest tickets, but they’re still usually cheaper than 2 one-way flights.</p>
<p>I’ve found one way tkts to Singapore early January under $900, but not sure yet on exact date requirements. DS did preliminary checks, and with his program it seems ok to do one way ticket if we decide to go that route.</p>
<p>Colorado_Mom,</p>
<p>My daughter will be studying abroad too in January 2014. She currently goes to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am looking at booking her flights now too. The only thing I’ve encountered is that the flight gets in around 1:00 a.m. I don’t know whether to book her a hotel room or what. I don’t think she can get keys to her dorm that early in the morning. Round trip tickets currently on Cathay Airlines or United is around $1,400 traveling on January 7 to May 20. She finishes around May 9 but I plan on meeting her and travel with her for a week before we head home together.</p>