It's state law in Nebraska to call before you dig (http://www.ne-diggers.com/). Most other states should have something similar.

What the hotline does it send out notice to various utility companies and they look to see if it impacts them and do a locate if needed.

The rule of thumb, as I understand it, if they do the locate and you hit something not marked in the area you are digging, that particular utility that is at fault.

Regardless of what is said here (pros/cons of going), talk to your school's study abroad office before applying for a program (your school's or another's).

Some schools have a number of hoops that need to be jumped through, financial aid status, etc.

At the least, they can walk you through the process of getting course equivalents set up, before going, so when you transfer the credit in you have things signed by faculty in your school saying the courses will count to your degree.