Preparing Yourself for Studying Abroad

However, going abroad for an extended period of time does tend to be challenging and a couple of useful tips can go a long way in making the time easier and more enjoyable, which is exactly what you can expect to find below.

Fit Your Needs

There are a bunch of programs waiting for you abroad, no matter if you are looking to work, volunteer or study abroad. A majority of colleges have international education departments, so open your browser and get Googling. You can go on a field-based program or on a cultural exchange program, but regardless of what you choose, you still need to think about money. If you are aiming at studying abroad, make sure that you’ve saved up some cash (the aim should revolve around $5000 for a six-week term). Part-time jobs and paid internships are excellent ways to earn some money for studying abroad.

Documents and Preparations

You are going abroad – make sure you understand that this is no joke; you’ll be out there for an extended period of time, so you need to think about your documentation. Having a valid passport goes without saying, but make sure that the expiration date doesn’t coincide with your expected time abroad – this can cause a lot of unnecessary complications. You will also need a student visa, so plan ahead. Additionally, make sure that you’ve gotten your housing, banking and insurance paperwork in order and pay attention to financial aid. Avoid handling vital bureaucratic stuff from a foreign country.

Go to the target college website and check what the program requires – these vary not only among countries, but also between different colleges within a single city – some of them might require proof of citizenship, proof of medical insurance, trivialities such as password copies and so on.

Another reason it’s important to get your papers in order is to make sure your accommodation arrangements go without a hitch. Although some schools offer their college campus for free, others require payment and some of these are somewhat expensive. A good, budgetary solution is opting for student accommodation, this way, you might even get to meet a friend or two.

Google the Country

Learning all about education parts of your chosen place is one thing, but you always need to keep in mind your safety and other general stuff, when it comes to going abroad. Make sure that you are prepared for new customs, social mores and laws and do this via the Internet.

Take note of perhaps the most important factor of studying abroad – the neighborhood you’ll be staying in and neighborhoods to avoid. You can get into a lot of trouble if you frequent dangerous areas, foreigners are easy to spot and neighborhoods with high crime levels are best avoided entirely. Don’t go out alone late at night and keep your alcohol intake within reasonable limits.

Finally, it’s crucial that you equip your phone with emergency numbers even before your day of departure comes.

Learning a new language can be a great experience, but also a dangerous one. Before you engage in conversations with locals, stick to the basic words – you do not want to offend somebody!

Even though you might be keen and eager to visit and live in a foreign country for a while, picking up a lot of useful stuff, make sure that you understand that things will probably exhausting for you in the beginning. Stay strong, however, because you’ll adjust faster than you expect.

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