So, you have been accepted into a program at a foreign university of your choice and are preparing to depart far by plane/ship/train vehicle to begin your new international student life. However, while waiting for the summer and the duration of the period to pass, you may want to follow our checklist of studies abroad to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your trip.
Whether you plan to study abroad for a month, a semester, a full academic year or a full degree, it is vital that you think of important and bureaucratic things like travel insurance that will help you make your time abroad as fluid as possible.
Continue reading to see essential elements of the study abroad study checklist
#1. Passport
You are not stupid, we know that. Of course, you will not forget your passport. But what you need to make sure in the period prior to your study abroad program is if your passport will remain valid for the duration of your trips.
Many countries, in visa and other applications, require that you have at least six additional months in your passport after your studies are completed, therefore, allow time to study, any additional travel time and six additional months.
If you need to renew your passport, request it as soon as possible to prevent your passport from running out of the passport at the beginning of the period. Processing times vary from country to country, but they can generally take six weeks or more.
If you wait until you reach abroad before renewing your passport, you will face visits to the embassy, queues and even more forms than usual: the last things you want in a new and exciting country!
#2. Student visa
Depending on the country of study you choose, you will probably need to obtain a student visa to be allowed in the country for the entire duration of the study. Often, if you are applying for an accredited university, the school will help you in the student visa process. If help is not offered, go directly to the job of securing your student visa.
To do so, you must contact the embassy or consulate of your country of study and you must attend an appointment as part of your student visa application. Here you will be asked to bring documentation such as a letter of approval from the university, the valid passport mentioned above, proof of funds and occasionally a return ticket for your return trip at the end of your studies.
#3. Finance
When considering your finances, make sure you have safe and affordable money while traveling.
It is essential to carry local currency, but be sure not to rely solely on cash or withdraw large amounts of money at once. When converting your money, do it before arriving at the airport, where exchange rates are not the best. This can usually be done through your local bank, travel agencies, currency exchange offices, post office, some supermarkets or even a specialized online provider. For the best rates, price comparison sites like Moneysupermarket can help.
In addition to cash, you must also have a bank account that can be accessed abroad by credit card or credit card, through your local ATM or an international bank branch. Most major banks are internationally recognized, but often receive a small fee each time you withdraw money or pay with your card. Make sure your card is valid while traveling and inform your bank of your trips before leaving to make sure your card is not locked.
Once you know how you will access your money while you are away, you should spend it wisely. Whether you are financing with personal savings, student loans, scholarships or part-time work income, maintaining a budget is one of the best and most difficult things you can do to avoid running out of coins at the end of each period.
Before leaving, make a list of expenses, including everything from accommodation costs to daily food and entertainment. Find out how much money you will need to spend each week, and if that is not enough, consider reducing non-essential items or researching other financing options.
#4. Scholarships for international students.
If this discussion about your finances has worried you, consider seeking scholarships for international students to find out if you are eligible for additional funding for your studies.
Your first call should be on the website of your new university, where you can find information on all available scholarships, grants, and scholarships. Many of these awards are specific to each subject and/or are based on needs and, sometimes, are exclusive to high-performance students or minorities. If your school offers nothing for which you are eligible, outside funding is also an option. Companies such as International Scholarships offer complete lists of scholarships financed with external funds worldwide.
However, all scholarships are strongly signed, therefore research scholarships before going to college. You must work hard on your application and pay close attention to the application deadlines.
Here at StudentGuide we also offer several scholarships for international graduate students; For more information, see the full list here.
#5. International student identity card (ISIC)
The international student identity card (ISIC) must be on the checklist of all international students abroad, as it offers discounts on products and services worldwide. Check online to see if the International Student Identity Card would be useful for you, and find discounts for public transportation, travel insurance, international calling cards, and many other useful things, from phone repairs to Segway tours.
The International Student Travel Confederation, the organization behind the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), has offices in 106 countries around the world and can offer help with the many travel-related problems you may face as an international student.
#6. Travel insurance
It may seem an unnecessary cost, but in reality, travel insurance is essential. For a small one-time payment, travel insurance covers you if something happens during your studies, be it illness, injury or theft, and will ensure that you do not spend all your life savings on a trip to the doctor’s office. ! In many countries, health insurance is also a requirement for international students, and you may need to show that you have sufficient coverage.
#7. Medical
To make sure you are in good shape before leaving home, it is advisable to visit your doctor for a complete medical check-up and make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for the chosen study destination. For distant countries, these vaccines will be priced, but you can be sure that your doctor will tell you if they are completely necessary.
If you need ongoing care while you are away, make sure your doctor sends a copy of your medical records abroad. Foreign recipes are not always respected; Therefore, it is recommended that you have additional time to pick up your prescription before the medication runs out.
#8. Language
If you have chosen to study abroad in a country that does not speak the local language, do not be afraid! Often, in many European countries and much of Asia, locals speak at least some English. Anyway, consider doing some local language lessons before leaving to fully interact and immerse yourself in the culture of your country of study abroad.
While learning a language used to mean taking a night course or reading / listening to a variety of products to learn, smartphone applications such as Duolingo today offer comprehensive language learning methods so you can learn in your spare time with a mix. Listen, speak and write to help you develop more complete knowledge before leaving.
If you leave your smartphone behind, be sure to bring a phrasebook. Being able to talk politely with the locals will certainly be extremely useful, especially if you get lost in a new city or city!
#9. Travel
First, the checklist of all foreign students must be the means and knowledge necessary to move around and explore their new country and culture. In order to travel on a limited budget, you will not only have to book your initial tickets (including your return!) Before traveling, but you should also consider researching the travel methods to use once in the country.
The Internet is a great tool for this, as it allows you to compare shipping prices worldwide. You may also find that buying a train card will be useful if you plan to travel a lot by train, the same with the bus or bus cards. Buying offers like this before leaving home will ensure you don’t have to pay your travel money once there. However, be sure to buy only what you definitely need!
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