Are you ready for a vacation of a lifetime? Studying abroad is one of the greatest privileges a young person can have, to engage themselves in another culture, broaden the mind and gain life skills.
Nonetheless, the process of preparing for your study abroad program may seem overwhelming to you, as it involves numerous things to do and items to pack.
Worry not! This comprehensive checklist serves as your road map by leading you through all the relevant steps – so you can start your trip with a peace of mind and all the preparations done.
Study Abroad Checklist To Prepare For Your Study Abroad Program
This article will help you with some of the important things to pack in addition to what to do before you depart for your travel overseas.Come with us.
1. Pack the Necessary Clothes, Toiletries, and Electronics That You Will Need
Packing for a long stay in a foreign country is not particularly easy. First of all, research the climatic and cultural standards of the country you are visiting.
Be smart, when you choose outfits, to pack versatile clothes that can be layered. In this way you will prepare for the weather conditions. Make sure to take with you clothes for any official functions you may attend, such as presentations and other formal events. In regard to toiletries, buy what you use regularly, including your favorites, because locating them in a different country can be difficult.
On top of it, make sure you have necessary gadgets like the laptop, camera and chargers to be used as photojournalism devices and to maintain communication with your loved ones at home.
2. Don’t Forget Your Passport and its Validity
Your passport is your ticket to the world, and you cannot travel on your study abroad program without it. It is necessary to verify the due date in order to guarantee some six-month validity after the assumed travel date. If your passport is about to expire, renew it on early to so as to catch any possible problems beforehand.
Having that much info duplicated and scattered would mean danger in that you would have to look for your missing passport and those documents too and thus the likelihood of getting lost would become very high.
3. Your Student Visa
Securing the right student visa is an important part of your study abroad program. Research the visa requirements for your chosen destination country and fill out the application as soon as possible.
Please prepare all the required documents including your acceptance letter from the hosting institution, financial proof, and any other supporting references.
Do note however that visa processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months so best for you to do your planning with enough timing to allow your application to be submitted well ahead.
4. Make Sure You Have Enough Money
Looking abroad for a study option can be strainful financially, therefore, better to have a sound financial plan that is implemented to have the whole things work out.
Calculate the costs of tuition, housing, food, transportation, and other expenses that you may have during your stay. Provide the funds correctly allowing for the extra expenditures and develop an emergency plan for when things don’t go as planned.
Students may want to set up a student bank account or obtain a convenient credit or debit card to facilitate the handling of their finances abroad.
5. Get Your ISIC
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is as indispensable as oxygen for any student who is overseas. This internationally branded card provides you access to various discounts on travel, accommodation, entertainment and other utilities in your destination country as well as other foreign countries.
Make sure that you apply for your ISIC will in time and always keep its with you, for you never know what it gives away.
6. Get Health and Travel Insurance
Health and safety are top priorities when studying abroad, so make sure you take necessary precautions. Get wide coverage health and travel insurance containing medical emergencies, accidents along with any requirements for medical evacuation.
Get to know the policy coverage particulars and take into account what kind of claims may be eligible for processing in case you get to use the insurance.
Along with this, you should also try to learn about the health system of the country you are going and determine the closer medical facilities in case of an emergency.
Lastly, by using this checklist, you are certainly sure to take off on a trip which you would probably never forget. Make sure your organisation is good enough. Be sure to stay flexible and experience your blending with a different culture.
It is certain that this adventure will change you in a way that none else can; it will not only enlarge your horizons but will also carry a large amount of memories with it.
Bon voyage! We hope to see you on the other side of the world. We hope you will have lifetime adventures as you’re studying abroad.
