Studying abroad is an amazing experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You will be able to learn a new language, get familiar with a different culture, and befriend locals. Because of this, studying abroad is a much bigger adventure than just visiting a foreign country. While this will definitely be an exciting time in your life, you will need to take certain steps to prepare for it.
Of course, your first step should be to search study abroad programs online and figure out which one would be a good choice for you. Once you find a good program and determine what country you’ll be going to, it’s important to research whether you need a visa. Keep in mind that you will need to send your application at least two months before your planned trip. In case you don’t get the visa on time, it may completely ruin your chances of attending a program. If you want to apply for a visa, you’ll need a valid passport, a sponsor letter from your university, passport quality photos, as well as written proof that you have enough money in your bank account.
It’s also essential that you come up with a plan on how you will afford student life abroad. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll not only need money for the trip, but for the whole duration of your stay. Make sure you bring more money than you plan on spending, just in case. If you have a job, you should start setting aside as much as you can every month. You can reduce the cost of studying abroad through grants and scholarships. You can also apply for a student loan from either the government or a bank. Nevertheless, perhaps the best way to fund your studies abroad is by working a job. This way, you’ll not only be able to set aside some cash each month, but you’ll also gain relevant work experience.
You should thoroughly research the country you plan on visiting before you leave. Learn about the local culture what type of weather you can expect. Study the map of the city and get familiar with the public transport system. You will need to know the price of basic groceries. By doing this, you’ll be able to determine how much money to bring. Know that you should book a flight shortly after deciding where you’ll go. If you wait too long to book a ticket, it may end up costing you more. Another thing you’ll need to determine is where you’ll be staying. The prices may be high in case you are going to a big city. In order to get good accommodation for the best possible price, start researching apartments early.
It’s a good idea to visit your doctor for a physical before your trip. You should ask for a copy of your medical records in the event that you need them abroad. In case you are taking any type of prescription meds, you should talk to your doctor about getting a prescription that is going to last you the entire time you spend overseas. On top of that, you should have a good health and accident insurance policy that will keep you covered no matter what happens.
You will need to spend some time mentally preparing yourself for this experience. Even if you’re extremely excited, there’s a good chance you will be scared about living in a different country where you don’t know anyone. Nevertheless, you should embrace this fact and try to meet as many new people as possible. Learn more about their culture and mentality through conversation and talk about your life back home. Note that most of your fellow students will likely be curious about your home country.