A lot of people dream of studying abroad for a lot of reasons. Sometimes, it is the charm of the place; sometimes, it is the unbelievable opportunity to learn something new; either way, you should be prepared. It can be an experience of a lifetime to move to a foreign country and live in their culture, be a part of something you have never seen. Everyone should look up to new experiences, and studying abroad can be good. In this article, we will see the important things to do before you move to study abroad.
It takes a lot of planning, and you need to do many things to be able to physically and mentally handle yourself in a foreign country. So, here’s a list of things to do before you study abroad. Make sure you are ready to take that leap of faith and make sure you have a lot of fun.
1. Know the place, do your research
It can be a great feeling to experience something for the first time. But before you move to study abroad, you should do your research. Know the place well. Get on the internet and study everything about the place and university or college that you plan to go to.
Read about the country, read about the university. If there is something that you are still confused about, write to people who you think might be able to help you. Most people write back if they are in a situation to help. Even if they don’t, you got nothing to lose. If it is about the university, you can contact their help section.
Getting in touch with locals and following online vloggers to get some interesting insights can also be helpful. It is a fun way to research, and you won’t get bored. Many students post their university life online; it is an excellent way to get a basic idea of the life you will be living.
2. Focus on your academics
Most educational institutions have some criteria that students must meet to get admission. Make sure you are academically sound to enter your chosen institution. All institutions have different requirements and the process can vary from place to place and university to university. Either way, a good academic score is a good thing when it comes to studying abroad.
It is not just academics, though. If you are not very bright in your studies but have a kickass talent or a strong personality that shows potential, colleges would not have a problem giving you a spot. Also, having an excellent academic score doesn’t guarantee that you will get into the institution of your choice either. You need to balance the two. You need to make them believe that you will turn out to be an asset and there is room for growth.
Be confident and clear on who you are and what you plan to achieve by studying in a particular institution or country.
3. Get the documentation right
You will need time and effort to get the documents right. So, it’s better that you start early. They may need moderation, and they will cost you money. So, if you are prepared and solving one thing at a time, you will be ready by the time you need to leave. Find a good lawyer to help you figure everything out, making your experience easier and faster. Studying abroad can turn out to be quite expensive. So, if you are taking a loan or getting financial aid from your university in the form of a scholarship or some other scheme, make sure you have the required documentation for that.
It can be comparatively easier for you to study abroad if you already have relatives in the area. Although, it is not a compulsion. Basically, it just adds up to your backup.
4. Contact your bank
Letting your bank know you are leaving the country is a good decision. If your bank is not informed, you can have a lot of trouble and have a hard time accessing your money. The bank will shut your account if the transactions are made from a foreign place. So, notify them beforehand, so they don’t assume it is a fraud.
5. Try to make a few friends in the area through the internet
Getting to know people in a new country can make your experience way more fun, and it is really easy to contact people in the modern internet age. Most people are friendly if you don’t come off as a creep. They can give you some insights that you wouldn’t find otherwise.
You also must be careful when it comes to strangers on the internet. Don’t give away too much information too soon. You never know what you might get yourself into. Like-minded people can make excellent friends. If you don’t know where to look, universities have chat rooms. You can get in contact with other students fairly easily.
6. Make emergency copies of all the important documents
Having an emergency backup for all the important documents is always safe. You will have some control over the situation if things go absolutely wrong.
Also, consider keeping a virtual copy of the documents as well. So, you have easy access to everything whenever you need it.
7. Only pack what you absolutely need
You should pack light, but people get emotional with their stuff. You can get most of the everyday things at reasonable prices anywhere in the world. Pack only what you need and is not available there. And don’t call it off till the last minute; start packing early. When you are leaving your home and your country at the same time to study abroad, it can be intimidating and exciting. Try to keep that excitement alive when you venture far beyond the shore (or not in some cases).
8. Learn to cook decent food
Now, cooking is one of the most important skills you will ever need when moving out or living alone. Eating out frequently can be expensive, as well as unhealthy. When you move to a new country, you want to keep your expenses low, giving you room for personal and financial growth.
It is not that hard to learn a couple of recipes off of the internet; you can get it right within a couple of tries. So, when you’re home, try to cook and do your laundry yourself, so it doesn’t get too tricky for you when you have to do everything on your own.
9. Have a backup
Everyone who plans to study abroad or live alone should have a backup plan. For example, exchange emergency numbers with your new friends so they can call your relatives or parents if something happens to you. You should also help someone if the need arises.
Your family will be unable to help you if you cannot inform them on time. Well, you should hope that it never comes to that, but it is always better to be sure. Precaution is always better than cure. Although, you should be careful who you share your personal information with. Always have a friend who has your back when things go wrong.
10. Pack Your Medicines If Any
The healthcare facilities in every country are different. In some countries, doctors are easily accessible; in others, you may have to wait a long time before you get an appointment.
So if you have specific conditions for which you need or may need to take medicines, keep a good stock of the required medicines. Also, take the medicine prescription letters from your doctor in case needed.
Also, you can keep general sickness medicines with you for cough, cold, stomach issues, fever, etc.
In conclusion
Studying abroad is an experience worth living through. If you have made this decision, we hope that you have a great time. It’s a grand opportunity to learn about any culture and experience life from a perspective you never had. Just take it easy, and let it flow. Everything falls into place if you have the guts to go after something. So, if you’re passionate about something, never let anything get in the way.
Thank you so much for reading. We hope that we were able to give you the much-needed checklist of important things to do before you move to study abroad. If there is something that you would like to add to the article, be sure to mention it in the comments below. If you have a story or an incident associated with your experience while you were studying abroad, we’d love to hear that as well.
Your feedback is always appreciated.
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