It’s excellent that you are considering studying abroad, it can be exciting and daunting all at the same time! As you don’t know where you’ll want to start. Studying overseas will open up doors for you to explore and opportunities to learn about different cultures. You will be exposed to new ideas, able to strengthen your social network, and interact with highly knowledgeable and qualified professors and other global leaders.
Studying abroad brings all-round development to your life. The study abroad program is a perfect mix of interacting with people from various cultures and blending into a completely different lifestyle.
Initially studying aboard can be stressful especially when you are new in the country. You don’t know the first thing to do! That’s why we recommend you to talk to senior students who’ve been aboard, your faculty members or just plain old surfing the internet for information.
Here are the top 5 tips you should know when planning to study abroad:
- Get all required documents set: Living in a completely different country isn’t going to be easy. You need to be prepared and be ready with all your paperwork in advance. It is essential to take control of everything so that you don’t panic at the last minute. Remember to apply for Passports in advance as it may take time to process.
It’s better to be prepared with all your essential documents like passports, college documents and visas. It’ll be easier if you start arranging your documents early to be well equipped and avoid the stress of completing your paperwork at the last minute.
- Decide and book your courses, flights and housing options sooner rather than later: If you have decided to study abroad and have been selected in the university of your choice, then you need to make sure that your flight tickets are pre-booked to save on expenses. Remember to book proper accommodation in advance so that you do not face any type of problem later on. You can find some of the best student accommodations online and get amazing discounts. Find student accommodation near your university campus to reduce your traveling time and save money!
Looking at your University course and campus online will help your first day seem less overwhelming. Gathering as much information as possible about your faculty members or places near the university or the health facilities nearby will help when you move. Also check if your University has an international office, as they always have information and Welcome Packs to ease your transition aboard.
- Keep in contact with your bank and check the currency exchange: It is important for you to communicate with your bank as the banking system may be different in a new country. Hence, you should talk to your bank to know how your debit or credit cards will work overseas (watch out for those overseas charges).
Be sure to check the currency difference before you leave, to plan your finances accordingly. Don’t depend on the currency value you checked months ago; it is important for you to stay up to date as the smallest change in value matters.
- Plan a proper budget: Studying and living overseas can be quite financially draining for an international student. While creating your student budget don’t forget to consider all costs like flight tickets, bills, accommodation fee and other living expenses. It is important to set a budget for yourself so that you can enjoy your stay and plan your expenditures. Otherwise you might be in the danger of spending more money than expected if there a proper budget isn’t set.
A lot of international students prefer to have part-time jobs to cover their living expenses and many universities in the UK, USA and Australia allow their students to work up to 20 hours per week.
- Learn more about the local culture: The best part about going on a study abroad programme is that you are able to explore and learn about a new country. You can find out about the best local places or restaurants the famous tourist spots which you can visit with your friends and family members.
Another great tip that you can use is learning a few key phrases or words in the local language. It is one of the most exciting and fun parts of studying abroad, where you get to learn about the different traditions and cultures of a new country. Knowing the commonly used terms like “Hello”, “Thank You” and “Goodbye” can be a great help to you for interacting with people.
We hope that this blog will help you plan for your study abroad program. Just remember to pack well and plan according to your budget and to enjoy the experience of studying and living abroad. Visit our partners at Amberstudent to get great pocket-friendly deals and take advantage of amazing discounts on all types of student accommodations.
