Are you planning on studying abroad? If so, congratulations! This is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget. But before you book your flight and pack your bags, there are a few things you need to take care of first. Read on for a list of six things to do before studying abroad:
Ensure You’ve Accomplished All Requirements
If you’re studying abroad, make sure you don’t have any pending requirements. This might be for your school, accommodations, or travel documents. If you have any left, it might cause issues later on, so it’s always best to take care of them as soon as possible. You should also remember to bring copies of your documents in case you have to present or submit them when you arrive in your host country.
Buy What You Need
Aside from packing your clothes, toiletries, and other personal items, ensure you have everything else you need before leaving. Depending on where in the world you’ll be studying, you may need to buy some specific items for your trip. For example, if you’re going to be spending a semester in Europe, you might need to buy a Eurail pass or an adapter for your electronic devices. You may also need to buy things like winter clothes or travel insurance. Make a list of the things you need and start shopping for the best deals.
Address Health Concerns
Since you’ll be away from home for a while, it’s essential to do what you must to make your stay there comfortable without worrying about your health. If you have any chronic health conditions, make sure to see your doctor before leaving for your trip. Get any prescriptions filled that you might need, and make sure you have copies of them in case you lose them while abroad. If you wear glasses, make sure you have an extra pair just in case or contact lenses and solution. This will come in handy if you lose or break your glasses while you’re out and about exploring.
Another concern you should address before leaving is your dental health. Regardless if it’s for cleaning or if you have a specific dental issue, you should take care of it beforehand because it might be difficult to find a new dentist abroad. For example, if you lost one of your teeth but haven’t gotten around to fixing it, you should get it replaced before you go. You can get a replacement tooth implant that will not only restore your smile but also make you more confident while speaking and eating in front of others. Doing so will help you avoid potential embarrassment and make it easier for you to make friends abroad.
Learn the Language
One of the best ways to prepare for studying abroad is to learn at least some basics of the language spoken in the country where you’ll be living. Even if you only know how to say a few basic phrases, this will help immensely with everyday tasks like ordering food or asking for directions. You can take an online course or find a language exchange partner to help you learn. Many apps can be downloaded onto your phone to help you with translations. You can also listen to songs in their language so you can start to familiarize yourself with the sound of the language. Not only will it make your life easier, but it’ll also help you immerse yourself in the local culture.
Get a Travel Guide
A good travel guide can be invaluable when planning your trip and while actually being abroad. A guidebook can help with everything from finding lodging and attractions to learning about the customs and culture of the place where you’ll be living. Be sure to pick one up before you leave so that you can hit the ground running when you arrive at your destination.
Say Goodbye to Friends and Family
No matter how long you’ll be gone, it’s always hard leaving loved ones behind. Be sure to spend some quality time with friends and family before leaving so everyone can say their goodbyes. You might even want to throw a going away party to celebrate this new adventure you’re about to embark on. But even if you can’t throw a party, at least make sure you can say goodbye in person, especially if you’ll be gone for a while.
Now that you know what needs to be done before leaving for your trip, all that’s left is packing your bags and boarding the plane! With just a little of preparation, studying abroad can be an amazing experience full of new sights, sounds, and adventures.
