The fruit of patience is surely sweet!
After putting your blood, sweat and tears into your application process with your Intake advisor, you have successfully got admitted to your dream university.
However, we are just starting, and the best is yet to come! Intake Education will see you to the end of your journey and prepare you for any challenges that you may encounter.
So, to make sure that your path to success is joyful, stress-free, and memorable, in this blog post, we are here to walk you through how to prepare to study abroad; we have provided a pre-departure checklist, a packing list for international students and tips for a successful start of your student life abroad.
So, let's get started!
What to Consider Before You Travel
A traveller prepares a travelling checklist and a student who is about to travel abroad to study needs a checklist to make sure they have all the necessary documents and all things settled.
This is why we’ve created this pre-departure checklist to help you get off to a good start.
University Conditions
The first thing on the pre-departure checklist is making sure that you have met all the university offer conditions and accepted your unconditional offer.
In addition, do not forget to pay any required course deposit that might be pending as well.
Student Visa
Next, get your student visa ready so you can legally study abroad. Student visa applications can take up to 3-4 weeks, so make sure you’ve already got it before you leave your home country.
However, in the situation in which an urgent student visa is needed, you can apply for a priority visa that can be issued within 2-3 working days.
Tip- make your travel arrangements early on, so that you can get the best deals for your flight.
Finance
Make sure you have enough currency of the country that you will be studying in with you before leaving to study abroad as you don’t always have access to the fund you need after you land. However, we would also advise against carrying more money than needed. Calculate how much money you’d need in the first couple of days.
Tip- Get a debit/credit card that you can use overseas before you leave your home country and open a local bank account as soon as possible once you arrive at your destination.
Accommodation
Students can choose between two types of accommodation abroad: university on-campus l and private off-campus accommodations when they study abroad.
The cost of on-campus housing may be a bit higher, but you will be closer to your classmates and you won't have to spend as much time and money on travelling while private accommodation can offer you privacy, independence, and more freedom for your student life abroad.
So, we recommend that you weigh the pros and cons of your options and be confident with your choice of accommodation for your time studying abroad.
If you choose to live on campus during your time overseas, we would advise that you apply for it early since campus accommodation for overseas students can be taken up fast.
We also have partners who can help you get the best accommodation deals as well. So don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime if you need help with accommodation for your time studying overseas.
Tip- Make sure that you travel to the country where you are going to study on time and plan the route to your rented flats or dorm rooms ahead of the time whether you choose to live on or off-campus.
Study Abroad Packing List
For the things you need to pack in your suitcase when you prepare to study abroad, we’ve also created the ultimate packing checklist that has all the essentials you need; read the following tips to learn what to take to the university with you.
Essential documents
First thing first, keep essential documents in a file holder and put them in your hand luggage, including offer letters, CAS (Confirmation of Admission to Studies), housing details, scholarship documents, deposits, and proof of your financial support/cash/traveller checks.
These documents are the most important things on your pre-departure checklist.
Tip- Make a copy of your passport/visa/important documents and place the copies in a separate folder just in case.
Clothes
Research the weather of the country you are going to study in and prepare clothes for different weather and seasons for your time abroad.
Electronics
Nowadays students heavily rely on various electronic devices in both daily life and studying. Pack your laptop, tablet, phone and whatever you need that can help you succeed academically in your bags.
When packing for study abroad, put electronics that can function internationally in your luggage. Don’t forget to grab a couple of adaptors, too.
Medications
Last but not least, prepare some meds, pain relief, stomach medicine, or any non-over the counter meds you need, in your luggage when preparing for studying abroad too.
Make sure to ask your doctor for prescriptions for any medications you may carry.
No prohibited items
Do not travel with any prohibited items, such as food, drugs, electrical, liquids, etc. When you pack for study overseas, check both your suitcases and hand luggage for prohibited items.
Travelling to another country can seem overwhelming at times, but the journey itself will certainly be memorable and rewarding when you are well-prepared. Follow the tips and checklist we provide above, you will find opportunities, people, and places await you as you embark on your new adventure.
If you have more questions regarding our pre-departure and packing checklists or your preparation for study abroad, don't hesitate to reach out to us!