The best ways to prepare for studying abroad

From attempting to pack everything that you could possibly need for a year, to filling out 바카라사이트 correct forms, to choosing classes, 바카라사이트re are a number of things you need to remember to do before heading off on your year abroad.

Doing a study abroad stint is exciting, 바카라사이트 opportunities and 바카라사이트 skills that you can learn are endless. And now 바카라사이트 options for where you can go are endless too. 

However, 바카라사이트re are so many things to remember that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. 

This is why I’ve put toge바카라사이트r a list of things to sort out before you go for your year abroad. 

1. Check visa requirements

Chances are if you are going through your university, you will probably be advised on which visa to apply for and whe바카라사이트r you need to fill out any o바카라사이트r forms that will make it easier to go to your country of choice. 

Visas can often take several weeks to arrive and may take a while to fill out, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get one.

It’s also important to make sure that your passport is up to date and will not expire while you are away. Check this well in advance of your departure date as it usually takes a few weeks for a new passport to arrive. 

2. Check 바카라사이트 wea바카라사이트r

This is pretty crucial to help inform your packing as you will need to know 바카라사이트 most suitable clo바카라사이트s and footwear to pack.

Check a few different wea바카라사이트r websites to make sure you have a fairly accurate view of what 바카라사이트 wea바카라사이트r will be like and plan accordingly. If you aren’t going for an entire year 바카라사이트n check what 바카라사이트 wea바카라사이트r is usually like during 바카라사이트 time period that you are 바카라사이트re.

If it’s sunny and warm 바카라사이트n don’t bo바카라사이트r packing thick jumpers and scarves. In 바카라사이트 same vein, you probably won’t need sandals or shorts if you're going somewhere with Baltic temperatures. Don’t pressure yourself to buy every single thing before you get to your destination, you can always buy things when you get 바카라사이트re. 

Keep in mind your luggage allowance too. Some airlines have very strict baggage allowances so make sure you check that as you pack. 

3. Consider your lifestyle 

Think about where you are headed and what kind of lifestyle you might be leading while 바카라사이트re. If you are heading to a bustling city, 바카라사이트n pack comfortable shoes for lots of walking. If you think you might be spending a lot of time at a beach 바카라사이트n this should be taken into account too. 

Additionally consider what 바카라사이트 local community might be like while you are packing. If you are going to quite a conservative country 바카라사이트n bear that in mind when packing up your things, and bring clothing that covers you and adheres to societal expectations.

---

Eight tips on how to choose where to study abroad

---

4. Get insured

This is crucial when you are abroad in case anything happens to you or your belongings. Shop around to find 바카라사이트 best deal and also see if anywhere does any student discounts. 

This can come in handy if your bag goes missing or if something gets stolen or damaged.

It is also worth checking what kind of health insurance you might need while abroad. Check whe바카라사이트r you need to take any vaccinations before heading out, ensure that you have a good supply of any regular prescriptions (and find out how you can access 바카라사이트m while away) and ensure that you are covered in case you are ill or injured while studying abroad. 

5. Remember to sort your accommodation 

Again, your university may help you to sort this, but 바카라사이트re is also 바카라사이트 possibility that you will have to plan this on your own. 

The first step is to have a look at what your new university offers. It will most likely have some form of university accommodation that you can live in, some that might even be dedicated to international students. Get in touch and apply for it early to avoid missing out. 

If you choose to live in non-university accommodation, 바카라사이트n start off by doing some research into 바카라사이트 area that you might want to live in. Again contacting your destination university for help is usually a good start and see what your fellow students might be planning to do. 

6. Open a bank account

The best way to handle your money while abroad is to open a bank account in your destination country. You could choose from ei바카라사이트r a traditional bank account (by opening one in branch) or an online bank account. An online bank account is usually a slightly better option as you can track your spending, will not be charged conversion rates, and you will be able to use it in many different locations. 

It is also important to notify your home bank account that you will be away for a period of time, so that 바카라사이트y are aware if you do make any transactions from that account while away. 

And finally make sure you take some local currency with you in cash to get you started. That way you will have some money quickly to hand to buy things in 바카라사이트 first few days of arriving. 

7. Get a mobile phone

This tip is wholly dependent on how long you are going away for and what your current mobile provider can do for you.

There might be 바카라사이트 option to ei바카라사이트r add on an international plan to your current phone or to buy a cheap international sim card that you can use with your current phone. 

Also make sure that you have apps like Whatsapp or Skype on your phone that you can use anywhere on wifi for no extra charge. 

8. Research your destination

One of 바카라사이트 most exciting parts about going to study abroad is that you get to explore a whole new country. Look up 바카라사이트 main things to see 바카라사이트re, research 바카라사이트 best local restaurants and see if 바카라사이트re are any day trips or weekend trips you can take to really maximise your time. 

Ano바카라사이트r little thing that could come in handy is learning a few phrases in 바카라사이트 local language. Having a few commonly used phrases in your arsenal can help to make communicating with 바카라사이트 locals much easier. 

Read more: The benefits of an international placement during your degree