The 10 Study Abroad Tips To Memorize Before You Leave

By Elana Goodwin on October 1, 2015

Though it may seem like the semester has just started, most colleges already expect you to be thinking about and applying to study abroad.

So whether you’re going to embark on a short-term study abroad program during winter break or will be jetting off to study abroad for the whole spring semester or some other amazing out-of-school experience, here are some study abroad tips you’ll want and need to know.

Photo Credit: www.hccs.edu

1. Get Informed. Read about where you’ll be studying abroad before you arrive and educate yourself about the place’s culture, history, language, crime rates, weather, and other pertinent info that will be good to know pre-touchdown.

You’ll also want to research the university and its surrounding area, as well as restaurants, nightlife, and fun day trips in the area.

2. Be Prepared. Familiarize yourself with some key phrases in the language of the country you’re studying in and get yourself a map before you arrive. You’ll also want to look into insurance, how to use your cell phone abroad and what it will cost you, and whether you’ll need a converter for your electronics and such.

Any special medication or prescriptions may also need to be dealt with before you head off.

3. Know Your Money. Converting money can get expensive and can be inconvenient so you may want to look into various credit and debit card companies that offer good perks and are widely accepted abroad. You’ll also want to be aware of the general prices of things so you can plan your study abroad budget accordingly.

4. Make Copies. Before you study abroad, it’s crucial to make copies of all your important documents. Things like your passport, travel info, itineraries, and even your driver’s license and social security card, are good to have copies of – both scanned to your email and printed out to bring with you.

5. Study Up on Your Destination. Know the local area you’ll be studying abroad in and learn more about the university you’ll be attending and whether they have any required exams or processes you’ll need to complete before arriving.

Finding out about what sort of digs you’ll be staying in can be helpful too as it may impact what you pack and your planned budget.

Photo Credit: www.unigo.com

6. Stay Safe. Some places in Europe are known for pickpocketing so be sure you’ve got a good cross-body purse or bag to bring with you and know the local crime rates for where you’ll be studying.

7. Find A Buddy. It’s important, especially if you’re out at night and a girl, to not be alone when studying abroad. Get to know other people studying at your school, both locals and other study abroad-ers like yourself, and start a buddy system and be smart. (We don’t want a real-life “Taken” situation).

8. Plan Ahead. Many students who study abroad go on other mini-trips while they’re away from school. For example, students who study in Florence may choose to visit Paris while they’re abroad for the semester.

While planning these trips ahead isn’t always possible (sometimes they’re more spur-of-the-moment), if you are able to book your trips in advance, you can save money and it may be easier for you to plan to meet up with friends in another city they’re studying in or to meet up in a new city.

9. Un-Digitalize the Essentials. Losing your phone or having it stolen, while a real bummer, can be much more panic-inducing when you’re studying abroad. Make sure you have important numbers recorded somewhere accessible (and somewhere you won’t lose them), so even if your phone is MIA, you still have the numbers you may need to call.

Write down the telephone numbers for the American embassy and consulates located nearby, as well as any other emergency numbers, like the local police or hospital contact info.

10. File Your Trip. You can register your trip online through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Studying abroad can be an amazing experience – and with these 10 tips, you’ll be more prepared than ever and be ready to explore all that your host country has to offer. Bon voyage!

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format