Top Tips #1

Picture by www.nytimes.com

So you've heard there's an opportunity to study abroad.  It's exciting, huh?  The thought of going to another country for a few months. New faces and places for you to meet and explore.  But there are a few things you need to sort out before you hitch a ride to a foreign country.


Things to do before you come!


1) Is everything solid at home?
You want to go to the host institution knowing that 'your house is in order'. 
Whether you are a first year, second year or third year the last thing you want to do is jeopardise your degree by disappearing for a few months.  
If your attendance is poor or your grades are low then now is a good time to try and sort that out.  Start going to every class, doing all of the work that they set and get safe in the knowledge that you've worked hard.  It'll look good on the application to study abroad and it'll help your grades too.
Different lecturers and teachers will have varying levels of knowledge about the exchange trip.  Don't assume they'll know you're going away, or that they'll grade your work differently.   Get your head down and work hard. The last thing you want is to come back and find you're not going to get the best degree you can.


2) Get your visa sorted ASAP!
As soon as you get your acceptance letter from your host institution you need to 'get on it like Sonic'. I waited until the very last minute to sort out my visa, literally the week before I flew, and so the day before my flight I was nervously ensconced on my dads sofa waiting for the postman to deliver my passport. 
Getting a visa is a scary process! It's not hard and you don't have to really do much but there are a lot of forms to fill out and sign. You have to be on top of it, you have to get your picture taken and you'll probably have to go to an embassy for an interview (very quick and painless).  If you go to the American Embassy like I did then they have guns and for a Brit that was pretty intimidating!


3) Packing is tough.
It's hard because you aren't just packing for a quick holiday.  You are literally moving your life with you.  It'll help with homesickness if you pack a few bits and bobs to put in your room. Pictures of family, books you like, a couple of knick knacks. 
If in doubt about something pack it anyway.  I brought one suitcase with me and all of the things I took out of my suitcase I could have used while I am out here.  It's unlikely you'll legally be able to get a job while you're abroad studying and buying clothes, kitchen supplies and school supplies, bedding etc can really eat into your budget.
Believe me, the extra £50 spent bringing another suitcase will be a lot cheaper than buying everything new.


4) Find a good deal.
If you're on a tight budget then shop around for flights.  You can save yourself hundreds of pounds this way.   And don't just check one broker, check a few, because they'll all have different deals. I used STA Travel.  I use them for my short trips so it was natural for me to use them again.  My flight was a special STA offer and was really cheap but like I said, different places means different prices.  


5) Start saving!
Another short one but you really do need to do this.  Even if your lucky enough to have parents/relatives/guardians who are willing to pay for you it won't be enough.  You will want to travel, eat out, go to bars (if you're over 21 in the US), buy clothes etc and when your on a tight budget this is hard. So please start saving seriously.  You might not be able work when you get there and you don't want your money to run out.