Everything You Need to Know About Study Abroad

Planning to study abroad? Do you know everything you need to know about study abroad? Are you feeling nervous? Of course, you are. When you are flying abroad, you could never feel 100% ready for the new life in an overseas country but you can check out the following things to make your transition a little less scary and stressful.

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1. Keep all your important papers and documents in order

Get your passport ready and apply for your study visa on time (if you are reading this and thinking visa… what visa?). If you do not know about the visa requirements of your dream destination, Google the details or simply contact AEC for easy and quick assistance. In addition to this, if you have a valid passport, check multiple times for the expiry date. Ensure that your passport lasts beyond your semester abroad.

2. Secure your programs, housing, and flights

Every study abroad program is unique but most of them have traditional coursework. Collect details of what classes you will be taking so you can plan all your activities accordingly and where you will be staying to determine your travel. If you are planning to travel a bit before your semesters, that is a great idea to get familiar with the local routes and transportation system. Before anything, book your flight first to make things easier and smoother.

3. Keep up with the latest currency exchange rates

While going to study abroad, some students consider daily expenses but even the cheapest countries are the least stable many times. Do not assume that the US dollar or Euros or Pounds will have the same value every time. It becomes even more important if you are visiting a country that has a volatile economy. Even a minor change can make a huge impact when you are budgeting and ruin your dream of studying abroad.

4. Keep yourself up-to-date with your destination

You will want to know countless things such as whether your preferred study abroad destination is experiencing major political upheaval or not, whether the economy is fluctuating or not, whether their metro or any other transportation system is falling apart or not, or they are going through any serious health crisis. Some of the best destinations to study abroad are in political or economic flux. So, it is suggested not to panic over little incidences. Simply work on your plans. The only worst scenario is if the country closes its doors and trips of international students get suspended. However, you can protect yourself in these events with student travel insurance. To get details on the same, you can ask your career counsellor or study abroad consultant.

Related: Points to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Study Abroad Consultant

5. Register your course and semester with the government of your native country

Undeniably studying abroad is so exciting but it is something that makes you vulnerable too. Take comfort in the fact that no matter what happens, the government of your home country is there to rescue you or tell you who to contact to seek help during emergencies.

6. Get all required health checkups and vaccinations

Your family doctor may suggest you visit a travel clinic at once. In such clinics, you will get to know all dos’ and don’ts’ to stay healthy and active overseas. You can also get in touch with your health insurance provider to let them know about your study abroad destination and complete schedule. In case you have any health issues, you can ask them to provide you with prescriptions in advance.

7. Arrange your flight tickets and journey

Collect your flight tickets and other essentials related to your journey i.e. maps. It is suggested to keep these documents handy to ensure an efficient and stress-free journey. By getting everything well arranged or ahead of time, you can enjoy your journey and make it memorable.

8. Contact your bank for transaction-related details

Before leaving for your dream destination, it is good to meet your bank and understand how your debit and credit cards work abroad. Some banks in India have their ATMs even outside India, while others may have regional partners that charge no to a minimal amount for transactions. In case, your bank does not have an international presence both direct or indirect, it is important to plan for that in advance. For instance, you can lean on the traveller’s credit card and withdraw cash when needed the most.

9. Check that your credits are acceptable at your university

A pre-approved study abroad course or program by your concerned department is not a problem but if it is not approved or something that you have found online or through other sources, you are advised to talk to an experienced academic advisor to ensure that you will be on track when you return to your university. After completing your studies, the only thing that you want is to find out that none of the classes counts or matters toward your degree.

Conclusion

Now feeling better? Yes, good! Because now you know, “Everything You Need to Know About Study Abroad.”Just remember to budget well, pack wisely, and embrace your study abroad opportunity. For any other assistance, you can get in touch with AEC. For this, give us a call on +91-8448446609 or 011-43334444 or you can simply write to us at [email protected]. You can also book your FREE counselling session to meet our counsellors to get better assistance.