Going to a new country to pursue academics can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. If you are planning to pursue a course at a foreign university, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Not only will this help you obtain a hassle-free study experience abroad, but it will also help you to understand the foreign environment better.
- Pack smartly and look for discounts
When you are preparing to move abroad, make sure that you keep the climatic conditions of the place in mind. For example, if you are moving to a cooler country, make sure that you have enough warm clothes to last you the entire stay.
Also, since international travel can be an expensive affair, try looking for student discounts. Makemytrip students offer to provide a hefty discount on flight fares for students moving abroad.
- Get travel insurance
Before moving, make sure that you get travel insurance that will help you in case of sickness or serious medical issues. If you already have health insurance, check if it covers overseas medical expenses as well. If it does not, then you should look for a policy that covers it too.
- Learn the social customs
Read up on the social customs of the place you are moving to. With this information by your side, you will be able to avoid any awkward and embarrassing situations. Also, if you are moving to a place where English is not the majority’s spoken tongue, try learning some of the basic phrases in the native language of the place. This will help you establish a basic communication with the natives.
- Note the number and address of your embassy in the country
Keep the contact details of your nearest embassy ready, so that you can seek them out for help as soon as you come across any trouble or unprecedented issue.
- Look for cheap lodging
Before you find a permanent place to settle down, you will have to spend a few days at a hotel, especially if your university does not have dormitories on the campus. In that case, look for travel companies that provide student discounts on hotel bookings. For example, with Trivago coupons, you will not have to worry about hotel expenditure at all.
- Arrange for travel documents
Make sure that you have all your travel documents ready. You will need a current passport and a student visa to enter the country and stay there for the allotted period of time. That is why it is very important for you to keep these documents safe and accessible.
- Ask other students who have studied in your university
If you are unsure about your admission to the university, chat with other students who have studied at the university before you. This will help you know whether or not you are making the right decision. You will also be able to get any doubts and fears clarified by asking your predecessors about them.
- Make sure you know all the emergency numbers
It makes sense to write down all the emergency numbers of the country you are moving to. The numbers of your college, the local embassy, the police station, and your local guardians (if you have any) should definitely be on your list.
- Prepare for the education system outside
The education system abroad is different from that in India. Unlike India, where an annual exam or semester decides the student’s progress in the course, in foreign universities you will be evaluated by means of a variety of parameters such as class assignments, quizzes, projects and much more.