Congratulations on the first step of studying abroad: getting the idea; whether it has been a year long dream of yours or came to you during a „hold my beer“ situation. Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime that will change your outlook on the world and yourself. In a mere few months you will catch yourself using phrases such as „I was born in the wrong country“ and will change your Instagram bio to the inevitable travel quote about life’s a book.
But before you can officially pack your bags and start a new life (for at least a few months), there is a lot of preparation that comes with the decision to study abroad (unless you are one of those adventurers who plans on winging it).
Pro tip: don’t wing it.
1. Where do I go?
Australia? Sweden? China? Austria? The possibilities on where you are going to spend your study abroad seem endless. One might be tempted to simply revert to Google Earth and the good old „spin the globe and see where you end up“ technique, but only a few want to spend their study abroad in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. When looking for THE perfect university to spend your next semester, try answering following questions to narrow down your choices:
- What is my main motivation to study abroad? (Traveling, courses, cultural exchange, learning a new language, …)
- Is there a specific culture/language that I am interested in?
- Which courses do I want to take and are those offered at the destination?
- Do I speak the language that the university courses are held in?
- How much money do I want to spend on traveling, housing, insurance, visa, …?
2. Application
Once you made your pick, it is time for applications and selling yourself like a stick in the forrest. Most universities around the world have study abroad or international student programs but getting into these might be harder then you think. So try enriching your portfolio ahead of time and make sure that your grade report doesn’t look like someone dropped the literal „F bomb“.
If your university has partner institutions or is part of an exchange program (i.e. ERASMUS), you might be in more luck. Therefore it is definitely recommended to check in with your study abroad advisor at your university to check out your options before you pull all-nighters filing on your application forms.
3. Housing
YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED! These words can feel like a 4-chair-turn-around on „The Voice“ as you realize that there’s another university out there which wants to host you as a student! Time to kick back your feet and take a break from all the planning, right? This moment of joy, though, is soon overshadowed by the looming question of „where am I going to live“? While some universities greet you with their mandatory housing policy, others will leave it up to you where you want to build your nest for the coming months. Start researching your city soon enough for any student homes, shared apartments, dorms, penthouses or 5 room villas with bay windows and that marble floor you always dreamed of.
4. Visa
Just when you thought there won’t be more paperwork involved with studying abroad, your local advisor or university will hand you a stack of paper most likely caused the death of 3 trees in your area. It is time to apply for a visa which – depending on the mood of your embassy officer – can take anywhere from 5 minutes to infinity. A full background check, 1000 documents, your fingerprints, blood type, first born and tears for a sticker in your passport – sounds fair. 😉
5. Courses
One of the most fun parts of planning a study abroad is scrolling through the sheer endless course possibilities that your new campus offers. From the basic management courses over yoga classes to exotic choices like „the influence of the Indian elephant on the Inuit culture“. Try expanding your horizons while studying on a different site and take courses that are specific to the local culture or are not offered at your home university. Being abroad is all about testing new things and exploring your interests. You would not be the first public relations major that comes back to their university and changes their major to Bagpiping.
6. The little details
Once the tasks are checked off your list, it is time to break your brain over the small details that seems so trivial that one might be tempted to forget them in the grand scheme of things.
- Will I need a phone contract in the country or do I want to rough it like it’s 1995?
- Do I apply for a credit card or bring all my money in cold hard cash like a mafia boss?
- Do I have a suitcase or am I going to backpack my way through a semester abroad?
7. Flights
Last but not least it is finally time to book your flights and start counting the days to your departure. You might want to make sure that you arrive in time on your new campus in order to settle in, drink one or two cups of coffee and take part in any new student orientations. Or you take the „adventurer“ option and land an hour before classes start. Up to you 😉
And suddenly your departure day will be here and it is time for you to head out into the world and have the time of your life! Just don’t forget to stay in touch with loved ones at home and to keep up with your friends, family and the Kardashians.
