Ultimate Pre-Departure Guide: Get Set for Your Study Abroad Adventure

Have you received an acceptance letter from your dream university abroad? Congratulations! It takes a lot of effort to crack the language proficiency tests, send applications to potential universities and face the visa interview after getting accepted by them.

Before you leave your home to study abroad, you must cross-check whether you’re carrying your passport and other necessary documents. Now, you may ask what the other documents are and whether there is a plan that one needs to follow.

In this blog, we’ll take you through the pre-departure checklist, so you can transition smoothly into your overseas educational experience. Read on…

Pre-departure Checklist

• Passport

Well, it’s a given that you have to carry your passport. Ensure it’s valid for at least six months, even after your degree program ends.

If you discover your passport validity will end soon, then you must apply for renewal or extension. Carrying extra photocopies of your passport will not hurt and may immensely help while studying abroad.

• Student Visa

Don’t forget to apply for your student visa when you get accepted. To remain safe, apply for a student visa at least two months before departure.

It will help you to avoid last-minute panic attacks. However, you might face unexpected situations when your student visa gets rejected. What should you do then? Check out the tips to make sure your student visa doesn’t get rejected.

• Documents

Check whether you have packed in all your original official transcripts, scorecards and language proficiency test results. You never know what the university authorities may ask for. So, don’t forget to carry your attested mark sheets, degree certificates, final year project report, recommendation letter, TOEFL and GRE test results, original transcripts and university-specific documents such as admission and aid forms.

You can also consider carrying fee receipts and copies of your program's syllabus before you leave for your overseas education.

If you dream of studying abroad, then consult Azent, one of India's best foreign education consultants. Experts can guide you well on how you need to proceed.

• Flight Tickets

Book your flight tickets well in advance. Don’t leave it for a day nearer to your departure. Make photocopies of your air tickets because you never know when you might need them to submit. Is it the first time you’re leaving your family to study abroad? There is every possibility that you might feel homesick, especially if your semester breaks fall during winter. So, check your term breaks and consider booking return flight tickets because impromptu tickets are costly.

• Accommodation

You should start thinking about your accommodation as soon as you get accepted. Check whether living on-campus or in a rented apartment near the university will be better. Calculate the expenses and start making the necessary arrangements. You can also consider putting up at a family stay.

If you decide to live with some of your friends or family for some time, then check whether they can come to the airport and receive you.

Check out the factors to consider while choosing accommodation when receiving an acceptance letter from a university abroad.

• Pack Appropriate Clothes

Don’t forget to check the weather of the place you’re heading to and get hold of the appropriate attire. Suppose you’ll be studying abroad in Europe or the United States of America (USA). It might be colder than you imagine if you’re outside. However, every building is centrally heated. Pack in regular clothes with some woollen ones. If you need an extra coat, then invest in a good one after you land at your destination.

• Carry Your Favourite Food

Trust us when we say you’ll miss home food. It might make you homesick. So, we advise you to pack in some ready-to-make home food, which will see you through until you get the hang of the intricacies of the new place.

Another important suggestion would be to carry your favourite spices or spice mixes. If possible, pack in some of your favourite Indian snacks. It'll see you through on the days you feel homesick.

• Adaptors

Always remember that every nation has different plug points with varying degrees of charge. What you can do is carry adaptors for all of your electronic equipment. Otherwise, you may have to buy newer ones in the new country.

This way, you can save yourself from shelling out excessive amounts and buying adaptors in the new country.

• First-aid Kits

It would be beneficial if you carry a first-aid kit when you travel to study abroad. Consult a medical professional and make a basic kit catering to fever, indigestion, pain, allergies and more. Getting doctors to prescribe you medicines in a foreign country might take much work. So, this basic first-aid kit will serve you well when you fall ill abroad.

Final Words

Deciding to study abroad might be difficult, but go through this pre-departure checklist to avoid last-minute hiccups. Spend as much time as possible with your loved ones and eat healthy home food. Remember that it has been a hard-earned success; relax and believe you can overcome any challenge.