Well, I have taken it upon myself to compile five major steps that you need to take in order to ensure that your study abroad experience starts off the right way.
Earn Some Extra Money
I know that money can sometimes be
a touchy subject, but let’s be real…you’re gonna need some money when you
travel, and you’re gonna need a lot more of it than you realize. Over the break, get a job. Even if it means you have to paint offices
and shred documents for a month (which is what I did). You can also ask for money for
Christmas. Trust me, it’ll all be worth
it when you’re traveling the world.
In the heat of packing and
gathering all your things to leave the country, it’s very easy to forget
something very important – your bank.
Wouldn’t it just be tragic if you were stuck in a foreign country with a
cancelled debit card? If you don’t want
to end up sleeping in a cardboard box for a night, contact your bank, and let
them know that you will be overseas for the semester. It doesn’t take long, and it will save you a
lot of trouble.
You might be going somewhere
cold. You might be going somewhere
hot. Maybe you’re about to hike for a
whole semester. Whatever it is, make
sure you buy the right gear before going abroad. This is your opportunity to buy that new pair
of hiking boots or that brand new Gortex rain jacket. Whatever the climate may be, make sure you
can dress accordingly when you get there.
When Americans go abroad, we like
to take EVERYTHING with us! Our jackets,
all of our shoes, maybe even our dog!
Don’t do it! Pack light. Check
the weight limits on luggage for your airliner(s), and make sure that your bag
weighs significantly less than the limit.
That way, you can bring back all the cool things that you purchased
while you were abroad. (Hint – Put all
of your shoes in your carry-on bag.)
Alright. So you’ve made it this far. You have your visa. You have your passport. You’ve booked your
flight. You’ve googled your new country
1,000+ times! Wouldn’t be a shame if you
missed your flight? Make sure you know
exactly where you’re flying from, which terminal you’re flying out of, and what
time you need to be there. It’s always
best to get to the airport a couple of hours early for an international
flight. Trust me, you never know what
problems you or your airline might run into.
I once booked a flight out of Dallas Love Field, and drove to DFW instead. Don’t do what I did. Know your itinerary, and it will save you a
lot of trouble.
Mark, Study Abroad Peer Advisor and #HogsAbroad Alum to New Zealand
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For more tips on getting ready, check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/students/preparing-for-travel.php
