College can be the perfect time to see the world by studying abroad. After all, it’s not just a chance to travel — it’s an opportunity to enhance your education with an immersive experience into a new culture — and isn’t expanding your horizons what college is all about? Before you start packing those bags and telling your professors “Ciao” for the next semester, follow these tips to prepare for a study abroad trip.
Get your travel documents in order
Before your dreams of spending a year studying in Paris or calling London your new home can come true, you’ll need to take care of the basics. A school ID certainly isn’t going to cut it when it comes to traveling abroad, and neither will your driver’s license, for that matter. A passport is the only way to go, and you’ll need to plan at least four to six weeks ahead to receive your passport before you depart. The U.S. Department of State can expedite the process if you’re traveling sooner than that, but keep in mind the expedited service takes three weeks.
In addition to your passport, you’ll need a student visa for your host country. Every country’s immigration department sets its own rules for qualifying for a student visa, but in general, expect to prove your academic pursuits with transcripts, and be prepared to interview at a local consulate.
Study the culture
Culture shock can be the hardest lesson to learn during a trip abroad, and you’re preparing to be immersed in a new culture for an extended period of time. Don’t let this dissuade you from studying abroad, though: cultural differences are a learning experience that can be overcome with a bit of understanding and patience. Know what to expect before you arrive by brushing up on the local culture, reading blogs of expats living in the area or talking to other students who studied abroad in your destination. This way, you’ll know what to expect before you arrive, and you might gain some advice for dealing with cultural differences, too.
Brush up on the language
If you’re studying abroad because you’re majoring in the local language of your host destination, you’re likely already fluent enough to get by and can’t wait to practice your second language during your study abroad trip. For those pursuing a major that’s not a second language, you might feel a bit anxious about how you’ll communicate with other students, locals and even your professors once you arrive. While many schools ensure their study abroad programs accommodate English-speaking students, it never hurts to brush up on some basic phrases in the local language before you arrive.
Know what to pack
A semester or year abroad can be tough to pack for when you’ve only got two suitcases at your disposal, so make sure you make your luggage space count. Before you start packing your current wardrobe, research what your host country’s weather will be like during your stay — and pack accordingly. The lighter you can keep your bags, the easier it will be to travel, so also consider leaving bulky items at home and purchasing them locally after you settle into your new place. Don’t forget to pack adapters for your electrical items, too.
Figure out how to phone home
It probably won’t make much financial sense to bring your cell phone abroad — especially if you’re living on a college student’s budget — so you’ll need to figure out a game plan ahead of time to stay in touch with family and friends back home. Luckily, social media and email make it easier than ever to stay in touch these days, while apps like GChat and Skype will allow you to message and video chat with your loved ones around the world. The one thing that all of these communication methods need, though, is an internet connection, so make sure you’ll have access in your temporary home. If not, you may want to consider a local phone plan with international calling.
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