This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Nottingham chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of a degree, and
knowing how to prepare is essential for making the most of your international experience.
From researching your destination to scholarship applications and flight booking, careful
planning can help you feel more confident and prepared for your time abroad. Having
recently completed a year abroad in Chile and Spain, here are three top tips I wish someone
had told me before setting off.
- Do your research
First thing’s first, find out everything there is to know about your destination. Your host
university and programme are probably the best places to start. Take some time to explore
the resources available to incoming international students, as well as information about
accommodation, campus facilities, student support and any services you might need during
your stay. Knowing everything that both UoN and your host university can offer and support
you with are great starting places. - Be travel ready
Before stepping onto the plane, you need to make sure you have taken care of all things
travel related. UoN should be able to give you guidance on visa regulations and it is highly
recommended to start on those visa applications as early as possible to avoid complications.
Additionally, making sure you have both travel and health insurance adds extra layers of
protection to your experience and can definitely come in handy! Also, make sure to get
vaccinated; you definitely don’t want to be catching an illness that could’ve been avoided
with a vaccine, so stay on the safe side and get all the necessary jabs. Lastly, knowing how
to say any allergies or medications you might need in the local language is very helpful in an
emergency situation! - Apply for scholarships
My year abroad would not have been the amazing experience it was if not for scholarships
and bursaries. UoN has a collection of scholarships that are just waiting to be applied to, so
take advantage of them! Some of these grants are specifically made for students travelling
internationally, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t apply. Another place to check is with
your host university; the support available for incoming international students is plentiful and
is there to be used!
By completing these steps, you should be more than ready to get started on your next big
adventure. Time goes pretty fast, so make sure to soak up every second of your study
abroad. And my final tips: have fun, be safe and say yes to everything!