To anyone that has been approved for study abroad or exchange, whoohoo! Congratulations, and don’t let go of how your Pinterest or Tumblr inspired wanderlust dreams will be coming to life, even if you feel like you are overloaded with information about student visas, abroad university and/or college applications (yes, they can happen again), culture, etc. The goal of this article is to help you prioritize and to get you comfortable, so let’s start planning!
1. Visas
Honestly, there’s no easy way around it. These things can take forever.
Right after you have decided to study in a country, immediately apply for your student visa. Also consider whether or not you will tour or travel around the country before the school term starts. Will your family be visiting or travelling ? In other words, consider if you need a tourist visa, will have to extend your student visa, or if anyone else needs a tourist visa.
A variety of countries have visa applications online. Make sure all correspondence is being sent to your email so you can keep track of it. Allow time to collect and send in documents (which you can also scan in), missing information, and to make a doctor’s appointment to get those painful, but very important immunizations.
2. Booking Flights
Flights change all the time. Set up alerts to be on top of your game.
Right after you receive your visa or grant of entry into a country, book your flight. In fact, as you are applying for your visa, set up air fare alerts on sites like Kayak and Momondo to know when the prices drop. People have all sorts of theories about when the best time to book a flight is but the bottom line is that the prices can change. As with anything school related, this is better done earlier than nearer to the school term starting.
3. First Day: What to Do
So what are you going to do once you touch down? After scrolling through the plane pics you’ve taken on your phone, of course.
A. Go through immigration and collect your luggage
B. Notify your family that you’ve arrived
C. Take a cab or bus or train to where you’re staying
D. Set up your internet and tell everyone else you need to that you’re ok
The goal is to get settled in as soon as possible. Skip getting a SIM card for your phone at the airport, unless you will be staying in a rural area. In a city, there could be better deals in the stores outside of the airport, and it’s good to ask around about the best cellular carrier before you immediately commit to a plan.
4. Getting Academically Comfortable
You’re not at MoHo anymore. Get ready to adjust!
Big school? Small school? City or rural? All of these factors affect what people are like at each university. In general, Mount Holyoke students are very hardworking, so don’t be surprised if you’re the only one studying on a Friday night or talking to a professor like it is one on one in a class of 100+ people. Don’t let go of working hard or working harder, but most importantly, have fun while it all lasts!