Many of you may be planning on studying abroad next semester (as I am) or anytime within the next couple years. No matter where you will be traveling, getting ready to spend a semester overseas can be a stressful process! Here are a few tips for getting ready for studying abroad.
1. Make sure you have a visa (if necessary), passport, and even some extra passport photos. Generally, you will need a visa if you are staying abroad for more than three months. Getting a visa involves going to your destination country’s consulate (probably located in Boston) in person. Also, be kind to your passport! They are meant to last for ten years, and they also have a digital reader in them, so if you fold or spindle the passport, the digital component may break. Abroad, your passport works as what your license would be at home. Keep your passport with you at all times, it will be your only valid source of ID.
2. Research what kind of a cell phone you will need. For example, if you are studying abroad in Europe, you will need to look into getting a European phone. Also, beware: once you are abroad, you may not receive cell service in any additional countries you travel to. If you buy a cell phone in England, for example, it will not necessarily work in Ireland. Skype is a wonderful replacement for cell phones while you’re abroad, and it’s free, which makes it even better!
3. More often than not, you will be able to use your debit card at ATMs when you are abroad (just be aware of those pesky extra fees that you will be charged for using foreign ATMs). However, in order to be prepared for the worst, consider getting a Paypal card to use as a back-up if something happens to your original card. Put a small amount of money on the Paypal card to be used just in an emergency.
4. Make sure to get all necessary UMass forms signed before traveling. If you think any classes you take abroad may count for your major, minor, certificate, etc., make sure that your advisors sign the necessary form before heading abroad. You can leave the rest of the form blank because you may not know exactly what courses you will be taking until you arrive at your destination, but remember to get the signatures of your advisors beforehand.
5. In terms of buying a plane ticket, you might hear a lot of wacky suggestions. Some people have told me that buying a plane ticket on Wednesdays at midnight will give you the cheapest price. Others have told me that if you look up plane fares on the same computer twice, the airline company will keep track of your IP address and will increase the prices on your computer. I don’t know whether any of these suggestions are true, but it is certainly a good idea to investigate plane tickets as soon as possible. If you don’t know exactly what date you should return home, try looking for a plane ticket with an open-ended return date. It will be more expensive than a solid round-trip ticket, however, it will be cheaper than choosing a return date that winds up not working, and having to change at the last minute.
6. Moving around the world for half of the year or for a full year creates the issue of packing: how much to bring with you? Only bring as much luggage as you will personally be able to handle from the airport to your new home. Tip for fitting more into your suitcases: roll your clothes and belongings instead of folding them before putting them into your suitcase.
Safe and happy travels, Collegiettes!