Top Tips for Students Planning to Study Abroad

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To study abroad for Indian students is like a dream come true. But to make this dream a reality, months of anxiety, extensive planning, and mulling over financial expenses precede it. But having a guide comes in handy so that you do not stress yourself out too much and have everything in place before you make the journey.

Here’s a list of tips for study abroad for Indian students that you can follow while going to secure your foreign education:

Start planning early for abroad studies

If you dream of getting a foreign education, you need to start planning early. Visit the abroad studies office and ask whatever questions you have in mind; get your doubts cleared. The earlier you start planning, the more sorted you will be. Also, be clear about what you want to do and not be confused. To study abroad for Indian students is not only a big opportunity but also a matter of finances. Most do not have the luxury to sit back and relax while thinking about which academic course they want to pursue or what they want to do once they complete it. Therefore, being focused on the plan of action for your foreign education is extremely helpful.

Create a checklist when going abroad studies 

Packing to travel to another country can be quite a daunting task. Also, while we all have things that hold sentimental values, you need to understand that you cannot carry everything while shifting for your foreign education. Having a checklist handy will save you much time and make you less anxious about forgetting things behind.

While creating the packing checklist, you need to think about the country you are travelling to, the duration of your study abroad, essentials, baggage rules of the airline you are travelling with, and the kind of bags you will be carrying. You also need to carefully consider what documents you will need during your foreign education. If you follow our tips to study abroad, then a passport and visa, identity cards like a driving license or student ID, a letter of acceptance from the university, travel insurance, and an extra copy of all these documents are indispensable. Make sure, while travelling, these documents are in your carry-on luggage.

Connect with students on abroad studies

There is only so much you can learn about living in another country by reading the internet. The best way to know about living in a foreign land, the do’s and the don’ts, is by reaching out and talking to students who are already pursuing their abroad studies. Various support and student groups on each campus help students navigate their way during the first few months in a foreign land. Their testimonials will be based on actual experiences and living with the same financial constraints as you. They will be able to provide you with the best tips for study abroad.

Confirm your accommodation beforehand

As soon as your admission gets confirmed to the university of your choice, the first thing you need to do is figure out your accommodation. On-site university halls have good amenities, including a private bedroom, shared bathroom, kitchen and living room. But then again, university halls are usually more expensive than private or rented accommodation.

On the other hand, if you are going for the latter option, then you need to make sure of a few things like:

– Does it have Wifi?

– Is it furnished or unfurnished?

– Is it spacious?

– What is the payment pattern, and whether bills are included in the rent?

– Distance from your university

– How good is the security?

Moreover, if you are checking out accommodations on the internet, watch out for the ratings, reviews and pictures shared by people who have already lived there.

Keep your finances in check

Managing your finances for the first time alone and in a foreign land can be very challenging. Many students in their abroad studies find it difficult to maintain a budget. For the first month of your foreign education, you need to list day-to-day expenses like laundry, college supplies and meals. Now compare this with the amount you have at your disposal during your abroad studies like estimated expenses, parental allowance and savings. You will get a clear understanding of your monthly expense. From the next month, try not to exceed this budget.

Study abroad for Indian students or students from any other country is difficult without scholarships or grants. Besides these, you can also opt for several special scholarships just for abroad studies. To learn more about the options available, you can talk to your foreign education advisor or the financial aid office at your university.

An essential tip for study abroad is to make the most of the student discounts available. Many universities also allow certain hours of part-time jobs both on and off-campus. If you can manage your schedule and a part-time job, you should go for it.

Learn the local language

Although English is an international language and most people understand it very well, it is still good to learn the native language of the country you are travelling to. Most programs for study abroad for Indian students offer language classes starting from beginner level and upwards. Staying with a local family is also an excellent way to learn the native language.

Do not book your flight back home right away

Leaving the comfort of your home and travelling to a different country for foreign education is no doubt tough. You will always want to come back home as soon as you can. However, one of the tips for study abroad is that you should not book your flight back home during the first month of your stay. Everybody feels homesick, but you may not know when your semester breaks up or how many days of leave will you be granted. If you went for a few month’s course, it is imperative that you are not hasty with booking your return flight. You may not know what opportunities may come your way. Therefore, booking just a one-way ticket is the best option.