Going Abroad - Helpful Tips

Studying abroad comes with a lot of rules and suggestions. You may get all your information that you need from a school counselor, a friend with experience or a website but there are a few things to consider that most people forget to mention, here are a few:

Communication: Depending on where you decide to study, your communication methods may be limited. Overseas calls can add up on your cell phone if you don’t have an international plan. Before you head abroad talk with your phone carrier and see what options they offer and be aware of internet usage on your phone as well, high charges may apply. Internet on computer can be hard to come by depending where you are. There are many internet cafes that you can use; a lot of these cafes have a timed session. So carry coins and plan ahead. 

Weather: You may get excited about your trip you forget to really consider the weather in your place of study. Research weather from past years for that time period you are going to see the trend. It will most likely not be the same but it will give you an idea of what is possible. Also check the weeks ahead of time and keep an eye on it and pack accordingly. 

Pack an extra bag: Souvenirs, gifts and clothes! A lot of people forget that you just barely got your suitcase zipped up on the way to your detestation; you may have trouble coming back. Pack an extra bag to fill up on the way home. You would be surprised how your clothes tend to grow and those souvenirs add up. Some places allow you to mail back your souvenir, look into that. 

Transportation: It is very important to research the transportation methods to your destination, before you arrive. You need to know the best way to get from the airport to your next location. Sometimes it is by boat and if that is the case and you get motion sickness, bring your medicine. Or if it is by cab, train or car, be sure you are prepared to pay in cash. 

Money: Always bring more than you expect. You will most likely go over budget and then you will be in a bind. Prepare by looking over your finances and having enough money to fall back on if needed. Another tip is to notify your bank to let them know you will be going abroad. They may flag or put a hold on your account if they see purchases from a different country. And that could take some time to remove that hold on your account. 

Remember there is no such thing as being over prepared! Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your studies abroad! 

This is a guest post by Coleen Torres from home phone service. You can find more about her at her profile.