All my bags are packed, and I am ready to go, exclaimed John Denver in his timeless classic Leaving On A Jet Plane. The same must be true for all those who are planning to study abroad. While you might have done all your packing, it is time to ensure that you have included everything from your study abroad checklist. Going to a new country for further studies is always an exciting prospect, but it’s a long and tedious beginning, and you must have all the important things with you before you begin the new chapter in your life.
Here’s a pre-departure checklist for all international students:
Health-related things you must carry:
- Get a full-body checkup done and carry the medicines that you might think will come in handy. Keep the prescription handy when you travel.
- Most universities have a list of mandatory vaccines, so, check that list and get immunised before leaving.
- Having health insurance is a must. You can either get it at the university or from an Indian insurance company.
- Carry some basic medicines for cold, fever, allergies, body pain, indigestion, throat infection, vomiting, toothache, sprain, etc.
Travel-related must carry things:
- Have your passport ready in advance
- Apply for travel insurance
- Book your flight tickets and visa interview as soon as you get the confirmation from the university. This will save last-minute hassles and money.
- Keep all your travel-related documents handy.
Luggage-related things to keep in mind:
- Be careful of the luggage weight when you travel abroad. Try and book a ticket on a airline which gives students extra baggage allowance.
- Check the rules and regulations of the airlines you are travelling with.
- You are allowed to carry only one cabin bag along with a laptop bag or a purse.
- If you happen to travel with a group of students, you can share the luggage weight and other limits.
- Make sure you secure your bags with locks.
- Mark your luggage so that it is easy to identify in case it gets lost.
Study abroad checklist for clothes and apparel
What kind of clothes you pack will depend on the city you are going to study in and its weather conditions. But on average, there are things you must pack. These include:
- In addition to all the essentials, pack some extra pairs of clothes. Finding laundry or doing your clothes might not be an immediate option after you land.
- Carry at least one pair of comfortable shoes which have been broken in.
- Remember to carry essential toiletries.
Find the right accommodation in advance
Finding the right place to stay is one of the most important things to tick from your study abroad preparation checklist.
- Research well and look for an appropriate accommodation option in advance.
- There are several options available in foreign countries. Choose the one that fits your budget and also provides additional facilities.
- If you are going with friends, renting an apartment can be a good option. For solo travellers, university halls are also good.
- You can also check out RentOspace. It is the Best student accommodation provider to find the right accommodation.
Study abroad preparation checklist for food
It is always better to learn some basic cooking so that you can cook and survive on bad days. Having said that, you must carry things like:
- Basic cooking ware.
- Masala and spices.
- Ready to cook food in case of an emergency.
Study abroad packing checklist for electronic gadgets
Most electronic items are available at almost the same price in most foreign countries now but packing the most essential ones will save spending money as you arrive. Research the voltage specifications of your destination country and the sort of adapter required. Do not forget to carry:
- Mobile chargers, laptop chargers, etc.
- Your storage devices like hard drives.
- Headphones
- Trimmers, iPods/mp3 players, camera (plus charger).
- Toiletries like hair straighteners, blowers, etc.
Documents you must not forget to carry
As you travel to a foreign country, there is a list of documents you would need every now and then, and you must make sure you carry them all.
- University documents like admission letters, and other correspondence, original mark sheets, syllabus copies, medical certificates.
- Travel and ID documents like passport, visa receipt, air tickets, travel insurance.
- Educational documents like attested mark sheets, degree certificates, final year results, recommendation letters, GRE and TOEFL certificates.
Study abroad checklist – foreign currency
You would need the foreign currency the moment you land in the new country and exchanging it once you land might not be the easiest thing to do. It is better to carry some in advance:
- Carry an approximate amount of a thousand dollars worth of money in foreign value.
- Keep some change handy in case you want to buy some basic items.
- Carrying Prepaid Forex cards is a good idea as they are accepted almost everywhere.
- Pay your fees in advance online or other recommended methods.
Preparing for your journey ahead as you plan to study abroad is undoubtedly a lot of work, but if you plan well, you can avoid last-minute hiccups. Make a comprehensive list of to-do things well in advance and keep ticking them off as you go ahead with your plan. You can refer to the above-mentioned points and make your dream of studying abroad a memorable chapter of your life.
