Congratulations on your decision to study abroad! You’ve done the hard part. Everything else is down hill now. Each college and university has its own internal procedures for study abroad, but they are generally very similar. The following are general guidelines you can follow to get you started, but you should still consult your campus study abroad advisor.
1) Choose a Country and Program. Make sure you read books and check out websites of the country you want to go to. Travel guides and official country websites are a great place to start. When choosing a program you should ask yourself all the important questions that are important to you such as: Can I afford the program? Do program fees cover plane ticket? if not, how much is a round-trip ticket to your study abroad destination? Do I receive college credit for language courses, etc., Will the in-country support service be sufficient to support my tangible and intangible needs? Does this program fit my schedule? How safe is the place I will be studying? Once you are satisfied a program fits your needs and will provide you with good support you can make an educated decision.
2) The Application Process. Make sure you give yourself ample time to obtain transcripts, recommendations, and to write your personal statement. Complete your application before the application deadline. Most programs require an application fee and a deposit to secure your place once you have been accepted. That deposit is usually deductible from your total program fee.
3) Financing your Study Abroad. If you are receiving financial aid you may use some if not all of it to finance your study overseas. There are also a number of scholarships available to students studying abroad, especially if you are interested in study in non-traditional study abroad area like East Asia or the Middle East. Please see ‘How to Pay for Study Abroad.’
4) Communicate with your Study Abroad Office. Once you have chosen a program you should do a cost analysis sheet of your program including the cost of the program, airline ticket, spending money, etc. You should then work closely with you study abroad advisor and financial aid counselor to work out what financial aid options you can use to fund your study abroad program. You should work on this as early as possible to properly plan your trip, as there are a number of factors that you and your advisors need to go over.
5) Culture Shock. This is the uncomfortable feeling, anxiety, confusion, and disorientation you may feel when you come into contact with a new social and cultural environment you will face living in a different country. The feeling of not knowing what is and is not acceptable presents problems for anyone who has lived or traveled in a foreign country, especially for the first time. It is important to read about the culture and if possible speak to someone from the host country you plan on going to. There are four stages of culture shock. The honeymoon stage where everything is new, exciting and wonderful. Then there is the shock stage that was described above. Negotiation is next, it is where you begin to navigate and resolve the cultural differences you are experiencing in your host country. The final stage is acceptance. This is the stage where you finally understand that there are positive and negative aspects to the culture you are living in. There are number of ways you can cope with the inevitable onset of culture shock. Another reason why BSA is important to the success of our participants is that unlike other programs you will be surround by people from a similiar cultural group to help you through any problems. Read as much as possible about the culture. Do not forget to stay in touch with friends and family at home. Be open-minded about your experiences. Keep a regular journal. Do not spend time alone and bottle up your feelings. Talk to those around you about what you area going through. Realize that there are good and bad people everywhere. Do not do anything out of the normal that you would not do at home. For example, if you do not stay out late and walk around at night by yourself at home, living in a foreign country is not the time to start. Be smart. Try to avoid offending people in your host and at the same time do not be afraid to let them know when they have offended you and why. After all, your time in a foreign country will be a learning experience for people in your host country as well.
6) Pre-Departure Planning. When researching your plane tickets it is not always best to go with the cheapest ticket. They tend to have many restrictions. It is best to purchase an open ticket with a flexible return date. Usually it only cost $15-$25 dollars to change your ticket return date with an open ticket. Let’s say you have an emergency at home that requires you to return, etc. then an open ticket would be very advantageous. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of an open ticket. Some airlines do not charge extra for them. Make sure you already have or apply for a valid passport. Make sure your passport has an adequate number of pages for your visa stamp or ticket to travel to your host country. Be mentally prepared for your experience. Depending on where you are going it is not going to be anything like what you are used to, it is not meant to be. Know that you will have good and bad days. Prepare your parents for your trip by having them contact your study abroad advisor and program provider with questions and concerns.
7) Medical Care and Health Insurance. Make sure you and your parents thoroughly read through all of the medical and health insurance information you receive. Contact your study abroad provider to make sure you understand what to do in case of a medical emergency while abroad. Make sure you inform the study abroad provider of any pre-existing health conditions that require prescription medication, etc. Note that such a condition depending on severity does not mean you will not be able to participate on a study abroad program, but all relevant parties concerned should be informed to better assist and accommodate you while you are overseas. Make sure you have contact information for medical facilities and English-Speaking health care providers from your study abroad program administrators.
8) Health and Safety Abroad. Be certain to visit your regular doctor for a physical examination before your departure. Be sure to receive all the necessary immunizations required for your host country. It is also possible to have them taken in your host country, usually at a much cheaper price. Make sure you have emergency contact numbers in your host country as well as at home. Be sure to take the necessary precaution when eating local food and before drinking local water. If you have any dietary restrictions or needs find out where to obtain them. Be aware of local laws that will impact you. Also be aware that use of alcohol and drugs greatly increase your risk of accident, injury, and legal problems to not only yourself, but also others around you. It is very important to exercise the same caution and restraint you would in your home country.
9) Personal Expectations. It is important to level your expectations about what will happen to you while you are in your host country. The key to a successful experience is to be very adaptable.
10) Packing. As a general rule of thumb, you should pack lightly. Make a list of all the things you can buy in your host country and save that space in your luggage. Your study abroad program administrators can help you with that. It is better to bring clothes that you can wear in layers as opposed to bringing bulky clothing items. Research the climate of the country you will be in before you leave for the seasons you will be there.Find out the baggage weight and dimension limits for your flight. Make a list of everything you have packed in case your items or lost/stolen and you need to make an insurance claim. Keep all travel documentation in your carry-on. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing for your flight.
Note* This section is provided for information purposes only. Students should make sure they consult their study abroad advisor.
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