Things to do before you leave

There are a lot of things to think about before you study abroad and it can be a little difficult to remember everything. Lists become the most useful things ever during this planning period. Lists of what to pack, lists of paperwork to be completed, lists of things to do, etc. Here is my own list of necessities I almost overlooked before leaving the country.

Don’t forget your medications. Some people don’t use prescription medications so this won’t apply to everyone, but if you do have prescriptions don’t forget to talk with your insurance and get the amount of medication you’ll need while abroad. It’s usually not a problem, but sometimes the process leading up to it can be a little bit of a hassle so make sure you get this figured out in plenty of time. And when it comes to packing, it’s always a good idea to keep your prescriptions in your carry on. 

How are you getting your money? There are multiple options on banking while abroad. You could open a banking account at a bank in your country of study. There is usually a conversion fee if you take money out of your home bank account using an ATM in a different country, but some banks offer one ATM withdrawal per month without a conversion fee. Some banks in the U.S. have relationships with banks in other countries, so it’s always a good thing to ask your bank what your options are. There are also travel credit cards that you can apply for. If you apply for a credit card, make sure to get one with a microchip in it if you are going to a European country. This is common in Europe and cards without one can sometimes cause confusion when buying things. But most importantly don’t forget to let your bank know where you will be and for how long! The last thing you want to happen is for your accounts to be frozen once you’re in a different country!

 

Will you need a visa? Depending on the country you’re traveling to and the amount of time you’ll be spending there you may need a visa. The application process can take a while, so it’s good to research ahead of time whether you need one or not and what you need to do so you can start the process early. The requirements for every country are very different, so you’ll need to research what you need to do or you can go to the study abroad office to have someone help you!

Make a budget plan. This goes along with how you’ll be getting your money. Will you make one transaction from an ATM every month so you don’t pay the conversion fee? Will you pay for things only with cash or do you plan on using a credit or debit card? It’s good to plan ahead on how you’ll be obtaining and spending your money. 

Know simple phrases in the native language. If you’ll be traveling to a country that speaks a language different from what you know it’s good to know basic phrases and words. Even if you aren’t fluent, it shows respect for the people and culture of the country you’ll be visiting if you at least try to learn a little of the language and use it. 

So those are just a few things to do and think of before you leave the country. Otherwise, happy travels!

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, Inverness, Scotland