10 tips for studying abroad

In today’s post I bring you the best tips that I have learnt from studying in a foreign country.

This period of my life was the most eye-opening experience in my life, and I want to share a bit with you.

Personally, I think this is an experience everyone should have in order to reach a high personal grow and opening your mind to new adventures.

Here are the tips:

1. Make a planning of necessary documents

Something that helped me a lot in this circumstance was making a planning of all the needed documents for the trip.

As you may now, one of the inconvenient of studying abroad is the responsibility you must have and all the procedures you have to go through. In order to hand everything on time is very important to have clear the dates and deadlines. If not, you are out.

If you do a planning with every document and deadline it would help you to complete your requirements at the same time you have more things in your mind.

This will change your mind and take stress from you.

2. Medical insurance

If you are like me, you will think is not that important because what can happen?

But you never know what can go wrong. Better safe than sorry.

If you are a member of the European Union, I strongly recommend you to get the “European Health Insurance Card”.

It is a card you can get FOR FREE and that you can use in any country of the European Union. It guarantees you medical service in case of emergency or illness.

3. Get a debit/credit card you can use abroad

This is a very crucial step.

From my personal point of view, it is better to use card when you are studying abroad because sometimes when you withdraw money it takes a BIG commission from you depending on the bank.

Paying with card you can avoid big commissions and it is way more secure than having a lot of cash with you in a city you don’t know.

I recommend you to get both, debit and credit card, if possible. Because credit cards are sometimes needed for renting a car or getting a room in a hotel for example.

Always be sure to have the app of your bank to check your finances abroad!

4. Research financial aid

Sometimes we can save more money than we know.

Students don’t have a lot of budget and saving is crucial to be able to eat at the end of the month.

Check online which possibilities you have of getting financed, either by the government, organizations, or even your school.

You can save a lot of money that, then you can use to make a blast of your adventure.

5. Join airline miles program

This is the best tip I have learned in my last years of living.

Airlines programs offer you miles (or points) in every trip you purchase or make. Then, these miles, can be exchange for discounts in the airline or even to get your flight or first-class upgrade for free.

Find the most common airlines you take and enroll. It is for FREE. Then you will receive your member card that you can use in every trip.

Obviously, the more points you gather, the better the reward.

Personally, I am member of the majority of airlines just in case I have to get other than the usual company, so I can save up points for future trips.

6. Get into student associations

The best way to meet new people.

The majority of student associations offer activities or an introductory week before classes begin to get to know the city and its students.

I recommend you to check online for associations and to get your ticket one week before, at least, than the classes begin. This way you will have time to settle to the new situation and meet new people without being stressed with classes.

Furthermore, this organizations often organize student trips at good price where you can meet even more international people and visit new places and cultures.

7. Choose a shared house or student housing

This can be a really controversial tip. I understand completely that some people need more space than others, but it is something that will help you a lot.

I am a very shy person, and this helped me to open up more to people and make amazing connections that I do not regret.

It can be annoying sometimes, too many people means more issues, but I promise you it is worth it and the quickest way to know people. It is the cheapest way of housing!

Obviously, once you have met more people and have settled a little bit you can move to a more intimate place.

8. Be active

Ok, I know that this can be hard. But every gathering is an opportunity to meet new people or to get to know other more deeply.

When studying abroad everyone is making new connections and we all know at the beginning you have to make a bigger effort in order to know the people.

If you start procrastinating people won’t invite you to the plans, as you usually say no. Nobody is going to be all over you every day to convince you to come out of your room.

Everyday can be a new experience, a new opportunity to settle your friendship or a new opportunity to have the day of your life.

Also, never be afraid of be the organizer of the gatherings. That is always needed!

9. Learn language

One of my biggest mistakes was not to immerse into the language more.

The best way of learning a new language is by listening to locals or by practicing with locals.

Do not miss the opportunity to expand your cultural boundaries. A new language will NEVER look bad in the curriculum.

I am sure many of the student associations offer language classes or you can even ask a new local friend to teach you.

You will not regret this.

10. Travel!

I think the best advantage of studying abroad is to have the opportunity to visit and adventure new places and cultures.

Take advantage of this and visit any close place, you can get buses and save money to spend in the destination.

Take as many pictures you can, eat as many food you can, and share it in your social media.

I assure you it will be an unforgettable experience.

An additional tip is to never be afraid of travelling alone if your friends cannot go with you, is the best way to know yourself a little bit more.

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Do you plan on studying abroad? What do you think of it?

Don't be shy to share your experiences in the comments.

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See you in my next one.