Dear Future Study Abroad Student,
Your head might be spinning, but you’re probably filled with excitement! If you’re feeling nervous, you’re not alone.
You should be really proud of yourself and excited for what’s to come. You’re going abroad! Whether for the first time or the tenth time, studying abroad is a great experience for many reasons.
During Summer 2, 2019, I studied in Denmark at Copenhagen Business School. It was my first time studying abroad. Before going, I had a lot of questions and asked for advice on what to bring, recommendations for places to go, and more.
I knew it was going to be a long and fun 6-week experience which was more of a reason why I needed to be prepared!
I want to share some things to bring and do before you hop on the plane to your destination. Some items I’d recommend that you bring (that are easy to forget!) are:
- Charging adapter. This one is really important. When I arrived in Denmark, my laptop and phone were both nearly dead. My friend and I realized that neither of us had charging adapters that fit the European outlets, so we had to buy them. The stores locally did not have one that worked for my Chromebook laptop so I ended up ordering one from Amazon.
- Cold medicine. You might be looking at this one with a confused face, but trust me it’s a good idea to bring! Catching a seasonal cold is possible even in the summer!
- Sharpie. It’s always good to have one handy in your bag.
- Shower shoes, always a good idea to have when you’ll be using a bathroom that isn’t yours.
- Toiletry bag. Use a toiletry bag to store all of your little items, such as make up, band aids, tweezers. Toiletry bags keep everything neatly packed in one spot and make transporting it to the bathroom very easy.
- Sunscreen or aloe & sunglasses, especially if you’re going to a sunny climate
- Small bookbag or crossbody bag for when you’re going out and exploring. It’s easier to carry around with you than a heavier bag!
- Comfortable walking shoes
Here are some things I’d recommend that you do before you arrive:
Get your passport ready as early as possible, and apply for your visa(s) on time. Be aware of your country’s visa requirements as soon as possible. If you have a passport, double check the expiration date and make sure it’s up to date and that it will last you well beyond your semester abroad.
Book your flights! I would recommend using sites like StudentUniverse to find affordable, student-friendly airfare!
Check your airline’s baggage policy. Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on for free (For Icelandair, the first checked bag is free but if it’s over a certain weight there’s a fee!). Make sure to look up what your airline’s rules are to avoid any extra fees.
Know what classes you’ll be taking and when they meet (so you can plan activities around your class schedule) and note where you’ll be staying (to determine your commute length).
Make sure the credits from the classes you’ll be taking are transferable to your home university and your degree! Talk to your academic advisor to make sure your courses will count towards your degree and your GEO advisor about the course evaluation process to ensure your classes are approved. You want to get deserved credit for those required or elective courses that you choose to take.
Pay all security deposits, submit contracts, and wire housing fees on time!
Download the WorldAware app. It’s great for finding answers and assistance when you face situations where you need some help: for example, finding a hospital.
Visit your doctor and get any necessary check-ups and vaccinations before you leave the country. Contact your health insurance company to let them know where and when you’ll be traveling and request any prescriptions in advance. Know what prescriptions you can and can’t bring with you onboard the plane!
You might also have to get an international phone plan from your cell phone provider for texting and calling. Double check with them on this!
Let your friends and family know you’re going abroad and which methods of communication are the best to reach you.
Call your bank and let them know when and where you will be traveling abroad so they don’t think suspicious activity is happening when they see international purchases
Get or bring a debit or credit card that allows you to make those international purchases without extra fees added. This will save you money! Many credit cards charge a~3% international transaction fee. Apply for a card that doesn’t charge that fee to save. Also, some banks will have their own, easily accessible ATMs in your area, while some might have regional partners that don’t charge a fee for withdrawing cash. If you belong to a smaller bank that doesn’t have an international presence, plan for this!
Get a few bills in the currency of the country you’re going to. It’s a good idea to have some on hand and it’s easier to pay for certain items. Not every place takes credit cards, like trains or buses. Try to estimate your costs in advance so you don’t take out too much or have to pay another fee to get more. You can find ATMs in almost every airport.
Check the Travel Advisory page for the country you’re travelling to. This will give you information on current events in the country and any safety measures that may need to be taken.
Register your travel with the federal government or embassy. Let them know when and where you’ll be travelling to, in case of emergency.
Gather all of your plane tickets, itineraries, IDs, and travel documents. Keep them somewhere you can easily access them (such as in your bag or purse). By getting everything organized ahead of time, you can lay back and enjoy the journey! Also, you can help yourself out by doing any activities you can ahead of time, like checking into your flight online or through your airline’s app!
Before you head to the airport, do a final check to see that you have your passport 🙂
I hope this information is helpful and I wish you a wonderful trip abroad!
