Going abroad to study is something that practically every Indian student dreams of, whether it is just temporary to explore new lands or with plans to settle there.
But after getting to experience the process of going to study abroad, I can safely say that it is not the ‘admission’ that takes time, but all the running around and completing documentation that literally drives you crazy.
So in my infinite goodness, I have decided to share some tips that almost everyone who is planning to go and study in a foreign location must keep in mind:
1. What Should Your bag Carry
Carry all your documents, a water bottle, a fruit perhaps an orange or apple, something you can eat without getting your hands dirty and a towel. Because you will be spending long hours outside and sitting in offices.
Make sure that all these things are kept separately, it would spell disaster if your water or something got onto your precious documents.
Keep all your documents in a plastic and durable file which you can easily reach for any thing that you need.
2. Get A List Of All the Documents You Need to Submit and Their Last Dates
Documents like bank statement and such are only valid for a week. So make sure you ask either a counselor or the people you are getting those documents from about how long they are valid for.
You never know when something might come up and your plans might get a bit delayed, in order to avoid that, always know which document is supposed to be sent where and how long it is going to last.
3. Make Multiple Copies Of Document
Make at least 15 copies of practically every document pertaining to your education. And perhaps more than 15 even, because will be needing to submit a lot of documents and except at the visa office and while getting admission, your copies only will be coming to help.
So never should you fall short of them.
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4. Get Your Transcript Ahead Of Time
Do not wait until you are applying or the university asks for your transcript. The time taking for it to come can be a very long one, more than 20 or so days, which is unnecessary time wasted.
Make sure that you apply for your transcript even before you start applying for admission.
5. Get The First Accommodation That You Are Alloted
If you can afford it, then do not waste time in waiting for your preferred accommodation to come to you. Book the first accommodation you are allotted so that at least you have one place reserved for yourself.
Afterward, you can apply for a transfer or email the administration or housing office and ask them the process to transfer to a more suitable location.
6. Get Your Accommodation Based On The Time Period
If you are just going there for 1 or 2 years even, it is better if you apply for on-campus accommodation. Due to the short stay there, taking an off-campus accommodation will not allow you to properly explore the campus or area and you will be bound by the bus or train timings in order to reach back home at a suitable hour.
However, if you are going to be there for longer than 2 years then if you want, you can look at off campus locations. They are definitely cheaper and you get to live like a local in the truest way. Also, you can find those shared apartments with 4-5 people and get to meet new people.
7. Have A List Of All Possible contacts You Will Need
Create a long big list of people and emergency phone numbers. This does not only include the contacts to police, hospital, emergency numbers for specific accidents or women emergency.
But also make sure you have a list of any relatives that live nearby, their numbers and address.
Also, make sure you have the contact information of your building head, landlord, patrol police that is in the campus, international help desk, your international student community and more.
8. Save 2-3 Google Maps Offline
This is almost extremely important which would be saving at least 2-3 Google maps of places near the campus, like cafes, libraries, metro or bus stations, your residence, etc in your difference devices like phone, tab, and laptop.
It is unlikely that you will memorise the maps before getting there and quite frankly unneccessary too since it will anyway take you time to adjust to the new routes.
But if you have the essential maps saved in your phone or tab, at least you will not run the risk of getting lost in a foreign country.
Image Credits: Google Images
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