Study Abroad Checklist

If you have been accepted into your dream university then there is nothing standing between you and your dream to pursue your higher studies abroad. Except maybe a complete checklist of the things that you need to plan. With so many requirements, deadlines, and plans to be made, it’s common for stuff to fall between cracks. Often you may not remember that you’ve skipped about a stage till it’s too late. In this blog, we bring you a study abroad checklist which will help you tick off all the steps to a successful abroad journey. 

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What to Pack While You’re Going Abroad? 

Landing your dream admit means that you’ve got your letter of offer and you can further obtain your visa permit. All that would be left is the packing, that for many could be a tad annoying! What you really need is a clear description about what to pack and what not to ensure you don’t worry about something! 

Standard Important Checklist for Study Abroad

• Passport
• Plane Tickets
• Student Visa
• Important Finances 
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Important Medicine and Prescriptions (if any)
• Medical and Travel Insurance

Please note that for your higher studies abroad, you will have to ensure that your passports remain valid for the length of your travels. Depending on your specific country of studies, you would possibly need to receive a student visa to be allowed to remain in the country for the entire month of your study.

Read: Should you Learn the Local Language Before Studying in Certain Countries?

Luggage Checklist

It’s important to take the right kind of luggage to make sure your main gear is flexible, quick to carry around and large enough just to accommodate all your things. The absolute best is a four-wheeled stroller case. If you’ve been planning to get a backpack, think about getting a hand-free functionality wheeled model.

Financial Checklist

In your study abroad checklist, you must not forget to tick off the finance-related aspects. Here is the financial checklist you must have before reaching your chosen country to study:

• Get your funds in the currency of your respective destination and also from your home country. Secure your money wallet in a safe location in your luggage. 
• Cash Services: You will have to inform bank/credit card providers that you will be moving overseas. Change all of the credit and debit cards according to your destination. 
• For travelling in trains and subways in the country you are moving to, you will need a special card reader and take your own travelex ticket. 
• Airport/Major Transit Station, Local Banks and Financial Institutions. 
• Take your own ATM cards for the international payments made by your bank. 
• Consider withdrawing more cash at a time and having it in a safer location.

Contacting and Networking Checklist

While heading for higher studies abroad, you will also have to get a new SIM card as per the mobile services available in your country. Here is the study abroad checklist for Contacting and Networking:

• Apply for your SIMs for your respective countries.
• Electronic Equipment – Messaging and calling prices are exceptionally high for large telephone providers. 
• It’s pricey. Using text messaging when calling family and friends overseas via a free software. 
• You will operate with Wi-Fi. 
• Use Google Voice – Have your Gmail account to call your family members free of charge when overseas. Registration to Google is free of charge when registered. 

Must Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad Amidst Covid-19

Miscellaneous Checklist

Apart from the quintessential things you need in regard to financial, mobile and luggage, here is a study abroad checklist for the clothing items and toiletries you must pack:

Clothing items

• Dozen Shirts and Tees
• Bottomwear (Formal and Informal)
• Underwear
• Few Formal Clothes
• Socks (two weeks worth of socks and two socks of wool) 
• Under-Shirts and Thermalwear 
• Long Tops with Sleeves 
• Sweatshirts, Hoodies and Sweaters (2-3) 
• A pair of jeans (2-3 pairs) 
• A belt or two 
• Nightclothes
• Some extra bags
• Bathing Suits (for tropical climates) 
• Coat or Parka Jacket (one for cold climate and one for waterproofing) 
• Flip flops/Sandals of any kind (only if you’re in a tropical environment)
• Sneakers/Clothing Boots 
• Cold Weather Apparel (e.g. Gloves or Mittens, Hat and Scarf)

Toiletries Checklist

• Hair Combs
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Deodorant and Other Hygiene Related Products
• A Pack of Razors 
• Hand Sanitizers and Masks 
• Portable Kleenex 
• Glasses and Contact Lenses
• Sunscreen 

Important Note: If you are heading to the USA, Do not bring hair straighteners or dryers because American electrical appliances can use a lot of power and hence they can damage the circuits. 

Start Financially Planning for Your Trip 

Attending university is costly, so financial planning is required. While you can always apply for as many scholarships as possible for your chosen program, you can also opt for an education loan to study abroad. Make a proper financial budget considering the price of housing and meals. And then add some additional expenses for travelling and side trips to nearby communities or nations. How much you will pay is going to rely as to how much income you spend in scholarships and financial support, how often capital you’ve accumulated on this instance, and the interest rate.

Thus, this is the study abroad checklist that you need to consider for your study abroad needs. You could also have a small checklist or print this page and use it as a checklist and cross off each item from the list to take. Considering to study abroad? Contact Leverage Edu to get the right guidance at every step of the process, from finding the right course and university to drafting a winning application.