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Advice for
Students
Congratulations
on your motivation and interest in studying abroad. By this time
you have probably received advice from friends, family, and
others. Here is some advice from a student who has been there.
Leaving Home
As you sit with
your family and friends waiting to board the plane, you will
have changed your mind a dozen times and wondered if you really
want to do this. It's important to realize that boarding a
plane to leave behind your family and friends can be an
agonizing process. It may be even more difficult for you to
leave behind a significant other, which might cause feelings of
doubt and loneliness. It is important to remember why you signed
up to study abroad. The opportunities that lie before you are
incredible, and the chance to live in another country for an
extended period of time is a chance that you may never have
again.
Useful Hints
Plan ahead and
try to imagine anything that can and may go wrong on your
trip. It is better to be prepared and anticipate problems that
may arise than to be caught in an uncomfortable situation. If
something does happen that you were not anticipating, do not
panic. Instead, calmly think through the situation logically.
If you do not
know the language of your new country, learn some key phrases
and basic numbers before you go. This will be helpful in getting
around in the first few hours after you arrive.
On a handy piece
of paper keep a running list of things you know you will
need. Write ideas down as they come to you to organize what you
need to bring.
See your family
doctor before you leave and get a check up. Take the time to
make a trip to the dentist and eye doctor as well.
Consider
bringing gifts for your host family or for other potential hosts
you might have when traveling. Especially valuable to them may
be objects that represent your area of the world, a coffee table
book featuring your hometown or a memento from Virginia
Tech. These should be inexpensive, lightweight, and serve to
demonstrate your appreciation for the welcome they are offering
you.
Bring a travel
alarm clock.
If you know
ahead of time that you will need a Eurail pass (Europass),
purchase it before you leave the states. These passes are only
available to Americans and cannot be purchased in other
countries.
Check with the
company that you purchased your air travel arrangements
through. Many students decide that the term they are abroad is
simply not enough time overseas. Some tickets have flexible
departure dates where you may be able to postpone your flight
home for a small fee.
Bring a few
photocopies of your passport. They will come in handy in the
event that you lose your passport.
Keep a language
dictionary accessible. Pocket dictionaries are especially useful
for day-to-day use.
If you have a
question you need answered immediately or if you have questions
regarding a country's laws and regulations, you can always call
that country's embassy in Washington, DC or check out
http://travel.state.gov.
Familiarize
yourself with your host country before you leave. It is wise and
helpful to learn about its culture, government, and economy. If
you want to learn the language, listening to music of the native
language is also helpful!
Plan ahead, but keep an open mind. Do not be afraid to change
your itinerary. Arrange trips and excursions at least a week in
advance, especially if you are traveling alone. Be sure to make
reservations at least a couple days in advance or longer if it
is during a holiday or peak seasons. Youth hostels are often the
cheapest option and fill up very quickly.
While you are in
another country, it is helpful to keep up with current events in
the U.S. You will readjust faster when you return.
As you travel
from place to place, keep in mind that while you may not feel
tired, your body and mind may get rundown. Be sure to eat
healthy, sleep well, and take vitamins. This will not only help
you function better in your day-to-day, but will also help your
body defend itself against the foreign illnesses and germs in
your country. On extended flights, it is beneficial to drink
water and juice and avoid carbonated drinks as they often cause
your body to retain water, bloat, and swell. Remember that
alcohol has a more intense effect at high altitudes than it does
on the ground. It is always good to be coherent when you land.
Americans are
not always warmly welcomed in certain parts of the world. You
may find that some people do not want to have anything to do
with Americans. Keep this in mind and act respectfully.
Always use
common sense and trust your instincts! |
