Departure-Arrival Guidance for International Students

First-Tme Flying Tips

Travel documents required for flying

As an international student, you will need a valid passport and student visa to enter a foreign country and pass through customs at the airport. You should also carry the letter or certificate of enrolment that your institute provided to you when they accepted your admission. It provides a proof to the authorities that you are travelling for study purposes & carry the proofs in case you have an extension of class start or the deferment of class start for next intake.

You should visit the official immigration website for more details on travel documents.

Student fares and other ticket details:

Several private travel companies specialize in providing discounted airfares to students and travel insurance. If you are a member of a travel organization or if you are a frequent flier on a particular airline, you could even avail the offers customised for you.

Student packing tips for flying

There’s an upper limit to the number and weight of luggage passengers can carry on their international flights. This makes it tricky for students to pack things for an entire semester.

As most of your luggage space will be occupied with clothing, you should ensure that you do not carry useless items with you. Keep the weather of the city you are moving to in mind before you buy the essentials.

Airport Security Tips

International travel is a bit different from domestic in the sense that there is enhanced security at every point. You need to be more cautious of everything and follow the below-mentioned tips for a hassle-free travel experience.

Don’t bring more than 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) of any liquid.

Don’t leave liquids and gels deep in your carry-on.

Don’t forget to have your boarding pass and ID handy.

Don’t wait to take off your belt, watch, jacket, and shoes.

Don’t remove items you don’t need to remove.

Don’t wear sandals.

Don’t overlook less busy checkpoints.

Don’t give the security folks a hard time.

Don’t joke about national security or bombs.

Don’t forget about the PreCheck program.

International Student Support

Hosting international students is a matter of great pride for countries but it comes with its set of responsibilities. Nations that house some of the prestigious world universities ensure that their immigrants are safe. The respective governments also offer all kinds of assistance to those moving to their country for study or work purposes.

Laws that govern international students also require all educational institutions to provide support services to help them study and adapt to their new home. Many institutions have an international student support centre that can answer your questions and direct you to the services you need.

Networking and Socializing

Your socializing and networking skills play a decisive role in landing you exceptional jobs. When in a foreign country, students should always try to make a professional network to help them get better opportunities. It is important that you socialize and network with the right people. Here are some tips to help you socialize well.

Start socializing with people at your hostel or university

It is easier to communicate with people you already know. Try and introduce yourself to people around you in class and cafeteria and then take a step forward.

Interact with your professors regularly

University professors have been teaching there for long years. They have contacts with those in the recruitment industry and can help you establish a good and useful network.

Join relevant clubs and communities

Student clubs and communities are quite popular in foreign countries. Joining one or two as per your interests will help you make new friends and also develop your leadership and organisational skills.

Attend networking events

Attend as many seminars as possible and interact with potential employers. This will help you develop confidence to talk to people.

Be active on social media

Social media platforms like Linekdlin and Twitter help you develop a wide network. You should try and remain active on them so that you know when a suitable job opportunity is available.

Connect with alumni

Many universities organise alumni meetings for students to interact with old students. You should make good use of these events to learn about the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

How to find internships

Internships are an important part of every education program. They not only provide you the opportunity to gain experience in your field of interest and study but also expand your knowledge and skills beyond what you learn in class. Having an internship experience in your resume will further add more value to it and make it appealing to the employers.

The key is to start networking with potential employers and explore the career you want to pursue after graduation.

Here are some of the steps that will help you find an internship while you study:

Start volunteering for various non-profit organisations. This will further pave the way for an internship there.

Look for opportunities on offer at your own institution. Universities display internship opportunities on their notice boards. You should also apply for them.

Contact organizations of interest and tell them that you want to do an internship with them.

Update your resume and prepare for interviews.

How to Find Part time jobs

International students are eligible to work part-time in foreign countries. It’s a part of study and work culture in many study destinations. Working part-time not only allows you to manage and bear your expenses well, but also prepares you for jobs after graduation. You also get to meet new friends and colleagues, learn valuable work skills and discover new interests.

Some tips that can come handy while you search for a part-time job along with your studies are:

Contact your university career centre. They can provide you a list of on-campus jobs and also file a job application.

Check out career websites to search and apply for jobs that you are interested in.

Create an impressive resume.

Contact recruiters and ask them if they have any opportunity for you.