What to Buy
Now that you have got that golden opportunity to study in your dream country, you must be excited for the experiences that await you. It is also genuine to be anxious about carrying everything that you will need there. So, here, we have compiled a list of important things you should pack in your bags for hassle-free travel and stay.
Essential things :
Clothes and accessories as per season
Sports clothes
Swimsuits
Flip FLOP
Casual and formal shoes
Power banks
USB drives
Laptop
Medicines and toiletries
A dictionary for the local language
Travel Document Checklist
Before you travel to your dream destination, ensure that you have the following documents in place.
Check in Luggage:
It is important that you pack your check-in luggage after proper consideration so that you are saved from any kind of trouble at the airports and immigration checks. Certain points to keep in mind while packing your check-in luggage are:
COVID-19 Precautions
No part of the world has remained unaffected from COVID-19. But life goes on and if you need to move abroad for study during these testing times, we’ll guide on precautions and care to be taken.
What can travelers do to protect themselves and others?
If you are travelling during the pandemic, you should keep the following precautions in mind to protect yourself and others:
What do I need to do after I travel?
There are high chances that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels (domestic or international). You could be contagious even without symptoms and have the potential of spreading the virus to others.
Regardless of where you travelled or what you did during your trip, you should follow these steps to protect others around you from getting sick:
In case, you have travelled to a destination where COVID-19 risk is high, you should also take the following steps after travel:
Soft Skills
Soft skills are the abilities that help people get on with their lives and people around them better. Employers across the world look for a right mix of academic and soft skills in the candidates. Studying abroad is a great chance to develop these skills.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are the skills which we use everyday while interacting with people around us. It includes listening, speaking and questioning skills. When you choose to study abroad you will become better at conveying ideas and listening to others. Some basic skills that you improve are:
Through your communication, you may also be able to network, which will help you get a job back home or in a foreign country after graduation.
Mental Skills
Living in a foreign country requires you to solve several problems and issues at hand. You often need to think out of the box and develop a different perspective to things. Interaction with students belonging to different nationalities and cultures helps you develop the following mental skills.
Practical Skills
Studying abroad can be a once in a lifetime opportunity to groom certain skills that you use everyday and speak a lot about your practicality to deal with the situations.
Personality Traits
No matter what you do or where you work, your personality will always be one of the most decisive factors in your career. Enrolling at the world-class universities can help you groom your personality to the next level.
Beware of Law
Every country has a particular set of rules for its immigrant population. These rules define the regulations for those who want to stay and work there. Therefore, it is important that you be aware about the student visa rules.
Work Rules for International Students:
International students who have a valid student visa get part-time working rights in many countries. You can work while the school is in session but you will have to follow all the rules and regulations. If you violate work rules, your visa can also be cancelled.
As an immigrant, you should refrain from indulging in any activities considered illegal. If found doing so, you will have to face severe consequences that can also hamper your further education in the country.
Work Rules for Family Members of International Students:
Family members who accompany students also fall under the ambit of visa rules. While the rules and conditions for them are different than those for students, it is expected that they maintain the dignity and integrity of the nation.
Overseas Student Health Insurance
International students who wish to pursue formal studies abroad should obtain health insurance as soon as they get selected. Health costs are relatively higher in other countries as compared to India. Medical expenses can take a huge financial toll on you if you do not prepare yourself in advance.
It is therefore recommended that you apply for the insurance program before moving in. While some countries like Australia support and cover the entire medical costs for its international student community, others like the US require you to obtain insurance from private providers.
You can get more details about the country specific health insurance programs on their office Home Ministry websites.
Foreign exchange tips
Exchanging currency is one major task when you are in a foreign country. While knowing the currency exchange rate is important for carrying out financial transactions in a foreign country, you should also keep yourselves informed of all the payment options available to immigrants.
Prepaid forex cards
Prepaid forex cards are a convenient and secure way to carry money with you. Almost all leading banks and NBFCs offer prepaid forex cards that can be used in any country around the world. These cards allow you to carry out any financial transaction with ease and safety.
Foreign currency demand draft
Foreign currency demand draft (FCDD) is one of the efficient ways to pay huge amounts like fee, accommodation charges, etc. in a foreign country. Banks in India allow you to get a Demand Draft made in the name of the beneficiary you want to transfer the money to.
Wire transfer
Wire transfers are a speedy way of sending money abroad and can be used for a variety of payments like college application fee, tuition and hostel fee, etc.
Travellers cheque
Foreign Currency Travellers Cheque makes for a convenient mode of payment and has worldwide acceptance in over 4,00,000 locations spread across 300 countries. The foreign currency travellers cheques also have signature based security, and will be cancelled if they are lost or stolen on priority.
Student Discounts on Flights
In a bid to promote overseas education and movement of students across the world, several airlines offer discounts to students. These offers change from time to time and you should regularly check their offers page for more details.