International students traveling or studying abroad need to take care of certain things in order to have a safe and fulfilling study abroad experience. Right from carrying essential documents, medicines, and clothes to making accommodation arrangements and taking safety precautions, there are many aspects that international students need to make arrangements for.
That said, women need to take more care while traveling and studying abroad, especially if they are traveling to a foreign country for the first time. If you have sought admission to an international university, it is obvious that you might have made certain arrangements to travel and study overseas. However, you must prepare yourself mentally as well as make some tangible arrangements to ensure you are well-prepared and comfortable for your overseas journey and stay.
Here are some essential tips for women traveling and studying abroad suggested by MSM Unify overseas education consultants to have a safe, fulfilling, and memorable study-abroad experience. Read on!
1. Secure important documents in one place
Probably, you are hearing this for the nth time, but you must carry all the essential documents with you to your study destination. Some of the essential documents that you must have are:
- A valid passport
- A student visa
- University admission papers
- Travel insurance and health insurance papers
- Official academic transcripts
- ID proof
- Standardized test scorecards
- Work experience papers (if applicable)
- SOP
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Prescriptions of your prescription medication, etc.
Pro tip: Carry extra photocopies of all these documents and keep digital copies of these documents saved on the cloud.
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2. Secure your valuables
First and foremost, avoid carrying valuables in the form of expensive jewelry on your international education journey. Secondly, keep all valuables that you need to carry safely in one place.
Invest in a slash-proof bag to secure your payment cards, cash, and valuable documents such as your passport, student visa, health insurance papers, etc. Keep this bag safely in the interior section of your handbag to be extra cautious.
3. Avoid overpacking
Your family members, friends, and yourself might be excited as well as anxious about moving abroad to pursue your higher studies. These overwhelming emotions can tempt you to carry unsolicited things and souvenirs to remind you of your loved ones and life back home.
However, if you truly wish to have a fulfilling experience, you must focus on immersing yourself in the new ambiance, garnering new experiences, and creating beautiful memories.
Furthermore, you will get all you need at your study destination. So, carry minimum clothes, footwear, and even food. After all, food is perishable and you need to get used to the local cuisine.
4. Research local customs and safety guidelines
Before jetting off to your study destination, research well on local customs and traditions to get a fair idea about what you can expect after reaching there. Also, you should know what is considered impolite or disrespectful to avoid hurting the sentiments and beliefs of the local people. Learning about local traditions and festivities can help you participate and blend into the new culture better.
You must also know about the rules, regulations, and laws followed at your study destination. Knowing the safety guidelines is paramount for staying safe and avoiding getting yourself into unsolicited problems.
Pro tip: Get in touch with senior students studying at your chosen university to get some inside information and stay prepared for the impending ambiance at the destination country.
5. Choose accommodation wisely
To ensure optimal safety while studying abroad, it is prudent to choose accommodation within the university campus itself, or at least in the vicinity of your college. Right from the first day of reaching the destination country, you need to travel to one place regularly and that is your college!
Staying close to your university will keep you safe, comfortable, and confident. Slowly, you can get accustomed to your surroundings, make new friends, and learn to travel around the place on your own.
In case you want to opt for an apartment or shared accommodation, away from the university, ensure the property is ethical and the owner is trusted. Choose a place where you have other students from your university living in the vicinity for added safety.
6. Be aware of your surroundings
Don’t travel to unknown and obscure locations in the initial days of your study-abroad journey by yourself. Have some patience; you will get to travel a lot in the coming days.
Despite ensuring safe accommodation, be vigilant of your surroundings. Learn to be alert in a relaxed way. After all, you don’t want to end up looking intimidated and drive people away by your suspicions!
Also, avoid traveling late at night to unknown places. Opt for secured public transportation and inform your local friends if the need arises to travel alone at odd hours.
Pro tip: Report any suspicious or obnoxious activities you notice to the local authorities.
7. Save emergency contact on your speed dial
Always have an emergency contact on your speed dial. This should preferably be of a local friend or a roommate you trust.
People back home can’t help you if you get stuck in some unforeseen circumstances or medical emergencies. So, have some trusted friends in the country who can help you navigate challenges.
8. Make friends with local people
It is important to make friends with local people to understand the local culture and ambiance better. This will help you feel more comfortable and included in the new territory.
This tip doesn’t imply you need to rampantly become friends with strangers. In fact, you can make friends with local people by mingling with classmates who are natives. You can also be friendly with people in your neighborhood.
One of the best ways to make new friends is by participating in university events, cultural activities, and sports. You can also join college clubs to warm up to local people and get comfortable in the new place.
9. Connect with your teachers and mentors
You must make an effort to connect well with your teachers and mentors. Ask doubts, share your apprehensions, and seek their guidance to navigate the study-abroad journey confidently.
Doing so will not just improve your academic performance or strengthen critical concepts entailed in your curriculum, but also help you stay motivated to succeed in your professional and personal life. Your teachers and mentors might also be able to help you beyond academics to navigate any personal challenges and help you stay comfortable.
10. Work part-time if possible
If you want to get independent, emotionally as well as financially, you must choose to work part-time. Of course, you must check for credibility and safety before taking up a job. But, you must try for one!
A relevant part-time job will help you get out of your comfort zone and learn to deal with the real world. You will develop the necessary skills that will help you tremendously in your professional life ahead. Also, you will be able to support yourself financially and live a confident life.
11. Stay connected with your friends and family back home
Staying connected with your friends and family back home will help you fend off homesickness and keep your spirits high. While studying abroad, there will be times when you don’t feel at ease or confident to tackle some academic or personal problems.
Your friends and family can be your sounding board to redeem your confidence and stave away your stress. Also, since they know you well, they can guide you to navigate various challenges successfully.
12. Connect with MSM Unify overseas education consultants
Despite having friends and family back home, or local friends to talk to, nothing can undermine the personalized guidance given by experts. MSM Unify overseas education consultants have been in this domain for a long time and are well-versed in the ins and outs of the ever-evolving international educational realm.
These consultants have dealt with a diverse range of students with unique needs and aspirations, and have helped more than 2,00,000 students propel their study-abroad dreams. Their diverse experiences can provide end-to-end guidance on your study-abroad journey, and also help to deal with your specific concerns, if any.
So, whether you are traveling abroad to study, or studying abroad already, feel free to contact MSM Unify overseas education consultants. Their personalized and expert guidance can help you navigate any challenges that you are facing, and experience a rewarding study abroad journey.
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