Study Abroad: Getting Ready!

Image Credit: Flickr/Camila Gurrado

This semester I have had the immense pleasure of studying abroad in the beautiful city of Paris. If you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook you have seen my multiple adventures (and sometimes misadventures...) in what's becoming my favorite city. Because of this, many of my followers have been asking me questions about studying abroad and how to go about it. I'm here to clear up some questions and concerns about preparing to study abroad.

1. Get In Touch With Your Advisor

   1. Before starting your extensive research on what country you're going to go to or the amazing trips you'll take while abroad...you have to get your academics straight. Yeah I know it's tedious and not at all fun, but it needs to be done. Nothing's worse than coming home from a long semester abroad and realizing none of your classes transfer over to your home university. So let's get started:
   2. Make an appointment with your academic advisor: Make sure your advisor knows that you are going to study abroad that year, or that you plan on doing it sometime during your college experience.  It's best to plan to study abroad at least a semester to a year in advance (you'll understand why if you keep reading).
   3. Get your classes straight: Figure out what classes you are going to need to take, and what you need to look for in a study abroad program to ensure that you are taking advantage of not only being abroad but also of your education.  Make sure that the classes you need are available at the chosen university you want to study abroad. Also you will most likely have to fill out a sheet for your classes. (HEADS UP: If a class is not already pre-approved, meaning no one has taken it yet, you may have to meet with a department head to get your class approved).
   4. Classic Tip: TAKE. A. BREATH. I know it's daunting but it's gonna be so worth it.

Image Credit: Ariana Coleman

1. Deciding Where To Go: Picking a Program & Country

   1. So you've talked with your advisor and you got the OK to go, but where? there are so many places to choose from and it can be overwhelming, so how d you narrow it down?
      1. Well see if your school has any study abroad information sessions: It may take some work to find them, but most universities have information sessions about there most popular study abroad programs. You just have to keep an eye out for them! They are a great way to hear from program directors and students who have been abroad about their experiences.
      2. Seek out your friendly neighborhood Study Abroad Office: Trust me there is one somewhere around your campus, odds are you just need to find them. They are a great source of information, and can really help you narrow down what program will be good for you. I mean you'll have to talk to them eventually,once you find a program, so why not go and ask them for advice.  They are very eager to help you get out into the world.
      3. Talk to a friend: Talk to a friend (or a friend of a friend, cousin, sibling, whatever) who has studied abroad. This is especially helpful if they have been in a program that you are interested in. They can give you a personal account of all the ups and downs of their experience and give you something to real to go off of. (DON'T base your decision solely off of your friends experiences though, just because something did or did not work for them , doesn't mean the same thing will happen to you.)
      4. Classic Tip: Beware of the super popular study abroad programs and be careful about studying abroad with friends. Yes the popular programs are popular for a reason, but they may often prevent you from going out and experiencing the country, since you are so wrapped up in your university group. And I'm not saying you shouldn't study abroad with your homies, BUT make sure y'all are both open to making new friends.  What's the point if y'all are always attached at the hip?

Image Credit: Flickr/It's Me Mari

1. Application Process

   1. VISA's, Scholarships, and more college applications?
      1. More College Apps? Yeah you have to possibly fill out an application to be "accepted" into your university.  It's not like the crazy stuff you had to fill out to get into college in the first place though, it's actually not bad. As long as you have the GPA required for the program, then you really have no worries. You'll honestly be accepted because the program is affiliated with your university as a exchange program. They have to accept you if you have all the requirements, just like how your university has to accept any student they have that wants to do an exchange program.
      2. Passports and VISA's: yeah we aren't talking about the credit card, although that discussion is to come, this is how you are going to be allowed into another country. If you do not have a passport, you are going to need one. Check out this website  if you need any help on knowing how to get a passport. It's honestly pretty easy. Your VISA on the other hand may be the biggest headache or the easiest thing ever...there is no in between. The VISA process varies for everyone. For example, I had to follow a specific check list given to me by my host university, and had a crap ton of paperwork to fill out before my VISA appointment. Others only had two steps to do for their VISA. Yeah it honestly is gonna depend on what program you do and what country your host university is in.
      3. Scholarships: Get on those scholarships!!!!! I can't even stress how freaking important this is! People are straight up willing to give you MONEY TO SPEND A SEMESTER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY!!!!! Why would you not try to get as much of this as you can? So bottom line, seek out scholarship opportunities. You can ask your study abroad office, your academic advisor, or consult your school website for information about how to apply for them. There are also websites that you can visit to see what scholarship you can apply for outside your university! Check it out here!

2. Planning Your Trip

   1. You're classes are picked, you know the country you'll be in, you have your passport and VISA and you are ready to role...Now what? Well:
      1. Book your flight: Make sure you have your flight booked and make necessary travel plans to get to and from the airport on the day you are traveling. Also plan for when you are flying back home.
      2. Communication is key:  Make sure you have a plan on how you will communicate through out your study abroad experience. Some programs will provide you with a phone from your respective country with a phone number already attached to it, all you would have to do is add minutes to it. If you choose to use your own phone and just get a SIM card from your respective country, make sure your phone is unlocked, so that the SIM card works.  To do this you can contact your respective phone companies for more info. You can get an international plan (just know that these can be pricey and have limits to data, countries, and coverage). Classic Tip: Social Media and web apps are a work of wonder. If you don't want to bother with this, Facebook is always a good way to contact loved ones. Also there are plenty of apps to allow communication country to country.
      3. DO YOUR RESEARCH: Please research your country before hand. Make sure you know the rules and regulations of your respective country and host university. Also get to know there culture and quirks, so that you aren't so completely shocked when you get there. For example: I learned in my research of Paris, that strikes happen often, like really often. So, I wasn't so surprised when one happened my first week in Paris. But yeah, don't be that ignorant American who thinks they're exempt from respecting other cultures. You're goal is to blend in with your environment.
      4. Start learning the native language: I mean you don't have to be completely fluent (God knows I'm not fluent in french) but know how to say simple phrases. A little can definitely go a long way. 
      5. Pack accordingly: Finally pack accordingly.  You don't need 5 suitcases, especially if you will only be there for a semester. I came to Paris with one big suitcase, one smaller suitcase, and my backpack, and if you know me you know that I sometimes have a tendency to overpack. Trust me you can condense it down, and if push comes to shove, you can always ship something back home if you absolutely need to. But yes, make sure you have all necessary items and if you need help check out my travel board on Pinterest! I have plenty of pins on what you need to pack for your trip abroad.

3. Classic Tips!

   1.  Pick A country where you can drink...because you're gonna need some alcohol to get through this.
   2. Fake it till you make it: honestly if you do it with confidence then nothing could go wrong...maybe.
   3. Get Lost: Like literally get lost in your city one day. Especially if you have like a week before classes start, just walk around and get lost.
   4. Finally don't forget! This is supposed to be the most bomb AF experience of your life! Take advantage of it and have fun!

Image Credit: Ariana Coleman