3 — 
Preparation

"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."
—
Alexander Graham Bell

Preparation is vital to a successful Study Abroad, especially if you aren’t going for that long. Check out the Pre-Departure checklist in the advice section below to make sure you’re taking all the necessary steps. But remember, preparation doesn’t just mean filling out paperwork and packing your bags, it also means preparing yourself to live in a new linguistic milieu! Here are some top tips to help get you started.

Language

  • Sign up for an intensive language course.
  • Get involved in a language exchange, preferably with someone from the same country that you are going to.
  • See the Language Activities for practical activities to help you practice each of your language skills prior too arrival.

Culture

  • Learn as much as you can about your destination before getting there. You can look for information online, in guidebooks or by speaking to people from the country
  • If you have arranged your accommodation before arriving, get in touch with your new housemates. Getting to know them before you arrive can help you feel more relaxed, and may also teach you a little about your host country.

Preparation also means thinking ahead about what you’d like to get out of your stay abroad. Start by making a list of all the things you’d like to do or achieve while abroad. This may be things such as reaching a certain level of competency in your target language, visiting particular places, starting a new hobby on offer in your host country, or maybe even just meeting a native speaking friend. Next, think about how you can achieve your goals. Write down your language level in each of the skills, and think plan out what you will do to improve each one. Research activities on offer, thinking about practical issues such as equipment that is needed, price, and the timetable that you will have. Finally, there’s no point in writing a list of goals that you do not stick to! Make sure that you make a habit of checking back over your list every week or two, to make sure that you are sticking to your plan and to re-evaluate and make changes as needed.

"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."
—
Alexander Graham Bell

 Student Videos

Before Study Abroad, what kind of preparation difficulties or concerns did you experience? How did you overcome them?

Did you have any concerns about your actual Study Abroad itself? Did your concerns correspond with your actual experience?

What advice would you give to students to help them prepare language-wise for SA?

 Expert Videos

María Juan Garau

— Universitat de les Illes Balears

"Research has shown that the Study Abroad context is ideally suited for learners to practice the language skills that they’ve been acquiring at home."

"One thing that you can do is to find out as much as possible about your host country, and more specifically about the area that you’re going to settle in."

 Advice

Pre-Departure Checklist

  • Apply to the relevant funding bodies for tuition fees, student loans and the Erasmus Mobility Grant.
  • Make up a budget for your Erasmus and ensure you have organised your finances for your time abroad.
  • Apply for an EHIC card.
  • Check to see whether you will be covered under your university’s insurance policy, or take out a private insurance policy.
  • Check your university website for an Erasmus guide. It is sure to provide you with lots of advice specific to your university.
  • Make the necessary arrangements for accommodation during your time abroad.
  • Make sure you are aware of your academic dates, including dates for registration, first day of class and orientation week.
  • Book your flight or train ticket! Make sure to try and arrive early enough to give yourself time to settle in before class begins.
  • Do some research into different bank branches and mobile phone companies in your country of residence, and make sure that you have all the paperwork ready for opening the accounts once you arrive.
  • Make a packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything important.
  • Prepare your Visa in time (if applicable).
  • If you plan to work while abroad, start looking into the possibilities. You could even start organising interviews to take place after you arrive.

 Activities

 Study Abroad Preparation

 Links

— 9 Things You’ll Regret Not Doing Before Leaving Your Study Abroad City

— Ten tips on how not to get in trouble on your travels

— You have been offered an Erasmus place – what do you do now?