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Studying abroad can often be the ultimate educational experience. College students who decide to study abroad do so for a myriad of reasons, and the benefits are just as plentiful: the opportunity to study at a foreign university, to add diversity to a resume, and to experience, firsthand and in-depth, a foreign country.
There's nothing quite like studying abroad. However, there's a lot more to studying abroad than simply picking a program and starting your journey. You've got a lot of planning to do before you ever actually step on that plane.
Following are some helpful tips to help you prepare for your trip overseas:
Start planning early. Preparing for your study abroad experience takes time. Make sure you start researching programs as early as possible, to ensure you meet deadlines.
Financial Aid. In some cases, your normal financial aid package is enough to cover your semester or year studying abroad. However, this isn't always the case, so you want to be prepared. Start looking for scholarships (a great place to start is www.fastweb.com). You might also want to consider holding fundraisers i.e. a bake sale, a raffle or a car wash are three simple examples.
Apply for your passport. If you don't already have your passport, you'll want to apply for one as soon as possible. Once you receive your passport, fill out the Emergency Information page. Then, make several copies to give to your parents or other family members, just in case you lose your passport or something else happens. (Keeping copies of everything with your parents is a smart idea. Also, keep a copy of the front ID page of your passport with you, ensuring it's separate from your passport.) Depending on the country you’ll be going to, you may also need a visa. Make sure to check with your program director to find out what documents you'll need.
Be aware of the local laws and customs. Before you get on the plane, make sure you do some research on your destination. Read up on the local laws and customs. Of course, you don't have to spend hours memorizing the laws, but it's good to have a basic idea of what to expect. You want to ensure you're safe while overseas and comply with all laws, especially those related to drugs. According to the State Department, more than 2500 Americans are arrested every year while on foreign soil. The most important thing to remember is you're in their country now, so you must abide by their laws. To learn more, check out
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/drugs/drugs_1237.html.
Research your destination. You'll want to be aware of any travel warnings or political problems currently occurring in your destination country. The State Department issues a list of travel warnings for countries. You can find a current listing of travel warnings at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.
Be responsible. Sure, you're going overseas to study, but you'll likely want to have a little fun as well. Remember to be as responsible as you would be at home. In other words, don't take risks or engage in reckless behavior. You're in foreign territory and are, therefore, required to abide by their rules and laws. You don't want to end up in trouble, or even worse, in jail.
Be safe. The State Department suggests all travelers register with the closest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. It will only take you a few minutes, and it will give you the peace of mind you need. If you lose your passport, the Embassy or Consulate can help you get a new one.
These tips should help you get started on planning your study abroad adventure. Doing the proper research is critical to ensuring you have a successful experience. Start early, research, keep an open mind, and soon you'll be on the adventure of a lifetime.
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