Travelling abroad has become more challenging for migrants and international students. What if we told you we have some hacks to make your relocation smooth? If you have always dreamt of relocating for your studies, you might have a country on your radar, but things take a different turn when you decide to start the process.
The story of Abdullah Suleiman would give the idea that a study abroad dream can end up on our never-to-do list. Abdullah got an admission to study at the University of Dayton but missed his payment deadline. He had the exact money to complete his initial tuition fees, but the naira slumped against the dollar at the parallel market on the day he wanted to pay.
Read: 10 Tuition-Free Universities for International Students in the USA
He made a U-turn on relocation to the United States without external financial support. Many of us want to study abroad but find it extremely difficult to complete the process. While some end our dreams at admission, others crash out with visa denial.
So, to help make things a little easier for prospective international students, we have listed some tips many people wish they had known before relocating.
Overestimate your Expenses
It is a life-saver to set aside more funds than you initially estimated. You don't want your expenses to pile up fast because you have under-budgeted your expenses. While you have groceries, places to go, and other bills to buy on your arrival, you don't wish to exhaust your funds. Furthermore, compare the country's currency against the United States dollar.
Watch your Hip Pocket
The first thing to do is to learn how the locals shop and eat. As tempting as the initial urge to try everything, it can blow your budget on things you don’t need. For instance, meals out will run you down before you can learn about meals in benefits. Remember, you will have time to eat or shop; don't waste your money on impulse. Learn to avoid paying more for transportation and services by asking questions.
Book Ahead before the Programme Begins
Many students are eager to leave the country immediately after they get their visas. You might get into trouble if you travel before your programme begins. We recommend that you don't hesitate to book hostels, Airbnb, or flights before your programme begins. You can save more when you book ahead .
Read: 10 Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students
Set Aside Time to Explore the Study City
You should set aside time to get to know your new city. Take a weekend and find your way around public places. Since it's impossible to understand how things work at once, you can pick some choice spots and explore. Time is essential abroad; if you can't find your way around some places, you might spend more money or time.
Find out Items You Don’t Need to Buy to Avoid Overpacking
If you are coming during the winter, you don't have to carry much thick bedding or clothing abroad. It would shock you to learn that those items you packed are useless to cold. In addition, some apartments or hostels provide bedding and a few items. Therefore, you can avoid overpacking when you learn what you will receive when you relocate.
Determine the Outlet Adapters
Don't forget that the chaos of coming to a new country and jetlag might stop you from buying the right outlet adapters immediately. Research what outlet adapters your choice country uses and buy them before you enter your flight. You don't want a dead phone battery in a new country.
Know the Requirements of your Prospective Country
You should find out the visa requirements of your prospective country before you begin the process. Many students erroneously make financial calculations on what to earn abroad. However, things work differently, and they find it hard to cope. Come with enough money to last you for months as a second option for survival.
You might not get work for months; sometimes, you might have to work less than the stipulated time allocated to students. You should find the requirements for travelling, driving, and studying depending on your visa.
Read: 7 Best International Student Loans for the USA
Learn a Skill before you relocate
Maybe you have despised skills like barbing, hair-making, tailoring, or culinary art because they don't earn much in your location. A skill can easily guarantee a source of income for you abroad. Learn a skill that is vital to everyone. You can never tell how fast such a skill can transform your life.
Save as Much Money as You Can
You don’t have to put your eggs in one bucket when saving money to travel abroad. You have a list of associated costs, including flight tickets, visa, tuition, medical health checks, insurance, accommodation, living costs, and school items.
Deal with Loneliness or (Possible) Homesickness
You cannot run from loneliness if you have no support system abroad. Some days, you might wake up and burst into tears because of loneliness. You will finally appreciate those irritating friends that come to you and eat all your food. You must not ignore these feelings and try to keep in regular contact with loved ones. However, you will be fine if you can handle loneliness at the onset.
Read: Hotel and Accommodation Scam: An International Student Guide
Sign up for Travel Insurance
You need travel insurance before you travel abroad. While many travellers might want to overlook it, things might go south, and they find themselves in a mess. You can pick up third-party travel insurance even if your chosen airline has no insurance. With travel insurance, you enjoy peace of mind – if your flight is delayed, you lose your luggage, get sick, get your passport stolen, or experience unforeseen circumstances.
Conclusion
We want you to know that your relocation dreams are valid. Don't give up! If you wish to travel to Australia or the United Kingdom, we believe these hacks can help you relocate without challenges. If you want a study loan or a seamless platform to make your tuition, application, visa, SEVIS, or WES payment, an app like Pay4Me can solve your problem in minutes.
