Going to college can be daunting enough, but when you are moving to an entirely new country to study, it can be even more overwhelming. Nevertheless, this is an experience to be excited about… the chance to meet new people, explore a new place and embrace a new culture!

In fact, it is an opportunity a greater number of students are taking advantage of. Students are actually the fastest growing expat group, and this is a trend that is only set to continue. Statistics show that approximately 4.3 million students are currently enrolled in a college or university that is outside of their home country.

Are you going to be one of these numbers? If so, there are several things you need to take into consideration before your big move. So, let’s take a look at this studying abroad checklist:

Healthcare

One of the important things you need to consider is healthcare. You may be blessed with a good public health system in your home country, yet this does not mean that the country you are moving to will have a high standard of care. And, even if they do, you may not have access to it. This is why it is so important to take out an international health insurance policy before moving abroad. You will receive access to the best treatments and care with global medical insurance. Of course, do your research carefully to make sure the policy covers everything you need and is available for the country you are moving to. Even though something is labeled as ‘worldwide’ there could be some exceptions.

Visa

Depending on where you are going to study, it is likely that you will require a student visa to be allowed in the country legally for the full duration of your university or college course. Fortunately, there are a lot of universities that will help you with this process if you are applying for an undergraduate degree. Yet this is not always the case. So contact the nearest embassy of the country you wish to study in to find out more. There are various things you will need in order to be granted a student visa, such as valid passport, a return ticket for your journey home once your studies have concluded, proof of funds and a university letter of approval.

University Preparation

You need to do some preparation in terms of the university itself and the course you are going to study. What textbooks and materials do you need? What style of essay writing is used there? If you are unfamiliar with the style, you can easily find tips for writing college essays online. You should also find out about the facilities at the university, how you apply to stay on campus, and any other important pieces of information that can assist you and help you to feel more comfortable. There are often Facebook groups and other social media platforms that are used to connect new students, so it is worth looking into these.

Finances  

Last but not least, you should consider your finances carefully. How are you going to carry your money? You definitely shouldn’t keep it in cash. But, local banks will charge you a fee every time you draw money out in your new location. Consider opening a student account in your home country or new location, if possible. You should be able to find bank accounts suited to your unique situation. Student overdrafts with no interest are often available. You do need to be mindful, though, as you will be charged interest once you are no longer a student. You can also make savings by acquiring an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). This can be used all over the world.

As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered if you are planning on moving to another country to study. While this may seem daunting, there is no need to panic. The more prepared you are, the easier everything will be. So it is always better to do as much research as soon as possible. You can also make sure you do not have too many tasks to do once you get there by sorting out your reading materials, health insurance, bank account and such like in advance, if possible.

Are considering colleges in this country as your college-bound teen’s only option? Is your student interested in exploring different cultures, traveling, and gaining a more global view of the world? If so, then attending college abroad could be a viable option.

Why would your student consider attending college abroad?

Rather than studying abroad for only a semester or two, some Americans are choosing to attend school full time overseas.  In addition to the more than 260,000 students who study abroad each year for academic credit at a U.S. college or university, more and more American students, upwards of 40,000, have enrolled in higher education institutions outside of the U.S. for full degree programs.

By choosing an international degree program, not only is the student able to earn a degree, they have the opportunity to live and travel abroad as well; something they cannot experience if they attend college in the United States.

What can your student gain from this experience?

Your student will be immersed in the culture, gain a completely different world view, learn independence and self-sufficiency, and in most cases, be able to travel to bordering countries. The majority of international degree programs take less time to complete than standard four-year American universities, which can be cost efficient in terms of tuition in the long run. Many countries average tuition is less than that of the United States. Multicultural programs draw attention to the local culture, as well as learning other communication skills in the country’s native language.

Additionally, studying abroad offers you a valuable resume boost. Global companies are looking for applicants who have global experience, a knowledge of diverse cultures, and developed independence, learning to problem solve on their own.

What steps should your student take before applying abroad?

Students and parents should do their research. Students should always verify that a school is accredited regardless of the country they plan to study in. A student should consider length of degree, cost, language of instruction and degree types offered.

Students also have to do their due diligence in educating themselves about the countries and the cultures they will encounter.That is as important for an American student going to the London School of Economics or to the Sorbonne [in Paris] as it is for a course of study at this institution: American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

After students determine what university to attend, they should verify the level of support from the host institution to help navigate the move and get familiar with the campus and surroundings once the student arrives.

There’s nothing like an education experience abroad. With all the benefits listed above, it might be something your family and student should consider.

Perhaps the best thing about sending your kids to college is that they are granted so many opportunities to expand their minds, meet new people, and increase their personal marketability. Academically speaking, college prepares young adults for the working world, and socially it can provide them with a vast network of connections to call upon later in life. Further, the time your kids spend in college will no doubt be transformative, helping them to figure out who they are, what they want, and what they believe in. And if they’re lucky, part of that experience will involve traveling to another country as a member of a study abroad program. However, sending your kids off to a foreign land, while exciting, can also be a bit terrifying. After all, they’re young and inexperienced in the ways of the world and anything could happen. So here are just a few safety tips you’ll probably want to impart before your kids head off for a few months of studying abroad.

1. Plan ahead. There are all kinds of things students must accomplish in preparation for participating in a study abroad program. Aside from taking language lessons and filling out all the application paperwork, they’ll also need to get necessary immunizations and arrange for a passport, both of which could take up to six weeks. They may also need to apply for a student Visa, a work Visa (depending on how long they intend to stay and whether or not they need a job), and an international driver’s permit. In short, a lot of planning goes into spending a semester abroad, and they need to give themselves enough time to get all of their ducks in a row. This will help to ensure that they have everything they need when they travel and that they have no trouble reaching their destination and returning home afterwards.
2. Learn the laws. It’s important to understand the laws of any country you’re in, and just because students are young doesn’t mean it’s okay to be unprepared in this regard. The local authorities certainly won’t cut visiting students any slack (just look at what happened to Amanda Knox). So take the time to go over pertinent laws with your kids prior to travel and stress that common sense is a must.
3. Use the buddy system. The nice thing about a study abroad program is that your students will either be housed with a local family or in dorms with other international students. This should help to keep them out of trouble to some degree. But make sure they understand that there are predators looking to take advantage of them because they are so obviously out of place. For this reason it’s wise to have a buddy around at all times.
4. Verify Insurance. Since medical insurance coverage may not extend to other countries, it’s a good idea to extend your policy or get additional travel coverage for your students. This will ensure that should they need to see a doctor or get a prescription their costs will be covered.
5. Understand the culture. A lot of social interactions are going to be something of a trial by fire, whether your students are studying history in Italy or preparing for ESL jobs in China. Other cultures have different traditions and standards of behavior. While your students will have to learn some of it on the fly, it couldn’t hurt to take some time to look online for cultural norms in order to avoid inadvertently insulting the natives. For example, Italians may offer warm greetings such as hugs and kisses and they may take offense when recipients pull away. In China it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten, even a few grains of rice in the bottom of the bowl. When students understand such basic cultural differences they are less likely to commit a social gaffe that could result in conflict.

Every college student should take advantage of their college’s study abroad program. The studying abroad experience will undoubtedly change their lives personally, academically, and professionally.