Pre-Arrival Considerations
for International Students
matters that international students will have to settle.
Before setting out for a new country, there are several financial matters that international students will have to settle. From planning a budget to applying for a visa to buying a plane ticket, there's a lot to get done before embarking on your journey.
Arranging your Finances
The very first thing you'll have to do in order to have a budget during your time as an international student is save. Save up as much money as you can. Remember that you won't have much of an income during your studies, so you'll want to save a decent percentage of everything you earn.
If you don't think you'll be able to afford your studies just on what you've saved, you'll also want to research scholarships. There are many programs out there that offer scholarships for international students; find out which of them you are eligible for, and apply for as many as possible.
Planning a Budget
Before you set out, you'll want to sit down and plan out a budget. Make a list of both your income and expenses.
Divide your expenses into fixed costs (tuition, rent, utilities, etc.), infrequent expenses (books and course
materials), and regular expenses (food and entertainment). Add up your total income and subtract your total
expenses.
If your expenses exceed your income, look for ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses. You'll also want to remember
to convert your total budget into the local currency of the country in which you'll be studying.
Passport
You're going to need a valid passport in order to travel and study abroad. It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months
to get a passport, so be sure to apply with plenty of time. If it is your first passport, you'll need your birth
certificate, two recent passport-sized photos, certified identification, your passport application, and payment when
you apply. If you are renewing your passport, you can use your old passport instead of your birth certificate.
Visa
In addition to a passport, you are going to need a visa in order to study in another country. You'll need to research the visa requirements of your destination country, as every country has differing visa requirements. You will need to pay a fee in order to apply for a visa. Like passports, visa applications can take a while to process, so make sure to apply as early as possible.
Learn about working on an F1 Visa as an international student.
Insurance
It's always important to have reliable student
insurance
plan,
but it is particularly important while abroad. You'll also want to have coverage for emergency evacuation and
repatriation. First check with your current provider to see if your insurance will cover you while you are abroad.
If
it does not, you'll want to purchase a new insurance plan for your travels.
Immunizations
Before departing, check your host country's immunization requirements, and make sure you are up to date on your
immunizations. You'll also want to schedule a complete physical before you leave.
Airfare
Prices of plan tickets can vary greatly depending on where you want to fly and from where you are buying your ticket.
Scour the web for the cheapest deals, and buy your tickets as early as possible in order to get the best deal. You
will probably not want to arrive in your host country more than a few days before your classes begin. Although
arriving early may give you more time to settle in, it can cause problems in immigration.
Be Prepared
Know how you will access your money when you are abroad. You may want to set up a bank account in your host country; if not, notify your back and credit card company about your travel plans, otherwise you may find yourself stranded with an unusable credit card. For the first few days, you may want to carry between $100 and $200 in the currency of your host country.
Find out How to Open Up a Bank Account in the US.
Learn about applying for credit card in the U.S.
Discover the Timeline for Applying for Study Abroad Loans.
International Financial Aid Resources center
