During my studies, I had the chance to do two semesters abroad—one in South Korea and another in Australia. Both were amazing experiences, and living abroad taught me so much. But as exciting as it is, studying abroad also comes with its challenges. Before you leave, it can feel overwhelming trying to sort out paperwork, plan your accommodation, and figure out what to pack. So let me help you out with a study abroad checklist to avoid any last-minute surprises!
1. Visa Requirements
TThe first thing on your study abroad checklist is to check visa requirements early ! Every country has its own regulations and visa rules, so I can’t give you one piece of advice that fits all situations. What I can recommend is to start researching visa policies as soon as possible. Some visas require a lot of paperwork, bank statements, or even specific medical exams—so it’s best to know that early and plan ahead.
Now, where should you look for accurate information? First, check with your university. If it has a partnership with your host university, that means other students have already been there—and chances are, there’s already useful info available. You might even be able to get in touch with students who’ve gone before you, which can be super helpful !
Then, check your country’s embassy website in your destination country. You can usually find clear details about the type of visa you’ll need and which documents to prepare.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Now that you might have an idea of which documents you’ll need, it’s time to make sure everything is in order. First, check your passport and its expiry date. If it’s expiring soon, you’ll need to renew it as soon as possible! Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your planned return date, so renewing it might be necessary.
Next, check if you’ve received your university acceptance letter. This document is often required for your visa application, so if you haven’t received it yet, reach out to your home university for help.
Other documents to review include your insurance and medical papers. Will you need a local insurance policy, or will your current one cover you abroad? Do you have all your medical documents ready, and have you completed any required medical checks? If not, it’s time to book those appointments !
Finally, I always make sure to have two copies of all important documents: one paper copy in my handbag and one digital copy downloaded on my phone (just in case you don’t have internet access). That way, you’ll have a backup if you lose anything !
3. Research the University
I think researching the university and its location is something you should ideally start doing even before applying. But once you’ve been selected, it’s time to dig into the details. To stay on track, make sure to check the academic calendar and how the semester is organized—this will help you get a clearer picture of the year ahead.
Next, take a look at the courses offered. Course selection often happens before the semester starts, so you might need to prepare your choices in advance. While you’re at it, check with your home university to see which courses will be eligible for credit transfer. It’s better to sort that out early than be surprised when you return !
As for the university’s location, take some time to understand the local transportation system and how far the campus is from the city center. This kind of info will make it much easier to start researching accommodation options later on.
4. Look Into Housing Options
Another important thing on your study abroad checklist is to check housing options early! Many universities offer on-campus dorms, but that’s not always the case—so make sure to look it up ahead of time. If you’re planning to live on campus, find out the exact move-in date. That way, you can book a hotel if you arrive before the dorms open.
Also, check what’s included in the accommodation. What furniture is provided? Is there a canteen or kitchen? These details will help you plan your suitcase and budget for extras like pillows, blankets, or kitchen supplies.
If you’re living off campus, research the housing options in the city early to find the best deals. Student housing is often available near universities, but prices and conditions can vary a lot. So be sure to compare location, price, and amenities before making a decision !
5. Make a Basic Budget
Now that you’ve gathered a lot of information, it’s time to plan your budget! Housing usually takes up a big part of it, so keep that in mind when exploring accommodation options. Then, add your weekly expenses like groceries, transportation, and leisure.
Make sure to leave some wiggle room—some cities can be more expensive than expected, and it’s better not to have too tight of a budget. For example, I was surprised by grocery prices in Australia when I arrived, and I had to adjust my budget a bit.
Don’t forget to include one-time costs like your visa, insurance, and flights to make your budget as complete and realistic as possible !
6. Learn a Few Key Phrases in the Local Language
If you’re planning to go to a country where you don’t speak the local language, I highly recommend learning some basic words. People are often happy to be greeted in their own language rather than in English, and making that small effort can go a long way—they’ll likely be more willing to help you out if you need it !
Before you leave, check out some YouTube tutorials or download free language-learning apps to get familiar with the basics.
For example, before I left for Korea, I made sure to learn the alphabet so I could read signs on the street. Even though I didn’t understand every word, I could still recognize city and street names, which really helped when I got lost !
7. Know What to Pack (And What Not To)
Don’t worry—I know it’s really not easy to pack your whole life into one (or two) suitcases! That’s why the most important thing is to focus on the essentials. Think about the things you really need and won’t be able to buy there—or that would be way too expensive to get locally.
A bit of research can help: find out what’s easy or hard to find in your destination country. You can also sort your items by how soon you’ll need them. If something is essential for the first two weeks—like key clothing items—make sure to bring it. You’ll already be overwhelmed by everything else, so the last thing you want is to run around trying to buy something you really need.
Be careful not to overpack clothes. I know it’s tempting to bring your entire wardrobe, but trust me—you won’t use everything, and you’ll probably want to shop a little while you’re there anyway. So pack light! I know it’s tough (I still struggle with it too 😉), but you’ll thank yourself later—especially when you’re not dealing with an overweight suitcase on your way back!
If you need more help, feel free to check out my packing list and tips!
8. Prepare Emotionally For Life Abroad
Living abroad is never easy—you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and need to create a new one in a completely different environment. So of course, it’s going to feel hard at first—but that’s a totally normal feeling!
It’s difficult to fully prepare for this experience, but I think two things can really help. First, try to immerse yourself in the local culture before you leave. Watch TV shows or vlogs from that country to get a feel for the culture ahead of time. You’ll experience less of a culture shock if you already know what to expect.
Second, be gentle with yourself. Adjusting to a new home takes time, and it’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out right away. Don’t expect too much from yourself in the beginning—it will get better!
Hope that this study abroad checklist was helpful and that it will help you get organized early to avoid last minute surprises and stress !
Check out my semester abroad packing list for additional tips !
