You’ve decided to study abroad. The decision has been made.

Hopefully, you already have carefully studied where you are going.  It’s also a good idea to be able to speak some of the language before you even arrive at your place of study.

If choosing a country, you should decide first whether you want a non-English or an English speaking country to help ease the transition. The most popular English-speaking countries are Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

But even before you book your airline ticket, here are more than a dozen do’s and don’ts to consider:

1. Do apply early for your passport. There have been recent reports of delays by the US State Department. This is a vital document so don’t risk not having it in hand.
2. Keep in mind that some countries also require visas. Do the research to find out exactly what you need.
3. Do make a copy of your passport and any visas to keep separate. This is good advice for anyone traveling anywhere.
4. Do keep an extra photo handy in case you need a new passport.
5. Have you examined your medical insurance? Do you have any? Does it cover you outside the US?
6. Do double check that you have done all your homework. That means checking not only the culture of your new country but also any problems that may impact your travel plans. A valuable tool is the State Department’s “Background Notes” on about 170 countries. These pamphlets contain information on a country’s culture, history, geography, economic situation, government and even the security situation.
7. Do check your own school to find out what information they have on studying abroad. Many student advisors offer additional information.
8. Keep in mind that the best programs offer immersion in foreign cultures.
9. Have you checked whether you will get university credit if you decide to change your major? Under some circumstances, students can take an entire semester off and still graduate on time even if their study offers no credits in their major field.
10. Take a careful look at your finances before even considering studying abroad. Does your school offer financial help? Are grants available? Also take into account the money structure of whatever country you are considering. Euros are not comparable to dollars, for example.
11. When looking for a place to stay, give yourself plenty of time. This is a critical element for your stay and you need to find somewhere with a reasonable price. Also, since you will likely be without an auto, you may want to find somewhere near a mall or supermarket.
12. Do not expect to go somewhere such as Spain and speak only English only. You will need to learn the language. Remember that you don’t have to necessarily be fluent in the language but you should learn basic phrases not only for your own good but also to show you are making an effort to be a part of your new country.
13. Don’t accept just any offer of housing. You will probably want to find something compatible with your own comfort level. It’s also best to seek out others who share your interests. If you’re a Christian, you might want to find a Christian family that wants to host a student, for example.
14. Don’t expect your trip to be a long beer party. Hopefully, you will find some of that but it should not be the basis or major reason for studying abroad.
15. Don’t put your entire trust in various organizations that provide student information. While many of these organizations offer sound advice, some are not reliable and their goal is not to help you but to take your money. Go with more traditional sources and time-tested institutions such as your school and the US government
16. Don’t expect others to go out of their way to help you when you have various difficulties. You can probably expect others in the country of your choice to generally be reasonably helpful and understanding of your situation. But you should also learn to be self-sufficient and deal with your own problems, whether that is language difficulties or meeting the legal requirements of the country you are visiting.
17. Once you arrive at your destination, it’s a good idea to register at the US Consular office. Consular officers can help in the event of injury, illness or helping to solve other potential problems.

By David Wilkening