Get Ready to Study Abroad
Preparing for an Overseas Language School Experience
Preparing to study abroad can be an exciting experience, but it can also be a little bit intimidating. Here are a few tips for students to help ease the transition into an overseas program:
Research the Study Abroad Destination
Guidebooks can give an overview, but it's a good idea to also search for information on the specific area near the language school. The information in guides aimed at tourists isn't likely to cover things like where students hang out at night, the best places to study or cheap eats offering student discounts.
One of the best ways to look for the kind of information students need about their temporary new home base is to search the Internet for things posted by other students. Many people studying overseas keep blogs. These can be a valuable source of information about the study abroad experience.
Talk to Former Students about Study Abroad
Most language schools have the contact information for former and current students. Contacting former students can provide future attendees with insiders tips about local places and events as well as the school itself.
Another valuable service former students provide is by letting incoming program participants know how they coped with common problems. So instead of wasting time figuring out the best way to study for the vocabulary midterms, in-the-know students can just call the private tutor recommended by a former student or head to the local café where study groups meet.
Contacting current students provide a different type of valuable preparation for study abroad. Students who have chatted online or via email before their program starts go into their study with a built-in social group. Many overseas students find this to be a relief, since it removes the added pressure of trying to make new friends and connect with their fellow students while at the same time dealing with the everyday frustrations of daily life in another language and the intensive study required of study abroad programs.
Preparing the Paperwork before Overseas Study
Before heading out the door to the airport, students should be sure to print copies of everything they need and pack them in carry-on luggage. Nothing is more panic-inducing than arriving alone in a strange country and realizing that the directions to the dorms are sitting in the printer tray at home.
The most important thing students should be carrying is their school information, including the address and maps to the location, in the language of the country. Many taxi drivers only speak and read their local language, so providing the address in English won't help. Student shouldn’t rely on their previous language classes, either. Many drivers speak in regional dialects and may not understand students' accents.
The most important thing to prepare for a study abroad is the easiest. Students should try to relax and be open to new experiences. Opening the mind to the possibilities of the world is the best way to prepare for a successful overseas language study experience.
Preparing for Study Abroad
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