Pre-departure briefing
At Learning Park we treat pre-departure formalities as advance preparation for your new life in your host country while ensuring that our students are well informed about the do’s and don’ts while preparing to live and study in a foreign country.
The major components include program registration, course orientation, visa status and details, money matters, health considerations, and necessary documentation required for getting ID’s in the foreign land. Students must also keep in mind the lifestyle adjustment that is awaiting them.
Checklist:
- First and foremost, be sure to accept your offer letter if you haven’t already done so! If you have any questions about this, contact us or your host college or University.
- Ensure you have a valid passport. Check to see if it’s valid for a minimum of six months after your return date. If you don’t have a passport, you must apply for one immediately.
- It’s important to review the documents needed to enter desired country. You may have to present these upon your arrival.
- Monitor the cost of flights and book the most suitable one. You might consider a travel agent if you’re unsure of how to book a flight yourself. If you are booking a return flight, we recommend the flexible flight ticket as dates may change and you may want to leave at a later or sooner time. This way you will avoid additional fees.
- Travel insurance is critical should there be any issues during your travel time. This can be purchased separate from your flight ticket, or at the same time.
- Along with travel insurance, health insurance is extremely important. Your school may insure you, however it is best to confirm.
- In case you don’t already know, timing for international flights is different from local flights. It’s suggested you arrive for your flight at least three hours before departure to avoid any potential line ups for luggage drop-off and security, or other issues. You will likely be able to check-in for your flight 24 hours beforehand online.
Be aware of the restrictions upon entering Abroad
- Certain items are restricted or prohibited to come to many countries such as tobacco, firearms, food, alcohol, animal and plant products, and drugs. Any liquids you may have with you must be in a container of 100 ml or less, and packaged in a plastic bag.
- Oftentimes, border officers ask about your accommodations. Ensure you know this information including the address, contact name and number.
- We suggest you to have some foreign money (that depends upon which country you are going eg. for Australia $AUD for America $USD for Canada $CAD and for European countries Euro) on you for when you land in case you must pay for public transit, a taxi or are simply in need of replenishment.
- Keep all of your most valuable items and documents on hand and not in your checked luggage in case it is misplaced or lost.
- We suggest making photocopies of the important documents in the event you misplace them, this way you have a backup.
- Important documents include your passport, flight ticket, travel and health insurance, Universities or college letter of acceptance, accommodation details, proof of funds, school transcripts, immigration letter (for some).
Consider researching your destination prior to your arrival. This is the exciting part of your pre-departure! Things to do, what the weather may be like, items to pack, etc.
If you have some spare time, practice your English communication skills. The more you practice, the better. In most cases, reality is quite different from what you learn in books. This is the final step in our guide for international students to Abroad.