The Proccess of Applying to Study Abroad

So you think you want to study abroad. What now? To help you get an idea of the processes involved with picking a program, applying and getting ready to study abroad I decided to outline the general process here: (usually it's a GOOD idea to start a year in advance)

Pick a country:

whether there's a certain language you have already learned or want to learn, or a certain corner of the world is calling your name - this is completely your pick! Things to consider when choosing a destination may include:

- language
- cost of living
- climate
- your safety

Pick a program:

Once you know WHERE you want to go, you should go to your university's study abroad office and do some extensive research. There are many study abroad programs availabe, and your job is to find one that suits your needs the best. For example:

Student -Exchange: this may be more cost effective if you're going to a high cost of living area.
Direct Placement: may be more cost effective if you're going to a lower cost of living area.

You should also consider whether you want to study in English or a foreign language, what benefits are included in a study abroad program (such as meals, housing) , etc.

The program I am going to France with is called ISEP (www.isep.org). I am going on a student exchange, which means that by paying my usual university tuition and housing at home, I create a spot for a French student to come here, while he/she creates a spot for me over there.

Applying for the program:

The application process genereally requires you to put together your transcripts, recommendations, and essays together. Be aware of deadlines and application fees!

You may also have to apply for your University's study abroad "program." This is just to qualify you to be able to study abroad - they check your grades, etc.

Often, this is where you have to start gathering your documents. If you don't have a passport - apply for one NOW! Also, it's a good idea to check out the visa proccess, and see when is a good time to apply.

Also, this is a good time to check out scholarships from your program or from your university!

Once You Are Placed in a Program:

Eventually, the program coordinators will let you know if you have been accepted to a certain university. This is the time to get on the university's website and research the classes they offer. There are many opportunities to get many of your credit hours completed abroad. Pick out the classes you want to take, translate their descriptions, and take them to your university (specific departments, depending on the subject) - there you can ask if these classes can transfer to your university. Get the form signed - and you're all set!

Closer to Your Departure:

Timeframes for these processes may vary, but some things include getting your passport and your visa; going through the Campus France proccess if you're going to France; buying health insurance to cover you abroad; buying airplane tickets; arranging travel plans; buying phone card/international cell phone, etc...

Finding Cheap Plane Tickets

For most students, flying is usually an expensive as well as an inevitable part of studying abroad. So since you cannot cut this cost out entirely, you might as well try your best to make it as cheap as possible!

Here are some things to consider when purchasing your plane ticket:

- pick a couple of surrounding departure and destination points, flying out from an airport an hour away from your hope may be significantly cheaper than one in your city, or vice versa...

- be sure to search on at least 5 different booking websites (such as expedia, orbitz...)

- check out 'cheapflights' on STA Travel (http://www.statravel.com/). They also often have different promotions and deals when you fly within specific time frames.

- if you are going to be abroad for a long period of time, make sure your return flight date can be changed. An STA travel "blue ticket" is flexible, and the first date change only costs $25.

- book an international flight at least a month in advance.

For more money-saving tips check out http://bemyaccountant.com/blog/ !!

More Tips for your Trip!

- Instead of having to constantly buy batteries for your digital camera - buy a battery charger and rechargeable batteries!

- Bring coins! If you're staying in a hostel, some lockers are coin-operated. In the US, also very handy if you need to make a phone call from an airport, but don't have your US cell phone anymore.

- Buy a miniature bottle of hand sanitizer. With all the crowded places, long trips, and airplane meals - you will not be sorry.

- Bring a watch. Most people seem to rely on their cell phones for time, but if you leave your US cell phone behind, don't forget to buy a watch.

Packing for France and Safety Precautions

Here are some thoughts on what to pack when studying abroad for a while - of course this list may be revised later, when I get to France and realize I forgot to pack something vital!

1)What goes in what bag? - if you're planning on staying in hostels before reaching your final destination, it's a good idea to put the things you will need most (change of clothes, toiletries, towel, cell phone charger, etc...) in a smaller bag rather than the biggest suit case. Most hostels provde luggage storage - so you can store away your bigger, heavier bags, and keep the smaller one with you (it will fit in a locker at night, so you minimize the chances of having something stolen from you)

Also, don't forget plane carry-on rules. You can only bring liquids and gels in one 1-Quart clear zip-lock bag, and each item must be less than 3 ounces. Pefect time to get out all those sample-size toiletries you've been collecting!

2)Fake Wallet Trick - we don't really like to think about these things while vacationing or going on THE trip of our lifetime, but sometimes foreigners are especially easy targets for thieves. We may not always be able to help looking completely lost, but we can plan for the worst and avoid a disaster!

I would recommend using an old wallet, or buying one at the dollar store, filling it with fake credit cards (from the annoying daily credit card offers you get in the mail), and maybe putting some cash for the day (in local currency) in it.

While purchasing food and other things at train stations, airports, etc., use cash from this wallet. Your credit cards and other important documents will not be exposed, and if someone DOES grab your wallet and run off - oh well, it's the minimum amount.

3)What to Wear? - plan what you're going to wear while traveling in order to maximize space in your suitcase. For example, if you are bringing footwear on your trip - tennis shoes and flip-flops - wear the bigger item while traveling (tennis shoes), and pack the smaller one away(flip-flops)!

Since it's usually freezing on airplanes, this is the pefect plan, because you can wear jeans and a sweatshirt even when it's summer. You'll save space and feel comfortable on the plane!

4) Which Clothes to Bring? - before deciding which clothes to bring for the year, research if laundry facilities will be available to you, and how much they cost. You may have to avoid clothes that can only be dry-cleaned, and opt for newer garments that are easy to hand-wash.

Also, make sure to take your time and research the weather of the area where you will be staying. You should know how early the winter/summer/spring sets in, and pack accordingly!

5) How to Get All Those Clothes in the Suitcase? - there is no magic trick to fit a year's supply of clothes into a couple of suitcases, so you WILL have to plan carefully, but there are things you can do to make packing more efficient.

* Try putting your clothes in extra-large zip-lock storage bags, and then forcing all of the air out of the bags (by pressing on them, or by using a vacuum cleaner). The clothes will be completely compressed and take up the least space possible. The zip-lock bags will also protect your belongings from water or other accidents - you never know!

* Only pack the essentials. Rate your garments from most-needed to least-needed. Consider what could be easily/cheaply bought abroad, and don't bring those items.

* If you're leaving to go abroad in late summer, but plan to stay abroad through the winter, you may want to consider having some of your winter clothes shipped to you, later. Boots, winter jackets and sweaters will take up A LOT of space in your luggage, and you will not need them immediately.

6) Back Up Your Documents! - make copies of important documents (passport, visa, birth certificate, etc..) and pack them with your luggage. This will make your life MUCH easier in case your originals are stolen or lost. Also - give copies to parent/guardian, or trusted friend (or keep electronic copies stored away safely).

DO NOT pack the original documents in your luggage, also don't keep them in a backpack - a crook could easily get to them without you noticing!!

7) Have a Plan - arriving in a new country for the first time could be stressful. There may be several places you have to get to and many tasks to complete. You may have different packets listing your destination points, addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact info, and a list of key phrases to use while getting around. Get a small notebook or a spiral "notebook" of notecards, and write down ALL the information you will need. Put it in your purse or back pocket, and voila! - no stress and easy access to important information!

8) Bring Medicine - some common necessities such as medicine may not be as easily accessible in France. It's smart to stack up on cold medicine, cough drops, sleeping pills, nasal spray and allergy medicine before you go!

9) Plug Adapters - don't forget to bring plug adapters for the appliances you plan to use abroad!

OHH the anticipation and preparation!!!

As the number of days until I leave for France decreases, my heart-rate, level of nervousness, and excitement seem to exponentially increase!!! Less than 4 weeks left in the US for me, and many things to get done!

Here is a break down of my to do list (you may find it helpful if planning a similar adventure):

1) Buy a French SIM Card for my international cell phone: buying it over the internet will allow me to call the US the minute I step off the airplane in Paris - something I definitely plan on doing!!

I have already bought a phone which will work in France (it's an UNLOCKED Nokia 3650:Tri-band, GSM 900/1800/1900)- I purchased it from E-bay for $75, because my current Sprint phone doesn't have international capabilities. I probably didn't get the best deal for a not-so-new phone - but my impulsivity and excitement got the best of me...still... phone - check!

As of now the plan is to get the SIM card from www.220-electronics.com - not the cheapest card initially, but seems to have the lowest rates to call US. I'm still shopping around though (trying to work on being less impulsive and instead, smarter with my money!)

2) Translate my Russian Birth Certificate to French - this is required in order to apply for my carte de sejour (temporary residence) in France, since I'm staying longer than 6 months. I have tried translating it myself, but that proved to be much more difficult than I predicted, and now I'm looking into having a professional business do it for me = another $75! But absolutely no hassles - I can get it done within a week and it will be perfectly certified and notarized : ). (note: translating an American Birth Cert. into French is MUCH cheaper!)

3) Obtain a proof of funds for France - this is a document which isn't mandatory, but I learned is very helpful for a less stressful 'carte de sejour' application process. Having a letter from your parents - IN FRENCH - saying that they will support you financially throughout your stay is a good idea. I found this sample letter, which you can edit according to your needs:

Je soussigné(e), [M. / Mme] [surname and first name of the parent or guardian] résidant au [address of the parent or guardian] déclare être [le père / la mère / le tuteur] de [surname and first name(s) of the student], demeurant à la même adresse.

Je confirme que je serai responsable financièrement pour l’étudiant cité ci-dessus pendant son séjour en France, à Grenoble Ecole de Management, au cours de l’année académique 2007– 08.

Fait à [town where the person writing the letter is when writing the letter], le [date].

Signature

I've also learned that the bureaucratic system can be extremely frustrating, so be prepared to provide many other documents, such as parents'/your (translated into French) bank statements, etc.

4) Notarize my Power of Attorney - this is a document which states that you are giving someone else the right to handle all your financials - open/close bank accounts, cancel credit cards, sign papers, etc.. - in case anything urgent comes up while you're abroad. I'm letting my dad be my 'attorney' - so he can act on my behalf in case I need to officially sign anything.

I'm also calling my bank & credit cards and letting them know I'm going to be out of the country. This way I can appoint another person who can call and cancel my credit card in case one is lost or stolen, it's also nice to make sure there aren't any unwelcome 'foreign transaction' fees!

5) Start thinking about packing - this will be a whole new entry! At this point I still cannot imagine how I can pack everything I need in a couple of suitcases which I must be able to carry all by myself!