There’s nothing more exciting or more scary than prepping to leave for university, especially if you are going abroad! It can also get a bit overwhelming – especially if it’s your first time at uni.
Here are some of our top tips for facilitating a smooth transition into your uni life:
Budget! It helps if you plan your budget before you move. Check online so you can get an idea of the price for flights, accommodation, fees, daily spending and so on, so you can manage your money accordingly.
Research your accommodation options and get it sorted before you reach your destination. There’s nothing worse than turning up but having nowhere to live! A good first point of contact is your university itself, who will most likely provide or at least recommend accommodation. Decide beforehand if you would prefer to live in residence halls with other students, or rent a private place.
Build support networks! Being away from home can be tough, and culture shock is a very real thing! A good way of overcoming homesickness is by keeping in contact with both family and friends from your home country, and new ones you meet while studying abroad. It really provides a network for strong support.
Join clubs and societies. Not only does this help you find people you have common ground with, but it is a good way to expand on your existing skills and knowledge.
Immerse yourself in the culture! Being at university provides an excellent opportunity for you to broaden your horizons and enjoy a culture that may be completely different from your own!
Familiarise yourself with public transportation. Figure out out how far away you’re going to be living from campus; whether you can walk or bike there, or whether it’s worth investing in a student bus pass to save some cash.
Purchase Student Travel Insurance. Seriously. It may or may not be compulsory to have travel insurance where you are going, but if it’s not, we strongly recommend that you get it. A comprehensive travel insurance policy will bring peace of mind to both you and your family because you’ll know that you and your personal possessions are protected should something happen.
As you plan your time away, it’s easy to get caught up in all the adventures you’re going to have, the new things you’ll learn and of course the new classmates you’ll meet, but when going anywhere abroad, it’s just as important to be prepared for plans to go wrong.
Sacos Insurance Group offers Travel Insurance protection for students going on overseas training. For more information on the Student Travel Insurance, call us on (+248) 429 5000, send an email to info@sacos.sc or visit us at any of our branches on Mahé and Praslin.
