Last updated on June 22nd, 2023
Moving abroad is an exciting and terrifying prospect. It’s tempting to rush into it without giving yourself time to think about what you might need as a student, but doing so could end up costing you money in the long run. You’re going to be living in a new country for at least six months and maybe even longer, which means making sure that your move will be smooth and enjoyable is key. Here are five tips on how to make sure your international student experience goes smoothly:
The Country
The country you move to is important.
The country you move to will have a big impact on your life.
The country you move to should be somewhere that makes sense for you, and where people can be happy with their lives and get what they need out of it.
Weather and Travel
Weather can be a big factor in where you live. It’s important to know what kind of weather you’re getting into before making a decision, so do some research on the area and read up on their weather patterns.
Travelling can also be expensive, stressful and fun all at once! If this is something that interests you then make sure it’s worth the money spent on travel expenses (and don’t forget about your student loans). Be sure that whatever country or continent you end up living in has good public transportation systems which will help keep costs down while still allowing for convenience and ease of access throughout your daily routine as an international student living abroad.
Housing
Renting is often the best way to go for international students. However, it’s important to note that you may pay a premium for renting in your new city.
You may be surprised by how much space you need and what kind of furniture you need. Expect to spend more money than if you were living with roommates at home!
If possible, try looking at apartments before renting one of them; this will help make sure that everything works out like it should. It will also give you an idea of where things are located so that when moving day comes around (and there will be many), everything doesn’t feel like a huge ordeal!
Entertainment
Find a way to stay entertained.
Meet people, and make new friends.
Stay connected with family and friends back home.
If you’re going to be studying in a foreign country, it’s important that you learn some basic phrases in your host country’s language so that you can communicate with the locals when needed (like ordering food or asking for directions). This will also help keep up-to-date on local events and news—which might have changed since your last visit!
Food
Food is a huge part of the culture shock you’re going to experience when moving abroad. But don’t worry—it’s not as bad as it sounds! Here are a few things you can expect to eat in your new country:
French fries and burgers. These are staples for Americans and Canadians, but they’re also popular in other countries around the world (including Singapore). If you’re craving something salty and greasy, try ordering some deep-fried fish or chicken wings at your local restaurant instead of ordering pizza or pasta.
Curry rice with chicken/pork/bacon/chicken feet (if available). Many people enjoy Asian foods like this one when they visit their home countries; however, they might find them less familiar than their native fare because there aren’t many places where these types of dishes are readily available outside Asia itself (unless someone happens upon an Indian place while travelling abroad). However, even if there aren’t any such places nearby ,you can still try finding some authentic ones near where you live!
When you move abroad, it’s pretty hard to change things. Make sure you’re moving somewhere you know you’ll be happy!
You won’t be able to change things. This may sound obvious, but this is often overlooked when planning your move abroad. Try not to stress out over the fact that your life will be different once you leave home and start a new chapter of life in another country—you’ll have more freedom than ever before and can make decisions about where and how to live based on what feels right for yourself instead of someone else’s expectations of how things should be done. Plus, research shows that people who embrace change tend toward being happier than those who don’t (1). So if there were ever any doubt: yes—changing everything can lead towards greater happiness!
You should prepare for the worst case scenario by making sure all necessary documents are ready beforehand so nothing gets lost during the move itself (2). Then again…if something does happen along the route such as theft or loss…don’t worry; there are resources available online like PackingGuide which provides tips on packing safely while avoiding common mistakes people make when moving abroad (3).