5 Tips for Preparing for Grad School Overseas

By Madison White on August 13, 2017

Image via lifeofpix.com

Graduate school overseas is no easy task, but it is an exciting one! So how exactly do you prepare to move your life across an ocean? There are many tips for moving abroad and preparing for graduate school, but doing them together?

Truthfully, the list of tips for going to graduate school abroad could be endless, but I’ve selected a few that will really come in handy.

1. Scan, print, save, and resave

I think many will agree with me when I say that one of the worst parts about going to school overseas is all the paperwork. Even worse, if you lose that paperwork. You have many important documents that need to be accessible in multiple locations in case they get lost during the move.

The physical ones (like your passport and driver’s license) should be scanned into your computer and saved in multiple places: think desktop, flash drive, and Google Drive. You should also make printouts of those copies in case the actual things get lost along the way. You should also have printouts of all other important documents like your school acceptance, visa information, previous and current address, sometimes even a plane itinerary.

It sounds exhausting and complicated, but trust me. Print out all the important things, place them in a designated folder (or multiple if you have more copies) and rest easy. You’re prepared for this.

2. Downsize

You never know how much stuff you have until you move, especially when you’re trying to move overseas. Unfortunately, there really is no good way to move your stuff across an ocean except by getting rid of 90 percent of it. Shipping is an expensive and usually lengthy process. If you need to ship some things, do your research and seek out a pack and ship store in your area.

Otherwise, try and get as much as you can into a couple of suitcases. Downsize your wardrobe to only the most essential pieces. Only bring travel size toiletries to get you through the flight, as you can buy normal sizes when you land. Instead of bringing mementos and decorative objects, try just taking some photographs instead.

3. Start as early as you can

By starting early, I mean the entire process. Apply as early as you can and decide on a school as early as you can. Of course, there are things that you cannot do far in advance. For example, I couldn’t even apply for my visa until three months before. Even then, I still had to wait around for transcripts and the like.

I suppose what I mean is that you should organize ahead of time. Make a list of things you need to get done and do them on a regular basis. Sorting out anything overseas usually means many emails, phone calls, Google searches, and frustration. Your original plan to arrive will probably change 10 times before you actually land, but it’s better that these alterations happen in the months before and not the day of.

4. Do your research

If you’ve never lived outside the U.S. before, please do your research on the country you’re headed for. Look up the food, the culture, the transportation, the quirks. Read blog posts by tourists and by locals. Get in contact with other students there if you can.

While none of this research can completely block you from going through the turmoil of culture shock, it can definitely lessen the intensity of it. Also, moving anywhere creates a lot of anxiety about the uncertain future. Knowing ahead of time what to expect, look for, and anticipate will make you feel like you’re in control. Though when you do land, remember that your experience may be different than the ones you read about online.

5. Hang out with friends and family

When you’re preparing to leave, it will be tempting to do what I call “minimizing the casualties.” This means that you might start pushing away your friends and family because you don’t want to have longer, sadder goodbyes. You know that the end is coming soon and you’d rather just not deal with it.

This is a totally normal response to moving, but it isn’t the right one. Doing this will make you feel alone and more anxious about your upcoming journey. Instead, spend quality time with the people you care about. Do things you love. Eat at your favorite restaurants. You deserve to have great memories with the people that you love so that you can remember them later on.

At first, preparing for such a life change may seem overwhelming and impossible, but it isn’t. It has been done before and you can certainly do it too. All it takes is a little courage, some careful planning, and a lot of persistence. So what are you waiting for?

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