The Day Before Departure

The Day Before

Goodbyes. I am on an emotional roller coast today as I prepared to leave for London in a few hours. I have rushed around, checked and rechecked, and worked myself into a panic. Basically all the ear markers of serenity and success! Ha ha. I can’t wait to leave (in fact I wish I could just leave right now) but my stomach is a flurry of nervous butterflies. I’m still waiting for the funds from Gilman to be deposited into my account. It is supposed to deposit a few days after I arrive. I could be surrounded by people who are any more comforting, supportive, and loving. This never would have been possible without the incredible generosity of so many people. My emotions are running high and writing about this right now is humbling and overwhelming. I cannot believe that it is really happening. I did it. All that work, blood, sweat, and tears later and I am set and ready to go.

Hello from the future. I remember this departure day really well. I threw up SOOOO many times on the way to the airport. I had no idea why (turns out I had the flu then and for days after I arrived).

I’m adding this information in because the program thought that I was suffering from homesickness or panic. I never get sick (I hadn’t at the flu in years because I have an autoimmune disease that is super over active and prevents things like the common cold and the flu). I didn’t recognize the symptoms and I wasn’t throwing up food because I was too sick to shop.

I was emotionally wrecked. I doubted myself, maybe I wasn’t STRONG enough for this trip. Maybe I need to be sent home. I couldn’t stand it. Finally, they took me to the doctor and I was diagnosed with the flu and sent home.

My advice is to talk to people. Tell them exactly what is happening and that you need help. They can’t put themselves in your shoes unless you describe your shoes to them.

Steps to go Abroad

Steps to go Abroad

Depending on your university, degree, program, and country of choice these may be wildly different.

If you have your finances sorted it is a good idea to start allotting funds toward what you will need it for. In some programs and universities for example you will be provided a meal plan. This could be all three meals or one. You may have to purchase your pots/pans and kitchenware. Find out and list out what will be covered, what you need to prepare for it, and how you will pay if you need to. Planning is the key to success. Sometimes this can be difficult if you are applying for scholarships and gathering funds during this step. It will be difficult but not impossible. List things out in order of priority. If you need pots and pans while abroad you should contact a roommate to split or cover this expense (if they have already planned it).

Typically, the things you should prepare for through your university and/or program are:

a.       Meal plans

b.       Passport and fees

c.       Student visa/internship paperwork

d.       Commuting expenses

e.       Tuition exchange or payment

f.        Housing (homestay/dorms/external flats/apartments, or independently secure housing for yourself)

g.       Excursions included through your program, university (home or foreign), and independently

h.       Flight (to and from) or airport transit – welcoming reception
Purchase these no more than 3 months before leaving to save

i.         Where your on-site support will be through your program (if any).

j.         Any other assistance your program, universities, or countries may provide.

k.       Insurance while abroad (CHP for example)

l.         Communication (laptops/tablets/cell phones)
m.   Your Bank - Credit/Debit cards and currency
You need to alert them of travel plans, sort out fees and percentages taken when cards are used abroad. Make sure you monitor your bank statements while abroad! 

n.   Packing - what to bring and leave at home. You'll need to sort out medications and all the over the counter meds before leaving. Make sure you can travel with what you bring or that you can find it abroad. Certain toiletries (especially feminine items) maybe not even be available.

o.  Medical need. If you need assistance abroad this should be worked out months in advance. Prescriptions and care will need approval, clearly marked labels, and prescriptions. You should research what you can get abroad, what you can bring abroad flights, etc. Another possible obstacle will be the absence of items in your abroad country or different terminology or names for the items. In England Ibuprofen is called Paracetamol. When I needed to pick it up this made it easier for me to find immediately.
p.   Register with S.T.E.P and your embassy while abroad.

q.   Your Return - make sure and prioritize your return to your home country before leaving! It can be really stressful trying to find a sublet, register for the following semester, and everything while you are abroad.

And of your any personal expenses that you will have to cover, which could include appliances, toiletries, clothing, and other miscellaneous items.

Remember if there are snags in your plans along the way it isn’t the end of the world just part of the journey! Keep calm and carry on.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

Happy Travels,

Elle