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What to prepare before studying abroad

So, you’ve been accepted into your dream school, university, student exchange program, or scholarship!

First of all, congratulations! Getting accepted into a school abroad is no easy feat, and you must be excited to start this new chapter in your life, right?

But now, it’s time to prepare for leaving Indonesia and heading to a new place!

There are tons of things to take care of, and the process can be overwhelming!

Don’t worry, in this article, we’ll go over everything you need to prepare to ensure a smooth transition.

1. Make Sure Your Passport and Visa Are Ready and Complete!

This is the most crucial part! Without a passport and visa, you won’t be able to leave!
Make sure your passport is still valid and that you have applied for and received your visa.

Almost all countries have a special visa for international students, so you won’t need to reapply as long as your study period is ongoing.

To obtain a student visa, you typically need to submit a Letter of Offer or Letter of Acceptance from your university. You’ll also have to undergo a health check and obtain a medical clearance as part of the visa application requirements.

So, make sure your passport is valid and that you have the correct visa type to avoid any legal issues later on.

2. Get International Student Health Insurance

You definitely don’t want to get sick in a foreign country and have no money to cover medical expenses, right?

In fact, having international student health insurance is mandatory in most countries! If you don’t have it, you likely won’t be able to study there.

There are usually multiple insurance providers to choose from, so do your research and pick the option that fits your budget and needs best!

3. Find Accommodation

Once you’ve secured your passport, visa, and health insurance, it’s time to look for a place to stay!

Some universities offer dormitories, which are usually located close to or even inside the campus area!

University dorms are a convenient option, and some even include meal plans! Plus, making friends is easier since everyone in the dorm is also a student. However, dorms tend to be more expensive.

Alternatively, you can rent an apartment or a shared house.
A shared house is where you rent a house with other people and live together.

When looking for accommodation, consider these factors:

Condition: Is it furnished (includes furniture) or unfurnished (empty)? Many apartments and shared houses are rented unfurnished, meaning you’d have to buy furniture, which can be expensive and inconvenient. It’s better to find a furnished place.
Price: Is the rent reasonable compared to similar properties in the area? Are utilities (water, electricity, gas) included?
Location: How close is it to your campus? What transport options are available? Can you walk or bike to campus? Is there public transport nearby? Is the area safe?

If you’re unsure, you can stay in a hotel or Airbnb for a few days or weeks while you check out different accommodations in person. Another option is to live in a dorm for one semester before moving to an apartment or shared house later.

4. Prepare Your Finances

It’s best to open a bank account as soon as you arrive in your destination country. However, we recommend bringing a Visa or MasterCard debit/credit card so you can access ATMs for cash withdrawals or make payments while waiting for your new account to be set up.

Also, carry some local currency in cash or exchange your Indonesian Rupiah immediately upon arrival in case of emergencies.

5. Packing Smart

The rule of thumb: The less you bring, the better!

You might be worried that you won’t find certain items abroad, so you feel like bringing everything…

But remember, airlines have baggage weight and size limits.

DO NOT bring a rice cooker! It takes up too much space, and you can easily buy one in your destination country. Everyday essentials are usually affordable too!

Essential items to pack:

Important documents: Keep them in a safe place, preferably not in checked luggage.
Clothes: Don’t bring your entire wardrobe! Pack what you’ll definitely wear. If your destination has winter, bring one basic coat and buy the rest there (since winter clothing in Indonesia is limited and may not be warm enough).
Shoes: Limit to three pairs max.
Electronics: Girls, you don’t need to bring a hairdryer or flat iron. They take up space, and their voltage may not match your destination’s power outlets.
Toiletries: Bring travel-sized essentials that last a few days or weeks—restock once you arrive.
Snacks & spices: You can bring some, but check the customs regulations of your destination country! Some require a declaration form when carrying food.
Medications: If you need prescription medicine, bring a doctor’s note and check if it’s allowed in your destination country.

🔴 DO NOT bring a rice cooker, toaster, or large appliances! These are cheap and easy to buy anywhere.

6. Improve Your English Skills

Even if you’ve met the English requirements for your university and scored high on IELTS or TOEFL iBT, it never hurts to keep improving!

Of course, reaching your target score requires hard work!

But if you’re planning to pursue higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.), your academic workload will be far more challenging than the Writing section of IELTS or TOEFL.

If you want a head start, enroll in a course focused on academic writing!
Psst… We can help you with that 😉

7. Mentally Prepare Yourself

Last but not least, get ready mentally!

Leaving home, friends, and family isn’t easy, but thankfully, modern technology makes long-distance communication easier than ever.

It might take you weeks or even months to adjust, and that’s completely normal!

You’ll need to adapt to a new culture, language, habits, and academic expectations, which might be more intense than what you’re used to in Indonesia.

So, take your time. There will be ups and downs, but enjoy the journey!

At IELC, we teach English the right way

Our goal is to get you speaking in English with fluency and confidence as fast as possible. We want to give you the skills you need to fulfil your potential!

Our experienced teachers will guide you along every step of the learning process to ensure that you are not wasting your time, money, and energy on useless language exercises & wrong methods.