Checklist for Indian Students Going Abroad

To make things easier for everyone we at Shiksha.com have compiled a detailed pre-departure checklist for international students flying out of their home country for the very first time. This international student checklist aims to make students understand the basics of what and how to study abroad as an international student flawlessly. Read on for an answer to all your queries. 

Shifting to a new country to study for some years is a difficult task, and it no doubt requires extra planning. Many Indian students who go to study abroad may be travelling out of India for the first time. Even those who have travelled abroad before may find the task of preparing to live abroad for two to four years very difficult.

There are a couple of things to take care of like a list of essential things to carry to USA, Canada, Australia, UK or any other country for international students. Then the student visa requirements, plus what arrangements need to be made before flying to the foreign country and lastly how to manage expenses.

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Checklist for International Students Before Arrival

We have divided the international student checklist into three headers, namely, Preparing to come to University, Before you leave and When you arrive at University for ease of understanding. Read on for more details:

Preparing to come to University

This is the very first step towards preparing to study abroad after the student visa application has been approved. There are a couple of things that have to be taken care of so that upon arrival there are minimal glitches. Follow the tips below which guide about the documents required along with other details:

• Make sure you have a valid passport – It should be valid for an additional six months after your course finishes.
• Satisfy conditions of the offer (if applicable) – Your college might ask you to provide official transcripts, language exam scores etc.
• Obtain a student visa – You should apply for a visa at least two months before the day you are supposed to fly out.
• Finalize and book a type of accommodation – Choose from living on-campus student dormitories, rented apartment or room, or family-stay.
• Book place on Airport Collection service – You can arrange for the University to pick you up from the airport if you have chosen to live on campus.
• Have medical examination and vaccinations (if applicable) – Some countries require all long-term visitors to get certain vaccinations or a medical examination before entering the country. Check the entry requirements page of the country’s immigration website if it is required in your case or not.
• Arrange travel insurance (optional)
• Book a student mentor program – If you feel you’ll need a mentor to help you adjust to the new life, you can enrol for various student-mentor programs by the student council.
• Read the preparation emails sent by the university – They will include guides and checklists to help you prepare for the journey.
• Plan your budget
• Activate student account on the university website
• Apply for an ID card – You may have to email the admission department with your Name, Student Number, and Photo to get an ID card made.
• Research your Fresher’s Week or Orientation program of events and sessions

Check out the schedule put out by the university on their website or if received on email and plan accordingly about one's timings and about attending these sessions. 

Before you leave your country

Once the preparations are complete, applicants should go ahead with the next major step of finally leaving their home countries and fly to their abroad country for study. More details are as follows:

• Exchange currency and keep some 
• Pay the tuition fee deposit
• Pay accommodation deposit
• Shop for appropriate clothes, utensils etc. which may not be easily available abroad
• Pack your luggage appropriately
• Prepare the documents needed for international student clearance at the university

In case the university or the immigration office sends out more details based on the hows and what for international students, then they should follow those as well.

Checklist After Arriving for International Students

There are certain things that have to be taken care of once the international students land in a foreign country. The student must make travel arrangements prior and should ensure that all their documents are in place. Secondly, students should ideally connect with fellow batchmates and coordinate with them for travel. Applicants should also follow the below-given instructions upon their arrival abroad.

When you arrive at University

These are some of the important things the international applicant will have to do after arriving at their foreign university of study:

• Call your family to confirm that you have arrived
• Get international student clearance from the university
• Register with the local police (if required)
• Collect your ID card
• Complete online registration on the student portal website
• Open a bank account with a local bank which has a branch on campus
• Register with a doctor/health centre
• Attend academic induction session at your college
• Attend international sessions during the orientation week

It is prestigious to study abroad across globally reputed universities, thus, this checklist is curated for international students which they must follow religiously so that they avoid missing out on major steps, details and documents. 

More related articles about Study Abroad Checklists

• Pre-departure checklist for students going to the US
• Checklist before going to study in Europe
• Your Checklist Before you Leave for Australia
• Study Abroad Time Management with Time Zone Converter

Interested in studying abroad? Sign up for our free counselling at Shiksha Study Abroad Counselling. Or write to us about your queries in the comments section below. Good luck!