One of the most interesting ways to grow in your chosen field is to pursue further studies abroad, where you can widen your horizons, learn new information and be exposed to ways of thinking that were previously alien to you.

Planning your overseas academic pursuits ahead of time will save you a lot of hassles in the future. Here are top considerations for everyone with study-abroad inclinations:

Where Do You Want to Go?

This is an important question you need to ask yourself. Your decisions will depend on your study location. Budget and lifestyle preferences may also need to be altered or adjusted in accordance with the local cost of living. If you’re moving to a place where the cost of living is relatively high, then being careful with your expenses will guarantee your financial survival until you complete your studies.

Whether you won a scholarship from your institution of choice via the Canadian Government’s International Scholarship Program or decided to shoulder your own tuition fee, you will ultimately have to make decisions outside of your comfort zone. How prepared are you for this challenge? Do you think you can handle the cost of living of the place you’re headed to?

To find more government-funded scholarships, you can visit the Programs and Scholarships section of the Universities Canada website.

Before executing your study-abroad plans, be mindful of the cultural practices and traditions of your chosen location. Know the dos and don’ts of their culture. Be a wise traveller as much as an excellent foreign Student.

What Are Your Expectations?

Candidly speaking, however much we plan, events can take a turn beyond our control. Still, it’s important to set realistic and feasible expectations so that you can adequately prepare yourself and remain unfazed in any situation.

Expectations could mean the amount of work, or in this case studying, you’re willing to put in in order to meet the institution’s academic standards. What classes are you going to take? How much are you going to spend on a daily basis so you do not run out of budget? What should you do during your free time? What kind of future awaits you after you complete this course? What is your overall plan?

Communicating with your academic advisor months prior to your scheduled date of arrival will help you arrive at the right decisions. Academic advisors are good sources of encouragement and career advice. Be free to express your study sentiments with your assigned professor and you will see several doors opening.

You can have the time of your life exploring scenic spots you have not been to before, making new friends and trying out the native cuisine. However, remember your main purpose for being there. You are to study and complete a course. It’s all right to have fun but stay grounded. Do your part well as a foreign student. For your security, check the scope and limitations of a student visa afforded to you by the government and subsequent remedies in case of a breach.

Language can present difficulties for many foreign students particularly outside of university where many natives do not speak English. The ideal solution would be to learn the local language or dialect before your temporary relocation.

How Safe Are You?

Studying in a foreign place even for a time can be a great experience but many students tend to get complacent once they become more familiar with the terrain. While comfort increases your adaptability, taking precaution will keep you away from future troubles throughout the duration of your stay.

Jot down the contact details of the nearest Canadian embassy or consular office but get a list of all embassies and consular offices in the country you’re staying at. A full list may come in handy when you decide to visit other cities or provinces. Ask police officers, locals or professors about the safest route to take from your temporary residence to the campus.

Register with the Government of Canada as a Canadian on student visa abroad. Informing the government helps them keep track of your whereabouts during calamities and other emergencies.

It would be safe to set your mobile phone on roaming mode or you can provide family members and friends with your online messenger contact details such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber and Line to name a few. You can also supply them with the contact information of your trusted professor or classmate in the event they’re unable to reach you through phone or messenger.

Do You Have Travel Insurance?

Lest you start counting the costs and conclude that it’s not worth it after all, then you should be aware as early as now that having Travel Insurance makes a lot of difference when you are abroad. Certain types of travel insurance plan have been customized specifically for study-abroad purposes and they can provide you with sufficient coverage in the face of unexpected losses incurred through an accident, illness, delayed or cancelled flight, lost luggage and many other dire possibilities.

If you’re interested to know what particular travel insurance plan suits your study-abroad needs and whether such a plan has travel medical insurance or provides coverage for trip cancellation or lost luggage, then visit http://www.medipac.com for further information.

Good luck in your studies and stay safe and healthy wherever you intend to go!