Healthy Living

6 Precautions To Take When Traveling Abroad To Study

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Going abroad as a student is a fun adventure. But it is also a time that can potentially put you at risk. All sorts of problems can arise when you’re far away from your home country. 

Fortunately, if you’re in this situation, this guide can help. It runs through some of the things you need to know as a student traveling abroad. 

Make Sure You Understand The Destination

Your top priority is to ensure that you understand the destination. Knowing the most common things that could potentially catch you out is essential if you want to avoid trouble. 

The first place to start is with laws and customs. Usually, someone will have written an article explaining the things you can do in your home country, but can’t do when you travel. On top of that, you’ll need things like the number for the emergency services, healthcare systems and other numbers you can contact. 

Get Coverage

At the same time, it is a good idea to get coverage to protect you while you travel. International student insurance is an upfront cost, but it can often save long-term. 

For example, sometimes when you go to a new country, you can’t use the healthcare system automatically. Instead, you need to either get insurance or pay upfront. Often, it is easier to simply use a third-party to arrange this for you. 

Furthermore, you might also need cover for things like equipment, laptops, and flights. Again, having this in place reduces risk. 

Practice Personal Safety

No matter where you go in the world, it is also essential to practice personal safety. When you spend time in unfamiliar places, it can be hard to judge risk levels. 

Rule number one is to avoid letting everyone know how wealthy you are. If you display wealth, that can attract opportunists and other issues. 

If you can use zipper pockets, that often deters pickpockets. It also helps if you carry your bag in front of you, especially if you’re planning on keeping anything valuable in it. 

Obtain Health Precautions

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If you need health precautions, like tablets or vaccinations for the country in which you want to study, it’s best to get them sorted before you travel. Again, putting these in place ahead of time is useful. 

Fortunately, most of the countries offering the best education don’t require any extensive vaccinations or shots. Risks in these locations are low, especially in Northern Europe. 

Keep Your Essential Documents Secure

Another important precaution is to keep your documents secure while you travel. You never want to misplace things like your passport, visa, and other critical documents. 

Ensure Your Accommodation Is Safe

The last step is to ensure that your accommodation is safe. Make sure you only use landlords or rentals verified by the university itself, even if other options seem cheaper. 

The best accommodation for foreign students is usually on campus. If you can be close to everything you need, you can thrive. These accommodations usually have the essentials, like fire alarms and secure lockups for valuables while you’re out of your room. 

Karla Urwitz
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