Blog

May 31, 2024 by Amber Wilson

Prepare For Your Summer Study Programme Abroad: 12 Useful Tips

Starting a summer study programme abroad can be an exciting opportunity. You will get to go on an adventure full of learning opportunities and new life-changing experiences. However, you must prepare thoroughly to ensure you choose the right programme and make the most of your time.  We will look into 12 useful tips that can help you prepare for your summer programme abroad. From researching your destination to packing wisely, preparing necessary documents, and making the most of your experience, the article provides valuable insights into your plan.  

Tips for a Successful Summer Programme Abroad

Some Useful Tips For Your Summer Abroad Follow the tips given below to be well-prepared for your trip.

1. Begin Your Research

If you want to apply for a summer programme abroad, you must begin by doing your research. You can make the most of your summer programme abroad with keen research. Here is what you can do to collect all the necessary information:
  • Read articles about different summer programmes and the environment of your host country
  • Watch YouTube videos regarding the country and programmes you prefer
  • Look up news regarding the country and its security. 
Once you have all the information, you can plan your stay abroad for the summer and take measures to fit into the environment. Regarding the information you need about the programme you will study abroad during your summers, look up:
  • What resources do you need?
  • What budget will you need to live and study during the programme?
You can collect this information and learn everything you need to know by:
  • Reading student reviews about the programme
  • Conversing with alums of the summer study abroad programme
  • Reach out to counsellors who are familiar with the programmes. 
By doing all the research mentioned above, you will know what to expect from both the programme and the host country.

2. Be Mindful When Packing 

Once your research is done and you have decided on your destination, you can begin working on your packing checklist for your stay during the summer. Here is everything you need to consider while packing:
  • The weather of the destination city?
  • The variety of clothes required for the stay, i.e., casual, semi-formal, formal, etc.
  • The range of climate conditions, i.e., if it gets cold during the night and hot during the day.
  • The culture of the country you are visiting.
Cultural considerations can play a prime role since the concepts of casual and formal can differ from country to country.  The important must-haves when in another country are:
  • Prescriptions
  • Documentations
  • Photocopies of important documents
  • Phone chargers
  • Power Adapters 
  • Necessary cosmetics
  • Favourite snacks
Make sure you do not pack anything unnecessary or that you can easily buy in the host country.

3. Prepare Necessary Documents

Documentation that you should have by the time of your departure are:
  • Valid passport
  • Student visa 
  • International student card
  • Proof of vaccination for travelling and studying abroad.
However, arranging and managing all your documents can be very stressful. If you have a counsellor or study abroad advisor, feel free to ask them for help. Once you have everything prepared, begin securing your documents in your bag safely. You will need all these documents repeatedly during your summer programme. The one mistake you should avoid at all costs is having an old passport. If your passport is not updated or valid, you can face many problems that can cancel your plan of studying abroad during the summer.  What can you do in this situation? Again, contact your advisor and ask them about the current conditions for applying for the programme.  Pro tip: Include your health and travel insurance in your documents. Some universities require their international students to have medical insurance for their stay. Hence, it is always better to be prepared beforehand.

4. Participate in the Orientation Process

To be well-prepared, you must participate in both the pre-departure and on-site orientation processes. If you are travelling abroad for the first time, the pre-departure orientations can help you understand everything that is required of you.  During the orientation process, you should not only listen but also ask questions if you have any. Doing so will allow you to sort through your confusion and be clear-headed. 

5. Budget Your Stay 

Studying in a foreign country is an unmatched experience. However, you pay for these experiences financially. Be wise and start saving to meet your budget for the duration of your programme. If your finances are suffering, you can also start a fundraiser for your expenses to reduce your financial burden.  Once you have outlined your budget for the trip, you can make arrangements for your credit or debit card. Note that your home country's debit or credit cards might not work. Hence, make sure you get a card that you can use abroad.  Furthermore, be mindful of the transactions you will need to make and the ATM fee you are applying for.  Here is what you can do to finance your stay:
  • Try to get financial aid, grants, or scholarships 
  • Apply for national, state, or university-level scholarships

6. Get Vaccinated

Prioritising your health is a requirement. Before your departure is due, get your required vaccinations updated. By doing so, you will not only be taking all the precautions but also fulfilling the travelling requirements. In case of incomplete or no vaccination, you might face travelling restrictions, and no one wants that.  Not only that, your vaccination will also prevent you from falling sick when exposed to germs and bacteria abroad. Hence, no missed classes or adventures. You will be able to make the most of your experience!

7. Buy a Phone Plan 

The next thing you need to arrange is a phone plan. While abroad, you will obviously need to talk to your family and friends back home. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on phone bills, you have to be wise and buy an international phone plan. You can do this by:
  • Buy the plan from your provider
  • Get a local SIM card
Some students still end up paying extra roaming charges even with an international phone plan. To avoid committing the same mistake, you should get a SIM-only deal. Through this deal, you will get affordable data, which will allow you to use your phone as you like.  A SIM-only deal includes:
  • Call minutes
  • Text messages
  • Mobile data

8. Use Online Resources

Most of the online travel resources are very accessible and easy to use. Utilise these resources for your benefit and have a successful summer programme abroad. Some online resources you should use are:
  • Apps
  • Websites
  • Blogs
  • News sources.
You can also explore apps that work offline or trip-planning applications to navigate your time abroad. 

9. Explore and Experience

Your summer study programme abroad should not only be about studying! It is your chance to gain international experiences and indulge in adventurous activities. The programme generally lasts for two to three months. That is all the time you have to explore a different country! Go for sightseeing and celebrate your life. Do not miss out on activities around and outside the city. Since a summer programme is shorter than a regular semester, you must be careful and wisely manage your adventures.  Feel free to make a list of everything you want to do and then indulge yourself. 

10. Experience the Local Life

Once you have your classes and exploring sorted, you can begin including yourself in the host country's local activities and culture. You can involve yourself by:
  • Trying out new cuisines
  • Participating in local activities like visiting pubs for football matches
  • Learning a local language
By learning about the culture there, you will not only enjoy yourself but also learn about other people’s way of living. An exposure of this sort will help you broaden your horizons and view life from various perspectives. You will see the difference in how life is lived both at home and in your host country.  You can also participate in the extracurricular activities at your school to enhance your exposure. This way, you will have the opportunity to interact with students from other countries and learn about the local ethics and norms. 

11. Learn New Things

Opportunities like these are not readily available. Hence, you should make the most out of the time you get. Something you should definitely do when abroad for a summer study programme is to try learning new skills. Target skills that you would not otherwise have the chance to learn. Some of these skills can be:
  • Learning a local language
  • Working on a new skill
  • Creating local art
  • Cooking local cuisine.
Instead of limiting yourself, you can try understanding and learning concepts you would never have learned otherwise. Take the chance while you have it and enhance your knowledge. 

12. Document Your Experiences 

During your stay, try to document everything you want to remember. Either have a camera or a journal by your side throughout the duration of three months. Using these tools will help you save your experiences as memories. All the unique experiences you document during your time abroad will help you share them with your friends and family back home. You might consider the mantra “just live in the moment,” but you will not be doing yourself a favour. Strike a balance between living in the moment and living behind your camera.  Save all your beautiful memories by:
  • Clicking a lot of pictures
  • Recording vlogs or short videos
  • Keeping a scrapbook for memories
  • Writing a journal throughout your stay.

How to Go Abroad For Summer Study Programmes?

Most students who have yet to get a chance to study abroad full-time tend to apply for summer programmes instead. By doing so, they experience an international environment with students worldwide for a few weeks. Programmes of this nature, hence, enhance their exposure both academically and personally. However, just like getting into an international university, applying for summer programmes is essential, too. Students have to select the programme that suits them best and the scholarships they can take alongside applying for the chosen programme and scholarships. Managing all these things simultaneously can kill the joy of studying abroad during the summer. Some students might even drop the idea because of the time and effort it takes.  CounsellingX, as a counselling platform, brings you the solution. Through the platform, you can access highly qualified counsellors from top institutions with unmatched expertise. All you need to do is:
  • See how the platform works
  • Sign up
  • Find a counsellor you prefer
  • Contact them for a free consultation.

Conclusion

Going abroad for a summer programme does not mean keeping your head in the books and making it all about the school. The opportunity is all about growth in all aspects of your life. You will have a chance to indulge in a completely different culture, expose yourself to a new language, and taste different cuisines and flavours.  After your classes, you will have all the time to yourself. Utilise this free time to explore new places and wander around. Actively participate in fun activities and work on your professional and personal network. What more would you need when you can also start a new hobby and learn new skills as you like? Take up the opportunities you have and start studying abroad during the summer. 

Key Takeaways

  • Begin by researching different summer programmes and the environment of your host country through articles, YouTube videos, and news sources.
  • Learn about the resources needed, budget requirements, and programme details by reading student reviews, talking to alums, and consulting counsellors.
  • Consider the destination's weather, cultural norms, and required documents when packing. Include essentials like prescriptions, documents, chargers, adapters, and favourite snacks.
  • To prevent travel issues, ensure you have a valid passport, student visa, international student card, and proof of vaccination. Avoid using an old passport.
  • Attend pre-departure and on-site orientation sessions to understand programme expectations and ask questions for clarity.
  • Plan and save for your trip, explore financial aid options, and arrange a suitable credit or debit card for transactions abroad.
  • Prioritise your health by updating required vaccinations before departure to meet travel requirements and prevent illness abroad.
  • Purchase an international phone plan or local SIM card to stay connected without paying high roaming charges.
  • Explore travel apps, websites, blogs, and news sources for trip planning, navigation, and cultural insights.
  • Enjoy your summer abroad by sightseeing, trying local cuisine, and participating in cultural activities and adventures.
  • Practising the language, engaging in local activities, and embracing cultural norms can help you learn more about the host country's culture.
  • Learn new skills, such as language, cooking, or art, unique to the host country's culture.
  • Capture memories through photos, videos, vlogs, or journals to share your experiences and preserve them for future reflection.
Find a Counsellor