Starting a new chapter of your life in another country might seem daunting at first. However, once you learn what is required for safely and efficiently moving to college, nothing will seem impossible. Read our life-saving hacks and tips on how to prepare correctly and what to do after moving into college so you can begin your academic journey with ease.
Students often wonder – how do I prepare to move to college? The key to success is always a good plan and organization. Researching all about the foreign country you’ll soon be living in and writing an extensive moving abroad checklist should be your priorities. Also, It’s vital to neatly organize all the travel documents in your carry-on bag. Don’t let anxiety and relocation stress overshadow the excitement of soon studying abroad.
Start Preparing Early by Writing a Checklist
Having a comprehensive to-do list will help you tremendously. Not only will you be able to keep track of the tasks you have yet to complete, but you’ll also be able to keep notes of important tricks and relocation hacks you want to remember for future moves. The tasks one should include on the checklist are:
- Stocking up on packing supplies,
- Purchasing school supplies,
- Choosing an international relocation company,
- Organizing and packing clothes,
- Purchasing books and electronics,
- Learning the new language,
- Notifying the bank of the move,
- Gathering all the necessary paperwork.
We recommend writing down your relocation checklist at least two months before the move. This will give you enough time to plan how and when you want certain tasks to accomplish. Another tip is to use online checklist apps such as Google Keep, Trello, or To Do List if you don’t want to carry around any papers or binders.
First Pack All of Your Essentials
So, what should you pack when moving overseas? When preparing for the relocation day, begin the packing process by categorizing and placing all your school supplies and materials in a cardboard box. You should box up notebooks, folders, pens, highlighters, a backpack, paperclips, desk organizers, and sticky notes. Have a separate box for all of your textbooks which should be wrapped in packing paper and bubble wrap for extra protection.
Then, decide what electronics you want to bring to the dormitory. We recommend packing your charger, laptop, USB flash drive, headphones, smartphone, and power strips.
Before continuing to pack other items such as kitchenware, bedding, and cleaning supplies, check the email or letter you have from the college’s Housing Office. You will find more information on what is already provided for you in the dormitory. That will greatly help you when deciding what to keep and what to leave behind at home.
Plan What Clothes You Want to Wear
The number one rule of packing for going to university is to not bring too much clothing. Dorm rooms typically have small closets, and students cannot store all of their belongings inside. This is why it’s crucial to plan what you will wear. Bring clothing items that can be worn on multiple occasions. An excellent relocation tip is to use the layering method and make sure that you have certain outfits for all weather conditions. Also, leave a bit of space in your suitcase for clothes that you will purchase in the foreign country you’re going to. There is a chase you will come across unique outfits one cannot find in the US.
Pack a Carry-on Bag
When moving internationally, you can never predict what kind of unpleasant surprises might occur. For instance, your flight can get canceled, or the luggage can get lost. There is nothing worse than being stuck at the airport without any of your relocation essentials. Therefore, bring a carry-on bag with you. Pack inside your travel documents such as passport and visa, medications, water bottles, smartphone, charger, cash, change of clothes, snacks, Covid-19 safety supplies, and any university paperwork.
Bring Storage Containers
You might be asking – what should I know before moving into a dorm? Let’s face it, the rooms are not spacious at all. Having to share the space with someone else just amplifies the problem. Even if you succeed at packing light and bringing only the necessities, you might not manage to fit everything into the tiny room. But, we are here to tell you that there is a simple solution to this obstacle.
So if you are wondering – what do I need to move into a college dorm, we recommend bringing under-the-bed storage boxes and hangers. Utilize the space you have left by organizing your stuff and placing them in armored trunks. They can serve as decor and store a lot of items that cannot fit in the closet or desk drawers. Storage containers will help you keep your room free of clutter.
Learn the Local Language – It Might Take a Long Time, but It’s Worth It
Learning the local language will have a significant impact on the quality of your stay in a foreign country. It will be easier to get things done if the locals can understand you. The English language is spoken all over the world, but one cannot expect all people to have a good command of it. So, take your time and download foreign language learning apps, read the newspaper, and books, listen to local music and find locals online who will chat with you and help with their own tips on how to learn their language efficiently.
Important Step in Our Guide Is to Find Out More About the Local Culture
Before moving overseas, it’s essential to know more about the culture of the country. Search for information about the cuisine, what is acceptable to do in public, and what is unacceptable. Take notes and ask the locals. For instance, in Germany, it is considered rude and offensive if one shows up late or disregards waste separation rules, whereas, in France, locals do not tolerate raucous behavior in public. Try and break the language barrier by asking locals online about the main cultural mistakes foreigners don’t know about.
Watch this video on greetings around the world and get started with your research.
Choose a Trustworthy International Moving Company
Students always ask – why is moving to college so hard? With all the organization and planning that is required, one might think that moving out of state for college is too complicated. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. If you want to transport all of your belongings overseas safely, find a reputable overseas moving company to help you.
Research companies online or get recommendations from your friends. When you contact firms you would potentially like to hire, ask more about their overseas vehicle shipping service, packing service, free estimates, and international moving by sea. Always be on the lookout for red flags associated with relocation scams, such as significantly low relocation prices and negative customer reviews. Hire the movers you feel most confident in and that have a US DOT number which can be found on the FMCSA website.
Notify the Bank of the Move and Ask For Additional Information
Some institutions need to be notified of your move even if you’re moving across country for college, and it’s that more important if relocating abroad. So, who do you have to notify? Make sure to contact your bank and inform them about the date of the move. They must be aware that you’ll be using your credit card in another country, so they don’t have to raise any alarms or be suspicious. Also, remember to ask them whether your credit cards can be used in a particular country. One thing is for sure, Mastercard and Visa are accepted worldwide. On the other hand, Discover and American Express can be used internationally, too, but are accepted by fewer machines.
Save Money and Start Budgeting
A vital part of preparing for studying abroad is saving money. Research the living costs in the city you’re relocating to, create a budget plan, and stick to it. We recommend using the 50-20-30 budget rule. You should allocate 50 percent of your money to needs, 20 percent to wants, and 30 percent should be saved. It will be easier to set money aside if you avoid going out for meals, spending on travel, and costly clothing just before the move. Try to invest only in your academic career for now, and you won’t have to struggle and relocate on a low budget.
Once You Move, Take Advantage of Discounts For Students
Costly student loans will drain your budget once you arrive at university. Luckily, student discounts can help you balance your finances and save as much as possible. You will have the opportunity to have subscription discounts for Amazon Prime, Audible, Spotify, SkillShare, and Apple Music after relocating to university.
There are other service discounts for school libraries, museums, public transportation service, movie theaters, relocation rental trucks, and car insurance. Certain programs that you will need as a student will also come at a lower price, such as Notion, Github, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Evernote.
Here is a video with more information on student discounts.
Download a Navigation App Before You Move In
How will you get around a new city if you don’t know where everything is located? This is easy to overcome since you only have to download a navigation app. Have all the street names, important landmarks, buildings, and public transportation information on your phone. It will be impossible to get lost in a foreign city. The best apps you should download are Google Maps, Waze, MapQuest, and Scout GPS. These apps are accurate as well as user-friendly.
Frequently Asked Question
Get more information on the university and campus. Box up belongings you’ll be shipping overseas and prepare for relocation day. Decide what lectures you want to listen to and what textbooks you will need. It’s essential to know that learning how to manage time effectively will be your number one priority. Also, you will have to learn how to be self-sufficient, resourceful, and independent. Make sure to prepare for a significant lifestyle change. You’ll be cooking your own food, managing your finances, and doing laundry on your own.
It’s a maturing experience you will cherish for the rest of your life. Not only will you gain knowledge that will help you get the job of your dreams, but you will learn essential life skills. Therefore, relocating to university, away from the comfort of your parent’s home, is a great opportunity to venture out on your own for the first time.
On move-in day, getting all your belongings into the dorm room will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. It depends on what floor the room is, how many suitcases and boxes you have, and whether there is someone to give you a helping hand. If you pack light, it will take you less effort and time to settle into your room. The ideal way to move into a dorm is to unpack together with your roommate.
With Our Tips on Moving to College Overseas, You Won’t Have Any Issues
Using our tips on how to move to college overseas will help you overcome any obstacle that might come your way. Download navigation apps to move around with ease and learn the local language so you can better soak up the culture. Meet people from various backgrounds on campus and explore what the country has to offer. Without reliable movers, your relocation won’t be effortless, so make sure that you hire the best overseas shipping company. Also, do not underestimate the value of storage boxes. Once you move into a small room, you’ll need extra storage space.Will you be moving to college overseas? Use our helpful relocation tips and hacks so as to prepare for any obstacles while studying abroad. Let’s dive in.
