Ten Steps to Complete Before You Study Abroad

While studying abroad at University of Galway in Ireland, I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and travel to so many amazing places. For me, this is a time to explore different countries and experience different cultures. I was excited to go, but also nervous to be so far from home. So, here are the ten steps I completed before I departed to make study abroad a little less daunting. I hope they help you, too! 

1. Complete your IFSA information.

After you complete your application, apply for scholarships and complete all follow-up information necessary for your trip.

2. Check your email regularly. 

IFSA sends updates each week, so make sure you stay up to date! It can also be helpful to look back at emails from previous weeks if you have questions (these emails always had the answers for me).

3. Get a passport, visa, and/or other required travel documents.

Wrap this up as early as you can in case there are any issues or delays.

4. Save and budget.

Be realistic about how much you are expecting to and can spend while you are abroad. I thought about which trips I wanted to take (England, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, and France) and how much it would cost by checking prices online. It can be helpful to come up with a monthly budget for yourself.

5. Select your classes. 

Be sure to consult with your home university as you decide what classes to take abroad. This will make sure that you stay on track with credits you need and have a class load that you can manage. I met twice with my advisor to talk about which credits I should try to fulfill abroad and to make sure the classes offered at University of Galway would count.  

6. Create a packing list and pack.

Packing can be stressful. Having a list makes it much easier. I checked things off as I went, so I could feel confident that I wasn’t missing anything. (A few things I forgot: my Ireland charging plug, papers for my Irish Residency appointment, sleeping mask.) It also helps to pack over time, so you won’t have to rush around getting last minute items (I definitely rushed).  

7. Research the city, country, and university you’re visiting.

I had so much fun with this part! Researching where you are going makes you even more excited and a little less nervous as you familiarize yourself. To help me feel immersed, I kept a notebook and wrote down the places and sights I would see to check out when I got there.  

8. Make a bucket list. 

Highly recommend! It’s a lot of fun and super cool to look back on while you’re abroad to see all you have done. My list included the Northern Lights and the Eiffel Tower.  

9. Set up your phone.

Figure out how you are going to use your phone abroad. You might need an international plan, a local phone number, and/or a SIM card when you get to your country. I stayed with my provider from home and switched to an international plan for the months I was abroad.  

10. Spend quality time with the people you love before you leave. 

How amazing is it to have people that make saying goodbye hard!  

Brenna R. | Georgetown University | University of Galway, Ireland | Spring 2027