Preparing to Study Abroad – Welcome to Reality 😊

When I was first looking at this program, I looked at the estimated costs and summarized processes and thought “Wow, this is going to be easy. I know exactly what to do!” Now, I am waiting for my visa application to be processed and have survived two weeks of pure stress. If I am being honest, I was naïve at the beginning. But this is not to be too negative; the staff at IES Abroad are incredibly helpful and quick to respond and they are there to help you. My experience was slightly more difficult than normal because of visa complications, but – again – my advisor at IES Abroad was quick to respond and help me and now everything is sorted out. Since a website can only tell you so much before you truly get into the application process, here are my 6 tips on how to fully prepare to study abroad:

1. Look at what official document information you need before the application deadline. As I was even considering doing the program, I realized that I needed to renew my passport as it was expiring a month after the program, and the international travel requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date. With passport processing taking a while, I was on top of it and completed my appointment well before the application deadline and received it before the portal closed (I still submitted my application early). I also turned 21 around the time I needed to send my documents for visa processing, so I was quick to renew my license as I needed to send my passport for processing and still needed an official ID just in case (better to be safe!).
2. Create a budgeting spreadsheet! I normally hate spreadsheets myself, but I needed to make one on Excel to keep track of all expenses I had paid and still needed to. I only used to columns: one colored blue with titles of the finances like “Visa” and then the column next to colored green with the amount it was expected to cost. This really helped me prepare financially and mentally for the amount I would need to spend. Make sure you scroll all the way through the “Fees” section on your internship program website and look at the extra fees like “Travel!”
3. Bookmark the IES Abroad website and check it. You will have documents due throughout the span of almost two months with pre-departure forms needing to be submitted, so you need to always have that website with login info ready and in your face, so you don’t forget to look at it. I keep a sticky note on my laptop with things I need to do, and I always write “IES” at the top. Make sure you also give a quick read through of what each form needs so you are ready in time and don’t panic when it is due (I had to do a quick walk-in appointment to get my physical in time because I didn’t read through them all to see what I needed). This website has plenty of useful information, and if you still have more questions (I did), just email the advisor listed on the website and they will get back to you quick! You can also use your study abroad office at whatever university you are at to give you more information.
4. Stay on top of your dates! Whether it be BUNAC/Jenza for visa forms or scheduling your interview for your internship or submitting forms for your visa or predeparture, you need to make sure everything is done by the dates listed. Otherwise, this could lead to a delay in visa processing (if you can’t tell, visa timing is crucial) or you are not admitted into the program. Submitting and booking things (like flights) earlier never hurts!
5. Make copies of all documents. You will have to send your passport and signed application forms in the mail to get them processed, and it is always best to have copies of them on you in case they get lost, or you need to re-send them or anything.

6. CHECK YOUR EMAIL! This, above all else, is absolutely the most important. You need to be checking your primary and junk email every day (I do at least twice) with notifications on, too. A lot of important updates and information from IES Abroad staff or the visa company or the company you are interviewing for will be only able to communicate primarily with you through email. If you read your emails and follow the dates and instructions, you will be all set to start your program this summer. Email is also how I solved my complications within a day, so it is only helpful to check it and be on top of it.

    

This is not meant to scare anyone but to simply be honest. Yes, submitting documents and visa processing can be stressful, but as long as you are organized and stay on top of dates, you will be perfectly fine and excited to start your summer internship. Even though I was stressed at a few points, I kept telling myself “this will be worth it.” And now, with the summer right around the corner and meeting the other students doing the program and having an internship, I cannot wait to be in London!