Preparing for Study Abroad: My Honest Tips

Deciding to Live Abroad

Have you ever traveled abroad and felt that mix of excitement and nervousness the moment you step off the plane? Have you ever successfully navigated public transportation in a country where you barely speak the language and felt this small but thrilling sense of accomplishment? I’ve had those moments countless times, and every time, they left me thinking: a short vacation is never enough.

Whenever I visited a place I loved, I realized that to truly understand it—to live it, breathe it, and see it from the perspective of the locals—my brief stay wasn’t nearly enough. That’s when I started dreaming about living and working abroad, not just visiting. I wanted to experience daily life, understand local customs, and immerse myself in the culture the way someone who lives there would.

That desire is what ultimately led me to choose the full-time internship program with IES Abroad. Of course, the idea of going abroad alone for work can feel intimidating—sometimes even risky. But knowing that IES Abroad provides experienced staff and local advisors to support students during the stay made the decision feel much more manageable. It reassured me that if any challenges arose, I wouldn’t be completely on my own.

Choosing Milan was surprisingly simple. I had never been to Italy, yet I’ve always been drawn to its food, music, art, and historical architecture. There’s something about the Italian lifestyle—the way people move through their cities, the emphasis on good food and community—that made me curious and excited. Plus, Milan’s location makes it easy to travel to other European countries, which was an added bonus.

So here I am, preparing to start my internship in Milan, excited not just to travel, but to live, learn, and work in a way that a short vacation could never offer. And I hope that sharing my story will inspire others to take the leap—because studying abroad isn’t just about seeing the world, it’s about experiencing it fully.

Before You Go: Essentials for Studying Abroad

Step 1: Check Your Passport

Sounds obvious, right? But seriously, make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your program. Nothing ruins the excitement of a study abroad adventure like realizing your passport expires in a few months. Trust me, it happens more often than you’d think!

Step 2: Take Care of Your Visa

For Italy, the requirements can feel a bit intimidating. You’ll need proof of financial stability—usually around €6,000—and a return ticket is highly recommended. If you only have a one-way ticket, showing an extra €2,000 in your bank account might work, but be prepared: immigration could still ask you to book a round-trip ticket.

Step 3: Get to Know Your Neighborhood

If your accommodation and workplace are set, now is the perfect time to explore your neighborhood virtually. Find out where the best cafes, restaurants, and hangout spots are. Knowing your surroundings in advance isn’t just convenient—it can seriously boost your experience when you arrive. Think of it as your own little “insider guide.”

Step 4: Make a Checklist!

Have you ever arrived at your destination only to realize you left behind the skincare products you use every day? Or wished you had packed that one pair of comfortable shoes after a long day of walking? These are the kinds of things you don’t think about—until it’s too late.

When you’re living abroad for a few months (or longer), forgetting items you normally rely on can quickly become frustrating. That’s why creating a packing checklist before you leave is so important. I recommend organizing it by categories like clothing, daily essentials, electronics, medications, and travel items. Write everything down in advance, and check each item off as you pack—it’s a simple step, but it makes a huge difference.

Planning your packing this way doesn’t just save you stress once you arrive. It also helps reduce unnecessary spending abroad and prevents that dreaded moment at the airport when your luggage is suddenly overweight and you’re forced to pay extra fees on the way home.

Advice for Students Considering Study Abroad: Quick Tips

Thinking about studying abroad but feeling a little nervous about going alone? Don’t worry—you’re not the only one! Going overseas doesn’t mean you have to face everything by yourself. Programs like IES Abroad surround you with other students in similar situations, plus staff who are there to help. Seriously, having that community makes adjusting to a new country way easier. And here’s the best part: once you successfully adapt, you’ll start feeling like you can handle pretty much anything—anywhere!

Not sure where to start? My tip: take full advantage of all the resources IES Abroad offers. Attend an info session, reach out to an advisor, ask all the questions you can think of. I can’t stress this enough—you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. I personally got a ton of help from SAF Korea, an IES Abroad partner. They walked me through everything—from which documents to prepare to the full program timeline. Honestly, it made the whole prep process so much less stressful.

I hope my story helped you feel a little more confident as you think about studying abroad. During my internship in Milan, I’ll be sharing more experiences, tips, and honest moments along the way—so I hope you’ll stick around. Thanks so much for reading, and I can’t wait to share the next chapter with you!