When I received my offer letter from my UK University, I was
overwhelmed with happiness. Finally, the door to everything I have ever wanted
was open. However, the path was now covered with a mind field of paperwork and
logistics. Visa applications? You need to have your biometric data recorded. My
bio what? We need a deposit to hold your place in the course...oh that’s not
too much…Wait, that’s pounds…and how much in dollars?! How do I get the SIM
card out of my phone? The layover in Reykjavik is so short, what if I’m stuck
in Iceland FOREVER (OK, exaggerating a bit there).
Those are just a few of the thoughts that have been running
laps in my head since mid-February. I had 5 (now 4) short months to figure out
all the details. So where do you start? As Fraulein Maria would say, let’s
start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (Look at that, a Sound
of Music reference and it’s only my second post).
- If you’re going abroad to study, make sure you offer is unconditional or, if conditional, get in all necessary paperwork immediately. You cannot move forward and register for classes, sign up for housing or pretty much anything else without an unconditional offer. Usually for international students, this means sending in a deposit to secure your place. The quicker you do this, the faster things will move along.
- If you’re moving for work, make sure your new employer is handling the paperwork and has no intention of dumping you at the last second. I’ve heard of job offers being given, plans were made to move and as soon as the company heard they needed to be sponsored for a work visa, they pulled out. Make sure you get things in writing. Signed writing.
- Start the visa process early…but not too early. Depending on your country of origin and where you are going, you can only start your visa paperwork so early. For me, its 3 months from the time you leave. So I can read up on the process right now, but will have to wait until I can officially file the paper work in June. New employers will typically take care of this for you, but now always.
- On that note, make sure you know when you can enter the country. A friend wanted to travel before she started school but the visa was only good for entry one month before the course started. Guess when she left? 32 days before the course. The border staff is NOT lenient on those dates, they will turn you away. Know your details inside and out.
- Learn to live the ‘lite’ life. There’s no way you will be able to take that trophy from 5 years ago with you to display in your new place. Or the giant stuffed Goofy from your grandmother. Space is limited in the UK. Take a serious inventory of what you have, what you can sell and what needs to go to a charity shop. You’d be surprised at what you can sell and it can really add up for your trip. Also remember that what you take is what you carry. If your new flat has 3 sets of stairs, you’ll have to carry those 3 suitcases up those stairs…and down them again at the end of the year, along with anything else you’ve accumulated over the past year. Electronics are a hassle to convert, save room and buy that hairdryer when you settle in (however most laptops, tablets, and electronic readers are duel voltage). Look forward to running out of shampoo and making your first run to the shops. Like it or not, shopping for something like toothpaste will be one of your first adventures.
- Network. This is a distinctly American trait and we know how to do it well. The more connections you have, the easier things will be. Get in contact with new classmates, send an email out to your new professors, and ask around for employment leads. Those connections could lead you to the perfect flat or the best new job later on. By the time you get there you’ll have at least an idea of what’s going on and what steps to take next.
Once you have a solid foundation, all the little things will
fall into place. But always be prepared for the unexpected and be able to see
the positives. I may indeed miss my connecting flight, but that just means I’ll
have time to have a glass of Brennivín and say hello to the lovely people of Iceland.
tea drops,
Samantha
Samantha
PS-Next week I’ll dive into the more emotional aspects of
moving, the support you may (or may not) get and how to know what is right for
YOU.
No comments:
Post a Comment