<p>Immersing yourself in a completely new culture is a great way to complement your college experience. However, ensuring you can adequately function and 'survive' are crucial to making your study abroad adventure unforgettable (in a good way). You may think you have considered everything and are totally prepared, but chances are you'd be incorrect. The article below outlines 10 items you have likely forgotten :)</p>
<p>Is that a serious article? People should know that stuff already, nearly all of that we covered in primary school. If you don’t understand how to use a 24-hour clock, know how to read a map, convert Fahrenheit to Celsius or imperial units into metric then you really shouldn’t be in college at all.</p>
<p>I know all of these, including information about the country I’m considering going to. Well golly-gee, I’m ready go!</p>
<p>Seriously, that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what students need to know before flying off to a foreign country. There’s a LOT of preparing to do.</p>
<p>Remember to take your full dose of malaria medication (before, during and after the trip) if you are going to a country that requires it–not taking your medication can have lethal consequences.</p>
<p>Haha I read that as “marijuana medication” :p</p>
<p>But these are very common-knowledge points. I think a huge list of things like this (with less obvious ones) would be very beneficial for students going abroad. There are a lot of things to consider beyond the things pointed out here.</p>
<p>It’s sad but some students that study abroad in non-english speaking countries are content with taking classes in english with other english speaking students.</p>
<p>I actually was shocked when I went abroad this past year and discovered that the vast majority of students I studied with hadn’t brought a converter of some sort to charge/plug in computers. For some strange reason, that isn’t something that seems to occur to a lot of people.</p>
<p>Also I will admit that I am completely guilty of not knowing how to drive stick-shift - that almost bit me in the a** - but at least I knew that it would probably happen, haha. This article isn’t terrible - but there are a lot of other, more important things that you should know, such as health insurance information and whether or not you’ll have any contact with people at home (we had no phone and internet was ridiculously expensive).</p>
<p>Ya, I agree that the article’s points only brush the surface. Also, how often do study abroad students start fires and drive cars? While those skills may occasionally come in handy, the article should have focused on other aspects of pre-study abroad preparation. For instance, making money either by working or taking out loans is required for some students; knowing the laws and judicial system in international places is crucial (<a href=“http://www.gooverseas.com/study-abroad/international-laws-and-safety);%5B/url%5D”>http://www.gooverseas.com/study-abroad/international-laws-and-safety);</a> and what to look for in a program provider. Again, while USA Today covers the basics, by no means should prospective study abroaders stop at this article.</p>
<p>Those are just common sense things knowledge that everyone should know right from the start. Anyways, the article is useful but there are more infos still that someone can research on and read.</p>
<p>More like understand religious customs, forbidden gestures, visa application, how to contact your embassy, how to withdraw money, essential phrases, purchasing transit passes, and how to school advisors.</p>
<p>midwstmom, tell me about it. I’m currently in Brazil, and I went to go buy a pair of Havaianas flip flops, and the biggest size they had was an American size 9. I’m 11.5-12, nothing unusual here, but the store clerk was looking at me like I had asked for clown shoes.</p>