Nothing gets worse with a couple of tips. It is always good to have a guideline to see where you are going with your studies and life.
Use our checklist to plan your stay in Turkey.
One Year Before:
• Talk to your family and friends about your plans to study in Turkey. You will need their opinions and support.
• Search the internet for the programs, cities, and universities that you would be interested in studying.
• Speak to your academic advisor about credit transfer requirements for overseas coursework.
• Once you know which program you are interested in, consider the costs and the listed application requirements.
• Apply for scholarships or financial aid or else think about how you will afford your studies and life in Turkey.
• Talk to people who studied, lived or worked abroad. You can even get in touch with the locals before going to Turkey.
• Ask for recommendation letters. The professors who know you the best are the perfect ones to ask for recommendation letters.
6 to 9 Months Before:
• Apply for your passport and visa(s), if needed.
• Familiarize yourself with the Turkish culture. Soak up on culture books and guides, films, music, food, websites, and anything else related to your soon-to-be host country.
3 to 6 Months Before:
• Find out about the city you are going to study in.
1 to 3 Months Before:
• Book your flight.
• Notify everyone that depends on you about your departure. Make sure you give plenty of notice to employers, landlords, etc.
A Few Weeks Before:
• Stock up on any prescription drugs you take. Have your doctor’s note authorizing their use (and refills).
• Buy medical insurance for your time abroad. It is often included in program fees, but it’s still best to check.
• Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to address final concerns about your plans and coursework.
• Consider giving Power of Attorney to your parents or guardian for financial and legal matters.
checklist21 Week Before:
• Bring a gift for your host family if you are staying with one.
• Make multiple copies of all important documents — leave one set with your parents, another with the study abroad coordinator, and keep one for yourself. This usually includes at least:
o First pages of passport, as well as any page with country-specific visas
o Credit cards
o Traveler’s checks
o Student ID, and/or driver’s license
• Make sure you have everyone’s phone numbers and addresses – email and otherwise.
• Start packing. That is, put everything together and then take each and everything that is just sentimental/non-essential out.
Good luck!
