Preparing for Lift-off

Traveling abroad can be a stressful experience, especially if you are traveling alone. After successfully (without dying) making it to Japan on my own, I have a few tips and tricks to those of you thinking about studying abroad in the near future.

Before I can even discuss actual travel, planning to study abroad takes an extreme amount of work. The government of the United States and the government of whichever country you want to study in are both very particular about knowing where you are going, how long you will stay, and why you want to be there in the first place. Aside from the usual passport, in order to take up residency in another country you will have a pile of additional paperwork to complete.

First, you will probably have to complete an application to your potential university. My application to Kansai Gaidai in Japan required three letters of recommendation, copies of my passport, a short essay on why I wanted to study at their university, ten passport sized photos, my school transcript, medical information, and a housing questionnaire. I had to wait several weeks before receiving an acceptance letter.
Now with a confirmation from the university, I was able to buy my plane tickets. Remember to buy your tickets as soon as possible for cheaper rates, and you are at a lower risk of being unable to find the dates that you need. Your exchange university should provide you with at least some tentative dates as to when you will need to arrive (although it might be safer to wait until they can give you an exact timeline).

After being accepted, they mailed me a Certificate of Eligibility, which I had to present to the closest Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for my visa. This required a three hour drive to Detroit, not once, but twice. Visas require time and your passport, so if at all possible get yours as soon as possible, and do not mail it! If you lose your passport in the mail, it will take another six months for you to get a new passport, and by that point it is probably too late.

In addition to the visa, Kansai Gaidai regularly sent me emails. I was asked to submit a housing request form, arrival information, as well as sign up for optional programs on campus. I was assigned a speaking partner, as well as a host-visit family whom I will be visiting on the weekends.

With all this done and my visa in hand, it was time to worry about the actual trip. I’ve been on an airplane before, and I’ve also been to Ireland with my family, but this was the first can I’ve done so alone. There are certain things you should remember before taking off:

1. Pack lightly. Walking around the terminal with heavy luggage is a real pain, especially when your carry-on pack is so heavy you can barely lift it. It is also preferable to travel in the airport with your hands free. A backpack as a carry-on is convenient.
2. Bring an empty water bottle to the airport to fill up after you get past security. This is a cheap way of having water with you in the plane.
3. For domestic flights, bring your own food. They no longer provide free food or drinks.
4. Get to the airport early enough so you can take your time. Don’t let people rush you, or you have a greater chance of losing things.
5. Dress comfortably in layers, and wear shoes you can easily slip on and off.
6. Pack your valuable items in your carry-on, as well as an extra set of clothes. This is in case your luggage is lost.
7. In case the airplane attendants decide your carry-on is too big, pack an extra bag you can easily store your valuables to take with you.
8. Pack for the trip at least a week in advance. Waiting to the last minute is unnecessarily stressful, and you end up taking what you don’t really need (or you forget what is actually important).

Other than this list, remember to be safe. You are alone, and there is no one who is looking out for you except for yourself. Thankfully you have been intelligent enough to get this far, just remember to think before you act, and if you ever feel uncomfortable, do not ignore your instincts. There are police and attendants nearby, and it never hurts to ask for help.

Above all, simply travel like you have some sense. Remember to respect other people and to represent yourself appropriately as you visit foreign cultures. You are acting as an ambassador. What happens while you are studying abroad will most likely affect how our own culture is viewed. As long as you keep this in mind, as well as your own safety, you will be free to travel and have fun in the process. Oh! And if you happen to stop through the airport in Charlotte, NC, I highly recommend the gelato ice cream. Consider it a well deserved treat.