Post-Arrival Support For International Students

You've made it! After months of planning, applying, and waiting, you're finally in your study destination. Now what? Depending on your program and transfer options, the odds are, this will be your home for at least a year. That’s a long time and you don’t want to spend it being homesick or having constant inconveniences because you didn’t do the first necessary steps on arrival.

The first stop you want to make after you settle in is to your university’s international office or student welfare department. In most cases, you would have received onboarding emails from the university on the important things to do on arrival. Ensure that you pay attention to these emails because they carry crucial details. Reading them will save you a lot of time, stress and even money. It will most likely involve submitting your passport and important documents like health certificates. This varies per country but it is advisable to do it as soon as possible. It will also help to immediately locate your embassy or consulate and keep the contact information close as you never know when it may come in handy. They are your go-to in an emergency, especially when you are in a foreign country.

Ensure that you arrive in time for orientation. This is a crucial time as it allows you to learn about the school and country while also bonding with first year students like yourself. Pay attention to where everything is located and who to approach for different matters. Keep important emails and contact numbers on standby as you never know when you may need them. In many cases, these are the people who will become your long term friends. Make an effort to participate and connect with others during this time. Be open-minded and interact with different people, you’ll be surprised at the important tips you’ll learn and the friendships that will bloom from there. 

Most importantly, take the time to understand your surroundings and how to access crucial amenities like grocery stores and the hospitals. Also pay attention to all the services offered by the university to its students, you’ll be surprised at how much you can save using facilities like free shuttle services or discounted gym memberships. Universities also offer a lot of free social and emotional support that may come in handy. Further, do your research to see if there are any student perks offered by the government or retail stores that could be of help to you and make your life easier such as discounted services.

As you ease into university life, do your best to assimilate into local culture. Apps like Duolingo can assist you to learn the basics of the local language so you can interact with locals better. Maximize your university experience by participating in events and joining clubs, societies and sports teams. If you feel a little homesick, a society with people from the same country may be what you need. However, do not be afraid to try new activities or sports too and take the opportunity to grow.

Lastly, focus on your studies from the beginning. Do your research and find materials that can make your learning more interesting such as tutorials. Trying to catch up with school while navigating a new country can be stressful. Do your best to avoid falling back. Remember, this is what you came for. If you need to supplement your studies by taking up courses, go to websites such as Coursera and you will be surprised how much you can learn for free.

All the best with achieving your dreams. Remember, when you use StudyApplyPortal not only do we help you apply, but our post arrival support for all international students is impeccable. Need advice or a friendly face? We've got you covered. For more information on our services, visit www.studyapplyportal.com.