by yourself gives you privacy, but it’s more expensive and can get lonely.
Sharing with people you know (friends, relatives) can be a good option, though remember that good friends don’t always make good roommates!
It’s also possible to share a place with new people. You can rent a place with more than one room and look for people to stay in the other bedrooms, or apply for a spare room in a place where people are already living.
If you decide to share, remember you’ll need to come to an arrangement with your roommate(s) about how to divide up the housework and the cost of rent and bills.
Be careful: make sure you read all the information on your lease and know how much you have to pay at the start of the process. Many colleges/universities have a housing service or a student legal advice department which can help you with your contracts and can answer your queries. Don’t sign anything before you know exactly what it all means.
When you first arrive
Give yourself time to rest after your flight, especially if it’s a long one. Don’t plan to do too much for the first couple of days. Make sure you know how to get to where you’re staying from the airport when you arrive. Keep your first address details with you at all times so you know how to get back to where you’re staying.
If you plan to find somewhere to stay after you arrive, make sure you have temporary accommodation (a hotel, a friend’s place) where you can stay for at least two weeks if necessary. Finding somewhere long-term to live may take longer than you think.
Transportation
Even if you’re living on or very close to campus, you’ll probably want to travel around the town sometimes to go shopping, sightseeing, or have fun. How do you plan to travel in your new country? Here are some options to look at.
On foot: If you’ll be living on campus and close to shopping and entertainment, you may be able to walk to most places. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, especially if your campus is large! Some institutions can arrange for a security guard to go with you if you’re nervous walking around the campus after dark, or you can call a saferide service (in many parts of the US). Be sure of safety issues around your campus before you walk around too much.
In the UK, the weather is very changeable, so take an umbrella with you even if it’s not raining.
Campus bus: Institutions which have very large campuses or more than one campus may have free buses for students and staff to get around more easily.
Bicycle: Cycling is a cheap and effective way to travel short distances. Check the laws for cyclists in your new country: Do all cyclists have to wear helmets? Is it legal to cycle on the sidewalk/pavement? In the US, it’s not illegal to cycle on the sidewalk, but it might annoy people who are walking. Bicycle lights and a bell may be a requirement; you may need to buy these separately. Make sure you buy a strong lock for your bicycle (not just a thin chain!): bicycles are often stolen on campus.
Car: If you plan to drive in your new country, bring your driver’s license with you and research the laws for drivers from other countries. The traffic regulations may also be different from what you are used to—avoid fines by reading the highway code. Make sure you can afford to drive: buying or renting a car, paying for fuel, parking, and repairs and so on can be very expensive. If you plan to drive to classes, check the cost and availability of parking on campus and near campus.
Public transportation: What public transportation is available around campus and where you plan to live? Check the fares and whether you can get a student concession or student discount. Do you need to pay beforehand, with prepaid cards or exact cash? This can differ from city to city. Check transportation timetables: international students sometimes find that buses and trains stop running earlier and run less often than they are used to. You may also find that buses are not as reliable, so allow extra time for traveling if you’re not sure.
Cab/Taxi: Cabs/Taxis are generally quite expensive in English-speaking countries. In the US, unless you’re in a big city such as New York or Chicago, you’ll have to call a cab/taxi ahead of time. You should tip in the US—15–20 percent is the norm. In Australia and New Zealand, passengers often sit in the front next to the driver instead of in the back seat. In the UK, there are two types of cabs/taxis. You can hail a black cab on the street if their amber light is on, but private hire cars (“mini-cabs”) need to be booked before the trip on the phone or in person. It’s not necessary to tip the driver but passengers often round the price up.
Don’t be careless with cash … or caught out at Customs and Immigration! Make sure you budget for what you need before you leave home, and manage your money wisely when you’re there. Make sure too that you bring all crucial paperwork. Without the documents you need, you may not be allowed to enter the country!
Important documents
Here is a basic list of documents you should bring. You may need others, depending on what you plan to do in the new country.
your passport and visa details
your health/travel insurance details
prescription for any medication you take regularly
prescription for your glasses or contact lenses
your driver’s license, if you have one (even if you don’t plan to drive overseas, photo ID is a useful thing to have)
documents from the institution where you’ll be studying (the offer letter, Confirmation of Enrollment, class details, etc.)
Managing your money
For many international students, their study abroad experience is the first time they have ever had to take care of their own money. Make sure you have a realistic idea of how much money you’ll need, and keep track of how much money you’re earning and spending. You don’t want to be under financial stress while you’re studying!
How much money you’ll need will depend on where you’ll be living and what sort of lifestyle you choose. Contact your institution or check their website—many institutions tell students roughly how much they should expect to spend on rent, bills, and groceries. Here is a list of things to consider:
your income (money from your parents, money from work (if it’s legal))
accommodation (rent, furniture, bed linen, cleaning products, electrical appliances, etc.)
bills (telephone, gas, electricity, water, Internet service, cable TV, etc.)
transportation (public transportation tickets, cab/taxi fares, car expenses like
