The Eagles Abroad applications are completed, processed and the results are in. Almost 200 Juniatians applied to study outside of the United States, and now most of them will be traveling abroad sometime over the next academic year. Going abroad is an amazing adventure, but preparing to do so is a huge part of the whole experience. So after you’ve been accepted, what is the next step? Jarmila Polte, director of study abroad at Juniata, lays out five very important pre-departure tips to help you along your journey.

Tip #1: The Study Abroad Checklist

Once you are accepted and know where you are going, you should go to Eagles abroad Web site and look at the ‘Study Abroad Checklist.’ There you will find all the information you need about the obvious steps you need to take to go abroad, such as getting your visa, what to pack, etc.

Tip #2: Talk to your parents!

Second, you should see what questions your parents have. I cannot express how important this is. You need to make sure the questions will come up, because, if they don’t come up now, they will at the airport or after you’ve already left. Keeping your parents informed about the whole process alleviates a lot of stress from the whole experience.

Tip #3: Health

Consider your personal situation. What are you particular health needs? Do you have any special issues that need to be addressed? You must have a game plan for these sorts of issues.

Tip #4: Finances

You should plan your finances. Depending on where you are going, save money, and plan how you will be paying for anything and everything. Each country will have a completely different cost of living. You will need more money than if you were living in East Houses ordering a pizza every two weeks.

Tip #5: Get a mentor

A mentor is a person who was where you were last year. That person can put you in his place and can give you information from experience. It is a peer support system, and very effective in getting information about what actually goes in the program where you are headed.