Pre-Departure Preparations

I’m not afraid of flying. I’m not afraid of long car rides. I’m not afraid of conversing with strangers. I’m not even afraid of getting lost. But in the weeks and months leading up to travel, I find myself subconsciously conceptualizing worst-case scenarios. Everything from long TSA lines making me miss my flight to being robbed of all belongings in a foreign country. Statistically, they’re all vastly improbable but my conscience convinces me that I’ll be the exception. Pre-departure I’m a devil’s advocate, but when the trip begins, I’m a cockeyed optimist – honestly, I give myself emotional whiplash.

Being proactive has always been my go-to remedy but this semester abroad is a big step. It’ll be my first time abroad not to mention my first international flight, so it’s not as simple as a weekend getaway in Washington. Sadly, the work doesn’t stop with applications but rather intensifies after being accepted.

Paperwork

For the most part, I knew what I signed up for, but nobody really anticipates paperwork. Signing up for classes, completing a roommate application, getting travel insurance, getting a valid passport, filling out visa application documents, proving COVID-19 vaccination, and supplemental entry requirements required for travel are all rather daunting.

I speak from personal experience when I say it reminds me of the scene from the first Harry Potter movie when all the letters come flying into the house, except in a less exciting email form. I’ve never felt more like an adult, it’s… invigorating. Just learn from my mistakes and commit to adulting early on by reading through every email, including the fine print.

Travel Arrangements

Easily the biggest purchase I’ve ever made, but you’ll breathe a big sigh of relief when you know for certain when, where, and how you are traveling to your destination. Make sure to consider layover times when booking flights. A minimal 2 hours for layovers during international connections is a good rule of thumb but also don’t set yourself up for boredom by choosing a long layover. In the world’s current state of disarray, I find the hardest part is keeping up with the everchanging travel restrictions and requirements.

Acquiring a Student Visa

Depending on where you have residency, you’re expected to apply for a student visa in Los Angeles, Chicago, or D.C. Now some people may already have dual citizenship in another country that completely overrides the need for a student visa. I had to fly to Los Angeles on a random Thursday to apply for a student visa in person at the Austrian Consulate. Worst unintentional all-nighter: 26 hours of delirium all for a measly 20-minute meeting – I’m still recovering. Getting all the documents required and anxiously waiting for my appointment date was ridiculously stressful. Additionally, most countries require students to apply for visas individually in person rather than online or through “batch applications.”

Documents Required for Austrian Visa D Application:

· Passport (They confiscate it for visa processing)

· Photocopy of passport information page

· Visa Paperwork (usually in host countries national language)

· 2 Passport Pictures (they’re stricter than the DMV)

· Flight Itinerary (both to and from the country)

· Proof of Health Insurance

· Acceptance Letter from University or Program

· Proof of Accommodations

· Proof of Sufficient Funds

· Proof of Residency (Driver’s license)

· Pre-Paid Envelope (for them to return passport complete with visa)

· Application Fee in Cash

Phone

Apparently, most travelers just rely on Wi-Fi in Europe, but my program requires us to have a plan so that we can be contacted without Wi-Fi. Within the US I maintain a Verizon phone plan but seeing as their international plan is currently $10/day in Europe ($5/day in Mexico and Canada) and I’m spending roughly 110 days in Europe this semester (that’s $1,100) I pulled my broke college student card and said that’s too expensive.

Instead, I went out on a limb and acquired a sim card from a European phone company upon arrival – Magenta and A1 are the most common phone companies in Europe. I heard from multiple sources before departing for the U.S.A. how cheap and convenient European phone companies are compared to American phone companies.

I ended up with the phone company Drei (the German word for three). They offer sim card plans for data and minutes separately – I personally chose data. For €30 a month I get unlimited data within the EU and 30MB outside of the EU. I downloaded WhatsApp, linked it to my U.S. phone number and now I can talk and text wherever, whenever so long as my intended recipient also has the app.

Money

Depending on travel ambitions some may need to anticipate spending more than others but in general the more money the better. Some people recommend budgeting but seeing as I have never been to Europe I find that advice rather feeble – I have no idea what to expect. In some ways, I think it is more important to understand how to use and access your money wisely. For example, it is better to withdraw larger sums of money periodically rather than using a credit card on every little purchase because the transaction and service fees will add up much faster.

Every bank has different withdrawal and transaction fees so make sure to contact your bank and inquire about the smartest course of action before departing. Also, make sure to keep your bank up to date on your current location so they don’t decline your purchases because they label them as fraudulent.

Packing

The truly dreary task of packing never gets easier if anything you just slowly learn tips and tricks to save time and space. Make sure you know your airline's luggage regulations prior to packing along with the expected climate and weather. This time around I incorporated vacuum storage bags. Considering the bulk of my clothing is geared towards cold weather I had a lot of sweaters, pants, and jackets that were easily condensed with a little help from vacuum storage bags. Plus, I got a mini vacuum for on the go.

As a stereotypical girl, it’s not always easy to pack a refined wardrobe but try to pack versatile items that will get more than one use during the semester. Being a minimalist while traveling is a true talent.