| Visa : |
| The biggest obstacle you can face is the Visa problem. Without it, you cannot stay in another country for a period of time, so this is probably the most important thing in your preparation. First of all, make sure your passport is valid (Common sense) and do whatever neccesary like renewing or prolonging it. Second is to apply the Visa as soon as you receive the letter of confirmation. Do it fast because you never know how long it might take. My advise is to apply it at least one month before you leave your home country. So that if any problem arises, you have enough time to handle it. This is not something you can fool around. So whatever it is, settle your Visa as early as possible. |
| Language Preparation : |
| 1. Never over-estimate your language ability. Never think that you can survive in another country with a few simple phrases that you learnt in those foreign language phrase book. 2. Start learning the grammatical rules of the language before trying to learn any words! Of course learn only some simple sentence construction. You might find yourself with some useful words but unable to say it out if you don't learn the sentence construction. 3. Memorise some survival phrase so that you don't go humgry or lost your way. 4. Remember this, even if your host country speak your language as a second foreign language, it is very important to learn their national language, because you cannot expect everybody to keep on speaking a language not comfortable to them to you. So be prepared to learn the language if you are in a country that do not speak your language. 5. This is the factor which can make or break your exchange year. |
| Flight Arrangement : |
| 1. Check out for the cheapest price around before booking the filight. Also if possible ,find journeys that do not involve too many transit, because that may be real tiring and could be a problem if one of the flight is delayed. 2. Do a common sense thing by confirming your flight. Read the plane ticket well so that you do not go to the airport on the wrong day. It is not a joke. 3. For those with phobia of flying, just tell yourself that nothing bad will happen. Infact plan ride is one of the safest ride in comparison with car and motorcycle. So don't worry too much but instead look forward to your new life. |
| New Lifestyle : |
| 1. Be prepared to try new food which are unfamiliar to you. 2. If you are a vegetarian, tell your host family first to avoid any problems later. This may also mean that you need to prepare your own food because you cannot expect your host family to change their food taste just for you. 3. Don't be too choosy while eating. eat whatever is served on the table. If the food is really inedible to you, tell your host family (usually the mum) that you are unable to eat it politely. Tell them it is not because the food taste bad but it is more because of you are unable to adapt to their food well. Show them that you are willing to adapt into their eating style and of course mean it. 4. Try and observe their eating style to avoid being the odd one out. If they use a fork for eating rice, follow them instead of using a spoon and likewise. Follow the crowd. If their culture is to eat quietly, be sure not to eat too loudly and likewise. 5. Tell the one who cooked that you had a great meal after each delicious meal. A small gesture goes a long way. |
| Food : |
| Climate : |
| 1. The climate and weather may be strange to you but whatever it is, you had to face it. 2. For those who are not too familiar with winter, be prepared to wear real 'thick' to keep yourself warm. 3. Just remember you may find yourself from experiencing 33�c in your home country to minus 4�c (-�4) in your host country and likewise. So be prepared. |