Study Abroad Tips and Resources: A Guide for Students

Studying abroad remains an appealing option for many students. In a 2025 Terra Dotta survey, roughly three-fourths of U.S. students expressed interest in studying abroad, reflecting the continued demand for international learning experiences.

Yet interest doesn’t always translate into participation. In the 2023-24 academic year, nearly 300,000 U.S. students studied abroad. That number represents a 6% increase from the year before, but it’s just a fraction of all college students, highlighting a gap between interest and action.

One of the main reasons for the inaction is uncertainty. Students don’t just have to decide where to go; they have to figure out how to make it all work. 

Cost remains the biggest barrier for students, with 80% citing it as their primary concern, according to Terra Dotta. Safety concerns and a lack of clear program information are other reasons they hesitate to commit.

However, studying abroad can offer numerous benefits. It can help students develop greater cultural awareness, learn a new language, expand their network, and hone valuable skills that today’s employers are seeking. The experience can be a rewarding one, but making the most of it requires planning, research, and the right support.

This guide will provide you with practical study abroad tips, from how to finance your experience to packing advice, to help you move from “maybe someday” to a clear, confident plan.

7 Study Abroad Tips for Planning and Preparation

Once you have decided to study abroad, you can begin to think through the details. From choosing the right program to determining how to manage expenses and preparing for daily life in a foreign country, there are several moving parts that are worth considering.

Starting early and staying organized can make the process feel more manageable. The more time you give yourself to research your destination, understand documentation requirements, find funding, and coordinate travel logistics, the more prepared you’ll feel when it’s time to go.

1. Starting Your Planning Early

Perhaps one of the most important study abroad tips concerns giving yourself more time than you think you’ll need. Between comparing programs, meeting deadlines, arranging housing, securing travel documents, and preparing financially, the entire process can take several months.

By taking advantage of the support services at your school, including talking with your academic adviser or study abroad office, you can make sure the program you’re considering fits your degree requirements and aligns with your academic and professional goals. Next you can map out all the key deadlines for applications, scholarships, passport renewals, visa requirements, and predeparture forms. Marking them on your calendar or setting up alerts on your phone can help you stay on top of each step.

It’s also helpful to begin researching your destination early. You can consider factors such as the language, climate, transportation, housing options, and overall cost of living in the location. The earlier you begin, the easier it will be to make informed decisions without feeling rushed.

2. Building a Realistic Budget and Exploring Funding Options

Studying abroad requires a significant financial commitment. Besides having to pay for tuition, you’ll need to account for flights, housing, meals, local transportation, insurance, document fees, excursions, and everyday spending.

Creating a budget can help you avoid surprises and plan with greater confidence. You can start by estimating your monthly costs for essentials such as rent, groceries, and transportation, then you can factor in your expected discretionary spending for travel and activities. Looking into cost-saving strategies, such as by comparing prices for lodging and transportation, can help you stay within your means.

Additionally, it’s worth exploring the many funding opportunities available to students. Scholarships, loans, grants, and other forms of aid can help offset your costs, and some programs offer funding specifically for study abroad participants. You can also check with your school’s financial aid office to find out what kind of aid may apply to your program.

3. Getting Documents Ready

Making sure your documents are in order is another key tip for studying abroad. Requirements and timelines can vary, so it’s best to start early. Taking the following steps can help you avoid last-minute complications and ensure a smoother study abroad experience:

• Checking your passport. Some countries — particularly those in Europe — require that foreign students’ passports remain valid for at least six months after their planned return date. If you already have a passport, you can check its expiration date to ensure it fits within the time you plan to be studying abroad. Whether you need to apply for or renew a passport, building in extra time can help you avoid delays.
• Confirming whether you need additional documents. Many countries also require foreign students to have a visa or some other form of travel authorization to enter. By reviewing the requirements for your destination in detail, you’ll ensure you have the documents you need.
• Organizing and safeguarding your paperwork. As an extra precaution, you can make copies of key documents, such as your passport and visa, and keep them in a separate location from the originals. Taking photos of your travel documents using your phone and sharing copies with a friend or family member can add another layer of protection.

4. Researching the Local Culture and Daily Life

Study abroad programs are available in more than 170 destinations across the globe, including popular hubs like Spain and France. Each location offers a different cultural and day-to-day experience, so taking the time to understand what life is like where you will be studying can help you adjust more smoothly once you arrive.

It can be helpful to research the local laws and customs in the area, as well as the social norms and basic etiquette. Understanding how people communicate, dine, dress, and live can help you adapt and feel more comfortable in your new environment.

You may also want to learn a few key phrases in the local language. Having even a basic foundation can make it easier to navigate daily life and connect with others. Downloading a language learning app or using a language book can help you become familiar with common words and phrases in advance of your trip.

5. Exploring Housing Options

Finding housing is an essential part of preparing to study abroad, and as with many other aspects of the process, it’s a good idea to start looking early. Several different types of accommodations are available to foreign students, such as homestays, dormitories, private apartments, and house shares.

As you review your options, you can consider factors such as the cost, location, and level of independence and privacy you’re looking for. Living in a homestay, for example, may offer you more opportunities for cultural immersion, while staying in student housing or a shared apartment may provide you with more flexibility and independence.

Your university can often help you find housing. You can also search various online housing resources to find appropriate accommodations.

6. Packing Smart

Packing for a study abroad experience requires a bit more thought than packing for a typical trip. Certain items are essential to bring, such as important documents, necessary medications, and anything you may not be able to easily access at your destination. You can make a packing list ahead of time, and include items such as the following:

• Passport and visa
• Power adapters and converters
• Prescription medication
• Local currency
• School supplies

You may also want to review guidance that is specific to the location where you’ll be studying before you pack. Some countries have restrictions on what you can bring, including certain medications, so checking requirements ahead of time can help you avoid issues during your travel.

7. Preparing for Health and Safety Abroad

Proactive health and safety planning tips are some of the most important study abroad tips. Before you leave, you can check your destination for any recommended vaccines or health precautions, and consider scheduling a visit with your healthcare provider or a travel medicine specialist several weeks in advance to discuss your plans. Bringing copies of your immunization records and packing enough medication for your entire trip can also help you avoid health-related issues.

It’s also helpful to plan for unexpected situations. Purchasing travel medical insurance can help you cover emergency care abroad, as many U.S. health plans don’t apply internationally. Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can also help you stay informed, as it will provide you with updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate at your destination.

Once you arrive, following local laws and being aware of your surroundings can help you stay safe. It’s also a good idea to keep contact information for the nearest embassy or consulate on hand, and check in with your friends and family regularly.

Additional Study Abroad Resources

Being well-informed ahead of your study abroad experience can help make the planning process feel less overwhelming. The following study abroad resources offer additional information on key topics that range from international driving rules and packing advice to financial aid guidance.

• State Department, International Travel Checklist: This comprehensive checklist can help you prepare for studying abroad, providing information about topics such as STEP and travel insurance, as well as guidance on preparing documents.
• State Department, Travel Advisories: This site provides country-specific safety information and current travel advisory levels.
• NAFSA, Financial Aid and Study Abroad: Basic Facts for Students: This NAFSA page reviews basic financial aid information for students planning to study abroad, with links to grants and scholarship opportunities.
• State Department, Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad: This State Department resource outlines international driving permit requirements and road safety considerations for international travelers.
• State Department, U.S. Travelers in Europe: Here you can find Europe-specific travel information, including entry requirements and links to additional information about individual countries.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Before You Travel: The CDC provides several practical health tips for those planning to travel internationally.

What to Expect While Studying Abroad

Planning ahead to study abroad helps you prepare for the experience. Once you arrive, you’ll begin adapting to a new environment while navigating new routines and responsibilities. Keeping the following study abroad tips in mind can help you settle in more easily.

Adjusting to a New Environment

Adapting to life in a foreign country can take time. Differences in culture, communication, and daily routines may feel jarring at first, and it’s common to experience some level of culture shock. You may feel homesick or even fatigued as you adjust.

Staying in touch with family and friends can help, but it can also be beneficial to immerse yourself in your new surroundings. Researching the language so you can understand key words and phrases, learning about local traditions, and trying new foods are just a few ways to become more comfortable in your host country.

Managing Your Health and Safety

Your health and safety needs may change while studying abroad, particularly early on as you adjust to a different environment and routine.

If you feel sick or get injured, it’s best to seek medical care promptly. The CDC also recommends watching for changes in your mental health, since adapting to life in another country can be stressful. Additionally, being mindful about what you eat and drink abroad can help reduce the risk of illness.

It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and follow local laws as well. Carrying a copy of your passport while keeping the original in a secure location is a good practice. You may also want to save the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your phone in case you need help.

Making Connections and Balancing Academics

Building connections can make a meaningful difference in your study abroad experience. Getting involved in your program’s activities and engaging with the other students can help you feel more comfortable.

It’s also important to stay focused on your academic responsibilities. Attending class and completing your coursework ensures that the credits you earn abroad count toward your degree.

Finding that balance between maintaining your educational commitments and exploring your surroundings can help you make the most of your time abroad.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad can offer you more than just a change of scenery. It can shape how you think, communicate, and approach your academic and professional goals. Research shows that international experiences can have a lasting impact on a student’s skills and career path.

• Gaining a global perspective: A study abroad experience will expose you to a new culture and ways of thinking. It can help you better understand different perspectives and learn how to navigate unfamiliar environments in an increasingly globalized world.
• Strengthening your career readiness: Participating in a study abroad program can help you build valuable professional skills, including adaptability and communication capabilities. In a survey conducted by the Forum on Education Abroad, more than 90% of study abroad alumni said their experience helped them develop crucial job skills, and many reported that it influenced their career path.
• Improving your language skills: Living and learning in another country can help you develop the ability to communicate in another language, as well as further hone your overall communication skills.
• Expanding your professional network: Studying abroad can connect you with classmates, alumni, and faculty from around the world. The relationships you form through the experience may lead to professional opportunities. More than half of the respondents in the Forum on Education Abroad survey said their experience helped them get their first job out of college.

Getting Ready for Your Study Abroad Journey

Planning ahead can make studying abroad feel more manageable and rewarding. By following our practical study abroad tips — on everything from budgeting and packing to preparing for daily life — you can approach the experience with greater clarity and confidence, ensuring you get the most out of it.