Education is life-long learning. We never stop learning since we were a child up to this moment. We learn from our day-to-day life experiences and the learning imparted to us from our parents, elders, teachers, best friends and life mentors. Learning is not limited to the four corners of the classroom rather it is acquired everywhere and in everything that we do. I am a Bachelor's degree holder and I'm still planning to have my Master's degree in Education Management or Business Management. If given a chance for a scholarship by studying abroad that would be a big opportunity for me. I know you need to submit all these documents needed and pass those interviews and exams online for you to be qualified. It might be hard to think of it especially you are coming from a different country and culture having different backgrounds and beliefs, but if others can make it, why can't I? it is an opportunity for me to learn more and for me to have higher ranks or positions in my teaching career if I will be able to pass it.
To study abroad, one must have a brave heart and a witty mind for you to be able to achieve your goal. You will be far from your family and friends, but communication will never stop because there are now online applications for you to have a video call and private messaging to your loved ones. You need to prepare yourself if you want to study abroad. One way for you to prepare is to know the study abroad packing list. Do you know those things needed as listed in your study abroad packing lists?
ESSENTIALS
What are those essentials needed if you will be studying abroad? You will be studying in a different country, so a passport is a must. If they need a visa, so please don't forget to bring it. Just to make sure you have copies of those in case some might get lost, so have photocopied of those important documents. If you are advised by your doctor to have some medicines intake each day, so bring with you those prescribed medicines. Money is needed everywhere we go, so have enough money in your pocket. The money that is in you is in local currency, don't worry after you arrive, try to ask for a foreign exchanger inside the airport or a foreign exchange office near the airport. The charger of your mobile phones or laptops is necessary in case the battery of your phone is low. The school might need some hard copies of your documents, so bring those papers with you. I consider face masks, face shields and alcohols as essential this time of the pandemic, so put those items in your bag because you will be needing those things. Other countries might ask for your vaccination card as proof that you got vaccinated, so please do not forget it. Airline companies are looking for your negative anti-gen result or negative swab test result, so secure it first and bring the resulting test with you also.
GADGETS
Gadgets are needed nowadays especially if you are a student. You will have your face-to-face classes or online, so laptop is needed. For communication purposes like having a video call with your families back home or if you want to call your girlfriend/boyfriend, your cellphone must be with you always. It's one way for you to overcome homesickness especially if it's your first time to be far from your loved ones. If you have flash drives and other gadgets needed in your studies, so bring those items as well. If you love listening to music and it's a way for you to overcome stress, so bring your Mp3s and airphones with you.
CLOTHING
You don't need to pack all of those formal and informal dresses at home. Choose those clothes that are acceptable in their culture so please have early research of those clothes. You will be attending classes, so formal and presentable clothes are needed like long pants and long sleeves or polo shirts. You will need of socks and handkerchiefs too, so put those items in your bag. Don't bring all of your clothes because if you will receive your scholarship allowance abroad if you avail and qualified for that program, then you will have the money to buy some extra clothes as needed in your study or those cheap clothes needed in your dormitory or apartment.
PERSONAL ITEMS
You will be traveling for how many hours, so bring some toilet paper, napkins if you need of it, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Your under-wears are needed too and put one towel in your traveling bag. You will be in need of a small traveling pillow to ease the pain in your head when you want to sleep. If the country permits, you can also bring some devotional materials like your small bible and prayer journal, so you can continue your daily meditation to uplift your soul. Other personal belongings you need to bring is your traveling bag, shoes, favorite cap and some accessories like your bracelet, earing and your wristwatch. Your traveling bag must not too big enough for you not to pay extra baggage fee at the airport. You already knew what are those other personal items needed as it depends on the person, so put those personal items not mentioned of mine as one of your travel abroad packing list.
YOURSELF
The most important living thing on your study abroad list is yourself. Are sure of your decision to study abroad which is far from your hometown? If you are pretty sure, how prepared are you knowing that you will be studying in a different country? You need to think about it well before you decide on studying abroad. Consider the decision of your parents whether they will approve it or not. Yourself is the important asset you will bring. I know you still have doubts and questions lingering in your mind before going abroad. So have enough preparation like knowing the culture and tradition in that particular country to avoid having culture shock and expect that you will make adjustments after you will arrive in their place. You need to know the foods available in that certain area where you will live for a while and then the weather if it's too hot or too cold for you to bring some extra clothes if the temperature is freezing. Study their national language as well and try to memorize those words that are commonly used especially if they are not using English as their national language. The one who is now facing the challenge is yourself. So be strong enough, do your part and trust God always for you to be able to finish your studies. You will be alone for a short period because if you are friendly, you can find friends and a family even if you are in a different country.
I hope those items mentioned as part of your study abroad packing list will help you in your journey as you will study abroad. If there are some items you failed to bring, just find ways for you to have them. It might be you have a relative or a friend before who is working in that country, so before you go abroad, try to contact them in case you will need their assistance or if you will encounter problems after. Check and recheck those items listed in your study abroad packing list especially those things that are essentials.
As we all know, one thing that is constant in this world is change. The decision that you will make now is part of those changes. You are growing now and there are decisions you need to make on your own and face by yourself. Not at all times that you will depend on your parents or on your siblings. That is part of your learning. You will be learning a lot if you are living on your own. Studying abroad will deepen your knowledge, enhance more skills and develop your character as an individual. You will learn their culture and appreciate their differences. If it's all free and you have your monthly allowance, you are lucky enough to be chosen among others. It is a rare opportunity that you must grab. You will be staying there not for a lifetime so do not worry if you are far from your loved ones in the meantime. Soon after you will accomplish your purpose and obtain the degree or certificates you want to have, you will harvest the fruit of your labor and sacrifices afterward. Once you will earn that degree, it will be useful to your career and become more successful in life. Use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by studying abroad not just for your advantage but for the sake of helping others as well. May this be the start of your greater success in life. So don't focus too much on the list, rather bring with you your inner confidence and embrace those challenges with the courage and determination for you to surpass them.