Blog Postings by Returning Stellenbosch University Students
As an avid traveller, I assumed that the pre-departure preparations would run smoothly. While I did not experience any major hick-ups, it is important to remember that preparation for a holiday is different to that of preparation for living abroad. The most important such difference is the visa application procedure.
Pre-departure:
First off- I am lucky enough to have a British Passport, so my departure process was a lot easier than my friends going on exchange (at least before BREXIT). The hardest part of the pre-departure process was trying to focus on my oral exams for law that we were required to do a week before we left. These were a major struggle to study for because all you want to do is think about your adventure, or like me, work more to earn money so that you can actually survive there! So start studying early and complete your assignments early. Keep your eyes on the prize – the good will come later. Other than studying, I would advise you to save as much as possible. You want to be able to live fully, and if your parents also can’t give you money like mine, then I suggest you start saving EARLY.
Pre-departure:
The time between the confirmation of being selected for a semester exchange by the host university and the departure date seems long. It isn’t! Booking flights is the easiest part. The paper work that is required for everything else is plenty – from buying health and travel insurance, paying the accommodation deposit and, of course, applying for a visa.