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Studying abroad: a checklist of the things to not forget
Would your child like to study abroad for a year or more? For him or her, it’s a dream come true. However you know that there will also be a lot of administrative and practical details to sort out, from registration to finding accommodation to insurance formalities. Not sure where to start? Here’s a practical checklist.
Send the application form on time to the university or school abroad
Each institution requires foreign students to send in a complete application. Today, these procedures can be carried out entirely online. Once you have drawn up your shortlist of universities or schools that interest you, check the deadline for submitting your application (often around January).
What does a registration application contain? Of course, this varies from one university to another. You will certainly need to provide a list of the student’s previous education, with the results obtained. But you may also be asked to provide the following:
- A covering letter;
- A letter of recommendation (usually written by a professor at the institution where the student is currently enrolled);
- A list of his or her extracurricular activities.
If you are returning to studies after a period of employment, you will need to provide a list of your professional experience.
And lastly, if you intend to apply for a bursary or any other form of financial support (see below), you will need to provide the necessary financial details.
It can take some time to get these applications together. So a word of advice: start early. Especially as many students apply at the last minute, the websites where applications are made tend to be saturated in the last few days before the application deadline.
Apply for a bursary or other financial aid
Studying abroad represents a significant investment. Fortunately, there is help available. In Europe, the best known is the Erasmus+ programme, which covers university or school enrolment fees and contributes to travel and accommodation costs.
In addition to this programme, most educational establishments around the world offer other forms of support for international students. However as you can imagine, they can rarely meet all the demands. Many of them therefore target their aid to specific profiles, on the basis of nationality, training or grades obtained, for example. In the United States, there is even aid for students involved in high-level sport.
Prepare these documents in advance
Your application has been accepted and your son or daughter will now be able to enjoy their dream experience abroad? Congratulations!
The other part of the paperwork now begins: the formalities and documents to prepare before departure.
Identity documents
If the student is travelling within the European Union, a simple identity card will suffice. However, if he or she is going outside the maybe even a student visa. Find out more from the university.
Proof of financial viability
Some countries or educational institutions ask for documents proving that the student has sufficient financial resources to be able to study there for the duration of their stay.
Payment card
Of course, your child will need a payment card that works abroad. In principle, the Maestro card works throughout the entire EU. Outside the EU, you will often need a Mastercard or Visa credit card. The other option is to open a bank account with a local bank.
Health documents
These are documents that you generally keep for your child but when abroad, he/she will need to carry them. Prepare a folder with the following information:
- Up-to-date vaccination records (check whether certain vaccinations are recommended in the destination country);
- A list of allergies;
- Does your child have a chronic illness or other condition requiring treatment? Make sure you have enough prescriptions for two or three months until you find a local doctor. Have a medical file prepared in English that you can show them.
Make sure you have the necessary insurance cover for a student trip abroad
You will need to think about three types of insurance for your student: health insurance, liability insurance and insurance for their accommodation and possessions.
Health insurance
Most schools abroad require a certificate of health cover that is valid for the duration of the stay. If your student is going to an EU country, the medical cover that protects them in Luxembourg will still apply. All you have to do is ask for a European health insurance card from the Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale (CCSS). This free card will also protect you in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Please note that basic health insurance does not cover all hospitalisation costs, and if your child has to be repatriated, this will be at your expense. For better cover, you can take out hospitalisation insurance.
Travel insurance also has a health component, but only covers local medical expenses for stays of less than three months. That said, it is essential if the student is going to a country outside the EU.
Liability insurance
The good news is that family liability insurance, which also covers your children, works in all countries within the EU. So if they damage equipment entrusted to them by the university or school, or inadvertently cause damage to their student accommodation, your liability insurance will provide coverage.
And what if the student’s own PC is stolen? To protect yourself, you can insure your computer equipment. This is even more useful if he/she needs expensive equipment for his/her studies.
Electronic equipment insurance
Students never leave home without their smartphone, laptop and headphones. Already getting a lot of use in everyday life, these items are even more vulnerable when travelling, and you certainly don’t want to have to replace them twice a year.
You have two options:
- The nomadic devices cover, included in the mozaik package, includes all portable electronic equipment (smartphones, consoles, cameras, laptops, etc.).
- The technology items cover, another mozaik option, insures fixed electronic equipment (your computer, printer, television, etc.).
Here are the documents you need to have with you for departure
The big day is approaching? If you have taken all the above steps, you should be worry-free.
If the studies will be within the EU, arrival formalities will not be too complicated. However, if your student is leaving for a country outside the EU, customs may ask for a few more details. In addition to your passport and student visa documents, make sure your son or daughter has the following documents in them:
- Admission letter from the university or school.
- Their local address, if they already have one (if not, indicate the place where they will be staying temporarily before finding accommodation).
Studying abroad: how can you be sure you haven’t forgotten anything?
Rest assured, every year tens of thousands of students go abroad to study. Higher education institutions have a lot of experience in the subject. They always have a dedicated service for foreign students, which can answer any questions you may have.
At Foyer, we understand your student’s specific insurance needs. With our mozaïk insurance, you can add numerous extensions to cover the risks you think you need.
