10 Tips For Study Abroad Students Who Travel Alone For The First Time.

The actual experience, however, will be something in between these two extremes. You'll have fantastic first-time encounters, but it's important to keep a good head on you to avoid some typical trappings when you travel abroad.

Keep these ten tips in mind, and you should be able to stay grounded while having the time of your life.

1. Don't forget your passport.

And other important documentation.

If you've never left the country before you may have never had the need for a passport. But if you're traveling abroad you'll need one that's in date. Just make sure you get it in plenty of time before your departure date as they take several weeks to process.

As well as a passport, you may need a student visa and possibly other documentation. Check with a school or program coordinator or contact the country's embassy in your home country for all the requirements. Keep physical copies at home as well as digital copies of any of the paperwork including your passport data page.

2. Take care of your stuff!

Especially the valuable kind.

If you're going overseas to study you may be taking quite a few of these expensive goods to study: laptop, smartphone or more cash than you'd ordinarily carry. And other valuables like your passport. In fact, the latter will be a real pain to replace if you lose it.

Protect these things with sensible tools. Bring a couple of padlocks with you for instance – one for your suitcase and perhaps a larger one to use with a locker. Money belts might not seem like the most fashion-forward solution, but they're incredibly practical, particularly if you do have a lot of cash or need to carry your passport with you. Keeping it on your person away from public view is as secure as it gets.

3. While we're on the subject of money, remember to tell your bank where you are.

The worst thing to happen when you're abroad is that your ATM card fails you. This will be because your bank thinks someone is defrauding your account and using it abroad. Tell them your plans to avoid the misfortune of having your card declined.

Credit cards are also useful, and they can include protection for things you buy and if it gets stolen while you're away, against fraudulent use. Be aware of all the potential charges before you go so you're not too surprised when your bill comes in. Have a rough idea of what the exchange rate is for the same reason.

4. Ditch the extra bottle of conditioner.

There's every temptation to pack several bottles of your favorite brand of shampoo or other toiletries. But you're just using up valuable space in your suitcase and new accommodation abroad. There'll be shops where you're going, and you may be missing out on some local goodies by being overly obsessive about your regular brand of soap.

You may want to apply this tip judiciously, however. There might be some things you'd feel more comfortable traveling with – like feminine hygiene products.

5. Alleviate accommodation stress.

The best way to alleviate the stress of where to live is to talk to people who have already been there. Perhaps students from the previous year have recommendations. Think about what you want from the place you live though. It's no good living in party central with tons of other students from your home country if what you really want is to be nearer to the cultural landmarks or to immerse yourself within the local community.

Having said that, it's useful to share experiences with like-minded people in similar situations. And you may appreciate the support network while you're away from home. Weigh up the pros and cons of each option for the right decision.

6. Make sure you have your own First Aid kit.

Most countries have the basics someone might be looking for – paracetamol, plasters, diarrhea relief tablets. But you'll need to be careful with regards to any other type of medication, particularly if it's prescribed, and make appropriate arrangements.

And of course, the likelihood of anything serious happening while you're away is as slim as it is at home. Nevertheless, without insurance, the cost of dealing with a medical incident is just not worth it. So make sure you take out insurance to cover you for such eventualities.

7. Don't forget what you're there for.

It's important you don't lose sight of why you're there. Your experience studying abroad is supposed to enhance your academic success. Employers look favorably on time spent studying or working abroad. But that might all be moot if you spend too much time enjoying yourself. This is one of the reasons students drop out of college because they spend too much time 'making the most of it' and not enough time focused on their work. It's absolutely possible to do both, and you'll have fonder memories of your trip for doing so.

8. Be nice.

That is to say, have some respect for the local culture. There may be some cultural no-no's that may seem fairly innocuous. Do you have to cover your legs for instance? Lewd behavior while drunk may be frowned upon. Even speaking English may annoy your new community to some degree. So, do your research by reading a guide book and schooling yourself on the local etiquette. It's also helpful to learn at least a few key phrases in the local language, if not enrolling yourself onto an intensive language course before you go.

Also, don't forget your street smarts. Make sure your research prepares you for areas to avoid, don't make a spectacle of yourself or flash money and expensive jewelry around. The most important thing, after all, is to keep yourself as safe as you possibly can.

9. Know who you're gonna call.

Keeping a list of key contact numbers is a good idea. This applies for key contacts in-country and back at home. This might include family, key staff members at your school, your bank and also Embassies.

Your Embassy can help you if you get into certain types of trouble, including losing your passport or getting arrested. Try not to get arrested though – it'll be a real downer on your study abroad experience.

10. Communicate.

Keep in touch with friends and family as well as your new friends in your new home. But don't do so with your usual mobile phone contract as the roaming charges will bleed you dry.

By all means, take your handset but just use a local sim and pay-as-you-go. Then save a bit extra by using available Wi-Fi – something you'll want to ensure is hooked up wherever you're staying.