Keeping In Touch While Studying Abroad

If you are planning to study abroad in the near future, you are probably worrying how you will stay in contact with the people close to you. Studying abroad is a great way to meet new people, but it that doesn't mean it is easy to leave the old ones behind. If you want to keep in touch during your time spent far away from home, read on for some helpful tips.

Cover all the internet basics: instant messaging, social networking, and email. Make sure you have easy to access accounts for each of these basic forms of internet communication. Also make sure everyone back home has all of your contact information! On a day to day basis, these three things will be simple and quick to use. You probably already use them at home, and once you are studying abroad, that does not need to change.

Make sure you have a way to video chat. Even if you do not have the internet or computer capabilities to make video chat your default option for easy communication, you should still make sure you will be able to use it occasionally. Being able to see the facial expressions and motions can make you feel closer to your friends and family members than any other way to chat via the internet. Don't let yourself miss out on the chance to see the faces you most care about, even when separated by hundreds or thousands of miles.

Do research on various phone plans and providers. Many students who spend time overseas are disappointed by their inability to simply give people back home a quick phone call. You will most likely need to leave your current cell phone plan behind while you travel, because long distance rates will be extremely expensive. However, that does not mean you can not have a cell phone at all! If you take the time to find out what your various cell phone options will be while you study abroad, you will probably discover that making calls to home on a traditional cell phone can be expensive, but still affordable. In other words, you will not find a cheap "international" plan, but you will not have to bankrupt yourself to get a plan, either.

Take advantage of all the internet has to offer, but do not assume that it is always the best option. Social networking sites facebook, twitter email and even video chat can help you stay close to your loved ones while you study abroad. Although these options are great for day to day interaction and communication, but you should still look for other creative ways to stay connected. Snail mail, although a bit slow and a bit expensive too, is a perfect way to add a personal, heartfelt touch to your messages. Even though an email can be sent instantaneously, it is still more impersonal that a sweet "thinking of you" letter written by hand on a real piece of paper, or a gift package with containing presents, souvenirs or mementos.

Tips for Getting a Student Visa to Study in UK

Before you can study in UK, you will need to have several important documents, including a visa. The visa allows you to legally reside and study in the UK. If you are not what is referred to as a EEA citizen, which means that you are not from Europe, a visa is an essential to allow you to legally be in the UK. Do not make the mistake of obtaining a visitor’s visa and then attempting to stay and study.

Having a student visa will also allow you to work in the UK while you are studying under certain circumstances. In addition, if you have a family, you can also bring them with you to the UK provided that you can demonstrate you are able to support them while you are in the UK.

You can receive a visa application at any British Embassy near your location, which is in most major cities. You will also be able to pick up the required IM2A forms and pay the requisite application fee at the Embassy as well.

In addition, you will need to provide several important documents when making your application for a student visa to study in UK. These documents include an acceptance letter from the university or school where you will be attending, financial evidence such as a sponsor letter, personal bank statements or scholarship information and documentation regarding your accommodations.

Keep in mind that in order to be approved for a student visa to study in UK, you will need to meet several important rules. For example, you must demonstrate your intention to study at a public-funded college or university, legitimate private institution or an independent school that is fee-paying. The reason for this is that immigration officials want to be certain that you are actually studying while in the UK. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have the ability and the intention to follow a full-time course of study for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

You will also need to demonstrate your ability to pay for your study course as well as your own living expenses and the living expenses of your spouse and/or children if they come with you without the need to work or claim public funds while you are in the UK.

Studying abroad can be fairly expensive and immigration officials typically want to be certain that you have a sufficient amount of funds to sustain yourself as well as your family during your time away from home. Under certain conditions you may work while you study in UK, but only if you are accepted for a course of study that lasts longer than six months. In this case, you may work only part-time or during your study breaks or vacations. This is because the type of visa for which you are applying is primarily for you to study not for you to become employed. In addition, you must also demonstrate your intention to leave the country once you have completed your study in UK program.

Tips For Staying Healthy In College

It is a problem not uncommon when it comes to students in college. Once they leave the home of their parents, they come to shed away many of the rules that they were subject to. This may mean staying up at all hours of the night, it could imply taking up poor eating habits; however, staying healthy while attending one of the colleges in London is important.

1. Getting Plenty of Sleep

Some college students, in an effort to study for an upcoming exam or simply finish a television show they have been watching, will not get enough sleep. As a result, they will find that concentrating is difficult. They may be unable to focus on their studies, or may simply feel too worn out to do much of anything. It is important for the student to get a full night of sleep. They will see in the long run that it is better for their health.

2. Don't Go Overboard

Many students believe that college is a time to truly let loose and have fun. While this is not completely untrue, it is never a good idea to go overboard. A student should never push away their responsibilities to go drinking with their friends. They should not fill their body with drugs and other questionable substances. No matter how much peer pressure they experience, they should never give in. The student could become seriously ill and risk failure if they do not take on healthy habits.

3. Find Inspiration

When a student is attending one of many colleges in London, they may be unable to take on healthy habits because they do not feel motivated. This can easily be solved by finding a fellow student that has taken on a good lifestyle. Together, these two or more individuals can make sure that the other is eating food that is acceptable for them. They can make sure that everybody is getting in their daily exercises, no matter what those may be. The more people there are to help in the situation, the stronger a student can feel.

4. Find Stress Outlets

Stress plays an active part in student life. The combination of a lot of assignments and the feeling that nothing will get done in time can send some people over the edge to anxiety and unhappiness. When this happens, it is important for a student to sit down, take a few breathes, and come up with a plan. They should decide what they are going to do first, and when they are going to do it. When everything is written down on paper or on a computer they will feel better. Attending one of many colleges in London will not feel as overwhelming.