Tribulations Before Trials

Going into this venture, I believed that everything would simply fall into place. I wasn’t entirely wrong. The guidance of CIEE (the program provider) has allowed a primarily smooth road, but some things I found myself barreling into with no regard for the flashing yellow lights, and suddenly I’m on the side of the road wondering if I’ll get a ticket or just a warning.

There are a lot of things to consider when preparing for several months abroad and I’m slowly learning what those things are and how to get it all done in time.

Tribulations

The process of applying for a visa can be a real hassle. Calling a consulate with questions can seem futile. Several automated messages in English may lead to a voice mail in Hungarian (although your email may be responded to promptly - and in English). A weekend trip to NYC with family that knows the area better may prove impossible to coordinate.

Should you ever find yourself needing a visa, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Many consulates have limited times for visa appointments and they fill fast for in-demand countries. A friend that will be studying in France was given the only available date of August 21 (approximately a week before her departure) before a cancellation opened up a slot on July 2, relieving the panic that had already started to surround her.

Trials

Which brings me to another thing: hidden fees. Student discount websites (like StudentUniverse) are fantastic until you need to make a change. Should you need to adjust anything for your flights, you may face fees from the airline as well as the booking website.

Once you have all of your flights figured out, it may be a good idea to have a sort of master list of luggage limitations. While checked bags may typically allow about 50 lbs, carry-on bags for international flights tend to be much more limited (think 17 lbs). These limits also vary between locations and airlines. If you’re using multiple airlines, make a list of the most restricted sizes and weights for each piece (checked bag, carry-on, and personal bag) to easily determine what you need to work around. The idea of wearing your winter coat in August to save baggage space may start to seem like a great idea.
  
It’s always good to be aware of what you are allowed before jumping into a new luggage set for your big adventure. Otherwise you may end up with several pretty but useless pieces.

Despite all of my lists, I was unprepared for change. I did not even check for fees that may come with adjustments when first booking. This alone could easily have made a change in my plans inevitable (very Murphy’s Laws). I am now reminded that things happen and it’s better to be prepared for those changes than blindsided by the fine print.