Make a checklist before you take that flight

Securing an admission to a university abroad is one thing and living on your own in a foreign land without the cushioning support of family and friends is a different ball game altogether.

While education counsellors guide you through admission procedures and point you out the best plan for you. There is seldom enough guidance to prepare students before they begin their landmark journey. 

There are a number of big and small things that need to be kept in mind before you take that flight to independence, adventure and responsibility.

Flight details: Flight tickets are of top priority.  Here is what you need to check

•  Buy tickets early to benefit cheaper fares. You can save as much as Rs10,000.
• Booking a return ticket is not required if you do not know the date when you will be back home.
• A return ticket will only tempt you to return home as soon as you come face to face with even smallest difficulties of living alone.
• If your travel requires you to change flights, keep a buffer time of atleast three hours as you will have to go through the check-in, immigration and customs procedures before boarding the next flight.

Baggage blues: So that you don't reach this stage, here's what you need to keep in mind

• All airlines allow two pieces of check-in bags each weighting no more than 23 kilos. Your check-in bags will have to be surrendered at the time of check-in.
• Incase you have to change flights, in advance check with the airline if you have to check in your baggage again at the transit airport. For instance. Travelling from Mumbai to US via London.
• In your baggage make sure to pack essentials like extra pair of spectacles, wallets belts, socks, at least two sets of thermal wear for winter apart from other basic things you may require.
• Most important, affix your name labels along with your university address, a contact number if possible. This helps the airline to get in touch with you incase your bag is misplaced.
• Apart from the two check-in bags, you can carry a hand bag which remains with you throughout your journey. This cannot weigh more than 8 kilos.
• Carry important documents-marksheets, certificates, traveller's checks any valuables in the handbag. You can use a travel pouch to keep your passport, boarding pass and other important flight details.
• Remember to secure your bags with good locks and keep the keys handy.
• Do not leave/ give your bag to anyone while you visit washrooms. Neither accept anyone else's belongs or abandoned package. 

Departure facts: Before you leave your home on the day of your departure, make sure you do these

• Check that you have your tickets, valid passport, I-20 form, admission letter, enough currency both Indian and of the country your flying to, SEVIS fee receipt, visa fee receipts, a few passport size or stamp size photographs.
• Remember to also carry a pen and a diary of contact addresses and numbers that you might need. Reach the departure airport at least three hours prior to the departure time.
• Get your "check-in" bags scanned and tagged at the X-ray scanning counter. If your bags have not gone through the X-ray check, are not tagged they cannot be checked-in or loaded onto the aircraft.
• If you are in possession of a contact number of the person who will receive you at your destination airport keep that on hand as well.