Checklist Before Going to Study in Europe

Studying in Europe requires extensive documentation. You must possess valid proof of identity, citizenship, residency, and the purpose and duration of your stay. Crucially, you'll need to demonstrate sufficient funds. To simplify your preparation, we've compiled a detailed pre-departure checklist for international students heading to Europe.

And you are all set to land in a European country for your higher studies. Firstly, congratulations on your selection in your dream university. Before, you actually reach there, you need to do proper planning so you do not miss anything important at your home in India. Studying in Europe is a dream for many. However, crossing international borders also means that you have to be very careful about documents and papers that prove your identity, finances and many more. Here is a checklist specially for a student who are going to study in Europe.

Academic Documents and University Paper Work

Here is the list of important documentation, which you need to do before travelling to Europe.

• Make sure that you have a Letter of Acceptance, Letter of Enrollment, admit card, and the ID card sent to you by the institution with details like your roll number and joining date.
• Keep both hard and soft copies of pay slips and fee receipts ready, just in case.
• Take copies of all your academic certificates, attested by Indian dignitaries, along with you. You may be asked to produce them during the admission procedure.
• Read the university brochure and joining instructions carefully. They may ask for some additional documents too.
• If you have rented a place, carry the rent agreement along with you. Otherwise, you should have all the valid documents that indicate where you will be staying during the period of your study.
• Even if you go from one city to another city within the country for a temporary stay, you usually have to inform the local authorities and your university about the change of your address. Keep them informed to stay safe and out of trouble.

Bank Documents 

• Keep the personal bank statements and salary slips of the last six months (yours or that of your sponsor) ready too to show that you have enough funds to fend for yourself during your stay in the country.
• In case, you have got a scholarship, keep your scholarship certificate ready showing the amount that has been or will be paid to you.
• International credit cards are always an advantage when you are travelling abroad. However, most European countries accept MasterCards and Visa Cards.
• While it is a good idea to at least some euros in cash, always use traveller's cheques for a transaction of a larger amount.

General Documents

• If you are on a specific medicine, remember to carry enough of it during your stay. Also, remember to carry one copy of your prescription, medical history and medical reports along with you. They will prove to be handy, in case of an emergency. Be sure to keep one copy at home or at a safe place where you can reach them, in case you lose your papers. Better still, scan them and e-mail it to yourself.
• Keep several copies of your recent passport-size photographs with you. You will need them during admission and immigration procedures in India as well as in the European country where you are going.
• Keep your list of emergency contacts always with you. These should include name, contact number, and addresses of Embassy personnel in your home country and destination country, student support personnel at your university or college, and your friends and family members at home as well as abroad. Keep as many alternatives with you as possible.
• An international call card that offers you a cheaper option to keep in touch with your family will seem like a boon once you reach the foreign land, at least for the first few weeks.

Health Documents

• Get all the necessary vaccinations and get the certificate to prove that you have done so. You may be asked to show the certificate by the authorities.
• It is a good practice to carry your blood group ID with you too.
• Don't forget to take along all the papers related to your health insurance. Health insurance that covers you during your stay in a foreign country is often a mandatory requirement by the immigration authorities.

Travel Documents

• If your passport, visa or residence permit is about to expire, get them renewed in time. Keep their extra copies with you at all times.
• Make sure that you have the medical fitness certificate ready before you board the plane to ensure the authorities that you are not a carrier of any of the dreaded communicable diseases.
• Carry details of your travel insurance too.
• Countries have specific rules about the weight of luggage they allow you to bring as an international traveller. Check the rules and keep with the specified limits.
• Take along your driver's license and other documents that confirm your identity.
• Frequent international travellers advice that it is a good practice to label your luggage with your name, phone number, and complete address.

If you have any queries related to this topic, we will be happy to answer them. You can drop your question in the comment section below or connect with Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.