9 things to check before leaving
The departure approaches! Even if you are excited by this idea, you have to be well prepared. The adventure has already began but it would rapidly end if you are not well prepared. Indeed, organisation is the main word in order to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
Once you arrive you will just trust your survival capacity. You would only blame yourself if things are going wrong … That’s why a little checklist is imperative before leaving:
1) Documents
Be sure that everything’s okay with your school and the company where you will do your internship. All the documents should be signed by all parties and your internship should be related to your studies. Be sure that you are not leaving your country to do coffee runs or become the new service printer.
2) Insurance
As a good adventurer, you have to be prepared for the worst situation. So, be informed about your insurance: Who is going to cover you: the University, the company or you need to purchase an insurance? In which cases will you be covered? What are the different conditions? and so on.
3) Passport
The majority of countries require a passport with a minimum validity of 6 month from the date of entry into the country or to the end date of your stay.
Be careful, to travel in Australia you have to present a validated passport during the whole duration of your stay. Thus, It is essential to be sure that your passport is valid (the expiry date is written on the main page of the document)
4) Visa
There are a lot of Visas to come to Australia and it depends on the reason why you are traveling here. Find the one which is suited to you. And don’t try to come without a visa because you can’t put a foot on the territory without one, and it will result in a direct return to your country.
5) Flight
Day, schedule, ticket, check several times if everything is okay. It would be stupid to miss your plane just because you didn’t take the time to check or because you are running late. You have to check your flight conditions too which include the weight of your luggage, the different things that you can put into your luggage or the price that you have to pay if you exceed the permitted weight.
6) Accommodation
Even though there are a lot of backpacker hostels in the country, it is better to find your accommodation before coming. In fact, the travel is often very tiring to come to Australia and when you arrive you just want to take a shower and go to sleep. Moreover, you’re less stressed when you already know where you will live.
For people who are scared to be alone and making new friends, it is easy to find a flatshare with different websites such as flatemate.com, easyroommate.com or airbnb.com. And it is a good way to save money too. But be careful, there are a lot of scams!
7) Bank account
Before coming to Australia, you should see with your bank consultant the several options you can undertake to save money and not pay some fees because you withdraw money or paid your lunch at work. If you are coming to work or do a paid internship, it is better that you open a bank account in a local bank.
Therefore, try to verify your credit card and if it is useful, change to an international one.
8) Phone
You should check if your phone is unlocked before coming to Australia, because you will certainly need an australian number therefore you will have a new sim card. If your phone is locked, you will not be able to use this sim card in your phone, which will cause a problem.
9) International Drivers Licence.
If you have a driver’s licence, it is better for you to get an international driver’s licence, because you will not be able to drive with a european driver licence in Australia. And don’t forget that Australian people drive on the right and not on the left.
Also if you own a car, you should see with your car insurance to review prices or negotiate to suspend the contract while you are overseas.
Now, let’s go to enjoy your trip peacefully!