Apps & Hacks to Use to Get Ready for Study Abroad
Preparing to study abroad isn’t just about buying luggage and checking your passport—it’s about getting organized, informed, and mentally ready for a big life transition. Whether you're weeks or months away from departure, here are the tools, apps, and mindset hacks that are helpful to keep you on track:
1. Notion – For organizing everything
Notion is a powerful tool for creating and managing packing lists, flight details, visa documents, and more. Students can create customized pages for each part of their study abroad planning process.
2. Google Calendar – For countdowns & deadlines
By color-coding tasks such as application deadlines, scholarship reminders, and orientation dates, students can better visualize their schedules and stay ahead of important commitments.
3. Duolingo or Babbel – For language preparation
Learning a few key phrases in the host country’s language can build confidence and show cultural appreciation. These apps allow users to set daily goals, maintain a learning streak, and practice on the go.
4. Rome2Rio or Skyscanner – For navigating weekend travel
Rome2Rio helps students map out the best travel routes across multiple transportation methods—train, bus, flight, or ferry—making it easier to plan affordable weekend getaways. Skyscanner is a great tool for finding budget-friendly flights and comparing the best travel deals across airlines and booking platforms.
5. XE Currency – For budgeting in a new currency
With real-time currency conversion, students can quickly understand local pricing and manage their expenses while adjusting to a new financial environment.
6. eSIM Options – For affordable mobile data abroad
Instead of paying for costly international roaming, students can purchase an eSIM from a local provider or use apps like Airalo or Holafly upon arrival. This allows for seamless mobile data access without needing a physical SIM card—ideal for staying connected from day one.
Study Abroad Prep Hacks
Pack early, edit later.
Start packing 2–3 weeks in advance. Lay everything out, then cut down by a third. Less is more, as you might buy souvenirs or go shopping once you arrive in your host country.
Set your “non-negotiables” before you go.
What keeps you grounded at home? Whether it’s journaling, Sunday calls with family, or morning walks, plan to keep that part of your routine abroad.
Start budgeting with the 50/30/20 rule.
Even abroad:
50% for essentials (food, housing)
30% for fun
20% for savings or emergencies
Scan all your documents.
Create a digital folder with your passport, visa, insurance, and enrollment letters—just in case something gets lost.
Weekly journal
Whether paper or digital, take 5 minutes to journal each week. It helps you track growth, capture moments, and make space for the transition.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a study abroad journey can feel overwhelming—but with the right tools, it becomes far more manageable. These apps, planners, and digital hacks have empowered many students to approach this exciting chapter with confidence rather than stress.