Financial Preparation
I funded my study abroad through savings and scholarships which helped cover the cost of my tuition. I created a spreadsheet of scholarships to help keep track of application dates and other important information. This helped a lot with breaking down tasks like asking for reference letters. The study abroad team sends out emails with scholarships, so be sure to look out for that! I applied to the scholarships they shared and one through the British Columbia Study Abroad (BCSA) Consortium.
Beforehand, I reviewed estimated costs on the SFU study abroad website and watched YouTube videos to have an idea of how much a semester abroad would cost. To save up, I worked part-time while studying and also worked a full-time co-op term in the summer before my exchange. I used a Wise card while in the UK which allowed me to load different currencies on my card for a better exchange rate than if I used my Visa. You load the card through an app, and I was also able to transfer money to friends through the app, which was great.
Packing
I found packing to be a bit daunting since I had never been away for so long from home. I watched a few packing videos on YouTube for inspiration. Leah’s video has some great tips on how to pack for 6 months, asking questions like, “What would I wear if I were a cartoon character?”
I would recommend starting by creating a list of the essentials like your passport, laptop, charger etc. because it can get overwhelming packing for an extended period, but knowing you have everything you need is the basis.
Studying abroad for the fall semester in Scotland, I packed my favourite outfits for the cold weather: lots of layers along with my winter coat, gloves, toque, and scarf. I also had some summer clothes which I wore the first few weeks of September when it was still quite warm. I found the weather from October on to be even colder and windier than Vancouver, so I was grateful for all of my layers.
I think the main difference between packing for a trip and study abroad is being aware of what you need and the things you can purchase while abroad. For example, I brought a lot of contact lenses, but not my big bottle of hair product, since I knew I could buy something similar abroad. This will help you avoid packing unnecessary items, and ideally have a little space in your suitcase for bringing things back from your exchange!
Travel and Transportation
I flew from Vancouver to Toronto, had a layover, and then flew to Glasgow where I then took a cab to my accommodation. Cabs are readily available outside of the airport or you could also call an Uber. My accommodation was near the city centre and the ride cost around £30. A more affordable option is the airport express bus which costs £10. I took the airport express on a few occasions where I had more time and was carrying less luggage. In the city, it is quite walkable. I ended up mostly walking to campus, since it was only 25 minutes from my accommodation and occasionally took the bus and subway to get around or an Uber if I was out late.