Travel Assistance
Your admission is confirmed; you are ready for the D-day when you will depart and commence an exciting phase of your life! You are keen to get on that plane and begin your days as a student staying overseas. There are small issues to sort out like what to pack, how to select a flight plan or rides from airport. You are not quite sure of these things. You are concerned about luggage exceeding weight restrictions set by airline. Well, there is nothing to be anxious; Harlog Consultancy Ltd is here to assist you decide on what to do and what to avoid.
Focus on indispensable Elements
Make a checklist of the vital documents or papers you are likely to carry. Keep your passport, plane ticket, visa, phone numbers, list of addresses, prescription papers and student housing information ready. You require easy access to these during the departure and arrival, so keep them in your hand luggage. If you are planning to take some sizeable amount of money, then get yourself a useful travel pouch for additional safety. These come with a strap which can be attached to waist.
Always Keep it Light
Students end up over-packing clothes as they fear to run out of something; so by listing what you actually need, sorting out becomes simpler. List your clothes deeming their purposes – separate inner wear from outer, casuals from formals. Keep your ties, socks, shawls, jackets, gloves, towels, swimwear, winter wear individually. Consider how many you require under every segment, then pack accordingly. Start arranging the clothes in your bag and check the space they occupy. If they take up much space, lose some optional garments. Travel as light as possible.
Valuable Travel Tips from Harlog Consultancy Ltd
Tips on travel are essential if you’re a young student visiting the country for the first time:
- Know your destination country, its weather or attire styles, pack clothes accordingly.
- To save luggage space, you can wear a heavier jacket while you’re boarding the plane.
- Pack sufficient winter wear if the destination is cold. You will need it as you land there.
- Compartmentalize items based on urgency of needs; this would be easier for you to unpack. You can easily extract few items from luggage.
- Pack a set of clothes in hand luggage in case you stay at a hotel or some temporary accommodation, on your arrival.
- Buy a lightweight and durable bag so it won’t increase baggage weight. A trolley or carry-on is best.
- Pack less formal wear because you are expected to use them on formal gatherings like graduation day or cultural events. You will wear your casuals or semi-formals frequently.
- Leave out something that’s not essential. You can always purchase those in the nation you’re moving to. Forget those extra pair of shoes and excessive toiletries.
- Carry fragile and costly items like laptop or camera in hand luggage, so they won’t be damaged by irresponsible handling by airport staff.
- Kitchen appliances are better to avoid. You might get yourself a place that has a furnished kitchen.
- One vital accessory to take is a power adapter or chargers for electronic devices to function.
- Avoid packing jewellery; wear some light ones if necessary.
- Leave out sharp objects like scissors, knives, blades. These things are banned on flights.
- Items like blankets, pillow covers or bedspreads must be avoided. Your accommodation will provide these to you. If necessary, carry a light cotton bedspread.
Know the Flexible and Affordable Flight Plans
Course commencement dates are generally set in stone, but you should be ready for potential visa delays and other obstacles to travel plans. So when you book a flight, ensure the airline is flexible regarding your travel dates. If you require to postpone the departure date, then ensure you aren’t paying a weighty penalty. Pick a air travel plan that costs a nominal fee to cancel or reschedule. Getting a considerable refund for cancelled ticket is far better than giving up a huge ticket cost.
Harlog Consultancy Ltd Tips for Airport Pickup Alternatives for International Students
It might be a bit daunting to step out of airport and perceive a whole new country. You might not know your way around the town. Luckily, there exist on-arrival services which you can avail, to make life easier.
You might let your university arrange any transportation to pick you up from airport:
Free rides
Although several universities charge international students a definite amount for pickup at airport, some universities that offer it for free. Reputed institutions like the University of Melbourne, Queen Mary University of London, the University of South Australia, the UWE Bristol offer free pickup services. In order to avail, you must inform the university representatives online, to book a ride at least 72 hours before you land.
Paid service
Some global universities will charge a fair amount for pickup services, higher than a standard city cab fee. Do the math and distinguish if pickup vehicle from university is more expensive than a classic cab ride. Pickup services also deem passenger count.
Take a bus
Some universities can inform you of airport shuttle services. These are generally buses which pick up passengers at definite hours of a day to drop them off at different destinations of the city. You need to organize with university representatives to check if arrival time coincides with schedules of shuttle service. Nominal fees are charged.