So you have decided to go to a cold climate country for your future studies? Then, the winter study abroad program is meant for you. These will not only give you exposure to living in a cold country but will also prepare you for your future.
Even if you decide to spend only two weeks abroad studying, you will have to work out your student housing, your meals, transportation, etc. You will know whether the college is right for you or not. If the college of your dreams is offering winter study programs, seize the opportunity and check out how your future might look like.
Here is all that you need to know for your winter study abroad program
You will have to arrange student accommodation.
You cannot go to a cold country without having your accommodation preplanned. You can either choose to live in university dorms or you can opt for off-campus accommodation. If you choose to go for off-campus accommodation, you need to check the location, whether it is safe or not, whether the meals are included in your current package, and finally the commuting services available from your location to the college. Living on off-campus accommodation will give you a fair idea about the country, their local dialect, and the culture.
Remember to check the insulation of the house. If you find any issues with any appliances or the heating, make sure your landlord knows about it and can get it fixed before you move in.
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Pack your winter wear
If you are going to a cold country, you obviously need winter wear. A few things which your winter wear set must have are:
- Light jackets
- Thermal innerwear
- Woolen socks
- Heavy coats
- Gloves
- Thick scarf
- Thick leather boots
You can go abroad with a few winterwear of your own and shop for the rest after you have arrived. But it is always the best option to make sure that you have enough winter wear to help you sustain till the time you go shopping.
Remember to dress in layers. Choose cotton innerwear so that it can absorb moisture generated from your sweat.
Keep your exercise routine and nutrition in check
Winter requires warmth. Warmth requires energy. Your body will get energy from the food that you eat. Therefore, it is important that you maintain your eating and drinking habits when you are abroad. Our bodies also get easily tired when they are under extreme climatic conditions. Thus, always opt for nutritious and healthy food instead of junk food.
Staying hydrated is very important
During winters, the body tends to lose a lot of moisture and becomes dry easily. Therefore, keep yourself constantly hydrated by drinking fluids or water. Do not opt for ice or cold drinks because these will disturb your body’s inner equilibrium. Go for hot drinks instead like hot chocolate, coffee, tea, soup, etc. You can get a flask or a thermal bottle to preserve your warm drinks for a longer time.
If you are used to doing heavy-duty exercise on an everyday basis, cut down on it. The body gets easily tired in the winter months. Therefore, do mild exercises.
Do not stay at a place or take rest for too long at a time. Both of these are not good for your body. If you do not have any work, you can stroll around the house or just put on some warm clothes and go outside for a walk around the block. Make sure that your body is working. These small amounts of workouts can keep your muscles active and continue generating heat.
Make sure your mind is always active. You can either indulge your mind in coursework, do puzzles, or read a book.
Remember to safeguard your electronic items
In extremely cold conditions, electronic equipment may shut down or malfunction if they are exposed to too much cold. The batteries of electrical equipment face damage from severe heat as well as cold conditions. During packing, it is recommended that you remove the battery and hard drive of your laptop and pack them up separately. Back up your data before you pack your laptop. Any item which has a screen like smartphones, iPads, cameras et cetera can suffer from a buildup of condensation. Therefore, put them in cases and then pack them
Do not forget skincare
During winters, the skin becomes dry easily. Therefore, it is necessary that you keep your skin moisturized and remember to use sunscreen. You can get sunburns in winters as well. The sun burns generally occur by the reflection of the Sun from the snow. Remember to carry sunglasses as well.
Finally…
With all these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you should be ready for your course at your dream university this winter. While others wile away from their time watching Netflix, you can gain new college credit, make new friends, learn about a new country and secure your college future during that time.
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