First day at a language school abroad

So, you’ve booked a course at a language school abroad, bought your tickets, obtained your visa, arrived, and received the coveted stamp at the border. What’s next?

We sincerely hope that you won’t face any difficulties or complaints, but just in case, read this note to know how to behave in the first days of your studies, what to expect, and how to handle any disputes.

There are a few things you should take care of in advance.

First is the airport transfer. There are several options that are more cost-effective than calling a regular taxi.

• Many schools offer a transfer service, and in most cases, it is not much more expensive than a taxi from the airport. The price is agreed upon in advance, unlike with a taxi, and it won’t increase due to heavy traffic or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Modern taxi operators like Uber offer lower prices than airport taxis, making this a good opportunity to save, but you will need internet access to order the service.
• You can use public transport; however, we only recommend this option if there is a direct route between the airport and your accommodation, and only if you can figure out where your stop is. On the other hand, if the airport is far from the city, it might be cheaper to take public transport to the city and then switch to a taxi.

Be sure to write down the address and phone number of your accommodation in advance. If you get lost, the driver can call from their phone.

This may seem trivial, but find out in advance whether you will need a power adapter. If you’re flying from Europe to the USA, from Russia to Malta, and in many other situations, you’ll need an adapter. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than finding yourself in a foreign country with a dead laptop and smartphone on a Saturday evening when all the shops are closed, and you still need to call home to tell your family you arrived safely. Is it really worth worrying your mom?

Try to find out in advance the answers to all sorts of everyday questions. How much does public transport cost? It’s likely cheaper to buy a pass, but how do you do that? This is just one example. Thanks to the internet, you can find out almost anything about any place on Earth. On the other hand, don’t overwhelm yourself with too much information. You can learn a lot once you arrive, and much faster.

If you’ve arrived a bit early for your language school abroad, take the opportunity to walk from your accommodation to the school. You’ll know how long it takes and can memorize the route. On the morning of your first day of school, it will be much easier.

Accommodation is the first thing you will encounter before your classes begin. Make sure you are satisfied with everything. The room/apartment has internet, the food (if meals are included) is satisfactory, and so on. Unfortunately, there can be negative moments. For example, there might be no hot water in the bathroom, or the chosen “host family” might serve you a 1-euro instant meal mixed with hot water. Anything can happen. Set aside the negativity and contact the school administration, even if it’s a weekend, through the emergency phone line. Every problem has a solution. The bathroom faucet can be fixed, and the family can be changed.

In most schools, on the first day of classes (usually Monday morning), your language school will administer a placement test. Do your best, but try not to cheat! It’s in your best interest to know your true level!

How to Study Abroad

After that, your classes will begin. Try to determine on the first day if the group matches your level. If it’s too difficult and you understand very little—change groups. If it’s too easy and most of your classmates are below your level—change groups as well.

It’s entirely possible that the morning test didn’t reflect your optimal level. You might have been nervous and performed poorly, or conversely, you might have been lucky and guessed the correct answers. Either way, it’s in your best interest to identify and correct this mistake as soon as possible. Go to the school director or ask at the reception how to find the academic director of the school. Explain the situation, and they will change your group.

Most importantly, don’t hesitate to talk to the school administration about your problems and concerns. Every school staff member understands that going to a foreign country to study a new language is a stressful situation for many people, especially if you are staying for a long time. No one will refuse to help you!