Check list before departure

Get ready – This is my checklist

Just in case you might forget one important point, here is a checklist of what seems important to us.

CIVIL ADMINISTRATION

1.       My passport is valid in the host country for the whole duration of my student exchange.

2.       I need a student visa to enter in the country of my student exchange.

3.       I have a list of required documents for a student visa and I am currently collecting them.

4.       The papers requested for the student visa have already been sent over.

5.       I have a student visa.

6.       I have registered my stay at https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane/dyn/public/login.html

7.       J’ai une idée des cours que je souhaite suivre dans mon université d’accueil et je sais qu’il faut les faire valider par ma coordinatrice à Kedge (via le Learning agreement) avant mon départ

TRANSPORTATION

1.       I have put an alert on a website (Kayak.com, etc.) to find the cheapest plane tickets.

2.       I am in contact with a student travel agency.

3.       I have booked my plane tickets + s’informer sur les transports entre l’aéroport et le premier lieu de résidence (bus, taxi, navette, quelqu’un…) cela évite des arnaques. Attention aux taxis, s’informer de la « couleur officielle ». Généralement elle existe.

4.       I have checked if an international driving licence is required by the host country.

5.       I have checked where the university is and how to get there.

HEALTH

1.       I have checked on CLEISS.fr if the host country has any health agreement with France.

2.       I need to get cleared from the “sécurité sociale” in France.

3.       I have collected all information needed to subscribe to the local health system when arrived.

4.       I need a special medication or a special treatment therefore I have checked with immigration office if I can import it with me or the price I may pay if I need assistance (teeth, glasses, etc.)

5.       I have contracted a private insurance (April mobilité, europassistance) to cover any medical situation, as if I were in France.

6. Je connais les vaccins à prévoir pour mon pays d’accueil

HOUSING/DAY TO DAY

1.       I have already made plans for a short stay while looking for an apartment/roommates (international youth hostel, motel, hotel, B’n’B, Airbnb, etc.)

2.       I have all information about local landlords and the lease (insurance).

3.       I have checked if I can use my smartphone in the host country (bandwidth, etc.)

4.       I have all requested information to open a new line for a smartphone and/or internet.

5. J’ai vérifié le budget à prévoir pour l’année en cours (car le coût de la vie est très variable d’un pays à l’autre) entre frais personnels, logement, repas, transports etc

6.       Ne pas hésiter à s’inscrire sur les groupes “les Français à ville/pays” et le groupe de KEDGE à l’étranger :

BANKING & INSURANCES

1.       I have checked if my bank has any partnership. BNP Paribas and Globalliance for instance which allows free banking withdrawals.

2.       I have checked the insurances offered with my credit card (car leasing, etc.).

3.       I know the immigration office requested a specific banking funds proof.

4.       I know how to open a bank account in the host country.

5.       I have checked in the host country the most utilized means of payment (cash only, credit card, local credit card, debit card)

6.       S’informer du taux de change / Partir avec (un peu) des devises du pays en question, pour éventuellement pouvoir payer le taxi/le bus en arrivant…

WORK/TAXES

1.       I want to work in the host country.

2.       I have checked if I need a work visa.

3.       I have checked on impots.gouv.fr if I need any clearance when working abroad.

4.       I have checked on impots.gouv.fr or local embassy website if the host country has an agreement with France to avoid paying (income) taxes twice.

SAFETY/TIPS :

1.       Localiser l’Ambassade de France (ou autre bâtiment diplomatique)

2.       Si possible avoir un portable de secours (l’unique fonction appel suffit), avoir les accessoires en double (ex : un chargeur universel), avoir un ou des adaptateurs de prises électriques universelles

3.       Si possible avoir un portefeuille léger ou porte-carte, pour qu’il soit discret lorsqu’on se balade