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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Semester abroad - any tips?

51 replies

ShinyBlueTractor · 02/05/2026 13:16

DS has just finished 2nd of 4 year Uni course and hopefully will be studying abroad in Europe next semester (course taught in English). He's been put forward by home uni but not yet done any of the other admin (not his forte). He'll need a visa and to sort accommodation.

Anyone else got experience of DC studying abroad for a single semester or longer, and what would your learning points/top tips be?

I'm wondering might it be worth the time/money to do a language course in the summer? He doesn't speak the local language and it might be nice to make basic conversation. Or better to just figure it out once there?

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 06/05/2026 14:06

Trains are not more expensive in France. I guess he just wants a jolly with mates then but do you really think young friends being driven by your DS on the wrong side of the road is safe? I’d strongly discourage my dc from doing this or being in his car. Christian or not. Is he not intending to make friends from other countries? Most dc see this as important and part of the learning they do. Being the driver all the time is a bit of an odd thing to want when in France.

crazycrofter · 06/05/2026 14:14

Of course he plans to make friends. Why would non-English friends not want to go in his car, other than maybe not trusting his driving? I find driving in France easier than driving here to be honest, even in our own car (we’ve always driven) but I get that you think that’s dangerous. I’m not really sure why you think it’s odd to want to drive in France but each to their own..

What he ends up doing will be his decision, based on cost and checking out the area, to see whether parking will be an issue/how useful a car will be etc. He’ll fund it himself so it’s not really up to us. He might decide it’s easier just to hire a car when he wants to do some travelling.

GertyFreely · 06/05/2026 15:40

For travel insurance are there specific products intended for students abroad?

Yes there are.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner your DD did her YA a long time ago so much of your knowledge, is no longer relevant. Also, your DD did Europe her way and our DC might have different ideas!

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 06/05/2026 16:18

GertyFreely · 06/05/2026 15:40

For travel insurance are there specific products intended for students abroad?

Yes there are.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner your DD did her YA a long time ago so much of your knowledge, is no longer relevant. Also, your DD did Europe her way and our DC might have different ideas!

Good to know @GertyFreely , not something I'd thought about so I'll add it to the list. Cheers

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 06/05/2026 18:16

@GertyFreely So driving other students about has changed? How? What a stupid thing to say. I know Erasmus was 100% better than the rubbish Turing we have now and I also know DD actually had to learn MFLs and it was a required year. I also know she was capable of sorting out her accommodation, navigating two countries and two universities, making friends and studying in 2 MFLs. Therefore the general idea about the semester or year is identical. What do you think has changed? That parents sort it all out?

GertyFreely · 06/05/2026 19:28

What a stupid thing to say

Rude!

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 06/05/2026 19:34

@GertyFreely So were you! Why you think I’m not up to date is beyond me!

indigoemerald · 06/05/2026 20:48

Erasmus will not be in place until the 2027-28 cohort of semester/year abroad students. Turing should still be around for 2026-27 but it’s always a gamble about how much money is given out/which students get it.

You could look now to see if the UK uni offers insurance for year/semester abroad - I believe most do for emergency things (unexpected medical treatment for example). You can also check if he will be eligible for a Student GHIC card and apply for that now (most of Europe and a few random countries like Australia)

suburberphobe · 06/05/2026 21:24

Thanks, he's been hesitating about whether to go for the uni accommodation but I think I'll prod him to get on it and definitely to try not to miss the deadline!

I would definately encourage him to go for uni accomodation, it's a strange city in a strange land.....

That way he gets to meet fellow students, get "a lie of the land" and the country!

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 06/05/2026 21:56

suburberphobe · 06/05/2026 21:24

Thanks, he's been hesitating about whether to go for the uni accommodation but I think I'll prod him to get on it and definitely to try not to miss the deadline!

I would definately encourage him to go for uni accomodation, it's a strange city in a strange land.....

That way he gets to meet fellow students, get "a lie of the land" and the country!

Great point!

(And I don't much fancy his chances dealing with random private landlords in a language he doesn't speak...)

OP posts:
crazycrofter · 07/05/2026 08:49

When is your ds expecting to hear from the overseas uni, @ShinyBlueTractor ? I think ds' application deadline was 1st May, but it's France and I understand they're very bureaucratic over there, so it may take a while.

feemcgee · 07/05/2026 12:06

crazycrofter · 05/05/2026 20:44

That’s good to hear @feemcgee ! Especially that she didn’t know French! Ds will do his best to learn it in advance- he’s obsessive when he’s got a goal in sight! - but there’s a limit to how much he can learn in a few months. I had a look at the uni site today and the accommodation page was baffling but I’m sure Ds will sort it… he’s not one to be fazed by things! How long did the visa take?

I don’t think it took too long, it was a bit of a faff, she had to travel to Edinburgh twice for it - we live in Glasgow.

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 07/05/2026 12:53

crazycrofter · 07/05/2026 08:49

When is your ds expecting to hear from the overseas uni, @ShinyBlueTractor ? I think ds' application deadline was 1st May, but it's France and I understand they're very bureaucratic over there, so it may take a while.

Hm that's a great question @crazycrofter I don't think he really knows what to expect and a quick google isn't that informative either. Sooner the better...

OP posts:
GertyFreely · 10/05/2026 10:49

OP - can't remember if you've said (or want to!) but which country is DS going to?

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 10/05/2026 15:22

GertyFreely · 10/05/2026 10:49

OP - can't remember if you've said (or want to!) but which country is DS going to?

Hey - it's Czechia. Apparently the visa process is pretty laborious.. (it's probably as well DS didn't know that before he applied, as it might have put him off!).
It'll all be worth it for a really memorable few months in a beautiful place, I'm sure 😎

OP posts:
GertyFreely · 10/05/2026 23:13

I can't offer any country specific advice but I hope your DS has a wonderful time, OP!

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 11/05/2026 07:19

GertyFreely · 10/05/2026 23:13

I can't offer any country specific advice but I hope your DS has a wonderful time, OP!

Thanks @GertyFreely , I'm honestly a bit jealous, I'd love to do it myself!

OP posts:
Sheeppig · 11/05/2026 10:37

Wronginformation · 05/05/2026 20:42

Sheeppig,
A bit more west...

Japan? Hope thry have a fabulous time wherever they are going.

Wronginformation · 11/05/2026 14:01

Sheepig, uh, no, other west, as in more to the left of Taiwan etc

MirandaWest · 11/05/2026 14:31

DS is currently studying in the Netherlands for his third year. During his 2nd year he researched it and did all the applying and finding out about what he needed. He found out how to apply for subsidised accommodation - the only thing I was needed for was some financial contribution!

His classes are all in English - he has probably learned a few words in Dutch but when we visited him I think my understanding was better than his!

I felt he needed to be the one driving it and so I’ve basically let him get on with all. He’s loved this year - am not sure whether Newcastle for his final year will be quite the same now…

Frustrated1974 · 11/05/2026 20:17

There’s a really good group on Facebook called ‘Uni Year abroad , for parents’ that was really helpful when dd was sorting out her visas for her year abroad this year. Pretty sure someone was sorting a visa for Czechia at the same time.

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · 11/05/2026 21:55

Frustrated1974 · 11/05/2026 20:17

There’s a really good group on Facebook called ‘Uni Year abroad , for parents’ that was really helpful when dd was sorting out her visas for her year abroad this year. Pretty sure someone was sorting a visa for Czechia at the same time.

Good to know, thanks! I'll go and have a squiz

OP posts:
Wronginformation · Today 07:00

Well, dd has received the official confirmation email. So should now be able to book accommodation etc.
Not spoken to dd yet as she is busy with exams at the moment.

Original poster
ShinyBlueTractor · Today 07:46

Wronginformation · Today 07:00

Well, dd has received the official confirmation email. So should now be able to book accommodation etc.
Not spoken to dd yet as she is busy with exams at the moment.

Exciting for her! 😀

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · Today 09:02

Just a thought - these decisions are very late compared to when dd went. The accommodation would have closed for applications some weeks ago. She applied in early April immediately after being accepted. Not being in Erasmus has caused so many problems.