15 Things You Need To Do Before You Go On N.U.in

Spending a semester abroad with Northeastern University is an incredible experience. These are some of the things you need to do before you go on N.U.in.

If you get accepted into Northeastern as an Undergraduate freshman, there are two types of acceptances: either General Admission or N.U.in. What exactly is N.U.in? It is an incredible opportunity for students to explore the world through spending their first semester at their choice of international Northeastern locations. Of course, there’s more than just putting down your deposit; you need to make sure you’ve got everything figured out a couple months in advance, before you head out. So, here’s what you’ll need to do before going on NU.in.

1. Check that your passport is valid.

You aren’t only going to the country you are going to N.U.in for. You are given a lot of independence and as long as you communicate with your coordinators, you’ll be allowed to go on international weekend trips. So make sure your passport is valid for up to six months after you leave.

2. Look up the address of your campus.

Record it somewhere so in case you are ever lost, you know exactly where to go back to.

3. Research places around it.

It’s always a good idea to know fun places that are not too far from where you are staying. It’s even better to know you’ll have a fun time when your friends decide to be “spontaneous”.

4. Research the climate and check your wardrobe.

It’s IMPOSSIBLE to bring every item of clothing you own. And this is not a challenge! Be selective in what you bring, and make sure it’s relevant to whatever country you’re going to. (I highly doubt your sundress will be the best idea if you’re going to Ireland.)

5. Join the N.U.in and Northeastern Facebook groups.

It’s never too early to start making friends!

6. Get organized.

I know this can be painful but it’s necessary. And trust me, I know it’s not easy … It’s May and I just now bought a binder to try and get organized. Great right? Nope. I accidentally bought a planner from 2016!

7. Research local customs.

You are a guest in these countries, so you should be respectful to their cultures. In some places in the world, what is considered normal to you is incredibly offensive to them. For example, scratching your chin in Rome is the equivalent to the middle finger.

8. Find small ways to save or make money.

Going overseas, you need to learn to be responsible, especially with your money. You can’t just ask your parents for $20 if you want to go out with your friends, so it’s a good idea to save. Do you really want to be in a situation where you’re frantically calling your parents overseas for more money?

9. Learn quick but useful phrases in other languages.

If you’re going to a country where English is not the universal language, it may be a good idea to learn how to say a few key phrases. If you’re super concerned about remembering them, you can create a small pocket book with the phrases in them. This can be helpful for navigational, security, and social purposes.

10. Research hospitals, pharmacies, and health care.

Of course the school will be able to get you to the hospital if there are any problems, but pharmacies are KEY if you are prescribed any medication.

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11. Find a small object or item that can help with homesickness.

You’re independent! You’ve been waiting to get out of the house for years! You’re an “adult”! Let’s be honest though, you will be hundreds of miles away from the place you call home and no matter how much you’ve traveled, it’s not going to change how much you love and miss your family. If nothing else, keep a small memory item just in case.

12. Download TV shows, eBooks, and good tunes.

Sometimes you just want to escape. This can be on the plane, long bus rides, in your dorm, wherever! Be prepared for when wifi isn’t so easy to find. (Hint: you can now save Netflix movies or episodes on your device!)

13. Invest in an easy-to-use camera.

A huge part of the N.U.in program is the video project at the end of the semester, so photography is non-negotiable! Plus you can get some cute shots for Instagram.

14. Lists, Lists, and more LISTS

It would SUCK if you left something behind because you forgot to pack it. Keep a list with your luggage so you can do a check before you leave! (Oh, and don’t forget to update it if you buy anything while you’re away!)

15. Spend a lot of time with your family and friends before you leave!

At the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to see your friends and family too easily anymore, especially during your first semester. So make sure you show them some love before you leave!