Pre-departure information

The information contained here is designed for UWS students who have been accepted by UWS to participate in the exchange program.

Share this information with family or friends who are interested in helping you plan your trip. Having them involved will help you prepare and will get them excited about your travels too!

Pre-departure checklist 

  • Update your contact details on MyStudent Records (MYSR).
  • Take a copy of your Academic Approval Form as a record of your unit approvals with UWS and your applicable School/s.
  • Take an updated Academic Transcript to your Host University to assist with enrolment (as the transcript your Host Uni may have will most likely be 1 year out of date from the original time you applied to your Host University).  
  • Apply for an Australian Government OS-HELP loan (AU$5,000 for each 6 month duration or semester of exchange).  Note if you are going on exchange for 1 year you can apply for 2 x OS-HELP loans to the maximum value of AU$10,000.  Read the eligibility criteria prior to applying.
  • Request a ‘Centrelink' letter from UWS Study Abroad and Exchange office to make sure your Centrelink Youth Allowance payment continues or if you become eligible for the first time as a result of your study overseas (if applicable).
  • Provide someone with written authorisation to act on your behalf with Centrelink (if applicable).
  • Read the UWS Travel and Insurance policy closely (in particular duration of coverage) and product disclosure statement.  Apply for personal travel and health insurance to cover you during periods of your exchange where the UWS Insurance policy does not apply or during your personal travel.
  • Make sure all debts affecting your enrolment at UWS are cleared.
  • Investigate all visa requirements at the host country diplomatic office in Australia.
  • Research Australia, New South Wales, UWS and your soon-to-be host country.
  • Contact your bank and ask about how to access your money overseas – will your ATM card work? Do you have a credit card? Can you do internet banking?  Consider putting a parent as a joint account holder on your account to transfer money to you in an emergency or cancel your cards if your cards are stolen or lost.
  • Start putting together an important documents folder – including copies of your passport, bank details, and insurance information.
  • Visit both the dentist and doctor and get any issues taken care of. This might be having a tooth filling or ensuring you will have enough medication for your time abroad.
  • Register with DFAT – through the Smart Traveller website.
  • Investigate how you will keep in touch with home – Skype, Facebook, email, or all of them?
  • Investigate accommodation options at the overseas university. Overseas university usually send you detailed accommodation information with their letter of acceptance so be sure to act quickly on these matters (particularly for on-campus accomodation).  For off-campus accommodation UWS recommends that you wait until you are in country to inspect your accommodation in person (unless the accomodation is owned by the University).
  • Investigate airfares to the host country (research visa requirements first) – and obtain at least two airfare quotes.
  • Read your UWS student email account regularly in case you receive important information about your exchange from your Host Uni or Home Uni (UWS).
  • Make sure you attend the Pre-Departure session organised by UWS (usually held in late June or late November each year, following the official end of the UWS exam period).