Key things to consider

There are some important things to consider before you apply for a Study and Work Away activity, to help you decide what and where is right for you. Researching key aspects of prospective destinations before you depart can also make it easier to settle in when you arrive.

It's good to remain open-minded and flexible when considering your options - considering your preferences is important but so is being open to experiences you hadn't previously considered.   

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Living in country guides are a helpful starting point for learning about what it's like to live in another country.

View the FCDO Living in Country guides

The following should also provide some food for thought when exploring your opportunities and potential destinations. 

I loved my time in Tallinn and learned a lot, both in the school and in general! Although it was stressful to organise it was a fantastic opportunity and I would really recommend a year abroad to those considering it. 

Costs may vary quite significantly from what you are used to in Edinburgh, and you may find yourself spending more money on certain things than you normally would in the UK. It may be crucial to have some savings to help with this, so the sooner you know, the more time you’ll have to save.

The Numbeo cost of living website is a good starting point to research and compare the cost of living in different places around the world:

Visit the Numbeo cost of living website

Key questions to consider:

  • What are costs like compared to Edinburgh?
  • What is the average rent?
  • What are travel costs like? (for a regular commute and for trips)
  • How much is food? (Both in restaurants and in supermarkets)
  • Is clothing expensive? 
  • Will I need to buy specific clothing for the weather conditions?  
  • Will I need to adapt my lifestyle to fit my budget in this country?

Other questions to consider:

  • What is the cost of a visa and any documents I need to provide as part of the application process (e.g. medical letters, police checks)? 
  • What other big costs which might be needed, such as compulsory health insurance at my host institution/organisation? 
  • Do I need to evidence availability of funds to my host institution/organisation or for my visa application? If so, how will I do this? 
  • How will I finance my time abroad? Are there any additional funding bodies I can apply to for loans or grants, or are there scholarships I am eligible for? 

Read more about costs and budgeting

Find out more about visas and possible costs


You need to be prepared to make this place your home for the duration of your activity. Think about how the location, weather, climate and surroundings might affect you.  

Think about how far away from home you want to be, whether you might want to return home for Christmas or have family visit you abroad. Consider time differences and keeping in touch with family and friends back home/in Edinburgh. Distance may also impact your travel expenses.

If you're thinking of an exchange, consider whether you prefer a campus or city university. Campus universities tend to provide a tight-knit community with a focus on student life and fostering connections between students, they often have a greater availability of university accommodation and may be closer to green spaces and nature. City universities alternatively offer a vibrant urban experience and proximity to activities. City universities may allow for more community engagement and campus culture may have strong traditions and a distinct university culture. 

Your preconceived ideas of a place may not be accurate. Find out what it will really be like at the time of year you'll be there, and how this might change as the months go on. Daylight hours (or lack of them) can also affect mood, which is something to keep in mind particularly during the winter.

Key questions to consider:

  • Can you see yourself living in the host country? 
  • Where will you be based: in the city; in the countryside; surrounded by mountains; by the sea? Would you enjoy or thrive in these environments? 
  • What are travel opportunities like? Is there good public transport?  Is it easy to get around on foot?
  • When does the sun rise and set? How much does this change with the seasons?
  • What is the average forecast there? Is there likely to be extreme weather? What should you pack for this?

Make sure you have looked into the cultural values, social norms, and lifestyle in the host country/ies you're considering. Have you considered the differences in culture you will experience? This could be local customs and religions; the social behaviour, work ethic and norms of the local population of the country.

Consider the interaction style and whether you will be able to connect with local students. Think about whether you have any dietary requirements and the availability of foods to meet your needs. 

Cultural norms around timekeeping differ from country to country. In some countries, you may be expected to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for appointments/social events/ classes while in others, start times are more flexible.  

Key questions to consider:

  • Do my courses start much earlier/go much later than in Edinburgh?
  • When are banks/university offices/grocery stores/etc. open?
  • Will I need to adapt my lifestyle/diet/social habits/expectations according to the norms in this country?

Read more about Cultural adjustment


Finding and arranging accommodation is your responsibility. Where you choose to live is your decision and you should do as much research as you can, as early as you can, to avoid stress before departure or on arrival.

Key questions to consider:

  • What accommodation options are available at this destination? (eg. university halls, shared room, flat share, host family)
  • How much should I expect to pay for bills and rent, on average, in my destination? (also see the ‘Cost of living’ section above)
  • When should I start looking for accommodation?
  • For students on exchanges, am I required to stay in university halls?
  • Is university housing available? If so, is it competitive? When and how should I apply?
  • Does accommodation in my destination usually come furnished?  What exactly does ‘furnished’ mean? 
  • Are bills usually included in rent?
  • What amount of deposit is expected?

Read more about Accommodation


If you plan to study, work or undertake a placement or research outside of the UK, due consideration must be given to the suitability and safety of the proposed destination country in relation to your Trans status or gender identity, and any medical care provision you need.  

If the risks cannot be mitigated, all reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that your opportunities are not impacted, and alternative options will be considered.

Key resources: 

FCDO guidance for LGBTQ+ students 

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association: provides information on LGBTQ+ rights around the world 

ILGA world database: gives data on legal frameworks for LGBTQ+ issues around the world

ILGA world maps: provide a visual representation of how LGBTQ+ people are affected by laws and policies around the world

Stonewall global workplace briefings: outline the legal, socio-cultural and workplace conditions for LGBTQ+ people in different countries 

Equaldex: collaborative knowledge base (wiki) of information about LGBTQ+ rights by country 


Applying for a Study and Work Away activity and, if selected, the preparations before you go can be a lot of additional work during both the academic year and the summer before you travel. 

Some institutions have earlier start dates than others or their semesters may be the other way around. For example, if you are going to Australia/New Zealand you will start in July and have a longer break between November-February. This may be important to you if you have responsibilities or commitments over the summer prior to leaving for your exchange or would like more time to save up funds.  

Key questions:

  • Am I committed to: 
    • Work on any applications to my host institution/organisation during term-time? 
    • Attend compulsory sessions around exam time in April/May? 
    • Answer correspondence sent to my university email address throughout both term-time and my summer holidays? 
    • Organise and prepare myself well when applying for visas and completing other necessary paperwork for my SWAY activity? (This may include not being able to go on extended overseas travel during the summer if I need to send my passport away.)

If you're considering a study exchange, your academic experience will make up a big chunk of your time when abroad. Make sure you have looked into your degree requirements and any restrictions, as well as the differences between the University of Edinburgh and our host institutions, to ensure you have a positive academic experience when away.

Key questions:

  • Does the institution I want to go to offer suitable courses in my subject area?
  • What are the main methods of teaching at the host institution?  Will the main methods of teaching and assessment at my host institution suit my learning style?
  • How many hours of class should I expect to have per week?
  • Will I have continual assessment throughout the exchange or exams at the end of the year or semester? Will exams be in a written or verbal format? Does this work well with my learning style?
  • Are there any academic areas I want (or need) to focus on specifically? Can I access these areas as an exchange student? 
  • Is there a sufficient number of suitable courses and back-up courses at my preferred host institution?
  • Are the courses I am planning to take in the correct language and at the correct level of study?
  • Do the term dates of the institution(s) clash with my summer plans, or other study, work or family commitments?
  • For research students, what is the process about intellectual property at my host institution? 

Read more about Academic Matters

Read more about course choices and the Learning Agreement


Administrative and government processes may not function the way you are used to in the UK. In some places, registering and making appointments for various things may take much longer than you're used to. This can be frustrating, but ultimately there isn't usually much you can do to speed things up. Try to accept this, and build in more time.

You should take multiple copies of all important documents and forms of identification, and keep electronic/scanned files of these for ease of access. You may also want to take a few passport-sized photographs, as you may need these to apply/register for things that you wouldn't need them for at home!

Key questions to consider:

  • Will I be able to fulfil the visa and entry requirements of my proposed host country? 
  • Is my passport valid for the full length of my planned activity and any additional time, for visa and entry requirement purposes? 
  • Do I have any medical conditions I will need to manage while away? Will I be able to manage these when far away from family, friends and a healthcare system I am familiar with?
  • Is there a formal registration process when I move to the city/country where I am on exchange?
  • Do I need a residents'/registration number before I can open a bank account?
  • Do I need a bank account before I can apply for accommodation?
  • How do I matriculate at my host institution?
  • What documents do I need to take with me? 

Read more about Visas


Depending on how long you’re away, there are different options for accessing money while abroad. You may decide to use your existing bank account abroad, get a pre-paid travel card, open an account in your host country or all of the above!

Key questions to consider:

  • Do I need to tell my UK bank I’m going abroad?
  • How much will overseas transactions and cash withdrawals cost from my existing bank account?
  • If an existing bank card expires while I’m abroad, should I order a new one before I go? 
  • Will I be able to access my online banking from abroad?
  • How can I contact my bank whilst abroad if I need to report a lost or stolen bank card?
  • Should I get a pre-paid travel card?  
  • If going abroad for more than one semester, should I open a bank account in my host country?
  • Do I need to have a bank account in my host country in order to get accommodation, be paid or access other benefits?

Travel money guidance

Prepaid travel card guidance


How you intend to communicate whilst abroad is something worth thinking about in advance.  Even in such a connected world, you still need to think about how best to keep in contact cost effectively while abroad. It’s especially important you’re able to call local numbers and home in an emergency, and not just rely on internet access.

When you are abroad, situations may arise in which you will need to contact or access services quickly. To make this as stress-free as possible, save a list of important numbers and contacts such as the UoE emergency number, the insurer's contacts, the emergency services in your host destination, your host institution key contacts, as well as, the number for your bank in case of lost/stolen bank cards. 

Using your phone abroad - things to research:

  • Will I be able to use the data on my phone/tablet for internet access and how much will this cost? (in destination and if doing further travel)
  • How can I ensure I’m able to call local numbers and home in an emergency?
  • Should I get a local SIM card or plan?
  • Is my current handset locked to a network? How can I unlock it?

Mobile unlocking guidance

Staying in touch - things to consider:

As well as ‘how’ you plan to stay connected, you should also consider ‘when.’  

Whilst overseas you will remain a fully matriculated student at UoE and will need to stay up-to-date with communication.  

  • Your UoE student email will be the main source of communication with you whilst abroad - you should check this at least twice per week
  • Be aware of points in the year that you may have administrative tasks for UoE such as matriculation at the start of the academic year and course selection processes for when you return. It is worth checking this with your School prior to going abroad.  
  • Staying in touch with friends and family will also be an important source of support, it can be easy to lose frequent communication when immersing yourself in your year abroad but try to maintain a balance by scheduling check-ins or times to call home.  

Remember that you can still access support services at the University of Edinburgh while abroad, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are in need of any help. You may be able to access support from your host institution/organisation/employer too.

Key questions to research:

  • What services does my prospective host institution or employer offer (e.g. counselling service, disability service, additional support with exams)
  • How do I access these?
  • Do I have to register?
  • Is there a long waiting list?

Read more about Staying safe and well


Before deciding where to go, you should check whether you require specific language skills.  For study exchanges, you may be required to demonstrate your language level before being permitted to go. The University offers various language learning opportunities.

Learn about language requirements for study exchange

Find out about language learning opportunities 


Find out more

The following pages will also be helpful for researching your opportunities:

Where can I go?

Before you go

This article was published on