Pre-Departure & Settlement Guide
Receiving your visa is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of preparing for life in a new country.
Udwise helps students move beyond applications and understand the practical, academic and cultural realities of living abroad. Our guidance is tailored to each student’s destination, university, accommodation and personal circumstances.
Before You Leave Nepal
Our pre-departure guidance helps students organize the essential details before traveling:
Passport, visa and university documents
Flight itinerary and transit requirements
University arrival and orientation dates
Tuition-payment records and financial documents
Accommodation confirmation and address
Airport-to-accommodation transport
Health insurance and medical records
Prescription medicines and supporting letters
Emergency and university contact details
Baggage allowances, prohibited items and customs rules
Suitable clothing, electrical adapters and essential packing
Digital and printed copies of important documents
Students should normally confirm their visa, university reporting requirements and accommodation before finalizing travel. Arriving early can provide time to recover from the journey, understand the city and settle in before classes begin.
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Accommodation Guidance
The right accommodation depends on the student’s budget, age, preferred lifestyle and distance from campus. We help students compare:
University Accommodation
Residence halls and dormitories are often suitable for first-year international students because they provide:
Easy access to campus facilities
Opportunities to meet other students
Greater access to university support
Furnished rooms and organized utilities
A simpler transition into independent living
Students should compare room types, meal plans, bathroom arrangements, holiday access and residence rules before booking.
Private Student Housing
Purpose-built student accommodation may offer furnished rooms, shared facilities, security and utilities within one payment. However, students should review the location, contract period, deposit, cancellation terms and total cost.
Shared Apartments
Shared housing can offer greater independence and lower costs, but students may need to arrange electricity, heating, internet, furniture and household supplies separately.
Homestay
Living with a local host can provide a more supported introduction to the country and greater exposure to local culture. Homestay may be particularly helpful for younger students or those who prefer a family environment.
We guide students on location, safety, transport access, tenancy terms, deposits, included bills and avoiding accommodation scams. Students should not transfer money before verifying the property, provider and contract.
Banking and Managing Money
Health Insurance and Medical Care
Healthcare systems differ considerably between countries. We help students understand:
Whether health insurance is required by the visa or university
What their policy covers and excludes
Policy dates and renewal requirements
How to find a doctor, clinic, pharmacy or hospital
Emergency numbers and urgent-care options
How insurance claims and reimbursements work
Mental-health and counseling services
Rules for carrying prescription medication
Medical records and vaccination documents to bring
Students should disclose relevant pre-existing conditions when purchasing insurance and understand whether their policy covers hospital treatment, doctors’ appointments, ambulance services, tests, medication and emergency repatriation.
International students may need a local bank account to pay rent, receive transfers, manage expenses or receive employment income.
We explain:
Documents commonly required to open an account
Student-account options and banking fees
Debit cards, online banking and mobile payments
Receiving money from Nepal
International transfer and currency-conversion charges
ATM withdrawal fees
Direct debits for rent, utilities and subscriptions
Basic credit history and responsible credit-card use
Protecting banking details from scams and fraud
Students should arrive with access to more than one payment method and a small amount of local currency for immediate expenses. They should also prepare a realistic monthly budget covering rent, food, transport, phone service, insurance, study materials and emergencies.
Students receive guidance on:
Local SIM cards, eSIMs and phone plans
Prepaid versus contract services
Internet arrangements in private housing
Electrical voltage and plug adapters
University email and student portals
Useful transport, banking and safety applications
Protecting personal information online
Recognizing rental, employment and payment scams
Our guidance introduces students to the transport systems available in their destination, including:
Buses, trains, trams and metro systems
Student travel cards and discounted fares
Journey-planning applications
Airport transport
Cycling and pedestrian rules
Taxis and ride-sharing services
Intercity trains, coaches and domestic flights
Driving-license and road-rule considerations
Safe late-night travel
Accommodation should be evaluated by the journey to campus, not distance alone. An inexpensive room may become costly or inconvenient if daily transport is limited.
Students should know exactly what to do after landing. Our arrival guidance covers:
Immigration and customs procedures
Collecting luggage and reporting missing baggage
Getting from the airport to accommodation
Contacting family after arrival
Purchasing a local SIM or activating an eSIM
Accessing emergency money
Checking into university accommodation
Locating food, pharmacies and essential services
Registering with the university
Attending international-student orientation
Completing local registration requirements where applicable
We also help students prepare for practical differences such as time zones, jet lag, unfamiliar food, climate and local communication styles.
Arrival and the First 72 Hours
Phones, Internet and Everyday Services
Transportation and Getting Around
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Understanding Local Culture
Settlement is not only about opening a bank account or finding a dorm. Students also need to understand how people communicate, socialize and organize everyday life.
Our country-specific guidance may cover:
Classroom participation and communication with professors
Punctuality, personal space and social etiquette
Tipping and service customs
Shared-housing expectations
Noise, recycling and waste-disposal rules
Workplace behavior
Gender equality, diversity and inclusion
Alcohol laws and responsible socializing
Religious and cultural sensitivity
Making friends across different backgrounds
Responding to homesickness and culture shock
Students are encouraged to attend orientation events, join clubs, participate in local activities and connect with both international and domestic students.
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Holidays and University Breaks
Public holidays can affect university schedules, transport, shops, banks and other services. We explain important celebrations and help students plan for periods when campuses may become quieter.
United States
Students may experience Independence Day on 4 July, Thanksgiving in November, winter break and spring break.
During Thanksgiving, many domestic students return home and some university services may operate on reduced schedules. International students may:
Join a host family or friend’s celebration
Attend a university or international-student dinner
Organize a “Friendsgiving” with other students
Travel during the break
Volunteer locally
Remain in approved holiday accommodation
Students should confirm whether their residence remains open and arrange food and transport in advance.
Canada
Students should understand Canada Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, winter holidays and provincial holidays. Canadian Thanksgiving is observed earlier than Thanksgiving in the United States. Holiday schedules and practices can vary by province.
United Kingdom
Students will encounter bank holidays, Christmas and Easter breaks, as well as local celebrations that differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Universities and many services may close or reduce operations during major holidays.
Australia and New Zealand
Guidance may include Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Waitangi Day, Matariki and the long summer university break. Students should understand the historical and cultural significance of national occasions rather than treating them only as days off.
Germany and Europe
Students should prepare for public-holiday and Sunday closures, Christmas markets, regional festivals and different social customs. In Germany, most ordinary shops close on Sundays and public holidays, so groceries and other essentials should be purchased in advance.
Academic Adjustment
We prepare students for differences in teaching and assessment, including:
Independent study expectations
Lectures, tutorials and seminars
Academic writing and referencing
Plagiarism and academic-integrity rules
Group work and class participation
Communicating with faculty
Using office hours and academic support
Attendance and progression requirements
Managing deadlines and examination periods
Students should seek help early rather than waiting until academic difficulties become serious.
Safety and Wellbeing
Our guidance includes:
Local emergency numbers
University security and support services
Safe travel and personal-security habits
Rental, banking and employment scams
Mental-health and counseling resources
Responding to discrimination or harassment
Maintaining communication with family
Building a healthy routine
Understanding where to seek help
Culture shock, loneliness and homesickness are common parts of adjustment. Students are encouraged to build routines, stay socially connected and use university support services when needed.
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Guidance for Parents
Parents also play an important role in a successful transition. We help families understand:
What students may experience during their first months
How frequently to communicate without limiting independence
Emergency and university contact information
Sending money safely
Supporting students through homesickness
Avoiding pressure during academic adjustment
Planning visits and graduation travel
When to encourage professional support
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Our Settlement Approach
Udwise provides students with practical, destination-specific preparation rather than a single generic checklist. Our goal is to help every student arrive knowing:
Where they will live
How they will reach their accommodation
Which documents they need
How to manage money and healthcare
How to travel around their city
What to expect academically
Where to seek help when something goes wrong
How to participate in local culture
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Prepare for More Than Your Flight
Our pre-departure and settlement guidance helps students leave Nepal with a clearer understanding of the country, campus and everyday life waiting for them abroad.
Location
Villa 72, Uttar Dokha, Kathmanu-2
Hours
Sunday - Friday 9:00-18:00
Contacts
+977 9714503370
info@uecstudy.com
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