As Early as PossibleIf your passport is valid at least 6 months after your exchange program, you'll be in good hands!
1. MIX Applicaton by Priority Dealine
Fall: February 1 Spring: May 1 2. Obtain or renew passport 3. Academic advising with Rikki (as soon as possible/ as many time as needed) 4. Nomination Letter from MIX 5. Apply for NUS/ Module Selection 6. Admission letter from NUS 7. Apply for on-campus hostel 8. Apply for Student Pass with ICA 9. Complete Registration Part 1 10. Health insurance with MIX 11. Register place credit holder for UHM 12. Book flight to SG 13. Hostel confirmation 14. Copies (2) of documents for ICA and other supporting documents as needed. Here are some.... I. eForm II. Term and condition III. Passport (colored) IV. NUS Acceptance letter V. Payment Reciepts 15. Pack and GO! |
Happy Planning (:
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Problems: Despite everything being completed on time, my biggest challenge in the pre-departure process was obtaining a new passport. To study abroad, I must ensure that my passport is valid at least 6 months after the end of my exchange program. With my passport ending in June 2017, a renewal or replacement was needed. Early October, my old passport was sent to Washington D.C. for a renewal. I was informed to have my passport back in about a month. Come November, I heard nothing! I gave the embassy a call and I was told that my passport could not be renewed. With the new law in Laos, passports can no longer be renewed, but be replaced and in person. With my passport ending in June, I asked the embassy to send my passport as soon as possible. During this difficulty, my ICA application due date was also reaching. Toward 2 weeks of the ICA deadline, my passport was still unseen. At that point, my study abroad plan became unquestionable. The only thing I could do was to notify NUS and ICA about the matter. Fortunately, they were very understanding of the situation. I was instructed to submit my ICA form with my old passport information and to update them when I receive my new passport. When my old passport finally came in the mail, I booked my flight right away! With everything being pushed back, I had no option but to fly the best deal that I could find, even if it meant celebrating Christmas flying. When I got to Laos, I went straight to the embassy. With my documents prepared in advanced, I was able to have it expedited within one day. Later that evening, I picked it up and had it sent to NUS and ICA. On the 28th of December, I was finally excited again!