As your time studying or working in New York draws to a
close and you begin to think about leaving the city, there
will be many different things for you to consider. It can
be all too easy to get caught up in preparations for your
departure and forget that there are bills you need to pay
and requirements you still need to fulfill for your academic
institution. The following list includes important things
that you may need to do before you leave the city or the country.
 |
If you have rented your own apartment, be sure to notify
your landlord in writing at least a month before your
departure date. Avoid losing your security deposit or
being charged extra fees by fulfilling all the terms of
your lease. |
|
Notify your telephone, electric and cable TV suppliers
of the date on which they should terminate service. Arrange
for refunds of any deposits you may have paid. |
|
Notify the post office of your date of departure and
provide your forwarding address. Ask the post office for
special change-of-address postcards you can send to any
companies with which you maintain magazine or newspaper
subscriptions. |
|
Leave your forwarding address with the international
student office and the registrar at your university. |
|
Be sure to pay all outstanding bills, including credit
card bills, library fees, and any university fees. |
|
Make sure you obtain an official copy of your college
transcript. |
|
Return all materials you have borrowed from libraries.
|
|
Let your international student advisor know that you
are leaving the country and find out what procedures you
may need to go through before, during, or after your departure |
|
Consider donating any clothing or household items you
are unable to take home with you to local charities, such
as The Salvation Army. |
It is also important to consider that you may feel some effects
of “reverse” culture shock as you re-enter life
in your home country. After making a new life here in New
York, it can seem strange to be back at home among old surroundings
and people who haven’t had the transformational experiences
you have. You may start to realize how much you have changed
and to feel that you no longer fit in. A readjustment period
after returning home is inevitable, but if you are prepared
for it, it should be easier for you to cope with life after
New York!
