Pre-departure

With the visa granted, the work turns practical. Book the flight once the visa is physically in your passport rather than when you are told it has been approved — approvals occasionally shift by days, and a changed ticket is an expensive way to learn that.

Sort accommodation before you fly. University halls are the simplest option where they exist and usually need an early application; private rentals in most European cities require a deposit, sometimes several months of it, and often a viewing. Arriving without a confirmed address is common and it goes badly: many countries require a registered address within days of arrival for the residence permit, and hotel weeks eat a budget fast.

Arrange money sensibly. Carry enough cash for the first fortnight in a mix of euro and small notes, and understand your bank's international transfer limits and costs before you need them urgently. Keep the Bangladesh Bank endorsement paperwork with your travel documents.

Finally, build a hand-carry document pack: passport with visa, acceptance letter, accommodation proof, insurance, bank statements, all academic certificates, and photocopies of everything. Border officers can ask for any of these, and having them in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage is the difference between a two-minute conversation and a very long one.