Without Guesswork
Before you begin
Work through this in order. Every section exists because skipping it costs you money or time.
This workbook — including its structure, design, copy, and system logic — is proprietary intellectual property of A Pitch Black Joint LLC. All rights reserved.
You may use this tool for your own personal relocation or study-abroad planning. You may not reproduce, redistribute, resell, sublicense, or share this workbook — in full or in part — without written permission from A Pitch Black Joint LLC.
Not professional advice. This workbook does not constitute legal, immigration, financial, or tax advice. Immigration law and visa requirements change. Consult a qualified attorney or licensed advisor for your specific situation. A Pitch Black Joint LLC accepts no liability for decisions made using this tool.
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Why am I leaving?
Answer these before you look at visa requirements or program deadlines. Vague answers make expensive plans.
Country comparison
Research first. Fill second. Gut feeling is not a column.
Pathway decision
Pick one primary route. Understand what it actually demands.
| Study | Work visa | Scholarship | Self-funded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | High | Medium | Low–none | High |
| Timeline | 6–18 mo | 3–12 mo | 12–24 mo | Variable |
| Income during | Limited | Possible | None | Self-sourced |
| Visa tied to | School | Employer | Program | Visa type |
| Risk | Medium | Med–High | Low (if secured) | High |
| Residency path | Often yes | Often yes | Sometimes | Depends |
Program / opportunity check
If you cannot answer every row, you are not ready to apply. Go find the answers first.
| Question | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Career alignment in 5 years? | |
| Language of study/work? | |
| Are you at that level now? | |
| What do alumni actually do? (check LinkedIn) | |
| Employment rate in your field there? | |
| Is your degree recognized? | |
| True all-in cost (tuition + living)? | |
| Can you realistically afford it? |
Application tracker
Every application you are considering, in one place. One closest deadline gets your full attention first.
Document checklist
Check only when you have the final, ready-to-submit version. Not when you've started it.
Timeline planner
Work backward from your target start date. These are your deadlines, not suggestions.
| Before start | Task | My deadline | Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12+ months | Research programs, countries, real costs | ||
| 10–12 months | Sit language exams, gather documents | ||
| 8–10 months | Request transcripts + recommendations | ||
| 6–8 months | Submit applications | ||
| 4–6 months | Accept offer, apply for scholarships | ||
| 3–4 months | Begin visa application | ||
| 2–3 months | Book accommodation, buy insurance | ||
| 4–6 weeks | Book flights, notify bank, arrange transfer | ||
| 2 weeks | Pack, print all documents, confirm housing | ||
| Arrival week | Register, open local account, get SIM |
Full cost breakdown
Real numbers only. Label estimates with (est.). Do not round down to make it feel manageable.
| Flights | |
| Visa fee | |
| Document translation / notarization | |
| Credential evaluation | |
| Language test fees | |
| Accommodation deposit | |
| Health insurance setup | |
| Equipment / laptop | |
| Total one-time |
| Rent | |
| Food | |
| Transport | |
| Phone / internet | |
| Health insurance | |
| Tuition (if monthly) | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Total monthly |
Monthly budget
Use this every month. The gap between planned and actual is where the real information lives.
Emergency plan
Build this before you need it. A crisis plan made during a crisis is not a plan.
First 30 days checklist
Some of these have legal deadlines. Do not sort by preference — sort by law.
Admin tracker
Bureaucracy does not move fast. Start everything earlier than feels necessary.
Mistakes I made
Nigeria. United States. Portugal. These are not warnings. They are things that happened.
Final reflection
Use at 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months. Come back to Page 3 each time.