Re visa: As early as possible. You want at least a couple of months. The problem is that usualy you need university acceptance first- in this case if you press the university and expain to them the circumstances they can get it through to you.
Re places to live: Really try and get temporary accomodation while you look, either ask your department/university or even stay in a hostel if necessary.
Re cellphone: The key thing to remember is you will have a lot less need of a phone overseas- you will have less friends and the friends you have wil be les diverse- at home you have friends and famiy in all kinds of groups and all over the place, working for a year in a place your friends are pretty much going to be in uni/in your accomodation. At home I am always on my phone all the time but while I'm living overseas I barely use it at all. I recommend just get a cheap at fuck prepay. I have like a £5 phon that keeps me going.
The absolute biggest rule before moving overseas before i forget- make copies of your passport/visa/credit cards and leave one copy at home with your folks and take one copy with you. Will be very helpful if you ever lose anything.
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