Studying abroad is the best way to meet people from different cultures and make new friends. However, if you’re ill-prepared, you might find the transition from living with a comfortable family to living independently quite challenging and stressful. But worry not. We want to help make your experience of overseas education as painless as possible.
So, let’s not waste any more time and jump right in!
7 Things You Must Know Before Planning to Study Abroad
1.Course you are going to take
The first thing every student must consider before studying abroad is the course they want to pursue. If you are thinking about going overseas for higher studies, don’t blindly follow your friend. Choose the course that interests you. You can look for a course that has great demand in your home country. If you have already made up your mind to study in a particular country and plan to work there once you graduate, then consider a course that is in great demand in that country.
2.Cost of your course
Studying abroad can be expensive. This is an investment that one must make after considering all the pros and cons. Make a budget of how much your family can spend. Remember, tuition isn’t the only cost you’ll have to shell out. Take into account all the money you will spend while studying abroad, like living costs, accommodation, travel, visas, food, textbooks, and other costs. Then go for the universities and cities that offer your course and is well within your budget.
3. The country where you will study
After you are done choosing the course that is within your budget, next comes the country. The USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are among the top study abroad countries for international students. They house some of the best universities in the world. But don’t just go by their ranking in the QS World Rankings 2021. Chose the university that is renowned for delivering your desired course to an expert standard.
Once you know the country where you will be going for further studies, make an effort to learn more about that country’s language, culture, religion, mannerisms, food, and more so you’re not flying in blind.
4. Language
Language will be your best friend in a foreign land. Not knowing the language of the country where you will be studying can land you in problems. If you plan to study in an English-speaking country, we recommend you brush up on your English spoken skills. You may have to take a language test to be accepted into the course or even into the country.
However, if you wish to study in a European country, it is better to take a language course in the native language for better understanding and communication. After all, it would be foolish to pack your bags and head off to Germany or France without having even a basic grasp of their native language.
5. The scope of your course in the country you are planning to go
Admit it. The world ranking of universities swayed your decision to study abroad. While it is perfectly normal to consider such ranking when choosing a university, knowing the opportunities that location will offer is equally important. After all, be it at an under-graduation level, a postgraduate level, or even at the research level, every curriculum requires industrial training.
Hence, we highly recommend that once you have chosen the course you are planning to undertake, look at the cities that the universities/ institutes are close to and what kind of industries mark that region. Whether that place is closer to the big names in the industry of your choice or not, it will ensure a better set of job opportunities after you complete your course.
6. Return on your investment
When planning to study abroad, many students never consider whether they will get a return on their investment. While there are other important things also, but considering ROI is as important as other factors.
In simpler terms, a return on investment is the expected earnings after the course divided by the cost of acquiring the necessary education. It would be best if you considered calculating the same for specific countries. After all, your main objective of studying abroad is earning good money so you can change your lifestyle. Before you finalize a country, understand what kind of pay-outs you can expect from the job you are hoping to get after completing your education.
7. Work opportunities for students
As we already mentioned, studying abroad can be expensive. You need to pay your education loan and support yourself as well. A part-time job will not only help you earn some money but also gain work experience. Some countries allow international students to work part-time while studying there. Many colleges have set up student job search organizations to help international students find part-time jobs. You can check with your chosen college whether they have such an organization or not.
Conclusion
Getting a degree from a university that is globally recognized will help you immensely in the future. But don’t forget to know the above mentioned 7 things before planning to study abroad. It will be hugely beneficial for you and will prepare you better for your life abroad.
Let us know in the comments section which tip you found most useful. Get in touch with study abroad consultants if you want to study abroad.