Education plays a very important role in everyone’s life and studying abroad is a dream choice for millions of students. The study abroad dream should ideally be starting from 6 months before the intake you are planning. The dream of abroad education is dependent on three main organizations; the university, embassy, and banker, and the aspirants need to know how each of them evaluates. An experienced study abroad consultant may be of help to take you through the process.
Now let’s look at how to plan your overseas education. As the first step of planning, you should first identify different countries offering the course you want to study, and you cannot just simply choose a country based on its climatic conditions or lifestyle. The education system and the environment vary from one country to another. Some countries may have a very good education system while some may not be that good for you personally. Therefore, choosing a university based on its country’s climate or other insights is not wise and it is much more than that.
Let’s look at some of the key points which may help you plan your overseas education:
Choice of studies and career opportunities
Knowing what subject, you would like to study can make help you narrow down the study abroad destinations. It is also important to understand what your career goal is based on your choice of study. Some countries are known for their expertise in particular fields and industries, so it is advisable to do good research on the same.
Research on the courses and universities
Do proper groundwork using the available sources. Investigate the courses, universities, and their locations. Look at the syllabus and modules, campus life, research opportunities, and employment prospects before you narrow down your selection. You can collect information through friends and family or other networks if you are interested in a wider perspective. Use social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to reach out to them more effectively.
Budget estimation
Figuring out your actual budget can help you to make an appropriate choice. You’ll have to find a destination that works in your budget so that you can manage the tuition fees and living costs. If the costs of your first-choice location exceed your budget, you should probably consider choosing more affordable cities and countries. Some countries verify the “show money” where you will have to provide proof of sufficient bank balance and funds when applying for a student visa too, so be realistic about what you can and cannot afford. Some universities offer generous scholarships and grant opportunities. Candidates need to maintain a minimum amount in their account to prove that they have sufficient funds to survive in a foreign land without help from anyone and this amount will be different for different countries.
Visa process and language test
The aspirants need to know the visa process for each country and need to be extremely careful as the process is different in some countries. In some countries, they may enquire for the asset details and in some only basic documents are checked. Based on your course or research completion period, plan for the visa. Some courses are of short span while some are long-term ones. Plan your visa preparations accordingly to avoid last-minute issues. Almost all overseas universities require evidence of English Proficiency test to clear the Visa formalities. Students looking to study abroad would have to appear for any standardized English Language Proficiency tests like The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The choice of the test is based on the course requisition and the candidate’s choice of university.
Knowing the culture and Support System
Studying abroad will help you to develop different perspectives in life. However, some countries have social, cultural, and political values which might be completely different from your own. But if you feel safe and comfortable, no destination is off-limits. Nonetheless, it’s still worth doing some background research and you can make an informed decision and know what to expect when you arrive. Moving to a new country with a dissimilar culture and living style can be daunting, but having access to a friendly support system can help you settle in. By choosing a country with a high population of international students, you can find people with shared experiences and interests. If you have friends and family members who are dotted across the globe, consider picking their home country. So that even if they won’t live right in your neighbourhood, but still, you know that they’ll always be there if you need them.
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