Updated date: 07th March 2023
Studying Abroad is a big change for a student. There are many preparations and thoughts go into the decision. If you are someone who is planning to study abroad, here are some questions you should ask yourself, and get clear about some of the basic doubts, that might prove to be decisive in your journey abroad:
The first and foremost thing to consider is your finances. For many students, studying abroad is not an affordable option. For many, the tuition fees can prove to be out of the reach. Apart from that, while studying abroad, there are a number of other living expenses like food and accommodations. Study abroad scholarships and Grants are great means of providing for your studying abroad. Here is a guide to give you an idea about the costs of studying abroad:
When you are miles away from home, and there are not many familiar faces around, being homesick comes naturally. Someday, especially on days like birthdays and festivals, everybody misses the home and family. One cannot be prepared for it. For many international students, the feeling comes and goes, and eventually, with time it gets easier to deal with. With technological advancement, nobody is ever too far to reach anyway. As we said, the homesickness will fade away with time, and everybody has different ways to deal with that.
There will be definitely a vast difference when it comes to food. You need to decide how open you are with your food preferences. If you are a vegetarian, there are places where your food options will be very limited. Food is also one of those things that will make you miss your home. The best way to tackle all these, is to learn some basics, a recipe or two from your cuisine, and eat at home as much as you can. Eating out anyhow will add to your costs while studying abroad. On the other hand, food is one of the best ways to understand and enjoy the culture and country you are in.
One of the most important questions you should ask yourself is whether you are happy with the course you have applied to. The course should align with your academic background, and something that interests you, it should also help you with your career ahead. It is very important that your course aligns with your values, and you are not jumping on the first course that you are accepted into. Choosing the right course, in which you believe will do wonders to your experience abroad, and will make your life much easier. Also, it is important to check that the course you are taking is accepted in your country if you are thinking of coming back after the program is over.
It is important to know what you want from this whole experience. Thinking thoroughly on what you want from the course you are choosing, and country you are going to, is very important. Do you want to travel while studying? Is your goal is to stay back in the country once the program is over? Do you want to move to another country after that? The destinations change with all these questions and every country will have different characteristics. Do thorough research on the possibilities and decide. Or here is a Quiz to help you: Find out Which Study Abroad Destination Suits You the Best!
One of the most important things to know while studying abroad is what you gain out of it. It is important to know what you want from the course and university. If you fly miles away from your home, and there is no advantage to it, you will end up doing more harm to yourself than good. It is also important to know what the opportunities are after the studies in the country. In short, if you are willing to leave your country for education, make sure it presents better opportunities than your home country.
Studying abroad, staying in a different country directly means that you are living with a different set of people and cultures around. The world today has become a global village in true sense. When you study in a country where students come from different parts of the world, you will have to have an open mind and be an absorber of the different cultures and people around. The locals of the country you are going to will most probably be welcoming, and you will also have to be accepting towards them and respect the differences. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn new things from different cultures, and share one or two things from your culture, too.
Have you checked the documents required for the international admission process? Usually, international universities want their students coming from overseas to submit some of the supporting documents along with the filled application form. Several study programs also require you to score an eligibility level of result in the international entrance exams. For example IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, etc.
If the university you have chosen is giving you accommodation for at least a year or you have a relative or friend to go to, then you are in a much better position. Do not make the mistake of landing in a foreign country without guaranteed accommodation. You never know, perhaps finding a place to live in that country can turn out substantially more difficult than what you imagined. This is an important question you should ask yourself and find the solution before planning to study abroad.
10. Can you proficiently speak a second language?
German, Turkish or Spanish, whatever the foreign language is, can you speak it proficiently? English can not get you everywhere. It can work in the US or the European countries, but what about the other countries? In order to survive in a new country, you must learn at least the basics of this second language, if not master it.
It seems tough, right? But don’t worry, it is not difficult. Proper planning would make things easiest for you. Here is a small list of things you should carry.
Yes, life is all about the journey, but it is important to have personal, academic, and professional goals. These are the things that will give you the right direction in life, and guide you towards jobs and personal interests. Don’t just choose any of the study programs, choose the best one for you. When choosing a study abroad program, always be practical about how this program is going to help you get to where you want to be. Consider realistically how this experience will contribute to your overall study abroad goals, which may be related to career, personal, and academic.
Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.
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Categories: Study Abroad