How Can I Study Abroad? Getting The Ball Rolling On Your Overseas Adventure

The time has come and you’re passing out of your high school or graduate college and now you want to take the plunge and study abroad. There must be many questions in your mind, like which country is perfect for this? Which course should you take? Where will you stay once you get into a college? It’s natural to be thinking of all these steps beforehand. Here we will take you through a step-by-step procedure of how should you approach all these things. Read on:

How To Choose Where To Study

This might be the most overwhelming task of all. Choosing where to study is of paramount importance, as it will not only pave the path for your future but your job opportunities as well. Also, selecting where to study also is a major factor in the cost of studying.

If you’re still choosing all this, then make a list of where do you want to go to study, what’s the cost of living there like, what are your career prospects once you pass out of that university, and also to keep in mind the overall safety factor as well.

Apart from all these larger factors, another factor to take into consideration is what kind, of course, do you want to study and if that city provides a good environment to study that course. For example, France is one of the best places to study art. This is because of the deep background of artists and museums in the country which gives a practical sense of studying art and will also inspire art students as well. Be sure your interests are matched up with that particular international destination so that you have a good experience of studying abroad.

Here are some of the best Universities to study in the US and Canada:

1. Yale University
2. Cambridge University
3. Oxford University
4. Harvard University
5. Stanford University
6. Princeton University
7. University of Toronto

How to Get Started With The Process

Now that you have made up your mind about where to study, do research thoroughly about that university on University opinion boards like EDUopinions.

They provide honest student reviews about the Universities like how good are the courses there, how centrally the University is located, how the professors are; reading such reviews on forums like EduOpinions is the best way to know about the pros and cons about the University.

After doing that, go on the official website of the University and see how to enrol in their courses as an international student. Application processes differ from country to country. A lot of Universities have a “Two-step Application process”, this means that you must submit two applications: one for a place at the university and one for a place on the course itself.

You might even need a student visa in some cases, this might take several months. So, make sure to start applying at least one year before for the courses you want to pursue. You might take 3 years to complete an Undergraduate course or even more if you’re opting for a PhD course. However, at many universities, there are shorter courses available too for international students.

Do shortlist your Universities and take note of their application deadlines. Again, these might differ for all the universities so make sure you note them down correctly.

What are the requirements for abroad programs?

If you’re applying for an undergraduate degree then you might be asked to show that you have completed your secondary education to a standard that is in line with the required grades (e.g. your GPA, A-level grades or equivalent) for the program you’re applying to. IF you’re a non-native English speaker, then you might be asked to give an additional exam by taking an English language proficiency test such as TOEFL or IELTS.

Once you are enrolled in your college you will be asked to submit your identification papers and documents such as Passport photos for identification, a statement of purpose, CV/résumé, Academic references/ letters of recommendation and other such important documents.

Choosing Accommodation

Now that you have decided on most of the things, the next most important thing to decide is where to stay. If you’re tight on a budget, then student dorms is the best way to go. Not only will you mingle with other students, but it will be a great way to experience a new country. Often your University will be able to provide you with the dorms, if not, then you can find separate organisations that do that too.

If money is of no issue, then taking a flat is the best. It will be non-intrusive, you will have independence and there will be no restrictions on the timings or anything else. You can rent your own flat or even share it with a friend of yours.

To Conclude

The whole process of finding an international University to study might seem overwhelming, but once you plan properly, it’s not that hard. Have any more questions? Let us know in comments below! Do read various opinions of your favourite Universities here on EDUopinions.

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