Everything You Need to Know About Studying Abroad

Before you start looking into colleges and universities, you must first define your career goals. Undergoing this stage can help you determine the next steps you must take.

For example, you plan to take biology at a university in the UK before acquiring a medical degree in the US. In this case, you must first research whether the pre-med program in the British college meets the requirements of the American institution you plan to enter.

Alternatively, you may also want to work in a specific country after graduation. In this scenario, you may pursue a program that offers a student visa from that particular nation and lets you study and work abroad.

Of course, you don’t need to plan every little detail at this stage. Simply knowing where you want to be after college should be enough to get you started.

Selecting a school and program is not the same for everyone.

Some students already have a degree in mind before choosing a university, while others dream about getting into a specific college first, even if they have yet to decide what course they want to take.

If you’re at a crossroads, try to list down your preferences first. Then, use that list to look for the missing pieces by:

• Searching for the best universities offering the program you want; or

• Looking into the courses offered at your dream university that align with your interests and career goals.

You can also use this list when you attend college fairs and meet university representatives.

Of course, you mustn’t forget about your interests outside school. Since there’s a good chance that you’ll be living away from your loved ones, being able to do something you like outside school hours could help you get settled into the new country better.

University admission requirements can vary significantly for different institutions. This is especially true for colleges overseas since various nations follow different strategies for higher education.

Fortunately, there are several things that you can prepare beforehand:

• Your grades: Your academic performance not only determines whether you graduate high school but also affects the likelihood of you getting into the university or program you want. Most of the time, it is also a vital requirement for scholarships and financial aid programs.

• Language and other tests: Passing these tests is vital if you wish to become a student in a country with a different language and culture. If you haven’t yet, make sure you pass internationally recognised English certifications, like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET). And don’t forget to take general standardised tests, like the American College Test (ACT) or the SAT.

• Interview: Though not very common, college application interviews may be required through video chat or over the phone. These offer you a chance to flaunt your personality and academic prowess. In some cases, you may even be allowed to ask the uni representatives some questions to help you decide whether the school matches your goals and needs.

Scholarships are important for your educational budget. However, they can also affect your college application since they often occur during university admission.

Depending on the country or university you choose, you may encounter different types of financial aid programs, such as:

• Student loans

• Scholarships

• Grants

• Military aid

You need to pay back some of them (i.e., student loans), but others are given away (e.g., scholarships and grants) to qualified students. There are also differences in qualifications, like financial need, academic achievement, etc.

Research all the details thoroughly before exerting significant effort into an application. This way, you can work towards your goals more efficiently and not waste time in programs you don’t qualify for.