How to Choose a Study Abroad Program: An Affordable Guide

StudyQA publishes an accessible guide to choosing the right program at a foreign university. We all dream of a successful future, and studying abroad is a great way to get closer to that dream. The challenge, however, can be choosing the right university course.

Part of this decision is based in part on inspiration, but it is also serious work. Only by learning as much as you can about each option and comparing them carefully can you make the best decision for your future.

This article will guide you through the maze of doubt in making that tough decision... and stop you from wasting your valuable time!

Step 1: What are your requirements?

Before you choose a course, it's a good idea to write down a list of features you would like to take full-time or part-time? What do you want at the end of the course, and how much are you willing to pay? Do you need a scholarship? Do you want to study in a particular country, or is the location of the university just a secondary consideration? Is university status and ranking important to you? Once you have this list in hand, you can begin your search for the perfect program.

Step 2: Start Clicking

With the list in hand, you don't even need to get up from your desk to learn more about the options available to you. You can use our database of over 80,000 educational courses. It is designed specifically for prospective international students and makes comparing courses much easier. It allows you to search by country, subject, or degree you wish to study, save your favorites courses, and return to them later if you wish -- even if you are still hesitant about choosing Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, or any other country!

You can also compare the rankings and costs of different universities and courses. It makes it easier to reject unsuitable programs right away. If you want to know more about visas, prices, and scholarships, you can check out our blog or Facebook page.

Chances are you'll end up with a long list of options, so the next step is to shorten it.

Step 3: Ask family and friends for advice

you probably know someone who has already studied abroad. Even if that person has chosen a course in a completely different field, don't be afraid to ask them for advice, chances are they can share lots of different tricks. Is there anything he or she would have liked to have known at the time he or she made the final decision? Many prospective students turn to friends or family members for help when choosing a course, because no one knows them better than the people closest to them. While your teachers can give you advice on things to do, regarding universities, etc., they do not know "the real you," and therefore cannot tell you which course is really right for you. However, before asking for advice, it does not hurt to read this article together with your family members, because they may not know all the technicalities regarding this choice.

Step 4. Check the ratings of foreign programs

One of the easiest ways to compile a selection of suitable universities is to check their rankings. Many organizations publish annual rankings of the top universities around the world, and these rankings help many prospective students decide on an appropriate institution. Don't rely solely on the rankings, however, because they cannot cover all the options.

Step 5: Go Back to Requirements

For too long, it is easy to lose sight of what you were originally looking for once you get stuck in the search. Sometimes the glossy brochures of universities and the colorful pictures on their websites can make you forget what information you were actually looking for. If you go back to your original requirements and cross out the names of universities that don't fit your needs, you can narrow down your choices. But a great way to "experience" a university is to have your own "open house. Google Maps Street View, YouTube video tours of campus, and student Twitter comments can give you an idea of what it would be like to attend a given university without even visiting it.

Step 7. Once again narrow down your list of possible options

If you want to keep only a few options on your list, consider relevant factors such as the ability to work or do an internship while you study, tuition and incidental costs, the difficulty of getting a student visa, and the cultural experience offered Make a personal hierarchy of these factors, and then, using the information you have gathered about the courses and universities you like, decide which one is the best fit. And - voila! - you should have a winner!

Step 8: Go back to StudyQA

In some cases, it's possible to apply for university directly through StudyQA. It's super easy! Fill out your profile once and you can submit it to several universities at once for consideration. You'll also find the contacts of the organization or department that handles international student admissions on the portal. Apply and get ready for an exciting adventure.

Good luck with your decision, and good luck with your studies!