I want to study abroad. Where to begin?

Confidence in your choice

At the very beginning, you need to answer two important questions for yourself.First, think about how often you are away from home and how easy is it for you?Long journeys, even to another city in your home country, can turn into stress.People adapt to new conditions in different ways, so a week will be enough for some, and a year will not be enough for others.If you are completely sure that you want to study abroad, then you can prepare for choosing a university.But what if it's interesting and you're not sure yet?Here are a couple of options:

Short Term Programs

There are various summer schools, exchange and volunteering courses and programs that you can apply for.If you are a student, it is better to learn about such opportunities at your university.For the students of the school, we recently wrote about international exchange programs and their nuances.You can read the article here.

Tourist trips

Yes, this method is also useful.If your trip falls on the Open House at the university, it is also a chance to learn directly about the study.

The second point is relevant for future bachelors.Need to understand, do you really want to graduate?Moving and traveling is interesting and exciting.But you have to learn a lot.And the training will take place in English or another language, which complicates the task.What to do?

Apply for a bachelor's degree at home

This way you can better understand what higher education is and whether your chosen specialty is interesting to you.In addition, some countries necessarily require a year of study at the university due to the difference in school education.It is worth noting that there are differences in education in different countries.For a complete understanding, apply for mobility programs and interact with international exchange students.Not worth itbe afraid that this time will be lost: you will gain knowledge and experience that will determine your choice in the future.

Purpose of study

Decide for what purpose you want to study abroad.The choice of place and scholarship directly depends on your goal.There are two main options:

You want to move and stay in another country after studying.So you need the ability to find a job after graduation.
You want to get a good education that will be useful for your career.It doesn't matter if you need to return to your homeland later.

Choosing a place to study

So, you have decided that it is the move and the opportunity to stay in the country that are important for you.In this case, the search should start with the country.What if you haven't decided yet?

Learn about the prospects for obtaining citizenship.How long does it take to live in the country to get it?Is the term shortened for students who studied here on a full-time basis?Most often, this information can be found on government websites that are dedicated to education or are made specifically for foreign citizens.

Read about employment programs.Many countries allow graduates to look for work from a few months to a year.For example, there are such programs in Australia, Canada and France.Often they need certain conditions (high final grade or payment of a fee).We wrote more about job search abroad by a graduatehere .

Pay attention to the countries where the student is allowed to work.This will help you gain the experience you need faster.There is a chance that you will be able to be accepted for a position in the same company where you interned or worked partly during your studies.

Learn better about living conditions.Climate, culture, statedevice and everything that somehow affects a person who has arrived in the country.Read blogs, books, articles and learn as much as possible to be completely sure that you want to not only work and study here, but just have a good time.

Find out about scholarships in the country.Government and university.But remember, not all are for you.One of the requirements in many cases is to return to your home country for a couple of years.If you want to move, it probably won't work for you.We will talk in more detail about the choice of a scholarship below.

If your main goal is to get a quality education, it is better to choose a different trajectory here.First of all, pay attention to the university, not the country.How to do it?

Look at the ratings.Times Higher Education and QS Top University Rankings produce rankings of the best universities and programs.Pay attention to them and look for interesting programs.

Choose teachers.This is especially true for graduate students.Who would you like to write a research paper with?From whom would you like to receive knowledge?Perhaps you have already read someone else's work and want to learn from that person directly.

If you have a more applied specialty, find out about the experts who visit the university for lectures and seminars.Most often, this information is given in the description of the programs and in the news section.

Pay attention to the scientific environment .If you are interested in doing research, learn about the different laboratories and centers at the university and the possibilities of working there.

Explore university websites and social networks.It's all about programs, services, outstanding alumni and their work experience.See photos and read interviews.The more complete the information, the better.

Program selection

Evaluate the results of the previouslearningwith which you are applying.Universities set different requirements, but the most common requirements are:

High average GBP.
Good knowledge of English and a high score for IELTS or TOEFL.
Active social life.Volunteering, organizing events, helping at the university, various activism, your own business.

Publications and conference presentations.

Diplomas and certificates.
Letters of recommendation.Think about which of your teachers or employers can give you recommendations for admission.
If you are applying for a magistracy, then the number of credits (usually at least 180).

Study the structure of the program .Find out about the courses you will take and possible practice: see which organizations are collaborating with the university.

Finding Scholarships

There are two main routes: government and university websites.It contains the most complete information about foundations, scholarships and various grants.When choosing a scholarship, be sure to pay attention to the following points:

Is the scholarship paid every year?Also inquire about the conditions under which payments continue.
Are there any additional privileges and benefits other than funding?Perhaps you will become a member of one of the organizations and will be required to attend its events.
Is a separate application required?Many scholarships require separate applications or motivation letters.
Does the deadline for submission of applications for the program coincide with the deadline for the scholarship?
Do I need to send documents by mail, and not just by e-mail?If you are not sure, it is better to clarify.
Can the received scholarship be combined with other grants?

General tips

Do not be afraid to take a year off between different levels of education.Someone needs it to gain work experience, and someone helps to findyourself and your interests.Also during this time you can prepare for the language exam.

Be sure to start your search early!The more suitable scholarships and programs you find, the greater the chance that you will go abroad.

Useful materials on the topic

2022-01-14 07:19:58