26/03/2007 | Study Abroad News & Advice, Student Survival Guide
Ten hot study abroad tips
By: Tim Rogers
Study abroad at any level is one of the most worthwhile things you will ever do. Ask anyone from any walk of life - academic, artist, businessperson or civil servant - and if they have had a study abroad experience they will remember it as an influence in one way or another. No matter whether they studied abroad for three months, on a study abroad exchange scheme, or for five years for their entire PhD program, the influence will be there.But how do you make sure that your study abroad experience is the best it can be?
The following top ten tips are aimed at helping you through the preparation for going abroad for your degree or international student exchange program.
- Consider what country you wish to study in. Much of the decision to study abroad is more about the cultural and social experience you are likely to have in your destination than it is about classroom considerations. Studying in Australia is very different from studying in Singapore or Ireland. Weigh up what you personally want from the country you are going to study in.
- Research your potential universities very carefully. Choosing the best university for your international study abroad experience is not all about an institution that comes top of the world university rankings. It’s more about your personal preferences and interests so that the choice that you make is the right one for you.
- Choose a university that is known. It doesn’t have to be a world famous institution like the University of Oxford or Harvard University, but it should be a university or college that is recognised either in general terms or for a specific program or academic area. If you think you will work internationally, it is vitally important that your degree qualification will be recognized wherever you go.
- Make sure that the university you choose to study abroad at is used to welcoming international students to their campus. It is important that they have a support network for you and that they are in a position to anticipate some of the questions that you might have. Always look for an International Office or Office of Student Exchange and see what they have to offer you. See student support services.
- Consider ways in which you will finance your study abroad program. This is often one of the most crucial areas for all students wishing to study abroad, and can make the difference between going and staying home. Financial aid, scholarships and bank loans are all available and are commonplace amongst the millions of students that study abroad every year. The university you make your first choice should be one that offers some prospect of financial aid. See Top Universities Student Finance guide for more information.
- Once you have a shortlist of universities and colleges that you are interested in, try and locate current and former students to help you make your final decision. The universities in question should help you with this. Alumni are often the very best source of information about life on campus, especially if they too are international.
- Make sure that when you apply your application is in good time and complete. Universities will rarely make decisions if something is missing from your application material and this will delay the whole process, reducing your prospects of being successful. Prepare for any necessary tests well ahead of time and fulfil all requirements before you send off your application form.
- Once you have an offer of admission and, if relevant, obtained your student visa, prepare for your study abroad experience. Make sure you understand the procedures for getting international student accommodation and try and secure this before you leave home. Through your university you will be put in touch with other students from your country and you can begin to make some plans. Perhaps arrange to travel together? Or at least start to talk about your forthcoming adventure.
- Be prepared to learn a new language. Many of the world’s top universities teach in English but are located in non-English speaking countries. Learn a few phrases of the local language to help you adjust and meet people. If the language is the same as yours, try and find out a little about the culture to make the most of your new environment.
- Finally, enjoy the anticipation of your forthcoming international study experience. You can’t plan for everything, so relax and make sure that you are ready for the basics – your arrival, your student housing and your first few days at university – and then see how the rest develops!
The study abroad experience has much to be recommended. Like so many, Ross McCalden, a graduate from the College of Europe, talks with amazing passion about his study abroad experience: “Being away from familiar concepts really opens your mind to new ideas of thinking and doing things. I think you definitely get to know yourself better, it’s great for ‘character building’, and, of course, language skills. I think it makes you a more rounded person.” Good luck!
