If you have been offered the opportunity to study abroad, then you are likely to be feeling a mix of emotions, predominantly excitement and trepidation. The right study opportunities really can be transformative for your future, not to mention an amazing experience in and of itself. That being said, it can be a challenging process to navigate. This is why we have put together the following, so keep reading to find out more.
Types of Programs
There are several options when it comes to study abroad programs, and your research will help you to work out which option is going to be the best for you, but more on that next. Before you begin your research, you really need to be aware of your options in order to come up with the study-abroad option that is going to work the best for you and your mode of study. Obviously, the program itself will need to work harmoniously with your area of study and match up with any other long-term study goals that you might have.
The study programs themselves are often categorized by type and, for the most part, length. There are shorter programs which are carried out during the summer break between semesters; you might also find ones which only last a semester or two. Some last a year, and if you have yet to begin your higher education, then you might be able to do your entire degree in a foreign country. It is entirely up to you.
Research is Key
First things first, obviously, your options will depend on the mode of study that you are doing and the opportunities that your institution of learning offers. This is why doing your research beforehand is so important. You will need to do some research into the programs that your institution offers; this might mean finding a tutor or other administrative assistant to go through your options with. After you have chosen your destination and the study program, the research then needs to ramp up.
You should begin to look at the major cultural and practical differences between your home country and your study destination. This is going to include things like whether or not you can expect a language barrier, the rate of English speakers or those who will be able to communicate with you in your native language, cultural differences to be aware of and maybe even the type of food that you can expect. It might also be beneficial to see whether or not you can find any written testimonies or even if you can be put in touch with another student who has done the same study program to benefit from their experience.
Finally, as part of your research, you should also put some thought into where you will live while you are there. Some programs do include housing, or at the very least; they have suggestions on how you can find accommodation. This is not always the case, though, and you do not have to follow these suggestions if you don’t want to. In some instances, it is cheaper to rent yourself. For example, if you were to study abroad in Singapore, then you should look for a HDB rental which is a rental property provided by the housing and development board – aka the public housing in Singapore. These rentals may be private, or you can apply straight to the board if you meet the criteria.
Important Documentation
Lastly, depending on the program and your country of origin, you are also likely to need to gather several pieces of supporting evidence for your application. Not all countries require a student visa, but several do. Sometimes, your entry into the program will hinge on whether or not you can secure the visa and vice versa. Most of the time, you will need to compile the supporting evidence to ensure acceptance. Now, the accompaniments themselves will largely depend on the requirements of the program or government agency. For the most part, it tends to include things like your birth certificate, passport, bank statements, financial records, academic transcripts and perhaps even an academic recommendation. It may or may not be necessary to have the supporting evidence translated.
The Bottom Line
Studying abroad can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it needs to be something that you go into, having done all of the preparation beforehand. Discovering all of the hoops that you need to jump through when reading up on the processes and policies for your study abroad program can be off-putting. However, they are put in place to ensure your safety and the safety of other staff and students. The three considerations listed above can help to ensure that you have thought it through. It can be an amazingly enriching experience.
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