10 Things you should know before applying to study abroad

In the 21st Century, we have seen massive growth in the number of students that have chosen to study abroad as it has become one of the popular options among students who are looking for higher education.

Study Abroad can get students excited for a number of reasons like experiencing new cultures, better career prospects, or becoming financially independent and living a good life but on the other hand, studying abroad can be stressful for a lot of students as they find it difficult to make a proper plan for themselves as the process can be little overwhelming.

So in order to help students out, we have listed 10 things that students should know before applying to study abroad :

1 - Choosing the right Country and the right course

It’s of utmost importance to keep in mind that when you plan to pursue a course there are various countries which can offer you similar courses, but there will be only one country which will present more benefits than the others according to your profile. So you must research well on the courses such as their graduate outcomes, pathway opportunities, entry requirements, and mainly which country will be the right fit for that particular course.

2- Understanding Course Structure

Colleges and universities abroad have different course structures, different intake, and different teaching methods so you should do your research on the colleges or universities and get familiar with their curriculum. You must find out the details about the intake which you are planning to target for admission and start your preparation accordingly as it is advised to start your preparation for study abroad 10-11 months in advance.

3 - Entry Requirement

All Universities and colleges have their own criteria for admissions. Some colleges only give admission to those students who have completed certain subjects in high school as the course curriculum requires them to have certain subject knowledge and Some Universities will require GRE, GMAT for Admissions so it is advised to check the entry requirements for the program you are interested in.

4 - Language Test

Most of the popular study abroad countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, New-Zealand require aspirants to take English proficiency Tests Like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in order to be eligible for a study visa. One must research the colleges and universities for the English proficiency test they require and start your preparation accordingly.

On the other hand, if you are going to a Non-English speaking country for studying make sure you learn the local language which will come in handy when you start your education abroad.

5 - Plan your finances

Studying overseas can be a little more out of your pocket compared to studying in your own country so it’s better to plan ahead of your time. A lot of the information is available with your counselor so you must definitely explore more about the total expense which will occur including both tuition fees and cost of living and make plans accordingly. To finance your dream of studying abroad you can also take a study loan but the procedure can take some time so it is advised to start early.

6 - Check Work Opportunities for Students

In many countries, International Students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week on holidays or vacation so you can easily support yourself financially by doing part-time work. You will also get work experience and an opportunity to get in touch with the local community. The most common jobs for International students are Retail Staff, Call Center, and Babysitter.

7 - Scholarships

In order to attract students, many Colleges and Universities offer scholarships based on merits. Check with your counselor If you are eligible to receive scholarships then apply for them as soon as possible as it can save you on Tuition Fees.

8 - Plan for your career after completion of the course

It’s better to make a proper career plan well in advance as it’s a dream of every international student to get a high-paid career opportunity and many aspire in getting a permanent residency in another country with the course chosen. It’s important to research about course’s future prospects and income opportunities after completion of the course. Many countries provide post-graduation work rights to international students.

9- Visa norms

Visa requirements in every country are different from each other however there are some basic requirements that every country has which is to show proof of Funds, Medical test, SOP and etc. So you must be better prepared for it in advance and you should go through all the visa details of a particular country which you are intending to study.

10 - Passport and other documents

Make a checklist of the documents required at the time of your student visa so that you can apply hassle-free keeping in mind that your passport should be valid for complete visa duration.