By The idea of study abroad can be fascinating and yet challenging. It’s not going to be easy to choose the country for studying abroad. Picking the right destination for studying is the key to making the most of your experience. There are thousands of countries, cities and towns to choose from. Thus, you will never be short of choice when picking the right study destination.
Students prefer to study abroad to get insight and exposure to foreign life and start living an independent life. Almost every country allows international students to get the necessary qualification and experiences. However, since students mostly face difficulties choosing the best destination to study abroad, we have attempted to list down several important points for students who wish to study abroad.
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What course do you wish to pursue?
This is the first thing you must consider while picking the destination for studying abroad. You may identify your course to study by creating a list of all your strengths and interests. Do an extensive research on the popular courses to study abroad. Make sure to do extensive research on the program, modules and duration offered on your preferred subject. Understanding the area that you want to pursue will help you choose the right place to study abroad. You can explore countries that offer the best study programs on the preferred subject.
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How much will it cost & what are the possible financial resources?
Studying abroad can get very expensive, and thus it is crucial to think about finance and budget before applying to the universities. You must consider the overall expense involved with studying at a particular destination. As you calculate the costs, consider expenses in utilities, accommodation, transportation, etc. You must consider the course duration since it will affect your overall cost of studying abroad.
Criteria like scholarship and financial aid are offered by almost every university. You may approach the banks of the country if you need a fiancé provider to learn about the education loan. Finding a suitable study loan can help you bring down the overall cost of your studies.
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What languages do you speak?
Studying abroad gives you a wonderful scope to master a new language. But it can be frightening and almost intimidating when you have to settle in a new environment with no native language skills. So, consider picking a study destination where you can speak at least some local dialect. This will allow you to interact with people easily and carry out daily tasks. You will be less likely to experience the negative effects of culture shock.
Some countries and universities even set language proficiency requirements for international students. You might be required to sit for tests like IELTS or TOEFL as part of their admission process. You will not be granted admission if you lack proper language skills.
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What are the career opportunities?
Whether you are planning to stay or not after completing your degree, it’s still a better idea to look at some of the best careers. Understand what career opportunities you can enjoy after completing your program. Take into account the countries with maximum revenues for students undertaking your chosen course. Only choose the country if you find their benefits and potential growth in career and personality. For example, New Zealand is the best place for students wishing to pursue their career in civil engineering.
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Do you find the educational structure suitable?
Different study destinations come with different educational structures, which may or may not sync with your thought process. Check what kind of teaching methods are followed in their classrooms. Several universities focus more on practical training than theoretical concepts. Find out which study approach you find most suitable and choose the study destination accordingly. If you are thinking about choosing the destination that puts more weightage on practical training, try understanding if you will be comfortable working on assignments and research writing papers every week.
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Do you fulfil the entry requirements?
You must look at all the entry requirements for the programs available in the desired destination. Like in any other admission process, university admission comes with various requirements. One of the primary requirements of the university is its entrance exam. Thus, students need to stay aware of all the requirements before submitting their applications and submit them whenever required.
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What is your weather preference?
Climate is another important factor that can help to narrow down your search for the right study destination. If you love the summer, you will enjoy the temperatures of countries like Spain, Italy, Australia and France. On the other hand, if you prefer winter, you will enjoy living in nations like Russia, Lithuania and Finland.
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What are the student visa requirements?
Check the visa entry requirements you are interested in. Each country has a different set of rules, and visa processing can take more time than expected. Visa process costs vary from one country to another. And with COVID-19 in the picture, the visa process can look different for international students going abroad. For example, Canada has an immigration-friendly work permit program and a post-graduation work permit program.
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How safe is the country?
With the increasing crime rates, one of the most common concerns is safety. Make sure to do your research to learn about the crime rates and choose universities in safer areas accordingly. Some factors that need to be considered include emergency resources, transportation, and 24*7 support while you are making up your mind on choosing the country. You can try connecting with students who have travelled to the desired location.
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Can you find a community?
It can be a scary experience when travelling to another country for education. But if you have a comfortable community around you, things can get easier. However, despite you knowing the company’s culture, you might still face culture shock. Thus, I will recommend you identify the country with a stronger community of people you can identify with.
Familiar food, friendly people, and comfortable routines fall under the factors that make moving to a new country much easier. This will help you get to adapt to the culture faster. You will also not be homesick.
FINAL THOUGHTS,
Studying abroad is known to give an enriching experience to students. One who moves to study abroad gains several highly benefit from it. Any study destination is perfect as long as you feel comfortable and safe. However, it is still wise to do some background research to decide and know what you can expect from the chosen study destination.
