Studying Abroad
Studying abroad can provide a range of benefits for students as they immerse themselves in a completely new culture and gain new perspectives. It can be a life-changing experience as it exposes them to a multitude of cultures and people. However, before starting this adventure, thorough research is required to see if the study programs align with their academic goals and personal interests. Another important factor to consider is the budget and whether you can provide for yourself to obtain financial aid to fulfil your dream through scholarships, grants, etc. This blog will give you a comprehensive guide about academic programs and student experience as they study abroad. An international education can give you an edge in your resume and open you up to more job opportunities. Let’s explore the options of universities and the general application process for these international education programs.
Benefits of Studying Abroad
There are many benefits of studying abroad and some of the most significant ones are as follows:
- When a student leaves home to study abroad, it is an excellent opportunity for personal growth as it forces them to come out of their comfort zone and adapt to a new environment by navigating through the unfamiliarity. This teaches them self-confidence and resilience
- A new environment offers the opportunity for cultural immersion which teaches students a deeper understanding of cultural differences in a globalised world. Moreover, it can also teach students a new language. This is essential for professional growth as well
- An international education makes students more attractive to employers as they have exhibited competence, adaptability and problem solving skills through their experience
- Valuable professional and personal connections can be formed during the study abroad experience and these can open up a lot of opportunities
Top 10 Universities to Study Abroad
Every student has a different set of needs and academic goals to fulfil which varies with their subject of study and personalities so do research on your own preferences when you are looking for universities.Based on global rankings, reputation and overall student experience, here’s a list of the top 10 universities internationally:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
- Stanford University, United States
- University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Harvard University, United States
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech), United States
- University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Chicago, United States
- Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- University of Toronto, Canada
If you are looking for a certain program that is not available in the list of universities listed above, book a session with our mentors to explore your options. If you are planning to go to some other popular study abroad destination like Australia or Germany, you can also make a viable plan with our mentors.
Criteria for Choosing a University to Study Abroad
You have to keep a very clear and sharp strategy for choosing a good university to study abroad so here are some pointers to help you start your thinking process:
- Check the academic reputation of the universities you have shortlisted. See if it is suitable for your field of study and if it is valued by future employers around the world
- The location of the university should offer some opportunities for you and the socio-cultural experience that you are looking for
- The program should also offer some extracurricular activities and research opportunities to students so that they can explore all their interests
- If the native language of the country is foreign to you, you should be able to see if you can be proficient enough in it to understand the curriculum
- Research all your funding options and see how you can cover the tuition, accommodation and living expenses during the course of your education
Application Process for Studying Abroad
The application process for each university can vary depending on the university, country and program you have chosen. These are some general steps that we consider should help you draw out a path for your planning process:
- Visit the official websites of the university and see their annual admission deadlines. See if any language proficiency tests or standardised tests are required for the application
- You will probably be asked to submit all the scanned documents online so collect all your transcripts, letters of recommendation and test scores for this process
- Register for any tests like TOEFL or GRE and start preparing for these tests
- Explore financial aid and scholarship options with our mentors to help you figure out the details
- See the visa application requirements for that country and collect any necessary documents beforehand
- All your travel arrangements and pre-departure preparation should be ready before you leave
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Studying Abroad
Although studying abroad can be an expensive goal, you can look for scholarship and financial aid to make this easier for yourself. There are options available for this and you can use the following avenues to look for options that you are eligible for
- Check the university’s funding page to see if they offer any scholarships
- Your own country’s government offers many scholarships every year so see what is currently available for your field of study
- Private scholarships are also offered by organisations so follow scholarship forums and discussion boards to stay updated
- Your current school’s financial aid office can also pay for your study abroad program
- Look for work-study options that allow you to work part-time alongside your academic work
- Crowdfunding programs like GoFundMe and Kickstarter are also popular options with students who want to make their study abroad dreams reality
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a good idea of what the application process looks like, you can assess if it will be feasible for you. If you are finding it too challenging, we can sort it out at any step of the process- from finances to visa process- and make your journey smoother. Best of luck in your study abroad journey!
