A Comprehensive Guide to Planning for Study Abroad Apply Now
Are you dreaming of leaving the comforts of home to study abroad and gain an international education? But, aren't sure how to go about it? If you are reading this, we are going to assume you answered ‘Yes’ to that question. Maybe you want to study abroad because it will look good on your resume. Maybe you just want a change. Or maybe your heart is calling for something more exotic than the campus café. Regardless of why, the time is now! There are so many benefits to studying abroad. It can open up new opportunities in your career, expose you to new cultures and people, and give you a better understanding of yourself and society as a whole. It’s also an experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. Read on for our ultimate guide to planning for study abroad so that you can make it happen sooner rather than later!
Before You Apply: Know What’s Important to You
There are tons of factors to consider when selecting a program and university to study abroad. We have listed some of the most important ones below, along with ways that you can start researching now so that you have a better idea of what will suit you best. Cost - How much will studying abroad cost you? What is included in that cost? What is not included in that cost? Academic Reputation - What is the program’s academic reputation? What are other students saying about their experience? Prerequisites - What are the prerequisites for this program? Can you get the necessary prerequisites in your home country? Duration - Is the program a semester or a full year? How much time off does that require from you?
Choosing a Program and University
If you are dreaming of studying abroad, the first step is to start researching potential options. The following resources can help you narrow down your choices and find the program that is right for you. - The Education Abroad Network (EAN): The EAN is a database that lists thousands of universities and their overseas programs. Search their database by degree, location, university or language. - The U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State has a database of universities with programs in the U.S. Search by subject, degree, location or university. - Degree Programs: Degree Programs has a database of thousands of overseas degree programs. You can search by subject or degree, or browse categories such as health, business, engineering, and STEM. - Online Degree Reviews: Online Degree Reviews has thousands of reviews of online degree programs from all over the world. You can search by subject, level (bachelors, associates, etc.), location, and language. - International Student and Scholar Advisor: Your school may have an international student and scholar advisor on staff. These advisors are a great resource for researching study abroad programs. They can provide insight on a variety of topics including program options and financial aid.
Finding the Right Program for You
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to dig a little deeper and find out more about each program. To do this, you will have to do some research on the universities themselves as well as the specific programs you are interested in. The following resources can help you do this. - University Rankings: Rankings are a great way to get a general idea of a university’s strengths and weaknesses. You can find rankings for universities all over the world at sites like US News, Education at a Glance, and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. - University Profiles: University profiles are another great way to get a general overview of a university. You can find profiles for thousands of universities at the International Education Profiles Database (IEP). - Program Websites: Program websites are a great source of information. You can use these websites to get an overview of the program, what’s included in the cost, prerequisites, and so on. You can find program websites at sites like International Partnerships, Study Abroad 101, and Go Overseas. You can also use Google to search for “[Program Name] Program Website”.
Application Process
You’ve found the right program and university. Now, it’s time to apply! But, where do you start? The following resources can help you navigate the application process. - General Application Tips: There are a few general application tips we recommend that you follow, regardless of the program. Make sure you check the application deadline early. Include a clear and concise essay. Avoid plagiarism at all cost. Proofread, proofread, proofread. - Program Application Tips: Once you’ve got the general application tips out of the way, it’s time to focus on the program-specific tips. This can include anything from what materials to submit to what deadlines to keep in mind. You can find program application tips at sites like Grad School Hub, Go Overseas, and Study Abroad 101.
Scholarships and Fellowships
Studying abroad is not a cheap venture. Even if your university has a partnership with an overseas institution, they may not cover the entire cost of the program. If you have a financial aid advisor or study abroad advisor at your university, they are a great resource for finding scholarships and fellowships. You can also use the following resources to find scholarships and fellowships. - Online Scholarship Databases: There are many scholarship databases online. We recommend using a few of them, as they often have different sources of financial aid. Two of our favorite databases are Scholarly Search and Scholarly - Scholarship Websites: Scholarship websites are a great way to find scholarships for studying abroad. You can find them at sites like Go Overseas and Study Abroad 101. - International Organizations: Many international organizations offer scholarships for studying abroad. You can find them at sites like Go Overseas and Study Abroad 101.
Networking Events and Interview Prep Tailsm
You’ve found the right program, applied for a scholarship, and completed your application. Now, you just need to wait for the results. But, what can you do in the meantime? Well, you can prepare for your program interview, create connections with people, and network with professionals at networking events. The following resources can help you do all of this and more. - Interview Preparation: Interview preparation is important. First, you want to make sure that you are prepared for any questions that the admissions officers may ask. Second, you want to make sure that you are prepared for the questions that the interviewers at the host university may ask. You can find resources to help you prepare for your program interview at sites like International Partnerships and Go Overseas. - Building Connections: You can also use the time before your program results come out to build connections with people. This can include anything from reaching out to universities directly to finding peers who are also studying abroad. You can find resources to help you do this at sites like International Partnerships and Go Overseas.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to studying abroad. It can open up new opportunities in your career, expose you to new cultures and people, and give you a better understanding of yourself and society as a whole. It’s also an experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. The time is now!
