Planning to Study Abroad

Planning to study abroad

Much has been written about the benefits of studying abroad, which range from personal development and increasing cultural awareness to enhancing a person’s career prospects.

Once the decision has been made to study abroad, careful planning will enable the student to gain the most from his or her time and experiences abroad. Spending time living and studying abroad can be exciting and challenging, and may involve a degree of culture shock and adjustment for the student. Whilst not every eventuality can be anticipated, good planning helps to ensure that the student is prepared for various aspects of the trip and increases the likelihood that, as far as possible, the transition will go smoothly.

Key considerations when planning to study abroad:

A good first step when planning to study abroad is to identify any national, local or university schemes that facilitate student exchanges or programmes for overseas studies. Whether approached through an organisation or independently, the initial areas requiring attention when planning to study abroad are where and what to study, and the duration and the cost of the proposed studies. Clearly, the choice of the country in which to study is key. For foreign language students the range of countries to choose from may be less wide than for others, but for all it is advisable to take some time to carry out detailed research about the countries being considered.

Various factors need to be taken into account, including the availability of courses in the required subject area, cultural considerations and any travel restrictions that may apply to the student. It is also important to establish whether qualifications obtained as a result of studies undertaken abroad will be recognised in the student’s home country or elsewhere. Having identified a country, or countries, in which the student would like to study, time should be spent finding out which learning establishments there offer the required courses and are most suited to the particular needs and preferences of the student.

There are various online directories and databases offering free access to information about courses and locations. It should be noted, however, that any information obtained in this way should be checked and verified to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. As with all stages in planning to study abroad, good research is crucial. In choosing the institution at which to study, factors that should be taken into account include the language in which the course will be taught, the reputation of the relevant institution and the level of support offered to foreign students there.

Funding your trip abroad:

Another significant factor in planning to study abroad is the cost, and how the experience will be funded.

Planning to study abroad should include an investigation of course fees for your chosen studies, travel expenses and the approximate cost of living in the chosen country for the duration of the course. It is worth finding out if there are any scholarships, bursaries or grants which can be applied for. If it appears that there may be a need for the student to work whilst abroad to fund their studies, establish whether there are any legal requirements (such as work permits) relating to this.

Once a country has been decided on and the choice of learning establishments has been narrowed down, applications for the relevant courses should be submitted in good time. Applying to a number of institutions increases the chances of success, and care should be taken to ensure that the student meets all requirements for the relevant courses and is able to supply all necessary documentation to support their applications.

When the student has been offered, and has accepted, a place to study abroad, the planning process should focus on the practicalities involved in embarking on this venture. With life being “predictably unpredictable”, it is important that the student obtains insurance for their travel, health and belongings, and some insurance companies offer tailor-made insurance for international students.

Planning to study abroad should include finding accommodation that is affordable and conveniently located for the student. Where possible, this should be arranged before departure, but if necessary or preferred (and depending on the age of the student), a short- term place to stay may be secured so that suitable longer-term accommodation can be found locally after the student’s arrival in their destination country. It then remains to make travel arrangements, including ensuring that the student’s travel and identification documents (such as passport/ visa) are in order.

Consideration may also be given to the more detailed aspects of the student’s stay. If there are any medical needs or disabilities, planning to study abroad should include finding out about the availability of any facilities or medication that the student is likely to need, and any necessary arrangements can then be made accordingly. The student should also give some thought to how they will communicate with friends and family at home, and whether they will have any technological needs (such as a laptop, internet connection and/or mobile telephone).

There is no doubt about the value of good planning for studying abroad, and time and energy spent planning for this experience is well spent. The popularity of undertaking studies abroad is reflected by the large number of books, websites and organisations providing information and advice on this topic. Listed below is a selection of such resources (it should be noted that this is in no way an exhaustive list, but is intended to provide examples and a starting point for researching and planning to study abroad):

 

Organisations

• ERASMUS (British Council)
• Institute for the International Education of Students (IES)
• The Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)
• Foundation for International Education (FIE)

Books

• The Study Abroad Handbook, A Lidstone and C Rueckert (2007)
• Peterson’s Study Abroad (2008)
• Study Abroad, M Dowell and K Mirsky (2002)
• Guide to Studying Abroad, Princeton Review (2004)

Websites

• www.abroadview.org
• www.transitionsabroad.com
• www.studiesabroad.com
• www.iagora.com

Note: There are also various organisations, books and websites offering information and advice relevant to specific countries, universities and/or subjects of study.

Related studying abroad pages

• Preparing to Study Abroad
• Studyabroad.com
• Studying abroad vs. studying in the UK
• Looking for a university to study abroad
• What is the difference between “exchange” and “study abroad”?
• Summer Programmes
• Planning to Study Abroad