The prospect of studying abroad is both aspiring and intimidating, especially for young high school students who have yet to break off their ties of reliance on parental support. Studying abroad and the uprooting it involves is a life-altering experience for anyone at such a young age. It entails change on all fronts of life and calls for a series of serious decisions. However, those who come out from the other end of it have achieved exceptional growth personally, professionally, and of course, academically.
It is unfortunate that many students drop the idea of pursuing their dream to study abroad because they are overwhelmed by the fear of change or don’t see it in themselves to be able to do it. Studying in another country is not easy, far from it. But with the right approach, ample preparation, and hard work, it can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding journeys of your life, one that strengthens the backbone of your professional development for the days to come.
To help you achieve that, we have compiled a few pieces of advice that we think you should consider before proceeding to study abroad.
Get into the Right Mindset
Before embarking on this journey, it is crucial that you get a reality check regarding how things work and what you should expect.
Studying in another country is going to be demanding, much more so than in your home country, because so many of your layers of support are going to be stripped away from you. You probably won’t have many of the luxuries you enjoyed back home, nor can you depend on your parents for the necessities and responsibilities of everyday life. This means that on top of studying hard, doing the homework, and working on projects, you will also need to do all the household chores by yourself. You will need to do things like buying your own groceries, doing your own laundry, and cooking your own meals, which can add up and take a lot of your time. Mastering time management and cultivating self-discipline is key to tackling the extra responsibilities that are going to get introduced into your life.
Moreover, the first few months will probably be extra challenging as you get accustomed to your new routine, get acclimated to the new cultural climate, and make new social connections.
At first glance, it may seem overwhelming, but it is really not. In fact, it is all worthwhile because the whole studying abroad experience will get you on the fast lane to adulthood. You will get real-life experience under your belt, come across new opportunities, and get to enjoy and appreciate the freedom and independence you have always wanted.
Gather as Much Information as You Can
Though it is natural to have doubts, you need to decide on the course you want to take, the country you would like to study in, and the college or university you wish to attend.
You can start with courses that interest you and look for them in different colleges and universities to compare different criteria such as their fee structure and syllabus, as well as whether or not they offer any part-time job opportunities, internships, or scholarships.
You can visit each institute’s website to gather this information and review their course details. All prominent and credible universities and colleges around the world provide resources about their courses and academic programs on their official website. Create a list of priorities and go through them one by one to get a better idea of the depth and breadth of each institute’s offered curriculum.
In addition to the official communication channels, there are many online forums and social media communities where you can reach out to alumni and ask about how the life, faculty, and studies are at specific colleges and universities.
Build a Solid Admission Portfolio
There is no way around it. Suppose you want to study abroad at a renowned and well-regarded college or university. In that case, you must have good grades. So, get started early and build a good CV, as higher grades directly increase your chances of getting into top schools.
In addition, many universities place an equal if not a greater emphasis on extracurricular activities. So try to get work experience, participate in internships, and engage in a few extracurricular and co-curricular activities to enhance your application portfolio and demonstrate unique skills and interests.
Gather All the Necessary Documentation
The process of applying to study abroad requires hefty paperwork. And although different universities from different countries around the world have varying admission criteria, there are many common documents that are required by almost all of them. These include your transcript, your GRE and language proficiency test scores, as well as your statement of purpose or essay and letters of recommendation. If you are also applying for scholarships or financial aid, then you are going to need more documents on top of those. You will find the list of all the required paperwork for each institution mentioned on their respective websites.