Have you ever considered going abroad to study? Embarking on a new adventure and discovering the world? Finally quenching your thirst to learn about other cultures and becoming an international student?
Studying abroad is an exciting an interesting experience, for both personal and professional reasons. Whether you follow your heart or your head, a stay abroad is now a real asset to put on your CV. Here are three good reasons for studying abroad.
So you’re not the new Einstein (yet). Don’t panic. Average applicants have a chance too. Every little helps; start with self-belief!
(…) see this experience as a way of standing out from the crowd of students entering the labour market each year
However, you should see this experience as a way of standing out from the crowd of students entering the labour market each year. When the time comes, your international experience could make the difference!
Before starting your research and preparation, it is essential that you draw up a plan and check whether this period of study will be recognised and appreciated when you return. As well as how, when and how much, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Unless you have family living locally or a particularly generous scholarship, studying abroad will be expensive. Very expensive! Prepare yourself for this reality. You will need to plan a budget factoring in housing, tuition fees, transport costs and other expenditure once you arrive. And clearly, some countries are more expensive than others.
In 2014, an analysis of 15 countries was carried out to calculate tuition fees and average living costs. The result highlights vast differences in costs between destinations. Needless to say that these costs have increased since.
Country | University fees /year | Living costs /year | Total cost /year |
---|---|---|---|
Australia | $24,081 | $18,012 | $42,093 |
USA | $24,914 | $11,651 | $36,564 |
United‐Kingdom | $21,365 | $13,680 | $35,045 |
Canada | $16,746 | $13,201 | $29,947 |
France | $247 | $16,530 | $16,777 |
Malaysia | $2,453 | $10,488 | $12,941 |
Indonesia | $4,378 | $8,527 | $12,905 |
Brazil | $59 | $12,569 | $12,627 |
Turkey | $1,276 | $10,089 | $11,365 |
China | $3,844 | $6,886 | $10,729 |
Mexico | $750 | $8,710 | $9,460 |
India | $581 | $5,062 | $5,642 |
If this has cooled your interest a little, then now is the time to take inspiration and tell yourself that, after all, there is considerable help to be found, as well as the possibility of financial support from your family.
For example, the EU Erasmus grant is an incentive reserved for students of the Erasmusprogramme. It is not awarded automatically, and your application must be made to the school or university where you currently study.
In Luxembourg, there are also a number of grants and loans available from AideFi, along with approved banks. The organisation provides very substantial support for eligible students to freely continue their higher education abroad. A simulator can be used to calculate the amount granted depending on the applicant’s profile.
So the budget issue has not put you off? Great! It is time to consider how.
The most famous and probably the most complete programme is Erasmus. It consists of a student exchange between the various participating countries. This agreement allows for exchanges between the 27 European Union member states, as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Turkey.
Volunteering through the National Youth Service is just one of many possibilities
Apart from Erasmus, there are other programmes that allow young people to study or live abroad for a while as part of an exchange. This can take the form of help financing your project, or assistance with the numerous formalities. Volunteering through the National Youth Service is just one of many possibilities.
Though generally agreed that it is better to go for at least a semester, ideally you should stay a year or more. Ultimately the decision is yours, and it is important to be realistic about your resources and time scale. Indeed, a lot of things can go wrong. You may regret it if you act on an impulse. Going abroad also means taking a break from your family, friends, surroundings and your routine for the most part. So above all you must feel ready.
When should you leave? This is one of the most important questions. At what point in my education am I allowed, or is it better, to leave? Whatever degree you are working towards, start your preparations as early as November or December to meet most of the deadlines set by host countries. In terms of your education, there is no particular “right” time to leave. It all depends on your plans.
Application form | Choose and rank universities in your order of preference University course description Write a CV and covering letter in English or the language of your host country A language test is also often required (TOEIC, TOEFL, widaf, etc.) |
Requests and application | Passport application (if outside the Schengen area) Visa application (if outside the EU) European insurance (find out about the European Health Insurance Card) International insurance (various bodies offer this type of cover) Telephone contract (to stay in touch with your family and friends) International Student Identity Card application (also known as ISIC, which entitles you to student discounts worldwide. It’s great!) |
Draw up a budget | Return travel Visa cost (if outside the EU) Books and supplies European/international insurance Accommodation Local transport Meals and outings Communications |
Health check-up | Doctor Dentist Booster shots Additional vaccinations (depending on the country) |
Find a place to live | Apartment Host family On campus Youth hostel Flat-share |
Bank account | Contact your bank to find out whether it has partnerships with other foreign banks Information on local bank charges Open an account with a local bank (if necessary) |
To pack | Adaptor for electric sockets Local currency A first-aid kit |
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