“From Dream to Departure: The 10 Golden Rules to Study Abroad Smoothly”

Studying abroad has become a life-changing experience for individuals looking to advance both academically and personally in a world that is becoming ever more connected. Though there are many pros of studying abroad, such as having global exposure and opportunities, personality development and career advancement, enhanced language skills, adaptability, time management, financial management, etc., making the study abroad process perfect is a cumbersome task that requires lots of patience and energy, and sometimes even students get stuck at some point that they get stuck in their comfort zone and leave the process midway. So it is very important for the student to understand the thumbs-up rules or the process of studying abroad. Let’s dive into the process of studying abroad.

10 Golden Rules to Study Abroad

• Study destination
• Program availability and scope of the desired program
• Tuition deposit and living costs (look out for costs, scholarships, and bursaries)
• Match your academic qualifications with the eligibility criteria of the university
• Other admission requirements, such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT
• Have a backup plan for admission
• Offer a letter and pay the deposit for seat confirmation 
• Critical part: prepare the visa file
• Learn some basic skills 
• Get the visa and fly
  

Here are detailed knowledge about 10 Golden Rules to Study Abroad

Study Destination

The study abroad process starts with selecting the correct study destination. There are so many countries in the world that are known for their amazing education systems. Some of them boast of their quality education, affordable education, safety, and security, while others are known for their academic curriculum, flexibility in choosing subjects, and globally recognised degrees. This decision can be easily taken, as it depends on the subjects you are going to study, as every country has its own forte: the USA is for science, technology, engineering, and medical; the UK is known for arts and business programmes; Germany has engineering advancement; Australia is for research-related streams; and Canada is for hospitality and business programs. So do a little bit of research about the subject you are going to pursue, then select the study destination accordingly. Also, check the economy of the country to see whether it is stable or fragile. How’s the local government’s attitude towards immigrants? What is the standard of living in the country? etc.

Program availability and scope of the desired program

After selecting the country, check the program availability in the country. For example, you are willing to do a business programme, and you have chosen Canada as your preferred destination, but you would like to study a business analytics program, which is a combination of business and IT, plus it involves the process of using data to improve business decisions. Check the curriculum of the program; is it offering what you are looking for? What is the scope of the program in the country? available jobs and future aspects? the average salary of a business analyst?

Tuition deposit and living costs (look out for costs, scholarships, and bursaries)

Money plays an important role in the study abroad process. Of course, the more reputable the institution, the higher the tuition fees would be (unless you are getting a scholarship). money gets involved in the study abroad journey since the application fee payment and lasts till the end of the program. While selecting the institution, check all the financial details, such as the application fee, full-duration tuition fee, library fee, examination fee, ancillary fee, and living cost of the country, then match the finances with your budget. Always refer to the official website of the institutions to see whether any kind of scholarship or bursary can be provided, which can mitigate the financial burden to you or on the shoulders of your parents.

Match your academics with the eligibility criteria of the university

After choosing a country, program, and financing, you are all set for applying to the institution, but wait a while and check whether your educational history meets the admission criteria or not. Did you have enough grades in your last qualification to be eligible for the program? If you are meeting the criteria, then you are good to go; otherwise, try to find out the alternative ways, such as by having additional qualifications or work experience or any other curriculum vitae which makes you eligible for the program, Also, you can send your profile to the international admissions team for evaluation, and they can let you know about your chances of getting enrolled.

Other admission requirements, such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT

It is not always the academic requirements for getting enrolled in university or college; there are so many checkpoints where your application can get stuck, and you might get rejected. To be eligible for the program, check the full requirements, whether it is asking for any English proficiency exams such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL, whether the program is asking for certain periods of work experience, and whether it is asking for the GRE or GMAT pro-level exam for admission. Apply only after meeting all the requirements; otherwise, you will be wasting your time, energy, and money on the study abroad journey.

Have a backup plan for admission

Neither you would be the only candidate who is willing to apply for that particular country nor select the specific program; there will be plenty of candidates with the same interest going to do the same, and to make sure you would be getting the offer letter, try to apply to at least three universities or colleges, as study abroad is on the boom, especially in South Asian countries and the Africa region. Every year, more and more students are willing to complete further education in hot study destinations such as Germany, the USA, the UK, Canada, France, etc. To have a better utilisation of the money, use one free application fee institution and the rest with a paid application fee.

Offer letter and pay the deposit for seat confirmation 

Congratulations! You are halfway through; you have received the acceptance from the college or university, and you are ready to roll. So to keep the momentum up, check the deposit amount to reserve your seat; either it is 20% of the total fee or, for some colleges, it is 50% of the total program fee. Try to make the deposit before the deadline, which would be typically 30 days from the issue date of the offer letter, or it would be mentioned on the offer letter.

Critical part: prepare the visa file

Preparing visa documentation is a tricky part, as a single minor mistake can cause a blunder and put a blemish on your passport and profile. Always hire an experienced consultant and counsellor, or check the official website of the country to see what kind of documents you need to attach to your visa file. Keep yourself updated with the recent changes and regulations of the country. If your profile is a little weak, justify that with proper reasoning in your SOP. A SOP is nothing but a document statement of purpose: what is your purpose for going abroad for further studies, why did you choose this subject, why this specific institution, what are your ties with the local country, and future aspects, etc.? Do not brag or provide unrealistic explanations. Just be real and true on SOP. Also, go for the medical test if it is required for entry in another country.

Learn some basic skills

The local authority would take some time to work on your visa application and make the decision accordingly. To make that particular time smooth, learn some basic skills such as cooking, financial management, and negotiation skills, as this would not only help in your study abroad journey but also in your real life.

Get the visa and fly

After getting approval for the study permit, try to arrive a week or 10 days prior to remove jet lag or have the proper time to relax and attend the orientation program. For international students, the orientation period is very important, as it gives a full understanding of the study program and events that will be taking place.

Study abroad journeys can vary from country to country, but the above factors help you to plan the process in an effective manner. Do not rely on the consultant blindly; do the research by yourself and make the decision accordingly.

Best of luck with your journey