The decision to study abroad can be exciting yet daunting one! A lot of students from the Indian sub-continent today aspire to study in various overseas locations depending on their own research, course selection, opportunities the country offers and various related criteria. Often the predicament is around,’ where do I begin?’
We would want to demystify and simplify this conceivably simple yet tricky question through a few well laid out steps which can help the student make a decision best suited to him.
1. First things first- Documentation
We have often seen students going helter-skelter due to lack of adequate or proper documents which are imperative towards admission to a foreign university as well as travelling to a different country. A first basic is a passport, but then there are times we tend to miss the basics. So, check on your passport validity if you already have one, and if not, then APPLY! No university will entertain an application if you cannot produce a valid passport. All your educational documents need to be in order from 10th board onwards. In case you have work experience then you would surely want to talk about it, so dust up those appointment letters and pay slips to be produced as a part of your file.
2. The right course selection – Think Ahead!
The course selection is critical, not just for academic reasons, but in order to future proof your plans for a career in a foreign land. Remember, not all courses will firm your route towards an illustrious career in the country of your choice. Every country has their requirement towards the skills they would want to be induced into their work force. Experts at ACEIS help you identify these courses which firm up your path towards the same. Talk to one of the experts today.
3. Check for your English test evaluation- IELTS
Most 1st world countries would have pre-defined English language requirement which are defined by the Universities. The most commonly accepted ones are IELTS/PTE/GRE. It is important for you to understand that knowing English or having studied in an English medium institution isn’t enough! That’s correct, each of these English language instruments have a certain format and being successful requires preparation. There are enough online websites, tools and modules available to you for the same, however it is recommended to be coached by an expert. At ACEIS our counsellors can help you with the right guidance, reach out to them for more information!
4. Decide upon the intake – 3 months AHEAD
As you would be gathering by now, studying abroad needs meticulous planning. One critical part of the planning is to decide upon the country of your choice coupled with the intakes that country offers. Every destination would have about 2-3 primary intakes which you can target depending on your preparedness. The process from start to finish, till you board the flight, would take nothing less than 3 months. To understand more about intakes, get the table for free from us.
5. Get a bank account
One of the greatest frustrations you might encounter is opening bank accounts, having an ATM card handy and feeling comfortable about your finances in a foreign land. This needn’t be as scary as it sounds, and taking care of this well in advance is one of the tick marks which you should not lose sight of amongst the various other things you would be busy doing. It’s a fairly simple process and can go a long way towards you having a hiccup free travel and stay if thought through and acted upon at the right time.
6. Accommodation woes to be handled while still inland
Your study abroad program might have a number of different housing options, anywhere from a shared apartment, to a dorm, an international university campus, or a homestay. While the options are plenty and varied, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing your overseas living situation. That being said, in order to have the most effective, immersive, and interesting experience possible, we do recommend that students consciously push themselves out of their comfort zone and seek housing that is less isolating than a private apartment. Engaging with foreigners, whether local or not, is a powerful experience.
7. Health insurance - Stay covered
This is an important one! As you would have researched by now, medical facilities are pretty unaffordable in most countries across the globe. A simple and easy answer to it however is to have a medical insurance before you embark upon your journey. While it would be a mandatory requirement towards the visa processing of any country, its important for you to have it in your mind space and accounted for in your list of expenses.
8. Cultural Sensitivity
Today the world has converged into a smart device, which is at all our fingertips. This essentially makes us all world citizens with a much broader outlook of the countries and their cultures at large. However, knowing it and doing it and two different things altogether! As students cultural affinity and alignment is a part of your responsibility. The crucial points that indicate your cultural sensitivity is in the way you dress, the way you speak, the knowledge you have of the local culture, and the respect you show towards them. Its as easy or difficult as we make it, and at ACEIS, we take you through a meticulous handholding of the do’s and don’ts before you commence your journey.
