9 Steps to Plan Study Abroad

As Brian Tracy, a motivational speaker once said, “All successful people are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.”
An overseas education opportunity is also one such dream for many. It opens doors to multiple opportunities in life. Whether its better quality of life or finding professional success. An international education sets the foundation. However, it’s not a joyride; it’s an expensive process and requires meticulous planning. 
Today I am going to introduce you to a 9 steps template. 

Step 1.  Why study abroad?
The reasons can be many. It is likely to be a combination of gaining a high-quality education, experiencing immersion in a new culture (and often a second language), gaining a global mindset and expanding future employment prospects.
It gives a broader understanding of the way the world works.
Your quality of experience will depend on your destination you pick. So choose a destination based on your own personal interests and academic reputation of the country.

Step 2.  Where in the world should I study?
This decision is also not an easy one. Several things like tuition costs, living costs, career prospects and your overall safety and welfare should be looked into.
One should try to match his lifestyle based on his interests and his study destination so that you really give yourself the best chance of loving your international experience. 
If you need help making up your mind, take a look at some of the most popular destinations – Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US  – or use internet to know university rankings and full range of country guides:

Step 3. How do I get started?
Once you’ve made up your mind about where you want to study, you should start to think about choosing a program and a university, if you haven’t already. You can take the help of Google to look for them. Try to check the University Rankings and Course Rankings to shortlist the best one for you. 
Once you’ve firmly decided on your program and institution, you should start to think about your application(s). Application processes differ depending on the university and the country, but generally each institution will provide full details of how to submit your application on the official website.

Step 4.  How long do study abroad programs take?
The length of time you spend studying abroad will depend on the program and level of degree you’re undertaking. Generally, an undergraduate degree will take three or four years of full-time study (for example, in the UK the typical length for most subjects is three years, while in the US the norm is four), while a graduate degree such as a master’s degree or equivalent will take one or two years. A doctoral (PhD) program will usually take three to four years.
At many universities across the world, there is also the option of studying abroad for a shorter period of time. Student exchange programs allow you to study abroad for a year, a semester or even just a few weeks. Information about these shorter programs should be available on the website of the main university you plan to enrol at, as well as the university you’d like to be hosted by.

Step 5.  When can I start applying for study abroad programs?
Considering your application as early as possible is the best way to go. For example, if you are planning to go for undergraduate programs, 18 months is the ideal period you require to prepare. 
Application deadlines will be different depending on the school, but for programs starting in the fall (September/October), applications will generally be open from early in the year (January/February) until the middle of the year (June/July).

Step 6.  What are the entry requirements for study abroad programs?
Entry requirements vary widely between universities and between countries, so be sure to check the information provided by your prospective university before submitting anything.
Speaking generally, however, if you are applying for an undergraduate degree you will be asked to show that you have completed your secondary education to a standard that is in line with the required for the program you’re applying to. You might also need to check the acceptance of your qualification in the country you are heading to.
Some tests to prove your language proficiency might also be required.
 

Step 7.  What documentation should I submit with my application?
The requirements vary depending on the country and university, but international students are often asked to provide the following:
•    Passport photos for identification
•    A statement of purpose
•    CV/résumé
•    Academic references/ letters of recommendation
•    Certificate and transcripts of your secondary education
•    Proof of English-language proficiency 
•    Admissions test results (e.g. GMAT/GRE results, for graduate programs)

Step 8.  Do I have to speak a second language to study abroad?
This depends on the country you wish to study in, and the language your course will be taught in. If you’re not a native English speaker but wish to study a course taught in English, you will have to prove you can speak the language to a fairly high level, by providing English-language test results. This is to ensure you will be able to follow your course without any comprehension problems.
Before taking a language test, make sure you confirm which results are accepted by your chosen school to make sure you don’t waste money on the wrong test.

Step 9. After gaining a letter of acceptance, what do I do next?
Congratulations, you’re in! Now all that’s left to do is to prepare for your studies, pack up your life into a single (large) suitcase, get your travel documents, apply for your student visa, research your accommodation options, and look for funding… don’t panic, it’ll all be worth it!
As Brian Tracy said, “A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.”
So go ahead use the template and plan with confidence.
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