A student mulls upon various circumstances before studying overseas. Embarking on an unknown road, they often find themselves searching for the right options. For most students, the idea of studying in a foreign land can be a little daunting.
Silver Fern Education Consultants is at your service to eliminate all your doubts about what to check before leaving for your destination.
Going to a completely different country and not checking your documents is certainly not a wise decision. Fraught with the excitement of studying at a new campus, you must have the following documents easily accessible:
- Application form
- Academic certificates (10th Grade to your latest qualification)
- Entrance exam scores (GMAT/ GRE/ LSAT/ IELTS score)
- Photo ID (PAN Card, Voter’s ID, Residence Proof)
- Recommendation Letters
- Passport size photos
- Work experience documents
- Travel documents (Passport, Visa and an International Student ID card)
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Financial documents (Student Loan Statement, Scholarship Letter, Sponsorship Proof)
- Health documents (Health Insurance Card and Vaccination Certificates)
- Finances
Costs of courses universally vary depending about specializations and institutions offering them. The cost also varies from country to country. For example, the cost of completing medical college is significantly higher in the UK as compared to China.
Also, the expenses vary at different institutes. The tuition fees in the United States vary drastically between private and public colleges and universities. So, before finalizing your choice, pay close attention to your budget.
We cannot underscore the importance of appropriate accommodation enough. A student should make all the arrangements before leaving for a hassle free experience after landing. You can contact your university for your accommodation and they will assist you with it. Also, you can register yourself on www.isic.org to get an international student identity card which will help you with a range of discounts in the future.
Research is an arduous task but it is the bedrock of your choice. Your career will depend on what you choose right now and you must devote the necessary time to this aspect of your journey overseas. Consider the following options while doing your research –
● Future Prospects
● Scope of Growth in the field (Personal and Professional)
● Previous Success Rates
● Your own interest (which will drive the course of your indulgence in your own career)
When you are planning to make a budget, do look into this aspect of the country you are about to land in. You may take up a job on campus (Campus Ambassador, Teaching Assistant, Library Assistant, Receptionist, Research Study Assistant, Food Runner or Catering Assistant etc.) or jobs outside the campus (Restaurants, Call Centres, Volunteering etc.).
Your course must have a way upward so you can grow in your field. So try to explore the possibilities for research projects and the outcome of studying at your college or university. These are some of the foundational points you should ponder upon while picking a course. And remember whatever you pick, have faith in your choice and give it a proper shot. If you have check listed all the above points listed, then there won’t be much room left for error in your judgment.
If you have a friend or a relative who lives in the same country, then contact them as soon as possible and be in touch with them till the very end. Your friends will be your new family and would be there for your through thick and thin. They will be your mental support and your choice of how you want to spend your time off campus will be inclined with their interests.
Update yourself with the latest currency exchange rates since they change more often than you can imagine. Some students might believe it is cheaper to study in various countries because of their low currency rates, but those countries have an unstable economy and tend to be unsafe for student life.
Even small changes can make a big impact when you’re budgeting for months instead of days, and you could suddenly find yourself spending large amounts of money in what you thought was a budget friendly country.
Calling home is something you would do on a daily basis, and you will have to change your plan once you land. You can buy a local sim card and buy an international plan that would suit your budget. And you may also use calling applications over WiFi. Data usage isn’t a problem in most developed countries as they facilitate a student with free WiFi in almost all public places.
Corona has marred our lives with uncertainties. Every country has its own quarantine policies and lockdown rules which keep on changing with the fluctuating number of cases. So do keep an eye out for any new updates at your destination. Carry your vaccination certificates with you since they are the new passports.
This was our list for you to have a better academic experience overseas at your dream destination. Make sure you go through it once and prepare yourself accordingly.
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