This post is for the dreamers who spend their time thinking about what life would be like somewhere else. Studying abroad doesn’t have to just be a dream. I made it happen and so can you! This post will outline some helpful resources for when you start preparing to study abroad.
Talk to Someone who has Studied Abroad
When researching study abroad it may seem like you’re in it alone. But remember, other people have done it and they are often great resources as they’ve done it. They have been where you are. Talking to someone who has been abroad can be a little intimidating because they have literally lived your dream. If you’re shy at all, I would write out a list of questions you want to ask them. Trust me, you will want to ask any of the goofy questions you have before you go. It will make travelling over there less stressful.
Check out the International Student Section of the University Website
If you have figured out where you want to study abroad, you may want to check out the university’s website. They will most likely have an entire page dedicated specifically to international students looking to study there. This was one of the most valuable resources I found when researching studying abroad. The Robert Gordon University, in Scotland, had a whole guide for international students. The guide even had information about student life in the city, the climate, and how much things would cost. Their website also had scholarship information about the with the specifics for students from every country. When I selected the U.S., I was given a list of the scholarships I would be qualified for. It saved me a lot of time when figuring out finances.
No matter what university you are interested in, you should be able to find what the tuition would be. You should also be able to find the contact information for an international admissions team. This team will be able to answer any of the questions you have. From finances, visas, and your application to the university, they should know it all.
Pinterest (Of Course)
Believe it or not, Pinterest is a great resource for finding personal accounts of studying abroad. If you want to study, in another country, you should be able to find a couple bloggers that have written about living there. Don’t be afraid to search for these bloggers and contact them directly to ask them specific questions. Pinterest is also a great resource if you plan on doing some travelling while abroad. With a quick search you can research things to do and visit in the country you plan to study in. Things like study abroad packing lists, and travel tips are also available on Pinterest.
Search for Expat bloggers
When it comes to living in an unfamiliar place, expat bloggers are absolute experts. They are great resources for asking about local culture and social norms in that place. They also understand where you are coming from and that you probably have a million questions you are embarrassed to ask. The best part about expat bloggers is that you will probably never meet them in real life so you can ask them anything you are nervous about. They will give you honest answers that will hopefully make you less nervous about moving to an unfamiliar place where you know absolutely no one.
Join International Student Facebook Groups
One last resource I suggest is checking out Facebook groups. The university I was attending had a group that was focused on students applying to study there from different countries. It was a great resource. I was able to ask questions about the visa process, application questions, and I got to meet other students that would be in my program or that were studying from my country. I made a couple virtual friends before going and it made me a little more confident about meeting new friends when I arrived.
These Facebook groups can be run by individual universities, the city of the university, or by the country’s government to recruit international students. No matter who runs the page or group, you will be able to find other potential students going through the same process you are. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them and make a group chat of people you meet. That way you can build a little support network when you get stressed out or unsure of what to do next. They will understand better than anyone else. You can also share tips with each other or share things you have learned about the country or city you are studying in.
If you have any questions about studying abroad feel free to send me an email! I studied in Scotland, so my situation may not be the same as yours, but I will try to help! My email is sarahelizabethmanagement@gmail.com
Studying abroad may seem like a lofty goal but I did it and so can you! Check out my article on how to set achievable goals! Below, you can also sign up to receive Study Abroad emails!
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