The Ultimate Guide to Overseas Education: Everything You Need to Know

1. Overseas Education: An Ultimate Guide

To explain more, Overseas Education involves an array of factors that eventually persuades people to study in a country other than their own. Some advantages need to be taken into account. Some advantages of studying abroad are mentioned here. They are:

Cultural Immersion: When one is introduced to a different country, one must face the cultural distance and the gap. Although, humans are functional to immerse themselves into a different culture than their own. Study abroad students too can immerse and experience a different culture out of their comfort zones provided they are willing to do so. All it takes is a respectful and liberal mind to accept the ‘other’.

Language Learning: This point is also related to the former point. Any language is a vehicle of culture. The language and culture of its origin will go hand in hand. When a study abroad student learns a language it brings him closer to the people and its land. Eventually, it’s a great chance to learn a language and benefit from the above points.

Global Perspective: Everyone is part of the globe, however to form a global perspective one has to be in the center of the global panorama. The modern megapolis of study abroad destinations is the right colorful panorama to build a perspective, to form an opinion.

Career Advancement: Objectively, an Overseas Education for international students degree program is meant to be result-oriented. Most of the crowd would prefer an education that gives them career mileage, to be financially successful and lastly, to be part of a legacy.

Personal Growth: This point is related to all the other points. What you consider as ‘personal growth’ can vary in opinion. However, if we take all accounts of an individual then a study abroad program finally teaches you about the various aspects of life such as handling finances, building professional networks, making friends and learning about nuances of life’s journey.

2. Choosing a Destination

As part of studying abroad, the most crucial thing is to decide about the destination for the imagined outcomes. While planning a destination, look for political scenarios as well. As what has been spoken about study abroad can only be achieved if the right location is chosen.

Popular Destinations for Overseas Education: Whenever we talk of popular destinations for overseas education we name the countries that are leading in all aspects of life for instance USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. However, with changing times, newer destinations in Eastern Europe and Asia have also emerged to be very lucrative for various factors.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Destination: When a study abroad student considers overseas education, the destinations that one would choose are always in the countries that have always ranked top at various indexes indicative of the living standards, human rights, civil rights, work opportunities, etc.

Researching Your Destination: We can assume a future study abroad student like you also needs to research the destination that will be entirely of your choice. However, while shortlisting a destination a few things need to be kept in mind like monthly budget, climate, public transit, diversity of the locale where you would be residing, part-time work opportunities, recreation costs etc.

Preparing for Cultural Differences: A huge start for studying abroad is to be mentally prepared for the coming cultural differences or gaps. You should be broad-minded enough to understand why certain cultures emerge out of a particular region, time and the context of history. Accept the cultural peculiarity of the people and learn from it.

3. Types of Overseas Education Programs

Overseas education is a broad topic and our readers should be familiar with the nuances of it. A study abroad will see that there are thousands of programs that one can browse through. Thus, the final decision is on them only to finalize what their plan is.

Study Abroad Programs: Broadly, study abroad programs mean the kind of education one can receive after the completion of degrees and diplomas in their home country.

International Exchange Programs: This kind of study abroad implies either the student is in an exchange program or pursuing a semester or a year abroad mostly because of research purposes. One rare case would be fellowship awards.

Dual-Degree Programs: Study abroad dual-degree programs mean that you can choose two subject matters offered by two different departments or faculties/colleges. This way, a student gets to amplify the learning process twice as a regular program.

Language Programs: The world has been eclipsed by the top 7 languages in the world. Thus language learning is full of technicality and universities/colleges offer language programs in languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese, Italian and Korean to name a few. These language programs have a duration from 3 months to 2 years.

Internship Abroad Programs: A meritorious or promising student might pass through various scrutiny levels and be asked for an internship abroad program. Depending on the student visa criteria internships may or may not be classified as study abroad. Since, in every internship, learning is involved fundamentally, we will count them here. 

4. Admission Requirements

There are admission requirements that an aspiring study abroad student needs to fulfill. These requirements shouldn’t be compromised at any level as it leaves a negative impression on the admission committee and it may result in the termination of the candidature. The general requirements for overseas education, are:

Language Proficiency Tests: Studying abroad demands that the candidate can communicate in the language of the land. Some tests that can certify you for English proficiency. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are the most popular. There are proficiency tests for German, French and Korean too. To be specific, for an English-taught program, IELTS is the best option worldwide.

Admission Essays: Admission essays broadly include the statement of purpose and personal essays. The statement of purpose or letter of intent is written stating the applicant’s intent as to why they want to join the program or the university. Personal essays are written from the applicant’s end and document what compelled them to pursue a particular subject matter or domain that pushes them to study abroad.

Transcripts and GPA Requirements: Since, different universities have bars for admission, your academic history matters to the authority. Hence, academic transcripts and their score conversion to GPA (Grade Per Annum) matter.

Recommendations and References: Studying abroad is always a wonderful adventure and investment. However, do you have anyone who recommended you for this? For study abroad admissions, recommendation letters and references pose value. Your school teacher’s or your college teachers’ recommendation boosts your application.

Financial Requirements: This is a little uncomfortable reality to many. Alas! The applicant needs to show that they have the required funds and the budget to self-sustain in a foreign country. For this, there are specificities that you must comply with.

5. Funding Your Overseas Education

As we have discussed above, funding overseas education for International students can be a tedious task. Your bank accounts need to have the required deposits and bank statements within a month’s gap while receiving the student visa. However, the cost of studying abroad can be reduced to much less but that will depend on many factors like your merit and socio-political location. Let's expound on what options we have.

Scholarships and Grants: There are a lot of study abroad scholarships, and university and foundation grants that one can receive if they qualify for their standards. Students can apply for government scholarships available both in the home country and the destination country. Scholarships can be classified as university or foundation-specific too. Grants can smooth your financial journey if you are stuck between programs or research.

Student Loans: A huge loan market is built around study abroad and the synonymous student loan. A euphemism for this is ‘education loan’. Now, student loans can be expensive with an average interest rate of 11-12%. A candidate will get a moratorium period of six months to find a job after completion of a study abroad program. Some student loans will ask for mortgage security and some loans while being applied with a co-applicant would not require any mortgage.

Personal Savings: While applying for study abroad a student must show some bare minimum bank balance statement. It is a prerequisite.

Part-Time Jobs and Internships: Right after your official commencement of classes, you can work part-time and do internships to ease your journey. These earnings cover your rent and a few of your daily expenditures. But, you can’t rely on these works as it might violate the visa rules.

Crowdfunding: Your close relatives can crowdfund you or if you are a special media case, then you might crowdfund your journey. 

6. Accommodations and Living Arrangements

After receiving the offer letter, you must browse through the accommodation and living arrangements. By the time you receive the student visa, you should decide the lodging location. The following options are available to study abroad students:

On-Campus Housing: This option is usually costly but keeps you closer to the campus affairs and you save a lot of transportation costs. All you need is a bicycle for transport.

Off-Campus Housing: Living outside of campus can be costly if you are closer to the city centers. But the more you are outside of the epicenter, rent will be less. Think about transportation in this way.

Homestays: This is the most viable option. Living in a neighborhood is much more secure and safe. The plus points are that you get home-cooked food and no homesickness.

Roommates: You may think of sharing accommodation if you find the right roommate or if you can synchronize with a stranger.

Cost of Living: At some point, it all comes down to the cost of living. Living in a foreign country can be very expensive if you do not know how to handle expenses. To cut down costs, you might have to be creative.

7. Visa and Travel Requirements

When you finalize the admission process, you now ought to apply for the visa and the travel requirements. What are they?

Visa Requirements: Visa requirements may be subject to change. Follow the latest guidelines from the embassy itself.

Passport Requirements: Make sure that your passport photo and biometrics are correct and that the information printed in the booklet has coherence.

Travel Insurance: It is required that you have travel insurance as embassies will ask for it. This insurance covers meeting an accident or falling ill.

Health Requirements: With the recent pandemic, there are health restrictions now. Before flying you must be vaccinated and you might have to pass through medical observation again.

Pre-Departure Checklist: No matter where we live, our checklists of duties, to-dos and responsibilities never end. Fulfill the pending tasks. You wouldn’t want to fly with too much baggage. As for luggage, follow the latest airline manuals.

8. Adjusting to a New Culture

A study abroad student must be excited about the ‘new cultural’ interactions. If students remain cynical about the culture(s) of the foreign land then they would be ‘outsiders’ and the chances of immersing and learning will not be possible. You must take part in it.

Culture Shock: We as the residents of a particular climate zone, political region and food habits develop a comfort zone and value system. Likewise, others are developing too. Hence, understand what causes a collective group to have a particular culture. This will reduce your cultural ‘shockwave’.

Coping Strategies: Suppose you don’t savor and relish that particular food and its aroma or you don’t like hand movements when someone talks. Try to understand the cultural meaning underneath and it will be a lot easier to cope with.

Tips for Cultural Adaptation: Since you will be a fresh-off-the-boat student you should have the following qualities: patience, broad mind, flexibility, knowledge, communication skills, eager learning and finally ready for change.

Building a Support System: Studying and waking up in the morning in a new country can be daunting. You shall have someone whom you can reach within minutes. You should be open to friendships and knowing people.

Exploring Your New Environment: Other than studies, as part of recreation, to explore yourself and the new environment you can make some time for yourself and plan weekend tours. This kind of sojourn not only makes you familiar with the environment but enriches you emotionally, mentally and intellectually.

9. Academic Life Overseas

When the academic session starts, international students will find a new university system and a fast academic journey. International students usually find themselves busy with assignments, projects, research work and seminars etc.

Academic Culture: Developed nations have a different academic culture than developing countries. Their ways of scrutiny, assessments, small classrooms and other academic resources, and infrastructure produce a fertile academic culture. 

Coursework and Grading Systems: Most of the study abroad hotspots have a course unit system or credit system along with elective modules. Students are required to attend and complete minimum coursework to get the degree. Grading systems count GPA as the standard procedure.

Faculty and Student Relationships: International students will find themselves that faculty and its support system are within their reach. Their safety and security are a concern for the faculties too. Since, the departments offer so many programs, seminars and activities students inside these faculties develop close affinities.

Extracurricular Activities: This is one of the most beautiful aspects of studying abroad. Top-ranking foreign universities have the best infrastructures and resources for activities like sports, performing arts, gymnasiums, grand annual events, representative teams, cheerleaders etc. International students can take part too.

Balancing Academics and Social Life: When international students attempt to take the lead in their own lives, they should understand the priority of studies and social life. Both are important although deciding how much is okay for them is important.

10. Career Opportunities After Studying Abroad

The underlying reason for studying abroad is career opportunities, recognition, return on investments etc. This axis of variables is important. Why? At the end of the day, your career evaluation will be in numeric only.

International Networking: Studying abroad will at least result in a network. They can be classmates, batchmates, hallmates, co-researchers, teachers, general staff, part-time co-workers, friends and dates.

Cultural Competence: Now that international students live among people of diverse groups, they understand how to navigate their lives among strangers and cultures. This is a quality that the corporate world wants among its employees. A multicultural employee adds value to an organization.

Language Skills: International students who pick an accent or a different language are also considered a skill as it shows how much they have been in contact with people. Your language skills empower you thus empowering your career.

Global Work Experience: A degree from a top-ranking university gives you the career launching pad which in turn you can get campus placements. International students hired by global companies gather work experience in a global setup. This is something to be put into your resume.

Job Search Strategies: With your large study abroad network it’s easier to get a reference and a recommendation. You might get a job opportunity in a big megapolis or coastal small city or that community-friendly organization.

11. Challenges of Overseas Education

While the advantages of study abroad/overseas education are enticing. There are some challenges associated with it too. Studying abroad might not be your cup of tea for several reasons. You might try your life to sustain yourself in a foreign land, but sometimes it just is not your call or you're just not there. A few challenges are:

Homesickness: You might be a mommy’s boy who never left home and every bit of independent life reminds you of home. This although looks nice in photography but in your career can be an obstacle.

Language Barriers: International students sometimes may face language barriers. For instance, they might not be enthusiastic to learn the language of communication in general. 

Financial Difficulties: Your dream might be sky-high but financial mismanagement or lack of finance can halt your studies. Many study-abroad students during their four-year-long undergrad programs face financial strain.

Safety Concerns: International students sometimes may face violence as part of racist attacks, ethnic hatred and various other biases. This is a larger political concern that students need to research.

Academic Pressure: A study abroad program is known because of its rigor, related academic work and the faculty. Sometimes all these together create pressure that might be too much for a newcomer.

12. Post-Graduation Options

Right after graduation, students have several options like the following mentioned in the bullet points. After the convocation ceremony, international students get a few weeks to introspect for their next leap. Choose wisely:

Returning Home: Take some time in your home country before deciding your next step.

Pursuing Further Education: While remaining in the same country you may opt for the next academic step.

Working Abroad: Many countries have stay-back policies attached to their student visa. You can choose this too for limited work experience.

Starting a Business: This advice seems like straight out of a travel channel. But your personal experience and cultural exchange can establish a money-making business in terms of food, clothing, aesthetics etc.

Permanent Residency: All things considered at some level, but back of your mind or as plan B you can apply for citizenship in that country after studying there.

13. Conclusion

In conclusion, let’s review and summarize our dialogue. We have discussed the reasons for a study abroad venture, where to choose, the kinds of study-abroad education one can get, the academic requirements for the same, the fund benchmark and the accommodation facilities. On the other hand, visa and travel requirements, possible cultural exchanges, and academic life are also found here. After completing a study abroad program, the career opportunities thereafter and the challenges of such a program are discussed too. We would conclude on a good note that studying abroad is a good venture in terms of individual development and investment. Dear readers, it's your call now! Where do you see yourself? Study abroad?

14. Who are we

If you're one of them who is trying to kickstart their study abroad journey, this information may be helpful to you. For more information on the universities, courses and admission process consult our professionals at Career Clinic today and choose an opportunity to handpick the best universities abroad with your desired program. Get in touch with us immediately for the Jan 2024 intake across the global universities.