How to and why to study abroad

“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond, and we cease to be alone.”

-Wendell Berry

In today’s world, places have become more accessible and people don’t hesitate to travel abroad in search of the best school for their chosen discipline.

Those who take the plunge and move abroad to study soon become aware of the many advantages and opportunities that await them on foreign soil.

More and more students are taking advantage of the benefits of overseas study. In 2017 international students numbered 5.3 million a substantial increase from the 2 million who were studying abroad in 2000.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– Saint Augustine

In a globalized world young people looking for the best education no longer allow borders or boundaries to prevent them from finding the best education.

So, young people are migrating across the planet to find the best colleges and universities for their subject choice. Here are some of the benefits of studying abroad.

Top-quality education

It doesn’t matter where you choose to study. Your goal will always be to find the best quality education available.

When you study abroad you broaden your horizons in more ways than one. When you look beyond the borders of your own country your study options grow.

The USA, the UK, and Australia, for example, all have excellent systems of higher education, with some of the world’s top-ranking universities. Germany, France, and Russia follow the top English-speaking universities in popularity.

Learn a new language

If you plan to study abroad, you’ll have to learn the language spoken by the people of that country. Since many of the best universities are in English-speaking countries, this may be your opportunity to learn the language of business.

Learning a new language is not easy, but there is no better way to improve and develop your language skills than to live in the country where it’s spoken as you’re forced to use it each day.

Better career opportunities

The primary objective of further education is to improve your career prospects. In today’s world, where trade is globalized, companies look for employees with international experience.

When you study abroad, you learn new languages and cultures. This gives you a broader perspective of the world at large and proves to potential employers that you can adapt to change.

“The benefits of studying abroad are almost endless.”

-Michelle Obama

• International travel – You get the opportunity to explore a new country, immersing yourself in the culture. You could also take the opportunity to travel to nearby countries to further expand your knowledge and understanding of the cultures of different countries.
• Personal development and independence – leaving home and living on your own will help you to develop and grow. It can be frightening but you will quickly learn to stand on your own two feet, and you will soon start to enjoy your independence.
• You’ll have a better chance when it comes to graduate school admissions.
  The graduate school admission boards look highly upon study abroad experience. They appreciate diverse students who are up for the challenge of living abroad and enjoy the adventure.
• New interest or experiences. When you leave home, your exposure to new adventures is likely to broaden. You may find that you have a talent for a whole new sport or hobby that you would not have encountered at home.
• Encounter new teaching methods – learning experiences in different countries differ and getting a feel for a new educational setting can help you to adapt. Different classroom management systems will give you invaluable experience for when you hit the world of business, as you should be more versatile. You could experience any one of the styles below:
  • Authoritative Style: As the name suggests, this style puts the teacher front and centre. The professor is an authoritative figure, giving long lectures and offering presentations without much input from the class. This type of environment typically follows strict rules and high expectations. Students must make notes to learn from later.
  • Facilitative Style: This style of teaching is more interactive. The Professors work on the teacher/ student relationship and they encourage interaction and questions. They encourage students to learn critical thinking by helping them to ask the right questions and find solutions to problems.
  • Delegator Style: In this learning-by-doing style of teaching, projects and laboratory activities help students to learn, keeping them interested in the subject at hand. In this type of environment, the students play an active role and the teacher observes. Professors assign lab activities and give students in-class projects to help them stay engaged.
• Gain broader perspective – When you immerse yourself in other cultures, experience personal growth that will help you see the broader picture. You will find these skills invaluable in your personal and professional life. When you start to work you may find that you share a space with people from other countries. Your experience abroad will make you more at ease with people from different cultural backgrounds. Gaining new perspectives helps you to develop a broader worldview so that you can see things from the other’s perspective.
• Gain more self-confidence – studying abroad can be quite daunting, but it can help you to gain confidence as you improve your interpersonal skills. You can grow in the following areas
  • Communication, strong speaking, negotiation, and written skills are an important part of effective communication especially in a foreign land.
  • Leadership – team management and leadership skills will help you in every circumstance. You can form stronger relationships when you learn to inspire and lead people. This is particularly important when you’re studying or working abroad.
  • Cross-cultural awareness – our opinions and actions are guided by our values and culture. When you study abroad you get a much broader understanding of various cultures and this should expand your world view.
• Exposure to more career opportunities – you may find many new career opportunities when you study abroad.
• Expand your network – having studied abroad you will want to use your skills in the world of business and broadening your network of contacts may help you to a successful career.

“Change your language and you change your thoughts.”

-Karl Albrecht

• By 2025, 45% of the biggest companies on earth will have their base in emerging economies. This makes studying abroad so much more important.
• The US, the UK, Australia, France, and Germany are the most popular destinations for students studying abroad.
• Every year the number of students studying abroad increases by 10% across the globe.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

-Neale Donald Walsch

There are several ways in which you can start your journey to a foreign degree.

• Enrol yourself in a foreign university or language school – foreign universities are not as expensive as may think. Make a list of the countries in which you would like to study, and then check the university websites to find out how much it will cost you. You should also take account of the cost of living in your country of choice.
• Complete a work-study – if the cost of enrolling in a foreign university is more than you can afford, you may want to consider a work-study arrangement. Some countries will allow you to work part-time as you study abroad. The UK, for example, will allow part-time work for students who are in the country for more than six months.
• Apply for scholarships or grants – the surest way of studying abroad without incurring high costs is to get yourself a scholarship or grant. This is not an option that will serve everyone as the programs attract much competition. Google and Go Overseas offer a wide choice of scholarships and grants available across the globe.
• Choose a cheap study abroad program

The Cambridge dictionary defines scholarship as “an amount of money given by a school, college, or other organization to pay for the studies of a person with great ability but little money.

How scholarships differ from grants

Grants and scholarships both fall under the category of gift aid because the students are not required to pay back the money. Almost all scholarships are awarded to students gifted in their academic, artistic, or athletic abilities. Grants, on the other hand, are usually granted based on need. So, they are awarded to students who cannot afford to pay for their studies.

Scholarships and student loans – the difference

Student loans are also a type of financial aid but unlike grants and scholarships, student loans must be paid back. While student loans have helped many to achieve their academic goals, most people spend years paying them back. In 2020 in the US, for example, student debt had reached a staggering $1.7 trillion.

Common application requirements for scholarships

As with any other application or registration, you will have to provide information and documentation when you apply for a scholarship. The typical requirements for a scholarship application are listed below:

•  A fully completed application form – make sure that every aspect of the form has been completed. You don’t want it thrown out because it is incomplete.
• Valid passport – your passport must be valid for six months after degree completion.
• Statement of Purpose – this is a letter of motivation that lays down your goals and ambitions in 400 words. This is your opportunity to shine so you must give it all the effort you can.
• A letter of recommendation – most colleges require one letter of recommendation from your teacher or supervisor. Some will require two. The letter will give the provider of the scholarship more information about your motivation and intellectual abilities. When requesting letters of recommendation make sure to give the person plenty of time to complete them.
• Proof of acceptance into a university or college. You will not receive a scholarship without this.
• Official financial statements – you may be required to supply your parents’ income tax returns as proof of need.

Having identified a study abroad scholarship that suits your needs, it is time to gather the necessary documents together. The steps in the application process are listed below

• Make an application for the scholarship. Most scholarship applications are online.
• Look out for the confirmation email in your inbox
  Start writing your statement of purpose. You will find plenty of examples on the internet, but it is important to remember that this is a personal statement. This is your chance to impress so take your time, keep it original, and stay focused.
• Find official proof of your outstanding academic, artistic, or athletic achievements. You may need to have it translated.
• If your application is needs-based, get proof of income, and for region-based scholarships, you will need proof of your nationality.
• Include the university acceptance letter or other official document stating that you have been accepted into the university. You won’t get a scholarship without it.
• Proofread and edit all documents to ensure that they are all complete and fault-free.
•  Wait for the outcome. If you have been successful, the funds will be sent directly to the university or college that you have selected.

If you have decided to study abroad, you will find plenty of internet resources to help you make the right decisions. We have listed some of the better resources below.

• https://www.collegedekho.com/study-abroad/articles/10-foreign-scholarships-for-indian-students/
• https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/study-abroad-scholarships-grants
• https://www.educations.com/student-resources-18820
• https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/study-abroad/
• https://www.scholars4dev.com/6268/top-10-scholarships-for-international-students/
• http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/country/south-africa.htm
• https://www.studyabroad.com/study-abroad-scholarships
• https://www.goabroad.com/articles/scholarships-abroad/scholarships-for-study-abroad-around-the-world
• https://www.for9a.com/en/opportunity/category/Scholarships

More and more young people are choosing to venture abroad to study. International study is an experience like no other and offers a lifetime of advantages, and it may not be as expensive as think.

If you have a special talent, you may qualify for a scholarship or a grant. If all fails, you may have to resort to a student loan.

Take away the boundaries in searching for a top university, and you get the finest the world has to offer, and why settle for less? When you choose to study abroad you open your horizons, broaden your perspectives, and learn more about people and culture than you ever could in your own country.

Studying abroad will also boost your career, increase your opportunities, and enhance your business network.