Study Abroad

All you need to know about studying abroad

Studying abroad is one of the best yet daunting experiences for students of all ages. If you ask any student who has studied in another country, it is more than likely that he will answer that the experience was unforgettable, that in some way, that stage changed his life.

In this article, the following points will be thoroughly discussed;

  • What does studying abroad entail
  • Factors to consider if you want to study abroad
  • How to study abroad for free
  • Cheapest countries to study abroad
  • How to source for scholarships abroad

Let’s begin;

What does studying abroad entail

Before going to study abroad, you will have to complete a series of procedures. These procedures depend on your age, the type of study, and even the duration of your study program.

The best place to go to inform you of all the legal procedures is the embassy of your destination country. Many countries and universities have an Information Agency or Office for Foreign or International Students, where you can also find a lot of information about the procedures to be carried out.

It is also essential that you have the following legal documents;

  • Student Visa
  • Medical Insurance
  • Residence Permit
  • Work Permit; Incase you want to combine your educational experience with a job abroad

10 Factors to consider if you want to study abroad

  1. Language:

For instance, if you are a Nigerian wishing to study in a French-speaking country, let’s say France, it is expected that you will have language difficulties, as French is not your first language.

So, you have to start building your foreign language skills, even before you travel.

You could also take foreign language courses in your destination country, so that you can learn the language faster, and communicate with your fellow students, tutors, and the local community effectively.

  1. Finances:

The cost of studying abroad can vary significantly from one school to another, so you will have to consider their tuition fees and other expenses before applying.

You could seek scholarships and grant opportunities to help mitigate the cost of studying and living abroad. It’s vital that you have a reliable source of funding

  1. Type of Program/ Course of study:

You also have to consider if your destination institution offers your kind of program; it could be Bachelor’s, Master’s, or even Doctorate program. That said, you will also have to enquire if your destination institution offers your desired course of study.

  1. Duration of study

Study abroad programs are generally classified into one of three categories: short term, semi-annual, and a full year.

You should explore programs that will allow you to finish school and obtain your degree within a reasonable time frame, especially if you will be studying with the aid of a scholarship.

  1. Accommodation:

If you want to study abroad, you will have to decide if you are going to live with a host family or in a dormitory.

Most educational institutions around the world offer accommodation to international students, particularly during their first year of study. Nevertheless, you could also apply at the embassy, to stay with a host family until you ‘find your feet’ in that country.

  1. Food:

Food may seem trivial, but you will have to ask yourself if you can get by with the local cuisines of your destination country. Since you might be unfamiliar with their delicacies, it may seem hard to adapt at first, but it gets easier with time.

  1. Health:

You’ll need to be certified healthy before you can undertake any study program abroad. You could also contact your health insurance company so that you can find out what you’ll need to stay healthy overseas.

  1. Conditions of the Destination Country

By conditions, I mean the geography, climate, political status, and academic reputation of your destination country.

Every country has a unique experience for students. So, it would be best if you chose your destination wisely.

  1. Independence

Since you will be leaving your home and all other comforts that you have known, it’s best you learn how to adapt to this situation quickly. Making new friends and socializing will certainly help you adjust and become independent quickly.

  1. Get your Paperwork in order:

To ensure that your study duration is seamless, it’s best you get all your passport early before your program commences. Also, ensure that your visa will last you well beyond your semesters abroad.

How to study abroad for free

You could study abroad for free by;

  • Choosing a country known for it’s free-education policies
  • Choosing a course that is free to study abroad
  • Applying for scholarships and grants

Cheapest Countries to study abroad

The following countries offer free education for international students;

  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Norway
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Austria

How to Source for Scholarships to Study Abroad

The primary way of sourcing for abroad scholarships is to research extensively about them.

Scholarships such as the Chevening Scholarship, Ashinaga Scholarship, and even the DAAD Scholarship to study in Germany, are available for Africans to apply.

So, do your research, ensure you will all the criteria, then apply.

Studying abroad equips you with vast amounts of skills and knowledge. It also guarantees employment after school.

Rest assured that studying abroad becomes easy when you ease into it.

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The Right Way to Prepare Your Transcripts for Study Abroad Applications International students who are seeking admission into universities and colleges abroad are required to provide certain documents as part of their application process. One of those required documents is your academic transcripts. But the question on the minds of students is what is the right way to prepare your transcripts for study abroad applications. This article looks at what a transcript is and also provides an in-depth guide on how to efficiently submit one. What is an Academic Transcript? An academic transcript is an official document that shows a detailed record of a student’s performance and achievements at an institution. A transcript also includes information such as: courses taken, grades earned for each course, cumulative grade point average (GPA), degree awarded honors or distinctions received. Furt/o0[hermore, transcripts are usually used by institutions, employers, and organizations to assess your academic achievement and eligibility for higher education at a foreign university. They provide a summary of a student’s academic history and also help to evaluate students from various academic backgrounds. Note that: Transcripts are issued by the registrar's office They bear the institution's seal or official stamp to ensure their authenticity. Some institutions charge a fee for issuing transcripts. Students need to request their transcripts through their school’s online portal Types of Academic Transcripts 1. Official Transcripts: This type of transcript is sent out by the school, and it carries the school’s official emblem and the signature of the registrar. Additionally, this contains details like exams done, transferred courses, and all achievements. 2. Unofficial Transcripts: This type of transcript, unlike the official one, does not carry the seal of the school and does not have the signature of the registrar. What is the need for an academic transcript? The admissions board of a university requires a transcript as proof of education to help them understand the academic performance of the students. Without this, the student cannot apply to a university abroad. Furthermore, universities may sometimes request that students submit a transcript of their last two qualifications, but this depends on the university you are applying to. Therefore, you must always have a soft copy of your transcript at hand so you can upload it during your application process. However, sometimes your transcript is mailed directly to the institution of your choice, so you may not have a hard copy of it at hand. Note the following before you submit your transcript: The document must be in English. It must be legible. The information on the transcript must be accurate and free of errors. The document must be stamped and signed by the registrar of the institution. Different Names For Academic Transcripts: Academic transcripts are known by various names in different countries or institutions. These are: Mark Sheets Transcripts of Records Report Card Diploma Supplement Cumulative Record File Academic Certificates How to Get Your Academic Transcripts? Academic transcripts are given out by the schools where you have attended and completed your education. It also includes your certificates for your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Once the transcript has been published, you as a student can request and collect yours from the university. You can also send or submit a soft copy of the transcript while applying. Note that some universities abroad may request a hard copy of the document. Therefore, it will be mailed directly to the school abroad by the school you graduated from. Additionally, students who are still studying can request an interim or provisional academic transcript from their school and send it to the university abroad. But you must eventually send the official transcript to gain admission. What details are included in an Academic Transcript? An academic transcript should include the following information: The student’s full name Name of the educational institution Address of the institution Either the name of the educational board or the university Names of the courses studied by the student Record of all academic and non-academic achievements The student’s academic statement An evaluation by the faculty Grades or marks of all the subjects Furthermore, an academic transcript can also include the following: A student's cumulative grade throughout the course. The average grade of the class. This will help the admissions board compare the students with others. What You Must Do Before Submitting Your Academic Transcript 1. You should check your transcript for mistakes before submission. You should do this because these mistakes and mismatches in information can harm your application. 2. Never forge your transcripts. You should not do this because universities will carry out a background check on it. Consequently, you will be banned from ever applying again if caught. 3. Be sure to apply for your academic transcript before the application deadline to avoid confusion. How Do I send my academic transcripts to universities? Your official academic transcript should be mailed directly to the university you're applying to. Note that it must be in a sealed and signed envelope. Meanwhile, translated transcripts will be mailed to the new school from the registrar's office. Contact AfterSchoolAfrica For Your Admission For international students looking to get a quality education, it can be financially demanding. At AfterSchoolAfrica, we understand that education should be based on the potential for value creation to build an inclusive global economy. Furthermore, we can help make this dream a reality by offering scholarships, loans, and work-study programs for financial assistance. Therefore, by exploring these avenues, you can focus on your studies without worrying about financial burdens. Additionally, through our global education lending partners, we now help and support African students to fund their graduate education in the US, Canada, or the UK. You don’t need collateral or a Cosigner. Read Also: How to Write a Winning Statement of Purpose (with samples) 3 Proven Steps to Write an Excellent MBA Essay Should You Use ChatGPT for Your Study Abroad Application?
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