How to make the most out of university virtual open days
As an international student, virtual open days can be a very useful resource for you, with insights into academic programs, available support, as well as extra curricular activities.
What is a virtual or online open day?
A university virtual open day is an online event to help prospective international students get to know what the university offers, but instead of travelling to campus. Rather than a traditional open day that would involve turning up in person, it is entirely held online.
By attending presentations, Q&A sessions, and virtual tours, you have the opportunity to learn about student life, campus facilities, and academic programs without the need to travel.
Unlike an on-campus open day, a virtual open day is a flexible and accessible format, which allows students from anywhere in the world to gather important and useful information.
Why should international students attend cirtual open days?
University open days are an important part of choosing your university, and as an international student, not only do they help you to learn about your prospective university, they will also give you an overview of what to expect in a new country.
Here are a few reasons why attending virtual open days is beneficial:
- Cost and time savings: if you are planning to study abroad, it can become expensive and time consuming to visit universities in foreign countries to attend open days. So, virtual open days came in handy where you can attend virtual open days from the comfort of your home, offering a budget-friendly option to gather important information regarding your university options.
- Introduction to the university Culture: Through presentations and interactive tours, you can get a feel of the culture at the university, how teachers approach their teaching methods, as well as the overall environment and university life. This will help you to measure whether the university aligns with your expectations and goals.
- Opportunity for direct interaction: This is the perfect opportunity for you to engage with admissions officers, faculty members, current students, and future international students. This interaction can help clarify questions and give a more personal connection with the institution and its members.
- Overcoming distance barriers: virtual open days allow students to meet each other from all over the world, as well as faculty staff.
How to prepare for a virtual open day
- Research the schedule and sessions: Check the event’s agenda beforehand so you know what’s in your interest to attend. This can include sessions such as financial aid presentations, program-specific talks, as well as student life discussions. Don’t forget to also take a peak at sessions tailored for international students.
- Technical setup: Make sure you have a stable internet connection on the device you will be using. Download the app that will be used for the virtual open day, and test things such as microphone, camera, and speakers.
- Prepare questions in advance: Have a list of questions prepared beforehand of topics that interest you. This could be questions related to application deadlines, student societies, or course structures. It is also good to ask about cultural adaptations, language support, as well as visa assistance and requirements.
- Know the time zones: If the event is in a different time zone, remember to keep this in mind and make sure you are ready to attend at the correct time.
Navigating the virtual open day
- Virtual campus tours: Most universities offer interactive virtual tours that allow students to explore the campus, including academic buildings, libraries, accommodation, and recreational facilities, often including 360-degree videos or live guides.
- Interactive sessions: Try to attend important interactive sessions that are available to you as you will be able to learn a lot about the process of enrolling on your course and the day to day life at the university. You will be able to learn about topics such as admissions and application process, student life and support, financial aid and scholarships, faculty and program talks, as well as Q&A sessions.
Maximising engagement during the event
- Participating in live sessions: Don’t be scared or shy to ask questions and interact with other people. This is an event for you to do that. Ask all the questions you have, as you definitely won’t be the only one having those questions. Interact with other international students and faculty members, and who knows, you might even become friends before you head out to university.
- Follow-up questions: If there are any questions you forgot to ask during the event or you were too shy, don’t be afraid to email faculty members with your queries.
Understanding the admission process for international students
- Visa and immigration information: If you’re not sure how your visa will work, be sure to attend these sessions. It will mostly cover your visa requirements, work restrictions related to your visa, as well as student permits.
- International student support: Ask what support systems the university has to offer for you as an international student. This could be in the form of language assistance, guidance for settling abroad, orientation programs and even help with finding accommodation. This will help you adapt to life in a foreign country and hopefully make you feel more at home.
Exploring accommodation options
- Virtual accommodation tours: Many universities offer online tours of student accommodations, and may even have videos of many rooms in their social media pages. Be sure to check the type of housing available, the facilities provided and what’s included in the prices.
- Off-campus housing: If university accommodation is not for you, ask the faculty members if there are any services they offer to help find private accommodation outside of the university. Some universities provide a list of trusted housing options outside campus.
Post-event follow-up
- Further Research: Now that the virtual open day has finished, it is the moment to really consider whether the university offers what you want and perform some further research, whether by contacting faculty staff, current students, or just looking online – to confirm your choice.
- Making a decision: Make a list of pros and cons for each university and open day you attended. Try to keep in mind what factors are most important to you when choosing a university. Use this resource to help you in your decision making on what university would be best for you!
If you can’t attend a university open day in person, virtual open days represent the best possible alternative for you to get a feel of your chosen university, and give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions that will help you prepare for studying abroad.