Top 10 reasons to choose your study destination
What if you know that you want to study abroad, and you want to choose your destination before choosing your course?
The truth is it doesn’t matter which way to you start narrowing your choices down, as long as it gets you where you want to be.
So, in this article we look at the top 10 reasons for choosing a specific country to study in.
Everybody has different reasons for wanting to study abroad, different interests and different needs. But at least one of these tips should lead you down the right path, and help you find the right course for you.
1. You’ve always wanted to live there
Australia looks like paradise on TV. America will give you the opportunity to succeed. The UK has such great culture and history. For many different reasons, you may have always thought you could live in a certain country – and studying overseas gives you the chance to do just that, even for a short time.
2. You already speak the language
Studying is challenging enough without have to learn a new language. So if you already speak English well enough to learn in it, why not choose an English-speaking country. It will make it easier to communicate with teachers, students and in daily life, and that can help you get over homesick feelings sooner.
And of course, if your second language is French, Japanese or Norwegian, then studying in those countries gives you a chance to finally test it out!
3. You need to learn the language
Of course, not all international students arriving in the UK, the US, Canada or Australia are fluent in English. Which is why it makes it the perfect place to learn English. Look for a school with an ‘English-only’ policy (such as ACE), to completely immerse yourself. And many English language courses can lead directly into your degree course – the perfect pathway to success!
4. You know other people studying there
If you have a friend, cousin, brother, sister or neighbour already studying in that country, and they are sending back excited emails and posting amazing pics, then you may want to go there too. And that’s a fair enough reason. Just make sure it’s the right decision for your needs – and also that they will help you settle in.
5. You can afford the cost of the flights/tuition/living expenses
This is a tough one. Australia may seem appealing, but if the cost of the airfare is putting you off you may need to think again. Likewise, if the cost of tuition in the US is scary, why not look at a more affordable North American education (and lifestyle) in Canada?
6. You have relatives there
Like number 4, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for you. And although it may help you avoid culture shock, don’t let it prevent you from making new friends from other countries. That’s one of the challenges, but also most life-changing results, of international study!
7. You’ve heard it’s easy to get part-time work there
Check the details on this first. You may have heard of students earning $10 an hour in America – but is that really enough for you to live on, and will your visa allow you to work off-campus, or will it limit the hours you can work?
Generally, students visas allows international students in the UK, Canada and Australia to work on or off-campus for up to 20 hours a week during term-time.
8. You want to work there when you graduate
It is easier to apply for graduate positions if you’re already in that country, and hold a degree from a well-known institution there. You’ll also get the chance to network with alumni or local companies, or apply for research positions at your university. Plus some countries, including Canada and the UK, have special work visas for international graduates.
9. That country is a leader in your chosen field of study
Auto-engineering students are more likely to study in Germany. Digital technology students flock to Northern California. Certain countries or regions specialise in specialised industries. So if you want to study agriculture, Australia and New Zealand may be good bets. Finance? Head to London or New York.
Studying in these countries could lead to better internships, or graduate jobs with world-leading companies or organisations. And that could have a big impact on your future.
10. It’s closer to home
There are many reasons for not travelling too far – you may want to get home to family more often, or you just feel more comfortable in your own region. But you can still get an international education. Many well-known universities have opened campuses in Singapore, Dubai and China – such as James Cook University in Singapore, and Hult International Business School in Dubai.
Now you’ve narrowed down your destination options. The next step is to choose your course, or choose your university.