Studying abroad is an aspiration for many young students after finishing school. However, it is the absence of correct information and some preconceived notions that deter students and parents from taking a stab at applying to colleges abroad. Here we debunk some of the common myths about studying abroad and tell you how studying abroad is not as daunting or impossible as it is made to seem.
It is way too expensive
The biggest barrier in attempting admission to a college abroad is the assumption that education abroad is unaffordable. The truth is education in private colleges at home is quite expensive as well. There are colleges abroad that offer part and full scholarships and scouting for such colleges and preparing to meet the eligibility criteria well in time can help take care of the fees. Also, there are financial aid options available in case you want to apply for a loan to finance your college education. There are government loans granted by foreign countries to international students to cover their tuition fees. It is also the norm to pick up a part-time job to meet the other expenditure that one incurs while studying at college.
The admission process is too complicated
It is simply a lack of familiarity with the process that makes one feel that the process is complicated. With most colleges now having a website detailing the documents and eligibility criteria needed for admission, it has become even simpler to understand the admission process and what it takes to be accepted by a college. While the process will differ from country to country and college to college, a student would largely be required to clear a test like SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS, have exemplary academic grades at the school level, and have enough participation to display a consistent pursuit in any extra-curricular activity. Apart from this, the application would need a letter of recommendation from teachers, an essay that the college asks of a student to write, and perhaps an interview as well. If one starts in good time, it is not too difficult to prepare a portfolio that makes a strong application.
No job guarantee in the country of education
It’s true that universities abroad do not offer education with a job guarantee attached once your studies are over. But that is the case anywhere, regardless of whether you study in your home country or abroad. However, universities abroad have strong placement and career offices that provide path and direction with respect to job hunting. Also, it would be only natural for employers to seek people who have had experience in the country. So you’re having studied abroad would work in your favour if you want to work there. Another thing is that curriculum at universities abroad is in sync with what jobs would require at a practical level. Just for example, the QS Global Survey notes that universities in the UK produce employable graduates. This implies that studying abroad does make it easier for you to find a job in that country.
Employers don’t care much for an international degree
Whether you choose to work in the country where you’ve done college or anywhere else in the world, even your home country for that matter, an international degree is definitely going to give you an edge over others while applying for a job. It isn’t about the snob value of a foreign degree but the learning that you have gathered along with the academic achievement. Your CV gets embellished with a foreign degree as it shows your employer that you have taken the risk to be in an unfamiliar environment and excel at academics, have already been in a multicultural space, and therefore can adapt well to new people and places – some of the key attributes that employers are looking for in prospective employees.
It is fraught with dangers
This is another worry that assails most parents when they are thinking about sending their children abroad for college education. However, there are whole cities and towns in countries abroad that have developed around universities primarily because of the student population. It would be naïve to assume that a student would be unsafe in a city that is thriving because of the student population. Plenty of students have gone and finished their degrees in colleges abroad, unscathed. The chances of stray mishaps will be there anywhere but most colleges abroad have their processes in place to make international students feel settled in, providing advice on safety measures be it with respect to the right localities for housing, facilities for transportation, or even places to hang out. A good university will ensure that you are equipped with the necessary information to make your college stay safe, secure, and comfortable.
There are adaptability issues
If you’re worried about not being able to fit in, you need to know that you’re not alone. There will be a whole lot of students from your home country or even other foreign countries who are in a new culture and environment for the first time for their studies. You will naturally forge your own friendships with people with whom you share a commonality of situation and interests. You will find that foreign students are oriented into the new program and department by other seniors and tutors. The senior students on the campus will devise events and programs for international students to help them navigate their way around the new environment. Universities usually have student welfare offices with a team dedicated to helping out international students. This includes career counsellors, psychologists, and volunteers who help international students sail through common difficulties as they make a transition to an entirely new social, cultural, and academic setup.
Knowing the local language is a must
If you’re going to a country where English is not the native language, say Germany, France, or Japan, you might feel that not knowing the country’s language is a severe handicap. While knowing the language spoken in the country may facilitate your movement and transactions in spaces outside of the university, not knowing the language is not really a handicap within the university space. Your medium of instruction would be English at the college as most foreign colleges place a strong emphasis on attracting international students. In fact, knowing English well could well be an asset as you assist some local students to improve their English. It may also be a perfect opportunity to pick up the local language should you wish to.
Conclusion
It is important that you research well about various universities and colleges and also about cities where these colleges are located. It would give you a clearer picture on what awaits you when you choose to study abroad. There will certainly be challenges associated with stepping out of the country but none so daunting as to stop you from pursuing your dream of studying abroad. The benefits of studying abroad are far too many to miss out on and now that we have debunked these seven myths of studying abroad, there should be nothing holding you back from embarking on your study abroad journey.