You’ve done your homework, selected the ideal study abroad program and location, and are ready to submit your application. The application process for studying abroad may seem daunting at first, but I assure you it is manageable.
You may be confident that you will succeed in your study abroad application with the help of the following advice and some planning.
1. Think Forward
When applying to universities overseas, I always stress the importance of preparation. My friend’s original program city filled up while she was waiting on paperwork, so she had to switch to a another place.
You’ll have to rely on other people to get things done in a timely manner, so budget extra time in case of delays.
Get in touch with your school’s international education office as soon as possible after deciding to study abroad. When it comes to studying abroad, each university has its own unique set of rules and regulations. For my study abroad programs, I had to submit an additional application through my home institution, along with a slew of other required paperwork.
Get in touch with your academic advisor; they will be an invaluable resource as you return to the classroom after studying abroad. Getting to know them is also a good idea if you need letters of recommendation from academics but aren’t sure who to seek for help.
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2. Learn the Fundamentals of the Study Abroad Application
The application process for studying abroad is similar to that of applying to a university at home. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process for studying abroad.
General Information
Besides the standard information like name, nationality, and address, your passport details will be required for most applications.
Be sure to apply for a passport (if you don’t already have one) if you’re thinking about or actively pursuing an international education opportunity. You should get a passport as soon as possible because the processing time can take weeks or months.
Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Submitting an up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume is recommended (but not essential) for some applications. If your application doesn’t specifically ask for one, but you still intend to conduct volunteer work or an internship overseas, you should probably get one in order.
Physical Health Documentation
There are a variety of health forms to fill out and submit, and they vary depending on the country or program you’re applying to. If you don’t submit them during the application procedure, the visa application process will likely need you to pass a background check.
It is in the best interest of the host country to verify your health status before you travel there. Most industrialized nations have a national healthcare system (yes, most developing nations do too), thus countries will conduct background checks on visitors to make sure they won’t be a financial burden.
Typically, you’ll just have to fill out a short form inquiring about your overall health and whether or not you suffer from any mental or physical impairments. Some applications require a thorough physical examination, so keep that in mind. Therefore, it is crucial to verify what is required so that any necessary medical visits can be made.
The Recommendation Letter
You may need reference letters to apply to more selective study abroad programs. One to three letters of recommendation from professors are often requested by programs that have this requirement.
You should start thinking about which professors you can approach early on if you need to submit them. Make sure they know where you want to go and why so they can tailor their recommendations to you specifically.
3.Select the Course(s) That Interest You.
There’s a reason it’s called “studying abroad,” even though the main benefits include expanding one’s worldview and meeting lifelong friends from all across the globe.
The academic value of the courses you choose is undeniable; nevertheless, they also have the potential to enhance your time abroad and deepen your familiarity with the local culture.
You should have a list of potential courses in mind before submitting your application in case you are asked to make a preliminary course selection or final course selection. You may also be required to submit a form of approval from your home university’s academic advisor.
The value of studying abroad to your degree program and the transferability of your credits are two things your home institution will want to verify. This may necessitate careful planning of your remaining course load for the duration of your time at university.
Keep in mind that some courses at your local university may be on rotation and not given every semester; you may miss courses you need if you study abroad unless you keep meticulous records.
However, it’s unlikely that the classes you list on your application will be the ones you actually take. Unfortunately, due to low enrolment, the course offerings for two of my three study abroad programs were totally revamped or scrapped.
Have an alternate set of classes ready to go if necessary; you never know when life will throw you a curveball. In the long run, this will facilitate the smooth transfer of credit.
It might be nerve-wracking to be an upperclassman studying abroad and have your schedule suddenly shift. The deadline for submitting your transcript to your home university may be close to the time you return from your study abroad program.
If your courses change while you’re studying abroad, it’s important to let your academic advisor know so they can help you figure out how the new classes will count toward your degree.
A statement of purpose or personal statement is often required when applying to study abroad programs. The personal statement is an important part of your application to any school; treat it as seriously as you did the essays you submitted when you originally applied to college back home.
Even if they aren’t very long, motivation letters allow you to show your program what makes you unique and give you insight into what you hope to gain from your time abroad.
Because it is not in their best interest to deny people, some of the less competitive providers may not place a lot of weight on this part of the application. They operate for profit, and if you meet their minimum GPA or academic standing requirements, you can enroll in their programs.
Programs administered by universities will place a greater emphasis on the personal statements and use them to choose participants from a more qualified application pool.
Helpful Hints for Crafting Your Statement of Purpose
Exactly or similarly worded questions to “Why do you want to study abroad?” will appear in most personal statement writing prompts. The word count for these essays is usually between 250 and 1000, with the average being closer to 500. You only have a few sentences to show off your personality and explain why you want to study abroad.
Make sure to highlight how your chosen study abroad program complements your major, how you have a personal connection to the country you will be visiting, and how you will benefit from the experience both personally and professionally.
Among the many benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop a more global perspective on your chosen topic of study.
It’s crucial to stress the relevance of your hobbies and passions to the area you’ve selected. It’s also a good idea to include a discussion of your long-term objectives, as well as your plans for future volunteer work, language study, internship pursuits, and community involvement.
Here you can learn about the many advantages of studying abroad, which may help you come up with topics for your personal statement.
Last but not least, always do a last proofread of your work. Get a trusted friend, coworker, or even your professor to read over your final draft before turning it in.
In the absence of such resources, you can rely on internet grammar checking programs like Grammarly to help you discover mistakes your own eyes might miss. You can seek assistance from resources on campus, such as writing centers.
How to Stand Out When Applying to Study Abroad Programs? Get Going!
After reading this article, hopefully the application process for studying abroad will appear less scary. Keep in mind that preparation is the key to having a successful application for studying abroad.
It’s possible that you’ll need to start making preparations a full year in advance. Both the study abroad application and the visa application require a plethora of paperwork that must be organized and gathered in advance.
It’s in your best interest to have your study abroad application in order as soon as possible. Study abroad organizations often offer discounts to applicants who submit their applications early. It’s a good idea to apply for study-abroad scholarships at the same time you submit your program application to increase your chances of receiving funding for your international experience.
