Studying Abroad
Arriving in another country and discovering something you should’ve known long before deciding to come abroad is the last thing you want.
A lot of people think about going abroad for school, and the number of students who do so has been increasing since 2020. While studying in a foreign country sounds all fun and games, there are several things you should know and thoroughly think about before choosing to go abroad in the first place.
The first important thing to consider is the language. Depending on the field and location, you might have to learn the local language first and be proficient enough to study and live with that language for several years. For example, at the Free University of Berlin, most of its undergraduate bachelor’s programs are taught exclusively in German, with the exception being exchange students. Also, becoming good at a language can take a long time if you have other things to commit yourself to, such as school.
Another factor to think about is the cost of tuition. It varies in each country, sometimes even each university, and each field of study. At the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, tuition fees for foreign students range from $11,000-$18,000 according to their website, while the Study in Spain website states that the tuition could be up to 6,000 dollars a year for foreigners.
Something that people might not account for when moving abroad is the cost of living. That includes things like insurance, house bills, rent, groceries, and other expenses that you could have depending on your lifestyle. The cost varies greatly depending on the location as well. According to numbeo.com, living in Bucharest, Romania can cost $650 a month (excluding rent) for one person, while living in Zurich, Switzerland could cost $1,900. To compare, the average cost of living for one person in Jacksonville, Florida is around $1,000.
Having government permission, in the form of a visa, to study in a foreign country is as important as getting an acceptance letter. Depending on the country, the visa requirements and conditions can vary, so make sure to thoroughly do your research. Also, student visas are made explicitly for going to school, so you need to get a different kind of visa if you plan to have a side gig while studying abroad.
You also need to account for the fact that your degree might not be valid in certain countries, meaning that you would have to do extra studies or pass some form of evaluation before your degree is validated. However, if you plan to permanently stay in your country of choice after finishing school, then you don’t need to worry about this part.
Research more about these topics if you’re interested in studying in a foreign country, since these are important things to look into before making a decision.
GoAbroad.com