University abroad can be an exciting milestone, but the process should not be taken lightly. When making plans to study overseas it’s essential that the necessary steps are taken beforehand, including researching universities, taking any required tests, arranging accommodation and part-time employment and making sure your home university accepts your study abroad courses for credit so as to prevent falling behind with your degree program.
First, you’ll need to decide where you want to study. There are many factors to keep in mind when selecting a university – reputation and availability of fields of study are major ones; also culture differences, campus life and location should be carefully considered as well as budget considerations (international programs tend to be more costly than domestic ones; in such cases it might be possible to secure scholarships or grants to cover your costs).
Step two will involve gathering all your application materials, which includes academic transcripts, test scores (if required), letters of recommendation and statement of purpose or motivation letter writing. It’s worth taking your time when creating this vital document – it should outline why you wish to attend this particular university as well as your long- and short-term goals and any internship experiences relevant to them. When sending off both these documents for review by committee, make sure they’re proofread before sending!