Group of diverse people smiling and giving each other piggy-backs on street

6 Things to Think About If You Want to Study in a Foreign Country

Studying abroad is great, but it comes with more effort in the process of applying and attending. Here are six things you need to consider before going abroad.

Studying abroad opens a world of opportunity to learn about new cultures, make friends from all over the globe, and gain an internationally recognized education. But as an international student, there are certain challenges you’ll face such as language barriers, cultural differences, and homesickness. You’ll also eventually have to decide whether you want to study and settle down permanently in your host country or return home after graduation. Here are six other important things you need to think about before embarking on this journey.

1. Your host country’s education system

Every country’s education system functions differently, and as an international student, you must familiarize yourself with your host country's system. In some countries, like the United States, students can study at either a public or private university. There might be rules governing international students you need to be aware of. In China, for instance, only a certain number of international students are allowed to study at each university. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations before you start the application process.

2. The cost of studying abroad

If you're a US student and want to study abroad, the cost can be a huge deciding factor. In general, studying abroad is more expensive than staying in the States. This is because tuition fees at foreign universities are generally higher than at domestic schools, and you also have to factor in the cost of living and travel. However, scholarships and financial aid are available for students who want to study abroad. Do your research and explore all your financial options before deciding. If you’re an international student looking to study in the US, figure out how much you’ll need to sustain yourself comfortably. Consider the cost of tuition and fees, which can differ significantly from one university to another.

Related: 6 Smart Financial Plans Before You Study Abroad

3. Learning the language

Even if English is the primary language of instruction in the country you're studying in, there may be times when you’ll have to communicate in a local language. In general, studying abroad presents an excellent opportunity to learn a new language through immersion. Whether you’re studying in France, Spain, or Japan, you'll need to know how to order food, ask for directions, and speak to locals in their native language. Learning the basics of the local language will make your stay more enjoyable and help you make friends.

4. The culture shock

Cultural differences can be one of the biggest adjustment challenges for international students. Be aware of the customs and traditions of your host country before you arrive. This way, you'll avoid cultural faux pas and adjust to your new surroundings more easily. For instance, it's considered rude to make direct eye contact when speaking to someone in some cultures, while in others, it’s considered more respectful. Knowing the local customs will also help you make friends more easily and avoid accidentally offending anyone.

Related: My Weirdest Lessons from 3 Months in a Different Culture

5. Your career goals

Before you study abroad, think about your long-term career goals. If you want to work in your host country after graduation, make sure employers in that country recognize the value of the degree you're planning to get. Immigration policies can also be a deciding factor. If you want to work in the United States after graduation, you must apply for a work visa. And if you plan to retire in your host country someday, you must also consider additional immigration policies and regulations. Some countries like Spain have a retirement visa income requirement you should be aware of if you plan to study, live, and retire there.

6. Clubs and societies

Joining a club or society on campus is a great way to make friends and settle into your new surroundings. It's also an excellent way to learn more about the local culture. Be sure to research what kind of opportunities are offered at your schools of interest before studying abroad. If you're interested in sports, look out for club teams and student gyms. If you're more of a culture vulture, look for book clubs and art galleries. There are groups and facilities for almost every interest, so you're sure to find ones that are perfect for you.

Related: 6 Questions to Ask About a University's Cultural Fit

Studying abroad is a big decision, but it can one of the greatest experiences if you're fully prepared for it. Keep these things in mind as you plan your studies, and you'll be on your way to a successful and enriching life in a new country.

Still not sure which country you want to study in? Check out some of the best places with our article on 4 Great Destinations for International Students Pursuing Higher Education.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Rayan Hamdan

Rayan Hamdan

High School Student

I joined CollegeXpress just a few months ago. I had been struggling with severe anxiety, causing me to not be able to tour schools and make sure a college would be perfect for me. I came across CollegeXpress one day when I was searching for colleges online, and it completely changed the game. I was easily able to choose colleges that would suit me, and I also entered a few giveaways! Thank you so much!

Casey Kammeyer

Casey Kammeyer

$500 Refer-A-Friend Scholarship Winner

I love the site CollegeXpress; it has been very helpful finding colleges and getting them to send me information. It has also been very, very helpful with finding tons of scholarships. Also, I told many of my friends about it and they love it as well!

Farrah Macci

Farrah Macci

High School Class of 2016

CollegeXpress has helped me in many ways. For one, online searches are more organized and refined by filtering scholarships through by my personal and academic interests. Due to this, it has made searching for colleges and scholarships significantly less stressful. As a student, life can already get stressful pretty quickly. For me, it’s been helpful to utilize CollegeXpress since it keeps all of my searches and likes together, so I don’t have to branch out on multiple websites just to explore scholarship options.

Melanie Kajy

Melanie Kajy

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has helped me tremendously during my senior year of high school. I started off using the college search to find more information about the universities I was interested in. Just this tool alone gave me so much information about a particular school. It was my one-stop shop to learn about college. I was able to find information about college tuition, school rank, majors, and so much more that I can't list it all. The college search tool has helped me narrow down which college I want to attend, and it made a stressful process surprisingly not so stressful. I then moved to the scholarship search tool to find scholarships to apply for because I can't afford to pay for tuition myself. The search tool helped me find scholarships that I was eligible for. The tool gave me all the information I could ever need about a particular scholarship that was being offered. The CollegeXpress scholarship search tool is so much better than other tools offered, like the Chegg scholarship search. Thanks to CollegeXpress, I was able to apply to tons of scholarships in a relatively easy way!

Sadie Hartmann

Sadie Hartmann

High School Class of 2021

I'm a senior in high school, and CollegeXpress has helped me in so many ways this year in trying to navigate the process of deciding and committing to a university. The COVID-19 Student Resource Center has helped me many times with the most up-to-date and accurate information, along with financial aid and student life [advice]. During these uncertain times, CollegeXpress has been a great recourse to relieve the stress as a senior. Along with the COVID-19 Student Resource Center, I'm constantly using the extremely helpful tools off the site to aid me during this stressful process. Tools like the lists and rankings of universities have been the most beneficial. I've also used the site to receive expert advice on topics like financial aid. Finally, CollegeXpress has helped me easily apply for several scholarships. I'm thankful to be given the chance to win a scholarship to lessen the burden of my college debt.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Pace University

New York, NY

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK

Stanford University

Stanford, CA