Studying abroad is a dream most students refrain from chasing because of lack of sufficient research in terms of growing opportunities available at their disposal. The internet has made it incredibly easy to be able to dive into information related to literally anything in the world, and we at Golden Draft have managed to mine gems from the scattered wisdom online and bring to you the 5 things you absolutely need to know before you decide to hop on the plane and move abroad.
- Some days are less happening than the rest
When we think about moving abroad, we imagine being surrounded by loud, vibrant people partying day in and day out. While this scenario holds true on most weekends, living a life abroad isn’t always clubs and theme parks. Considering the costs of hiring a house help to moulding oneself according to this fresh lifestyle, one has to spend a considerable amount of time adjusting to this sudden deficit of luxuries. Be it hours of scrubbing and cooking, to juggling between studying and working part-time jobs, it is a lifestyle you acquire a taste for. You can always find some time to unwind and treat yourself, but it is a rookie mistake to expect that all your days will turn out to be instagram worthy.
- It’s not a route to skip the rat race
Although it is relatively easier to get an admission in a university abroad, the atmosphere is often just as competitive as your native country. While most universities in countries like USA and UK rely on your academic scores and a couple of manageable language tests to screen you for their programmes, it is still in no way a reflection of the calibre of the students that enter your university. You find yourself in a diverse pool of students from every corner of the world and some can find it to be an intimidating environment to work in. The colleges also do not spoon-feed you with job offers and placements and students need to go out of their way to procure material that will help them in securing a job. This material can include your letters of recommendation, academic achievements and relevant research that will lead you towards achieving that secure lifestyle for yourself.
- No research is enough research
The one activity that most people find exhausting but ends up being extremely crucial is ensuring that your research about your country of interest and the course you’re applying for is thorough and free of possible loopholes. It is absolutely necessary to be well acquainted with the culture and traditions of your host country. Each country comes with it’s own phone calling plans and credit card services, so it’s wise to have a clear idea about the alterations you need to make in your resources to adapt to the new country. It is required to notify your bank before leaving, since your transactions in a new place can be misinterpreted as somebody hacking into your account and can lead to termination of services from your bank’s end. Fair research will also help you find the cheapest options for all these services and save you some extra cash to save or spend on other activities.
- Polish your soft skills
When you plan to apply for a foreign university, you ensure that your academic scores and achievements are at par with the standards of their programmes. Almost all the students who get into a particular university share a similar looking grade record, but what helps one stand out is one’s ability to engage with the audience and interact with people who do not share the same cultural background as you. Efficient time management and problem solving abilities are some of the soft skills that give you an edge over others and it is important to spend some time working on them before moving to an alien land.
- Find your home away from home
Choosing to live so far from your home country is not an easy decision. It is accompanied with days, sometimes weeks of isolation and homesickness and it is in times like these, that one finds immense comfort in meaningful friendships built along the way. It is exciting to have people you can spend hours partying with, but it becomes equally essential to invest in relationships that feel like home and make living away from family seem a lot easier. Indulge in local cuisines, attend cultural festivals and basically take a few steps out of your comfort zone to make the most of this life changing experience.
