Studying abroad is an enriching experience in ways more than one. You will face academic and personal challenges; ones that you will find rewarding. Yet In order to have a rewarding experience, it is absolutely imperative that you engage in comprehensive planning and preparation. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to assimilate all information and have a successful experience. Such planning entails more than mere college selection or flight arrangements. Here are some pointers for an easy foreign transition.

Firstly don’t brush aside your fear; it is absolutely fine to be concerned and have doubts and to address them. Be concerned about it but over-anticipate it. Be positive.

As the title suggests, start early. While age is no bar, working on your portfolio is something that can be started in high school. We at PproEed tutor students from classes 8th onwards and help them in realizing their true potential. It is imperative that you know where your strengths lie. To be clear about your desired course helps in designing a clear pathway to achieve it.

While planning to pursue a degree abroad, talk to the alumni of the college you’ve chosen or someone who has had a similar experience. They can guide about the basic dos and don’ts of studying abroad. Their experience can be a guiding light for you.

Engage in as many activities as you can. Dramatics, social work, music all help enrich your personal statement. However it helps specializing in a particular field and doing extremely well. Many colleges offer scholarships to students based on their extra-curricular trajectory. Meet with your advisor to chalk about a plan for the same and engage yourself as and when possible in the aforementioned areas. Enroll on online courses. Also, social work is an important aspect of application process questionnaire. What you’ll add to their community depends a lot on how you’ve added to your own. So participation in clubs like environment club, book club, debating societies and so on , is necessary to build a strong personality.

English requirements need students to appear for tests like IELTS and TOEFL. Many even appear for GMAT or GRE. So it helps to start studying early. Buy credible books online and join online tutorials to get in the rhythm of studying regularly. Practice is the road to success.

Apply to multiple universities but don’t take too much on your plate as the essay writing process can overburden you. Plan accordingly with your overseas advisor. It is equally necessary to study well for your home exams and they also influence your application. Along with essays, most universities ask applicants to send in recommendations from teachers. So study hard and get your teachers on board. This letter should talk about your achievements and highlight your academic and overall attitude to prove that you have college potential. You need to take care of Sat, Act and other tests in your last academic year. So a good tip would be to appear or give a mock test (if its viable then multiple tests would do too) to see where you stand. The best score can be sent and its valid for two years.

You need a passport and visa to study abroad. Make sure you apply for it well in advance especially for countries like UK where the process is extensively long. Also ensure that it isn’t going to expire before your intended return to your country. Also visit a doctor and get your practical done. While it is a requirement for few universities, it is good to know that you are in good health and can travel with a peaceful mind and a healthy body. Furthermore, it’s important to know the host country’s immunization requirements and become immunized before your departure.

Take some time to better familiarize yourself with your intended country. Even basic knowledge about the local culture, history, geography, economy can enrich the time you spend there. Take up elective courses, especially language courses that serve you well in the long run. Basic phrases in the local language can make a world of difference!

Many students can also avail the experience beforehand by applying for a Study Abroad course which gives you a small introduction into another culture and help you decide on an educational decision later on.

While goodbyes are tough, we hope you can get the ground running with all that is to come. It helps you evolve as a person and a little insight will go a long way. Expect the unexpected and breathe in all the excitement that is going to come your way! Have fun!

Mallika Bhagat