Studying in another country involves effort, perseverance, and, of course, a good investment. However, year after year, millions of young people in the world live this life-changing experience. And you can be one of them! Although you surely have doubts about how to choose a course to study abroad.
To do this, we have prepared the following article as a practical guide to decide what you should take into account when choosing to study outside of your country. We will also leave you some proposals for courses you can take in countries that offer a great quality of life. In a few minutes, you’ll probably have an answer to that question. Isn’t that exciting? Let’s go!
How to Choose a Course to Study Abroad
At GrowPro, we are experts advising young people like you to fulfill their dreams of studying abroad. Therefore, we know what the most important challenges will be. And so, we can we give you these 10 keys to choose a course to study abroad. Take note!
Define what you want to study and what for
Studying in another country means being ready to solve unforeseen situations and seize opportunities at first sight. You may be afraid and that is not a bad thing. But you should know that having clear objectives is the best way to overcome the challenges that may come.
So, when you start planning your experience abroad, be very clear about what you want to study. Decide if what you want the most is to take language courses, vocational courses, or undergraduate studies.
The second aspect that you must define is what you hope to achieve with your experience. Maybe you just want to make the most of your vacation in a country you’ve been dreaming of. Or you are looking for a degree that opens the doors to better job opportunities in the future. You can even set a goal to emigrate.
Establish the duration of your stay abroad
Another key in the process of choosing a course to study abroad is to establish the minimum duration. This decision will determine the types of courses you can access. For example, in three months you can take an intensive course and take a vacation to explore the city.
On the other hand, a gap year is perfect for a vocational course. Also, you will have enough time to visit several of the attractions of the country of your choice.
But if you want to advance to the next level of your education, don’t hesitate to go for a bachelor’s or graduate degree program. These can last two to four years. During this time, you will be able to live the full experience of taking courses, working and traveling throughout the country. To give you an idea, check out these experiences we have to offer!
Choose the country and the city
As important as the goals and duration of your experience is selecting where to live it. For example. if you want to study a language abroad, there is no better option than to do it in a country with native speakers.
For English and vocational courses, we suggest countries like Australia and New Zealand. In these countries of Oceania, you will not only experience complete language immersion, but you will also be able to explore spectacular landscapes. But don’t forget Canada and Ireland. They are great countries to live and learn.
Once you choose your ideal country, you must pick a city. If you are passionate about big and bustling cities, where everything interesting happens, GrowPro takes you to some of the top capitals in the world, such as Sydney or Barcelona.
Select the type of course to study abroad you are most interested in
When planning how to choose a course to study abroad, the decision comes to one thing: what type of program are you looking for. Do you want to learn a new language? Are you interested in professional development? Will you undertake a university career?
At GrowPro, we classify the educational options that each country offers into three groups. The first is the courses to study languages abroad. Those are divided into three subtypes: intensive, general, and preparation for certification exams.
The second group comprises vocational courses. Believe it or not, these are very popular in countries like Australia, Canada, and Spain. That is because they combine taking classes and hands-on experience in the field. Its objectives are to prepare you to enter the job market as soon as possible.
And the third large group consists of university courses, which last from three to five years. Upon completion, you can earn a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree. In Canada, they even open the door to extend your stay with postgraduate work. You can also apply for permanent residence.
Plan your budget
Once you make the decisions above, you are ready to put your budget together. That is the dreaded point where Excel comes in. To plan your budget, add the costs of travel, tuition, monthly rent, monthly expense, and health insurance. Next, you should ask yourself if you can pay it off with your current income and savings. We know that for this phase, you will need the best information. So we recommend you take a tour of our blog.
Did it turn out that you don’t have enough money? Do not be discouraged! That happens to many young people. Perhaps your best option is to delay the trip and make a plan to save before you go abroad. Also, remember that at GrowPro we are ready to help you plan a budget. You just have to fill out a simple form in the experience that you like the most!
Consider working while you study abroad
Living abroad involves expenses that you cannot always plan ahead for. As we said at the beginning, there will always be unforeseen situations that you must resolve. So you should always consider the possibility of working and studying at the same time.
Doing both activities is a very common choice among young international students. In fact, in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, getting a Student Visa also allows you to work with certain restrictions. This is another stage of choosing a course to study abroad that we will talk about below.
At GrowPro, we believe that combining study and work is the best option. You can earn extra money to enjoy a more comfortable stay. And take better advantage of opportunities to explore the country wherever you go. Therefore, note that a good part of our own educational experiences will allow you to work.
Find an accredited school for your course to study abroad
Do you have enough funds? Well, now is the time to complete the necessary procedures for your study trip. So get ready and start by registering for the school that offers the course you want to take.
But beware! Before enrollment, you should make sure it’s a school accredited by the government. In Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, this is an essential requirement for granting a student visa.
Accreditation guarantees that it is a serious institution. However, you should not lose sight of other qualities. For example, in language academies, you must make sure that your teachers are qualified. Also, make sure that they are native speakers.
You must also agree with the teaching methodology and principles of the school. And don’t forget to ask about the group size. This aspect is essential in language courses because medium-sized groups are ideal for practicing speaking skills.
Get the right visa
When asking how to choose a course to study abroad, the answer is a simple: get a visa that allows it! This document will determine your options abroad. Next, we summarize the main categories:
- Tourist Visa.In general, it allows you to stay in the country for up to 3 months to visit it. And you can study courses for no more than three months. Visit the official webpages of the country you are interested in to learn more about it.
- Student Visa. Without a doubt, it is the best option. Because in countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, it allows you to study and have a part-time job. Also, it lasts the same as your course.
- Work and Holiday. It is a highly requested visa because it gives you access to a wide variety of non-specialized full-time jobs. The only thing is that the requirements are stricter, and it is more limited. We recommend you check out our complete guides on Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. You can download them for free!
At GrowPro we help you process your student visa. Choose your experience here!
Fly away and find accommodation
When your visa is approved, the countdown to your life-changing experience begins. Now indeed, there is no going back! So start by buying your plane tickets at least three months in advance. And then, carefully pack your luggage.
Of course you should start saying your farewells at home. This step is of super important symbolic value. Thus, don’t forget to say goodbye to mom, dad, siblings, friends, boyfriend, girlfriend and even your pet. Hug them and cry with them if necessary. But you must leave with the joy of starting a new life!
When you arrive at your destination, try to stay in a hostel for at least the first days. That way, you’ll get to know the city. After, you can start looking for accommodation. Never do the latter from home! It is best to sign any contracts and give the advanced deposit when you are already in the country. This way, you avoid disappointments and even scams.
Travel with GrowPro
When traveling alone abroad, it is normal to have a lot of doubts. Questions about the procedure are replaced by those referring to life in the country you chose. Thus, more and more travelers are looking for advisory agencies to guide them through the most difficult steps.
GrowPro Experience offers you first-rate accompaniments so that you can live an unforgettable academic experience abroad. Through our experiences, you have access to the best language, vocational and university courses.
We will assign you a Student Advisor, that is, someone who has already lived the experience that you are about to start. They will give you all the assistance you require before, during, and after your trip to make it a success.
Upon arrival at your destination, we will give you a Welcome Session. Here you will receive guidance to start your new life and meet other young travelers like you. If this seems little to you, let us add that you will have access to the grower area. It is a special zone on our site where you will enjoy exclusive discounts from our partners.
So after learning the process on how to choose a course to study abroad, why not make a decision and request your budget with us? It’s easy, and it does not imply any commitment. With this, you will be taking the first step towards the experience that could change your life.
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