An Overview and Tips of Abroad Study

 Overview and Tips  of Abroad Study (You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with. Organize your study
 space. Use flow charts and diagrams. Practice on old exams. Explain your answers to others.Organize study groups with friends. Take regular breaks. Snack on brain food)

An Overview of Study Abroad

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An international education, whether a semester abroad or a full degree program in another country, can be one of the most rewarding and exhilarating experiences in a person's life. There is so much to be gained from experiencing a new culture, facing new challenges, and opening your mind to a whole new world. Although the events of September 11th may have hindered international education, it also represents a greater need for international students. International studies allow for the mixing of various cultures, cultivating a greater understanding between nations. In the USA alone, 2000/2001 saw the greatest increase in foreign students to their shores since 1979/1980, with 547,867 foreign students studying in the USA.

Financing an International Education

Generally speaking, the biggest barrier to students interested in studying in the USA is money. The average tuition for a low-cost private institution costs $12,000 US Dollars a year, excluding living expenses. This, of course, can be lower or higher depending on the school, but for international students, this is a huge burden and one that stops many from attending. However, it need not be an obstacle, thanks to the many international student loans now available and a wealth of scholarships and resources for students to utilize.

Applying to Study in the USA

Admission to top schools in the USA is also extremely competitive and requires advanced planning; application forms need to be completed, test scores need to be produced, and some may require application essays or letters of recommendation. This at first may seem a daunting prospect, but students should not be put off. Hard work and planning are the key factors for students wishing to come to the USA. Students need to obtain the best grades possible and plan well in advance (at least 18 months) and this will give them the best chance to study in the USA.

To learn more about applying to study in the US, take a look at our Application Process section.

US Students Studying Abroad

For US students to study abroad, the obstacles are not as great as for those who wish to come to the USA. Since September 11th, there has been greater emphasis on US students to study outside the USA. As Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute for International Education, states "Even more heartening is the enthusiasm and interest among students in gaining international experience after the terrorist attacks of September 11th." In 2001 there was an 11% increase in US students studying abroad with the majority of this increased coming in shorter (less than 8 weeks) programs. In part this has also been due to the popularity and success of companies such as Semester At Sea here who specialize in helping students achieve their study abroad goals.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad can do so many things for an individual. On the personal side, students are able to experience new cultures, religions and new ways of thinking thus enhancing their acceptance and tolerance of minorities and their outlook on life. On a professional level, it can enhance their career by exposing students to a variety of new perspectives, the latest technology or state of the art research and training. There are so many benefits to studying abroad, and arguably the most important benefit is to create a better understanding of the world around us.

Study Abroad Safety Tips

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We all know that studying abroad can be a really fun experience and you should do everything you can to make the most of your time abroad. However, as well as having lots of fun you need to be aware of some of the dangers that you can encounter when you plan to study abroad.

This article is going to provide you firstly with some links and tips on how to find out more information about the country you are going to be traveling to, and then we will give you some hints and tips on how to stay safe and some general rules you should follow.

Travel Warnings and Country Information

Before you depart you should try and gather as much information as you can about current travel warnings that are in place to specific countries. It is recommended that you do not travel to countries on these lists. You should also be aware that most insurance companies will void any coverage you have if you are injured or hurt in countries that are on these lists. The best way to find what the current travel warnings are is to visit:

1.    Current US Travel Warnings

2.    Current UK Travel Warnings

As well as general country travel warnings it is good to get as much information about the country you are traveling to such as traditions, procedures on how to do things and much more. To find country specific information we recommend you visit:

1.    US State Department Country Information Sheets

2.    UK Country Information Sheets

We also recommend using resources such as Google and Wikipedia which will provide you with more specific country information.

In Country Safety Tips

Hopefully before you have left you would have studied up and learnt as much about your adopted country before you have left so this will put you in good stead for when you are there as you will have a better knowledge of customs and traditions.

You should also take care to follow some very simple rules so that you do not bring unwanted trouble to you:

Stay Alert and Trust your Instincts

Its always good to be alert and aware of what is going on around you. If you are in a busy market or square, just make sure you are aware of the people and what is going on around you and if you feel uneasy or are not sure about something get out and away from the place. At the end of the day you should trust your instincts and if you are not happy about something move away and to an area that you feel more comfortable.

Keep Valuables Close to you

Just like when you are home, do not flash your wallet with lots of money in it or your brand new mobile phone around. This will only draw attention to yourself and make you are target for pickpockets

Keep a Low Profile

As you are a foreigner in the country you are traveling to try to keep a low profile as much as possible. That said, this does not mean you have to hide away but try not to broadcast the fact you are a foreigner. For example try not to talk too loudly in open spaces and try to dress a little more like others from your host country, this will help your integration and will stop unwanted attention being draw to you.

Learn Your Surroundings

Similar to gathering information about the country you will be visiting, it is also equally important to get as much information about your host town or city. This information will most likely come from your Study Abroad Office but you can also ask past students about this. You want to learn things like what areas you should avoid, how the public transportation system works, etc...

Drink Wisely

At some point you will want to socialize and this often leads to drinking. The golden rule with drinking is to drink sensibly and among friends who you trust. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and sense of judgement which can make you very vulnerable to thieves and trouble - so the advice is drink sensibly or not at all!

Keep in Contact

Probably one of the most important rules is to keep in contact with people and let somebody know where you are going. Nowadays it is relatively cheap to have a mobile phone and this will make it easy for people to contact you should they need to. Also, if you are sharing an apartment with someone let them know if you are going out and where - that way if anything happens someone knows where you went.

At the end of the day you want your study abroad experience to be fun and with little or no hassle and for most of the time it will be, but by making yourself aware of the hazards you can avoid any trouble and have a great time abroad!