How to Maximise Your Study Abroad Experience?

For many people, studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that necessitates the investment of significant funds saved over a long period of time or years of hard work, and they want to make the most of their time there. Studying abroad can be difficult, exciting, terrifying, and incredible all at the same time. Students must make the most of their international studies. In this blog, you will find 10 ways how to maximise your study abroad experience. So, without further ado, let’s see what these ways are.

Do Your Research

Before you even begin packing your bags, you should conduct research on the country or region in which you will be studying. You’ll know what to expect and be able to plan accordingly. Here are some things to look into:

• The courses, departments, colleges, and universities that interest you
• The country’s or region’s culture and customs
• The weather and what clothing to bring
• The area’s cost of living
• The language(s) spoken

Establish Some Objectives

Setting goals for yourself is an important part of making the most of your study abroad experience. Below are the questions that arrive to our mind at that time:

• What do you hope to achieve while abroad?
• Do you want to learn some new skills? Participate in a research study?
• Obtain a high-quality degree?
• Want to improve your language skills?
• Do you want to learn about a new culture or make new friends from all over the world?

Having some objectives in mind will assist you in making the most of your time abroad. All of this is possible by planning a career to study abroad with the assistance of the best education consultants in India, namely Leverage Edu.

Make Contact With the Alumni

See what past study abroad programme participants have to say about the city, culture, programme, support and resources, day trip suggestions, must-try foods, and more. Read reviews or travel blogs written by former students who have useful insights to share through your school’s programme. Take notes on your adventures during your trip so that future students can benefit from your incredible experience abroad!

Make a Budget

Please determine what you’ll need to buy in your new country before you arrive (e.g., sheets, cooking supplies, train tickets) and budget for it. Making a weekly budget is a fantastic idea. Spending in a foreign country can quickly become out of hand due to currency fluctuations. Set a realistic budget for yourself and spend wisely. (And keep it up!)

Inquire about student discounts at restaurants, museums, movies, sightseeing excursions, and other establishments. There are numerous opportunities to flash your college ID and save money, so keep it on you at all times or get an International Student ID card (ISIC) for student discounts all over the world.

Make Local Contacts

When students return to Penn State, many tell us that making friends with host nationals was difficult, but it was the most rewarding aspect of their study abroad experience. Please keep in mind that socialisation patterns differ across cultures, and the process of developing and nurturing a friendship may differ significantly from what you are used to. Consider volunteering while abroad or joining local clubs or student organisations to meet local college students and members of the community.

Travel

There are an infinite number of things to do and see as you travel around your host country! If you enjoy weekend excursions, you should look for a study abroad programme that limits classes to four days per week. This way, you can go exploring on a three-day weekend.

Make plans for side trips as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to do some research on a weekend destination city before you go so you know where everything is, what kind of festivals and events are going on that you don’t want to miss, and how to best organise your time.

Get Some Work Experience

International work experience will set you apart from other job candidates. Develop in-demand and one-of-a-kind professional skills, perspectives, and knowledge such as cross-cultural communication, global awareness, adaptability, problem-solving, and language skills.

Investigate internship opportunities that will allow you to explore potential future careers and apply classroom theory in a real-world setting. Some study abroad programmes, such as internships and service-based work, provide valuable hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. This is an excellent way to gain work experience in a foreign country when paid work in your field of interest is scarce.

Share Your Thoughts

Create a travel blog detailing your experience abroad, whether it’s a single blog, weekly posts, or even an Instagram account dedicated to it. This is an excellent way to share your experiences with friends and family, and (BONUS) your blog serves as a valuable resource and source of inspiration for future study abroad students!

Don’t know what to write? Reflect on your experiences and share your favourite photos. Keep regular notes and ask yourself what surprised you, what you learned, and how activities differed from what you would have expected to happen at home. What were your favourite destinations and foods to try? What suggestions and advice would you give to someone who reads your blog?

Personal Development & Objectives

Try becoming an expert and immersing yourself completely in the country you’re studying in. If you want to travel, and who doesn’t? you might want to consider travelling independently before or after the programme ends. A good personal goal is something that has a long-term impact or impression. Improve your command of the local language and your ability to interact with locals. Alumni can contribute their knowledge of their industry to the university’s design of new study programmes, increasing their international study experience. Accelerate students’ personal development by encouraging the development of self-assurance and confidence, encouraging an exploratory and experimental spirit, and improving students’ social skills in unfamiliar situations. You can only discover who you are by stepping outside of your comfort zone and putting yourself in difficult situations.

Create a New Perspective

Nobody ever tells you the most important things you need to know about a culture. However, with time, experience, and close observation, you will begin to uncover the cultural knowledge that people use to organise their behaviour. What are the values, attitudes, and assumptions that guide that behaviour? Put aside your preconceived notions about how the world is or should be and try to discover the worldviews of those in the host culture. Test your understanding of discrimination and prejudice. What are the implications of these issues for those in the host culture?

This was all about how to maximise your study abroad experience. If you’re planning to study abroad, contact Leverage Edu experts and book a 30-min free counselling session with our experts at 1800 57 2000 to help you through the journey.