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The International Student Blog

Choosing Where to Study Abroad

Posted on October 4th, 2011 by Apinant Hoontrakul

If you are reading this blog, chances are that you are already open to the idea of studying abroad in another country. You may be excited about the idea of seeing as much of the world as possible that you are having trouble deciding which country you should study in. So to help you decide, here are some things you may want to consider:

Where do you want to live?

During your study abroad, do you want to live in a big city with entertainments, nightlife and shopping? Or, are you looking for a small city with local charm and ancient historical sites? Are you okay with living somewhere cold or hot? This is an important consideration, especially if you don’t like cold weather and you find yourself studying in Scandinavia during the winter time.

Do you want to learn a new language?

If you are learning a new language you will obviously want to study in a country where the primary language is the one you want to learn. For example, if you want to learn Chinese, you can choose main land China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. For Spanish, you can choose Spain and a majority of Latin American countries.

If you are a non-native English speaker and you want to learn English you can narrow down your choice to the 3 primary English speaking region of the world: North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand. Do you want to attend traditional colleges or universities or are you looking for an ESL school where you work to improve your English?

Looking to the future, what do you want to do?

Think about what your future career goals are. For example, if you want to work in a finance field you may want to study in the area where it is a financial center of the world like New York, London, Hong Kong, or Tokyo. If you love food and wine, why not study culinary arts in France? Research what universities are well regarded in your field of study so you continue to make stride to your future goals!

What is your budget?

Lastly, what is your budget for your study abroad trip? How much money can you contribute yourself and how much can you accumulate from study abroad scholarships and other financial aid? It is important to keep in mind that the cost of studying abroad is more than just the tuition fee and plane ticket. Living expenses can vary greatly depending on where you choose to study abroad. For example, if you decide to study Spanish in Latin America as opposed to Spain you will find that the living costs are much less expensive!

Once you have narrow down the country and the field you want to study in, you can more easily choose a study abroad program.

15 Responses to “Choosing Where to Study Abroad”

  1. samuel Says:

    I am living in ETHIOPIA now and I am degree graduate in Management & now if I get free scholarship i want to go and study abroad .specially Netherland

  2. english language school in melbourne Says:

    As you begin to narrow down your locations, you’ll also need to think about what type of study abroad program you’d like to attend. Your school may run its own abroad programs. If you attend one of these, you’ll probably study with students and professors from your school.

  3. Rose Wambui Says:

    Am a Kenyan Lady who wants to pursue a degree in criminology in the United States.

  4. Sualley Mubarak Says:

    Iam a Ghanaian wishing obtain a schorlarship to persue my masters programme abroad in ECONOMICS.Please, how can you help me to fulfil my dream? Thank you.

  5. Sualley Mubarak Says:

    Iam a Ghanaian wishing to obtain a schorlarship to persue my masters programme abroad in ECONOMICS.Please, how can you help me to fulfil my dream? Thank you.

  6. Kungeh Clement Gwe Says:

    I am a Cameroonian wishing to obtain a scholarship to pursue my PhD in Medical Sciences program of which i have started already with the university of Ambrosiana and Calgary in Canada and Prof Claudio Violet is my register .Please, I need someone out there who will help to fulfill my dreams.?Please if you want reach me please use my email address. Thank you.

  7. International Student Life in Newcastle Says:

    Why don’t you try The University of Newcastle, Australia. They have a very good schoolarship program and a very frindly enviorment to study with.
    They have online masters, enrolled masters, and an excelent reserch program, if you are intrested you can find more information at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ or http://www.gradschool.com.au/
    Hope it helps!

    Cheers

    Diana

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  11. LoveStudyAbroad Says:

    Talk to other students to find out what living in a certain country is really like. You probably have a romanticized version of that country from TV and movies. Living there can be a totally different experience from what you imagined. Browse Students Gone Global, launching in January, to get ideas of where to go and make a study abroad blog of your own.

  12. Justine Blahnik Says:

    Tôi hy vọng là không phải vậy.nếu vậy thì mọi người hãy để ý trong việc đó họ nhằm mục đích gì???.

  13. Ann Says:

    great blog, I got more I need here. Thanks.

  14. Mabusi Says:

    I am a south african architecture student and I would like to finish my studies off in New York. Please advise

  15. Bryanna Lindblom Says:

    Hi Mabusi,

    That is great you would like to study in New York. To find a school in the US, you can visit our Study in the USA Guide and find a school that meets your needs.

    Best of luck!

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