There’s just something exciting about studying abroad. In the movies, it looks so… glamorous. The protagonist arrives at a foreign campus. They’re confused and alone, only to be taken in by a ragtag group of individuals who become their closest friends. It’s fun. It’s happy. It’s a dream.
And it is that. A dream.
Because the reality is very different. Studying abroad is meant to be enjoyable, of course, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. You are in charge of your own life, but you want to do well for your education. Such pressure means you cannot leave things to chance. Doing so would only end in disappointment – most often, in yourself.
To ease the burden, you are best to prepare early. You should prioritize the requirements set out by the school, for one. Thankfully, this post explains three of the most common.
1.Proof of Language Proficiency
A core requirement for studying abroad is proof of language proficiency. This should be obvious. If the country you are going to does not speak your first language – English is most cases – then that could be an issue. You need to be able to speak the primary language in that country to a certain standard. Without this, you’d struggle to learn, right?
But you also need to prove this. In most cases, you will need to provide an official score from an approved test – Cambridge, IELTS, or TOEFL. In the UK, UKVI-approved SELT (Secure English Language Tests) tests for student visas are also accepted. A Medium of Instruction certificate from your home institute or high school qualifications might be necessary as well.
If an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is needed, this should be obtained from your university’s registrar. This is often necessary if the test required is waived as a result of your previous degree being taught entirely in English.
There are a few crucial checks to complete here. For one, your language certificate should be valid. Many will expire two years from the date the test was taken. They must be valid on the first day of your course. Second, the exact score requirements you need will differ depending on your chosen course. Humanities and Law require higher minimums than STEM programs, for example.
2.Official Academic Transcripts
Almost all study abroad programs and international university admissions require official academic transcripts. This is, simply put, a certified, tamper-proof record of your entire academic history. It will be issued directly by your educational institution. Such records provide the admissions board with coursework, credits, grades, and grade point average (GPA).
If you are wondering why this is necessary, there are three main reasons. First, the university will verify your academic competence, ensure you meet prerequisites, and assess your readiness for the coursework. Next up, your transcript will act as primary evidence for academic merit-based scholarship. And then, if you’re in an exchange program, these records are required to legally transfer your credits from one school to another.
While the most trusted method of submitting transcripts is through the institution, you might choose another method. It might be in a sealed envelope, which has been stamped by the issuing school. Or you might need to provide a grading scale to ensure your marks are understood. Any method you select will only be “official” if you follow the correct delivery guidelines.
3.Comprehensive Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for studying abroad. This is either a visa requirement or a host university condition. Either way, policies need to cover emergency hospital treatment, doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, as well as medical evacuation or repatriation. Although UK universities provide their own travel and health coverage, some host institutions will demand specific regional plans.
If it is visa-mandated coverage, then there might be specific minimum coverage levels you need. In Germany, for instance, public health insurance is available to students enrolled in a recognized Germany university and aged under 30. Those older than 30 will need private health insurance. But both satisfy German student visa requirements.
When you are attending a school that doesn’t provide sufficient coverage, it is best to look at dedicated international plans. The World Trips insurance provider offers the StudentSecure international student health insurance plan. This is a strong option, with four levels of coverage, if you are a full-time student or studying outside your home country.
To conclude, it is all too easy to wear rose-tinted glasses when it comes to studying abroad. It is an excellent opportunity, and you’d be silly to pass up the chance. You’ll learn more than what’s discussed in class. You’ll gain solid life experience. You’ll socialize with people from other countries, other ways of life.
However, you do need to be prepared. This means making sure you fulfil the school requirements, as outlined above. Doing so will simplify the process and remove unnecessary stress.