Studying abroad can be one of the most memorable and unique times of your life. For some college students, earning a Bachelor’s Degree is an impressive undertaking that requires a serious amount of dedication and hard work. Pursuing it overseas provides so many additional opportunities that you just won’t find at a four-year program in the U.S. Not only are you getting a degree, but you also get to see the world and take in experiences that you’re not likely to find anywhere else. How many people do you know that can say they got their Bachelor’s Degree in Europe or somewhere in Asia?
However, as great as this idea may sound, there are some important things to take into consideration before you start to book your airline tickets and search for a place to live. These are five of the most important factors to keep in mind for student travelers headed abroad.
1. Costs
This is the most important thing to consider first. How much is this all going to cost? We’re not just talking tuition either, but lodging, travel expenses, any other fees that are associated with the program such as books and other learning materials. You’re going to have many of these expenses no matter where you decide to go to school whether it’s the University of Michigan or ACU Online, but studying abroad may raise the costs of everything across the board. Don’t forget to factor in the incidental expenditures as well, from food to transportation, and so on. You want to be able to actually explore and enjoy this region of the world where you’ve chosen to study. What good is getting a degree overseas if you’re going to stay in the entire time?
2. Employment
It’s very possible that you will not be working when you are studying abroad, which will impact any current employment situation you may have while going to school here. Those lost wages might negatively impact your finances and you need to decide if missing out on that steady income is worth it. Better yet, you may also want to figure out how you’re going to make up for it while you’re overseas. Are you going to save your money before you leave or borrow some from friends, family, or possibly a bank?
3. Scholarships
One way to offset a good portion of your education costs is by applying for a scholarship. This is a great way to get that all important financial aid which will come in handy. Everyone knows how highly competitive it can be to get a scholarship, but the good news is that you’ll be dealing with far less competition when applying for a study abroad scholarship than you might be up against for a regular scholarship.
4. Eligibility
Before you start to figure out the financial aspect of studying overseas, you may want to check if you even qualify to get your degree abroad. Check with your school to see if there are any pre-approval requirements that must be met before you can even apply. Then look into what the qualifications are for the program you’re interested in pursuing. You might need to have a certain GPA, completed credits, language proficiency, even your major might disqualify you from studying abroad.
5. Graduation
Be sure any program you decide to apply for in pursuit of your Bachelor’s Degree won’t delay the time it takes for you to graduate. Studying abroad is typically optional, very few schools require you to take classes overseas to get a degree, so be sure you check to see if the program you wish to take will extend your course work beyond what might normally be expected.