Research is the Foundation for Success
Studying abroad is a bit of an investment for anyone. And as with any big investment, you need to know what you are investing in before you invest. When it comes to cars, computers and even a flat, you can go and see them and get a feel for what you are about to purchase. In many cases, we have previous experience with these items and have something go on. In the case of studying abroad, this becomes a lot harder. I have personally lived in 26 different places and owned more than a dozen laptops, but only have two degrees. With a lack of personal experience and the ability to “kick the tire” on what you are buying, its incredibly important to do your research.
The first mistake is for you to feel that there isn’t much difference between one university or program from another. Trust me there are a million combinations and permutations out there and even industry experts can’t keep track of everything. The good news is that most university websites do a good job of explaining their programs. Programs usually have a blurb about the program that talks about their approach as well as a detailed breakdown of the curriculum. If you don’t understand a particular term, this is when a quick Google search can help.
Here are a few tips when doing your research –
- It all looks the same when you first start researching. However, once you go through a few programs, it will start to become clear what that differences are.
- Rankings – Its tempting to just look at the top ranked programs. Its often a good place to start but dream programs aren’t always a realistic opportunity. See what you like and find other programs that have the same attributes.
- Be organized – Everything start to blend together after a while. It is best to take notes on each university and program. Copy links so you know where to go to find that information again.
- Don’t go with secondary information first – Reviews are a great source of information, but you need to form your own opinion first. Once you have found your own way of evaluating programs, go ahead and see what others have said to add to your evaluation.
Once you have a good idea of what you are looking for, go out and ask questions of anyone and everyone. Its always a great idea to connect to friends and family. Often you can find others who have studied abroad. Just realize they are not experts, but they are a good source for tips and experiences. Agents can also be a good resource but remember, they often have their own commission driven agenda.
About Post Author
About The Author
Sheldon Wallbrown
Creative Aspirations, Head of Admissions & University Relations Sheldon have over two decades working in education in both the United States and India. He has worked with hundreds of students find the educational opportunities that are right for them.