Studying Abroad? Tips on Choosing an Overseas University

Choosing where to pursue your education can be a big decision to make, even more so when you’ve decided to study abroad. It can be nerve-racking to be away from home to a whole new country on your own, learning to make your own decisions and adapting to a new lifestyle. Not to mention the inevitable culture shock you will face just like the main character Emily in Emily in Paris.

After all, spending about 4 years abroad can be overwhelming, so here are a few tips we’ve come up with on choosing an overseas university!

Location

Deciding first on which country to study at will narrow things down easily for you. Do you prefer to study closer to home or across the globe? Do you like the tropical weather or wish to experience the four seasons? I’m 26 years old this year and I’ve not seen snow yet *cries*.

Once you’ve got that settled, you can move on to choosing whether to study in or out of the city. Are you the kind who likes the hustle and bustle of the city or do you prefer a more relaxing and quieter environment where you can study in peace?

Don’t forget to factor in your living costs as well when choosing your location; living in the city costs more than outside the city. Staying in an area with easy access to public transportation will also be convenient for you to commute to university or around town for grocery shopping or leisure activities.

That reminds me of the first time I was on an open top bus in London a few years back, I could get to anywhere in the city just by bus. Felt great feeling the breeze of the winter from the upper deck, ah good times.

Ranking/reputation

Who wouldn’t want to have the best education in the world? In top universities, you will receive education of higher quality compared to others and have access to state-of-the-art facilities. Perhaps one day you could be developing advanced technology to better help mankind just like Tony Stark from the Marvel movies.

A university’s reputation also carries weight for graduates when they are out job seeking. Employers are more likely to hire graduates from a reputable university, thus giving graduates an edge in seeking out better job opportunities and in turn, a smoother career path.

The people you will meet

Lastly, it’s about the people that you’ll meet overseas. Hanging out with students from your home country can help you feel less lonely, while making new friends from other countries can help you better understand their culture and backgrounds.

One of the best ways to meet new people is by joining clubs and societies. Be sure to join in as many activities as you can during your uni life and interact with them. Who knows maybe one of them could become your new best friend?

This is also the best time for you to expand your network with students who could perhaps help you out later in life. Someday they could be your business partners or your family doctor, or even your lifelong partner *wink wink*.

Got a better picture on choosing an overseas university? Contact us now to learn more on studying abroad with the help of our counsellors from JM Education Group, your overseas study specialist!