What will it REALLY be like when you get a degree abroad? Will you enjoy your international student experience? ☆ Sometimes, we wish there was a magic glass ball that can show us future outcomes and make life a whole lot simpler for us. Since technology hasn’t advanced that far yet (waiting on ya, Google), the next best thing is learning from those wise, meaningful adventurers who have gone before us! While no international student experience is the same, and many differences depend on the country you chose to study in, there are some common learning moments, challenges, and eye-opening experiences that one goes through while getting a degree abroad.
Are you considering getting a degree abroad? Read this advice first.
One thing is for sure—I would NOT suggest getting a bachelor’s, PhD, or masters degree abroad if you’ve never been abroad before. You need at least some type of international experience—touring, volunteering, study abroad, intern, etc—to find out if you like being abroad and figuring out how to use public transport or communicating your needs in a foreign language. A degree abroad is a long-term commitment, so you need to get your feet wet first.
About me
Niki Kraska, world traveler
My study abroad experience in South Africa led to my constant desire to be abroad again. It was an easy choice for me to decide to do my postgraduate studies in Cape Town, South Africa, where I had spent some time before. The first thing I learned right away was that getting a degree abroad is not the same as study abroad. The structure, housing, organized activities, and constant support that comes along with study abroad programs is missing doing a masters, bachelors, or PhD abroad. You’re left to your own means, held more responsible, and expected to be more independent. But this in itself is what makes a degree abroad experience so valuable! You’ll gain important life skills quickly, learn to be comfortable in any situation, expand the breadth of your social/political/economic awareness, and make lifelong friends and memories along the way.
Even though I have no regrets from my experience doing a master’s abroad, there are still some things that I wish I would have known before my first semester started.
8 lessons from my international student experience while getting a degree abroad
Studying in another country can feel weirdly familiar and altogether foreign—sometimes within minutes.
Most international student experiences vary, but here are the major lessons and takeaways from mine that I want to share. Why? I hope you walk into this chapter more ready and prepared for its ups and downs than ever before.
1. It’s better to overestimate than underestimate expenses.
Even when the fees for getting a degree in South Africa were cheaper than getting a degree in the states, I completely underestimated the overall expenses. This was even more true for my friends studying in Europe, the UK, or Australia, where the fees did add up. Finding affordable housing can be downright impossible, as the university options are actually expensive and their options fill up fast. While you can survive with a mattress on the floor and instant noodles for some time, you’ll eventually want to have a more comfortable (and healthier) lifestyle. So give yourself enough time pre-departure to save, apply for scholarships, do some financial research, and (over) budget accordingly.
2. A part-time job while studying abroad is helpful in so many ways.
Whether it’s at the trendy coffee shop down the street, a cozy little bookstore on the corner, the fashion center of the city, or the late-night shawarma joint everyone loves (or some professional gig you can get in your field!), a part-time job will NOT cramp your style. Often, students have ample free time at universities abroad to both study and have a quality social and personal life. Going out with friends, getting involved with activities in the city (language lessons, dance classes, local cinema, etc), and joining the gym to keep you fit all comes with a price.
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A part-time job will not only help fund what’s important to you—it will provide social connections, introduce you to local culture and norms, help you pick up the local language (or slang) with ease, and teach you time-management skills along the way. Not a bad deal.
3. A travel rewards credit card is totally worth it.
Don’t let opening a new credit card scare you. At least a few months before you head abroad, you should definitely pick up a good travel rewards card (or two). Travel rewards credit cards come with amazing bonuses and perks for travel—if you get the right card at the right time, you can fly back home for free at least once a year if not more! International flights can be super expensive, making all your savings fly out of your hands in a second. Do some research on travel hacking using credit cards, find the cards that are right for you, and bask in the glory of flying cheap.
[9 Things To Know Before Studying Abroad For Your Entire Degree]
Many of my friends struggled with not being able to fly home for holidays or major events and ended up getting their travel credit cards only towards the end of their degree. Don’t wait! And don’t waste your points on cheaper local flights (that you can afford to pay with the earnings from your part-time job), save them for the important international flights home to Mom. :-)
4. Don’t let English schools fool you.
Don’t worry—You can get degrees abroad from a variety of English speaking universities around the world
Regardless if you are studying in an international, primarily English-speaking university, be prepared to get a bit lost while others converse in the local language. Unless you are already fluent, pick up some language classes to help you adjust to your community. Often classmates and even professors can switch into the local language anytime the official lecture is over, and of course at shops and restaurants you will find a mix of language. Language was actually highly controversial where I studied, and students could often choose which language they wanted their classes and assignments to be in. Even though I was assured I would get by fine with English, it was actually much harder than I thought it would be.
5. Just like cultures and norms are different—academics also vary!
I will NEVER forget the way essay writing was drilled into my head in high school. Well all that changed when I was doing a masters abroad! Writing styles and expectations, classroom norms, homework policies, teaching methods, group and project work…everything can have a different feel depending on the country of study. Some countries focus primarily on independent reading and study with less class time, while other countries may focus on frequent classes and group project work each week.
[Want to Study Abroad for Masters Programs? 9 Questions to Ask First]
You will have to quickly adapt to the teaching and learning style you’ve encountered, as well as the communication norms between professors and teachers. (Are they approachable or not?) The good news: no matter where you get a job, you will wow companies when you prove how quickly you can adapt to their structure and team!
6. It can be both exciting and really hard to be in a place where no one knows you.
Let’s do this
There is definitely something to be said about having a “fresh start” amongst a sea of new peers who don’t know that you were always picked last in gym class as a kid and don’t have any incriminating photos of you with braces at the school dance. It can be really freeing to be with people who don’t know your history. You get to explore who YOU really are and who you really want to be, all while exploring a new school and city! On the other hand, when you are sick or failed your first exam and there’s no one around who knows what’s your favorite comfort food/movie/TV show/candy, etc…you’ll start missing your people.
7. Life back home doesn’t pause while you are gone.
Because frequent flight tickets home are way over budget, you’ll have to get used to celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and special events through Skype or Whatsapp Video. With difference in time zones and schedules, you may even have to settle for delayed wishes or 2am calls! It can be really tough to see Facebook photos and Snapchat videos of your family and friends back home, especially when they are all together on your favorite holiday. While you may secretly wish they save every fun thing for your vacations home, be prepared on those visits to hear loads of stories you’ve missed out on or changes in people’s lives you weren’t aware of….and be OK with it. You are also experiencing new things and changing, so now you get to share lots of stories together!
[8 Ways to Study Abroad]
8. MOST IMPORTANT: Research job outlooks BEFORE you settle on a degree program.
Have you ever considered getting a PhD abroad?
I know this may sound like you are jumping the gun, but trust me, you will want to know what type of qualifications are expected of different career opportunities you are interested in. For example, I studied social work—but social work focus areas are different in different areas of the world. When I was doing my research, I was actually told it’s NOT a good idea to get a social work degree abroad, since implications on social issues vary so much by government policies and cultural norms. I had to do much research to find a program that would be directly transferable to the type of work I would want to do in the countries I could see myself working.
You don’t want to be in the 3rd year of getting your bachelor’s degree abroad and only then find out the university isn’t internationally credited for the concentration you’ve chosen. Think ahead and research all your options to make sure the program and degree you choose is going to keep doors open for your future.
Is getting a degree abroad worth it?
“And then I realized adventure was the best way to learn.”
It goes without saying—EVERYTHING ABROAD IS WORTH IT! With the right mindset and attitude, an experience abroad opens your eyes, expands your heart, and instills a sense of humanity and awareness that is hard to find without travel. Whether you are getting your PhD abroad or just starting out with your bachelors, getting a degree abroad is the perfect way to secure an education and an invaluable international experience at the same time. Studying fashion, architecture, culinary arts, or theatre is one thing—but studying in Paris, Shanghai, Florence, or New York takes your learning to an entire new level.
Craft your own international student experience!
Design an international student experience that YOU’RE proud of!
Now all it takes is some serious saving and some in-depth research and your international degree is waiting for you! There are so many options of universities abroad that there is definitely one that will suit your academic, extracurricular, and personal needs. Is the location or the prestige of the school more important to you? Are you going to continue your passion for horseback riding while you study? Do you prefer having contacts you know nearby or flying solo? Plot out the perfect international student experience, and then utilize GoAbroad to help you find it.
If you already have gotten a degree abroad (high five!), don’t forget to leave a review of your program to help potential students find their match! We are the only magic glass balls that can help others “see” their futures in Madrid, Melbourne, Beijing, Copenhagen, Berlin, Tokyo… you get the picture. ;-)
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