Biochemistry — the compound baby where elements of biology and chemistry bond together in a unique way. Pursuing biochemistry degrees internationally increases your understanding its global importance while allowing you to experiment with the development of other cross-cultural and communication skills along the way. Biochemistry colleges in other countries will help you find the most-effective solutions for launching your career or graduate study (not to mention give you ample opportunity to make fun Sheldon-esque and Koothrappali-like friends). Suit up in that labcoat and goggles and pursue a degree abroad in biochemistry!
Why Earn a Biochemistry Degree Abroad
The skills and competencies you attain as you complete your degree abroad in biochemistry are not limited to the courses you take. You’ll broaden your horizons by accessing a wider cohort of classmates and professors with a more diverse range of study materials. You’ll also encounter cultural differences with regards to methodological approach, and the types of equipment used due to the availability (or lack thereof) of different technologies. By living abroad and navigating all aspects of life in a different country and culture, you’ll gain international skills, learn to adapt to different situations, and solve unexpected challenges independently. The teamwork, networking capabilities, and potential language learning opportunities are also big pluses!
These hard and soft skills will be key to supporting your future pursuits in the field. With jobs in biochemistry and its related disciplines becoming increasingly competitive, standing out from the crowd is essential to securing the position of your dreams after graduation. The same stands for those looking to pursue postgraduate qualifications as well. Here, courses in the fields of veterinary science, medical science, and pharmaceuticals are popular choices.
Aside from their popularity, these courses share high entry standards and selective recruitment procedures as well, which mean that you will also need to stand out to secure such highly sought-after places. Earning a degree abroad in biochemistry will help your application shine like the brightest star in the night sky whether it’s for work or for study opportunities.
Locations
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when pursuing a degree abroad in biochemistry will be the location. Choose a course and a country that will nurture and enhance your learning experience.
An accessible location choice for degrees abroad in biochemistry is Ireland. With its friendly reputation, you’ll be sure to be sipping on Guinness with your new friends before you know it. This leprechaun-hosting land has some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, and the universities reflect this significance with state-of-the-art facilities and leading researchers. The diversity of landscapes, from the cliffs of Moher to the mountains of Macgillycuddy's Reeks in county Kerry, will also offer plenty of weekend and vacation exploration possibilities to boot. It’s an English-speaking (mind the accent) home away from home, and its flair will keep your adventurous soul happy while you study.
If you’re looking for a bit more of a cultural contrast, China and Hong Kong offer opportunities-a-plenty for attending top biochemistry colleges. China packs in a real range of attractions from the ancient imperial city in Beijing to awesome mountains like Emei Shan and the gorges of the river Yangtze. A complete cultural contrast to what you know, you’ll find yourself sampling foods you didn’t know were meant to be eaten, like fried chicken feet and beef intestine stew! With such a rapid rate of development, China is at the center of many technological and scientific advances, so why not put yourself in the middle of it all while obtaining your biochemistry degree abroad?
If you want to rack up some miles and put some distance between you and home, New Zealand is about as far as you can go to fulfill biochemistry degree requirements. Like Ireland, it offers a comfortable home away from home for westerners and English-speakers alike. “The Land of the Long White Cloud” also offers vast mountains, crystal blue lakes like Taupo and Wanaka, and some of the world’s best wineries, so this country will be a contender on your short list. You’ll get the support you need and want with its award-winning professors and top-notch universities for biochemistry studies, so you’ll love the environment both inside and outside the classroom.
The native language of the country is important to consider; as this field is difficult, you might want to stick to your mother tongue. However, courses taught in English in non-English speaking countries are available, leaving you to pick up the local lingo in your free time while keeping the study material accessible!
Biochemistry Degrees Abroad
Biochemistry has links to many disciplines, and you will likely find yourself with a range of science and mathematics courses on your schedule. Generally, the further through biochemistry degrees you progress, the more options you have to tailor it to your preferences as well, but you should be prepared to do the groundwork in the first few semesters before you earn the right to be more selective.
Most courses will combine laboratory and more traditional classroom-based study sessions. Depending on your learning style, you may wish to consider the proportions included in different courses to see what will suit you. After all, everyone excels in different environments, so you may prefer extra hours of personal study in the library or additional time spent with the class— just choose what is right for you. If you aren’t sure, try researching courses that offer a good balance or those you can customize as you progress to allow you test the variables before you solve the equation.
If you are the ambitious type with a five and 10-year plan, think about the career and postgraduate study options that interest you. It may be possible to find courses that combine elements of your dream career with their learning portfolio, allowing you to get one step ahead with some foundation-level courses. For example, the biochemistry school may link with the medical school for immunology courses or with pharmaceuticals, allowing you to tap into the information that interests you the most.
You can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in biochemistry, depending on your level of interest and current status.
Benefits & Challenges
Biochemistry is a globally recognized area of study, and the advantage science courses hold is that, owing to their factual ideology, the central tenets remain stable the world over. You won’t be missing out on any of the vital information or learning opportunities that you would have received at home. In fact, you’ll instead be able to access a broader range of course styles, structures, and content. You’ll gain opportunities to study with specialized professors and to mix with a diverse cohort of students for some interesting peer-to-peer learning as well.
As amazing as it to complete a degree abroad in biochemistry, it does not come without its few small challenges. Financial considerations should be a priority as you begin to plan your experience, so be sure to research scholarships, funding, and the cost of living in your preferred destinations. Fortunately, most schools are highly supportive in helping you to navigate this and will be able to provide you with all the information and guidance you need. You may also experience culture shock as you try to navigate the subway in Tokyo for the first time or accidently order a deep-fried frog when you wanted chicken! However, these are moments you will laugh about later and stories you will treasure for your grandchildren.
Biochemistry is a field of study that holds a huge importance around the world. Don’t overreact over this opportunity — do your research and behold the benefits of checking off biochemistry degree requirements abroad!
