Studying overseas is a lifetime opportunity with international exposure and world-class training that shapes one into a polished person. But moving overseas can take a toll on you and can be overwhelming. You have to make all sorts of important decisions before you finally decide to move, and this whole process can be taxing given there is so much to do. So to take the stress off you, we have made a detailed guide that takes you through the journey of FRESHERS TO STUDY ABROAD.

Have clarity in the WHY

First question you must ask yourself is why are you moving abroad? Is it because of the possibility of better education? Is it the work opportunities? Is the exposure that you get both professionally and personally? Is it independence? Is it all these options together?
Always know why you are deciding before you make it so that later in life, you will have a sense of clarity, why you took the actions you did, which led you to lead a life you have in the present time.

Research Well

Search the entire net about colleges, universities and their locations. Look up the course they offer, the campus life, employment prospects, teaching methods and then narrow your selection. You can even get in touch with alumni, friends and family to get a broader perspective. You can use Facebook or LinkedIn to get in touch with them. Also, keep in mind your financial budget and do homework on the kinds of scholarships that exist in college abroad. You might also want to check the student life that exists in the place you wish to shift to and also the price range of the accommodations in the area; for instance, you can search ‘what does student accommodation in Loughborough cost?

Make your application

Once you’ve decided which course and university you want to go to, the time has come to apply!
Applications are the most essential part of the process. Your application should be full-proof; if there are any exams you need to take, prepare for them and get good grades. Your extracurriculars should be spot on. People also add recommendation letters. An excellent way to have a good application is to thoroughly understand what the college wants to see in the application and do your best to complete that, plus add extra points also. Must visit websites that purely talk about application making and get in touch with alumni for better direction.

Offer Acceptance

Once you apply, the college will go through all applications and assess them thoroughly. They will notify you of their decision, and this may take up to a few weeks and even longer for postgraduate levels.
If you get selected( we hope you do! ), you shall receive an offer letter and acceptance form. Different colleges have different ways to do this, but you will know if you have been accepted. Go through the letter carefully and check all terms and conditions.
If you have sent your application to more than one college, and wish to wait for all the results to come, keep in mind the last dates that you can accept the offers you have already received. It is always better to make a list and keep track of the status.

Student Visa

After you have accepted an offer in a college, the next important step is to get your student visa. Every country has its formalities that you need to adhere to. So get in touch with a good travel company or counsellor that can guide you through the entire process of getting your visa.
Some of the most essential standard documents you will need are –

• Proof of acceptance in the college
• Application of Residence permit, say you have booked a student accommodation in Bournemouth, then you can ask the landlord/person in charge to give you a letter that says you have a place to stay in.
• Guardian/parent consent ( if required)
• Proof of funding/financial status
• Passport size photographs
• Passport copies
• Vaccination / negative rt-pcr reports as per country guidelines

Accommodation

Some colleges provide on-campus accommodation, while you have to figure it out yourself in some. Don’t worry; there are several options. You can find a local host, rent out apartments or find homestays. The costs vary from city to city. Say you find cheap student accommodations in Sheffield, but you may not find similarly priced student houses in Bristol. So you need to decide what your budget is and look for homes accordingly. Keep in mind when you stay on rent you will also have to account for all the extra bills like internet, electricity etc.

Flight Bookings

When all formalities are done, the last thing to do is book your Flight! Book your tickets well in advance, don’t wait until the last minute. Deciding on a date is very important. Keep a date that gives you time to settle into your new surroundings. Check your baggage allowance, fees and fares to find yourself the best option.

Ready, set, go!

Congratulations, it looks like you are all set to take off for your new adventure! Do your last-minute check, including money that you will be carrying or need to get exchanged, your important documents, phone, sim cards and luggage.

Being organised while planning, travelling and packing for your entire shift will make life easy for you. Keep the above-mentioned points in mind and get started!

Get yourself Safe accommodation abroad with amber!

Amber provides hassle-free stay options that help you settle into your new environment comfortably! We are constantly assisting lakhs of students globally to get affordable housing along with the latest covid protocols!

Author: Riya Rohatgi is a graduate of Media and Communication. She has worked in fields like filmmaking, marketing and designing. She is a motorcycle racer and an adventurous person who loves exploring new things in life.