Survival Tips When Studying Abroad

            Studying in a foreign country can be difficult in many respects, especially when learning different educational styles and cultures of any new country. Many students, who go to American or European countries for their higher studies find themselves in a difficult situation resulting from high prices. Students rarely have money to throw around, so living in a new country with a different cost of living can be challenging. Some students can just ask their parents for money, but others want to feel responsible for themselves and have the satisfaction of knowing that their hard work paid off. It is possible to get by with some good planning and budgeting as a student in a foreign country. Here are some ideas for students who want to study abroad without going completely broke.

1. Go For a Program that Offer Part Time Courses

            There are a number of universities that offer both full time and part time courses. You might register as a full time student, but a shortage of money can force you to take a part time job. If you are enrolled in a university that does not permit a part time degree, then you will be forced to either quit your education or switch to a different university, which can be expensive. Therefore, it is important that you select a university that permits students to hold a part time job so that you can earn some extra money without risking your education.

Try not to get distracted abroad!  Flickr: Simo0082

2. Hostel Rooms versus Hotel Rooms and Apartments

            There are a few choices of for student housing, when you go to a foreign country and have no relatives there. You can either live in the university dorm rooms, you can rent a hotel room/hostel, or you can rent an apartment. Renting a hotel room for a long time will be very expensive, so don’t do it. Finding an apartment can also be expensive, but if you have some friends or classmates to split the cost with, this could be a great option. A third option is staying in university housing or dorms. A recent survey shows that the average cost of dorm rooms in American schools is three times that of an ordinary apartment with sufficient facilities. I recommend that as soon as you land in a new country you start searching for a safe area where you can get a cheap apartment. Then move into it when you have some roommates, so that the total living cost can be distributed.

3. Focus on Study

            Many students that go abroad for their studies end up being waiters or cashiers to earn some extra money. They are not able to find a good job or complete their studies because they ignore their education. There are so many places to go and things to see that it is easy to forget you are actually still in school. If a student gets an "F" on his report card, he risks losing scholarships and financial aid at home. Although traveling and working a part time job might seem appealing, it should never be placed over the value of education.

4. Proper Consultancy

            Students who arrive in a foreign country with the assistance of education consultants are often ignorant of market conditions and other relevant details of the country. A student studying in Canada might leave his Masters' degree program because he was unable to cope with the freezing temperatures. This is a problem that should have been identified early on in the selection process to make the most of an abroad experience. You should know what the job market looks like and how to become a resident of any country where you study. Students need to do a lot of initial research to make the most of their time abroad.

5. Language Barrier

            You cannot go to a war without the necessary weapons. Likewise you cannot easily survive in a foreign country without knowing the language. In Germany, many universities offer courses in English, but it is still essential to learn German in order to survive in the country. Although a large percentage of the country speaks English, life is easier if you speak German. People you meet on the street will speak German and the default language will be whatever natives speak. To get a full experience from your time abroad, you should at least try to learn the language of the country.

Author Bio:-  Katherine brunt  has been writing in the field of education and student assistance since 4 years from the platform of Assignment Box, and is eager to help students at different stages in their educational and professional careers through her informative Blogs.