Studying abroad

This article was written by Tom, 21.

Studying abroad sounds like the ultimate dream for those who want to explore a new country, make new friends and have a fresh start in a completely different culture. While it can be a great life experience, there are various factors to consider before deciding if it’s the right path for you.

Why study abroad?

There are many academic and personal reasons to consider studying abroad:

• Increased Employability - In today’s competitive job market, studying abroad stands out among applicants as it shows that you’re more culturally aware and it demonstrates a willingness to try new things.
• Experience a new culture – You’ll immerse yourself in a totally new environment with new food, customs, traditions, music and local activities to get stuck in with, which broadens your perspective and helps you appreciate other cultures.
• Learn a new language – Being in a country where English isn’t the spoken language, allows you to develop or improve your language skills
• Top quality education – Studying abroad provides access to prestigious institutions or academic programs that may not be available in your home country.
• Make new friends – You’ll connect with people from diverse backgrounds whose friendships can last a lifetime and also offer international professional connections.
• Life experience - Living independently in a new environment helps build resilience, confidence, and a greater sense of responsibility. These life skills are valuable personally and are highly regarded by employers.

Choosing the right country for you

You’ll have a vast array of options when it comes to deciding which country best suits you and your interests. In order to narrow down your options, ask yourself what your individual goals are and what you ultimately want to gain from the experience.

For example, would you like to stay closer to home by studying in a neighbouring country, are there certain countries that are more specialised in the profession that you want to go into, do they run the programme most suited to you, what countries fit inside my budget and is there a long term plan to later work or even live full time in this country?

Funding your adventure

Whilst studying abroad can be expensive, there are a variety of ways to make it more affordable. For example:

Student finance

If you’re studying abroad as part of a UK degree (e.g., through an exchange), you may still be eligible for Student Finance. In most cases, you'll remain eligible for your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan, although the amount you receive may vary depending on:

• The length of your time abroad
• Whether it’s a study or work placement
• The cost of living in the country you’re moving to

Students on full-year exchanges may receive a higher maintenance loan. Always check with your home university and Student Finance for the most up-to-date guidance.

The Turing Scheme

The Turing scheme offers funding towards the cost of the student’s placement.

The amount of funding a student is given is determined by factors such as where you’re going and for how long. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds or students with special needs and disabilities may also be offered a higher cost of living grant as well as funding towards additional travel costs.

Scholarships

In addition to government support, a variety of scholarships and bursaries are available for UK students looking to study abroad. These may be offered by:

• Your home university – Many UK universities have funding pots specifically for students studying overseas
• Host universities abroad – Some international institutions offer scholarships to attract global talent
• Charities and organisations – Bodies like the British Council and Chevening offer scholarships depending on the country and course

It's a good idea to start your research early, as many scholarships have deadlines months before departure.

The hidden challenges of studying abroad

Whilst studying abroad is totally worth the experience it certainly doesn’t come without its challenges:

• Homesickness - There may be times when you deeply miss family, friends, and the familiarity of home. Time zone differences can make keeping in touch more difficult.
• Language barrier - Even if you're relatively confident in another language, using it daily can be mentally exhausting. Even in English-speaking countries you may still face challenges with slang, or unfamiliar systems.
• Financial pressure - Unexpected costs can quickly add up, such as travel expenses, visa applications, healthcare, and accommodation deposits which makes budgeting an essential skill.
• Academic differences - Expectations around participation, assessments, or deadlines may be different from what you’re used to which can affect your confidence or performance.

However, these challenges aren’t impossible to overcome. In fact, many students find that the hardest parts of their experience end up being the most rewarding. Overcoming these hurdles helps build resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills that stay with you for life.

I have always enjoyed travelling so when I discovered an opportunity to travel abroad whilst still working towards my degree I was delighted. Studying at the University of New Brunswick was one of the best decisions I have ever made. While the campus was a lot bigger, I settled in fairly quickly, as we were assigned an international advisor who answered any questions we had and connected us with other study abroad or other international students, which helped us all find our way together.

Although there wasn’t a specific hall just for international students to stay in, there were various events organised for international students to meet up, as well as events such as a pizza parties or a table tennis competition held in each hall on campus.

I also found the campus and the town of Fredericton beautiful and was able to immerse myself in, and experience, the Canadian lifestyle. During the Christmas break I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Toronto and Halifax which was amazing during wintertime. The university also organised a local trip to the nearby town of Saint John and a nearby national park.

Despite it being incredibly scary and nerve-wracking at the start, this completely changed as the weeks went on and I began to settle into the new lifestyle. Studying abroad has been one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had, boosting my confidence in all aspects of my life, such as meeting new people, visiting new places and flying on my own for the first time. I would highly recommend studying abroad.