Navigation

Tag Archives | international

By on November 9, 2017 in Studying Abroad

Photo by Slava Bowman on Unsplash

Today, with so many opportunities available in college and universities, doing a study abroad is a great option to see the world, learn a new language, and experience a new culture, all while getting school credit. Doing a study abroad can introduce you to new experiences as well as put you in touch with new contacts and give you experiences you can build your resume with. Usually provided by certain classes, or by the university itself, these opportunities are few and far between, but very worthwhile. Tuition helps to cover some costs, but in most cases, you’ll end up footing most of the bill yourself. For prospective students wishing to study abroad, but who feel hindered by expenses, there are options out there. Fortunately, there are a few useful tips below that can help enable students to save and afford their studies from afar.

Financial Aid

In choosing to study abroad, the initial step that should be taken to make the destination more affordable, is checking for financial aid. Although many students are already well informed of the availability of loans and grants with financial aid, most are unaware of being able to apply it toward a study abroad program if certain qualifications are met. In addition, there are study abroad scholarships specifically merited to those students wishing to study abroad. Independent financial institutions sometimes grant assistance to study abroad students, work study programs for work on campus, and even exchange programs that allow students to trade places with other foreign students of other countries.

Crowdfunding

Outside of financial aid, another useful tip to lessen the expense of a study abroad trip is crowdfunding sites. With the use of online crowdfunding sites, students can set up a campaign to enable their friends and family to donate to their cause. Crowdfunding sites can be very beneficial to students wishing to study abroad by serving as a means of extending help and allowing students to connect via networking. Reach out to alumni, to fellow students, and relatives to start your campaign rolling.

Budgeting

Being able to adhere to a few adjustments in order to live within a budget is always a useful tip to consider when trying to cut down on expenses and save more money. Living within a budget entails cutting back or refraining from any unnecessary spending on habits that typically include shopping, fast-food eating, going to the movies, salon maintenance, or any other extracurricular activities that consume a significant portion of one’s income. Students can even opt to sell old unwanted clothes or books as a way to earn additional income. Be sure to save and spend wisely as you prepare as well. Get photos for your passport, pack tight and full suitcases and be sure to exchange money when rates are good.

Being able to travel and study abroad is usually a lifelong dream for most students eager to explore the world. It is a wonderful educational experience that no deserving student should be denied due to their inability to afford it. There are so many excellent resources and individuals who are willing to help students in pursuit of bettering themselves that following a few of these tips will surely get students there.

This article was contributed by guest author Eileen O’Shanassy.

By on May 17, 2017 in Search Strategies, Travel

Image by annemcdon, pixabay.com

When you’re studying abroad or exploring on your gap year, you’re going to need some money to take care of yourself. It’s hard to work a traditional job while bouncing from place to place, but there are a few jobs you can count on to be there wherever you land. There are even some jobs you can take with you wherever you go – and keep doing once you settle down at your last destination.

English Tutoring

English is the most popular second language in many countries. There are plenty of families that would be willing to pay a native English speaker to tutor their children. Some university students might be willing to pay you for English lessons as well. Advertise your services as a private tutor. You’d be surprised how many people would be willing to take you up on your offer – you might even run into businesses that want your services for their employees.

Remote Team Work

If you had a job back home, you might be able to take it with you. Ask your company if they’ll allow you to do remote work. If you already work with computers a lot, like in social media marketing or customer service, you might be able to do it wherever you go. Your company might have other positions that are open for remote work – you can simply switch over while you’re traveling.

If you don’t already have those options, you can always find a new company hiring virtual team members. A lot of startups or companies with large internet presences are always looking. You might even be able to keep the job if you find that you like it.

Become a Freelancer

Freelancers can work from anywhere. Think about special skills you have. Writing, editing, translating, and social media jobs often fall into the laps of freelancers. You can create your own profile, market your skills, and have people from all over the world hire you to do what you do best. Since freelancing is mostly internet based work, you might want to consider using a VPN. It may not be wise to use public WiFi to supply your freelancing platform with your bank information – anyone can intercept it without an encrypted connection.

Be a Tour Guide

If you’re ready for a long term stay in a country that sees a lot of tourism, you might be able to become a tour guide. English speaking people prefer English speaking guides, because they’ll be able to learn about the monuments and locations they’re seeing on the tour. Offer up your services to popular tour companies. You’ll get to enjoy all of the sights and sounds of your new location while explaining them to others.

Work in Tourism Hot Spots

Hostels, hotels, restaurants, and bars near international airports require a lot of language diversity among their staff. You’ll know what visitors from your home country will be looking for, and you’ll be able to communicate with them. Even if you only take a temp job, these businesses may be grateful to have you for as long as they can get you. You can bridge the gaps and help them serve more visitors.

Variety is the spice of life. If you don’t like a position, you won’t have to deal with it for very long. Travel to a new place, find a new job, and keep going until you find something that works. You’re at a time in your life that’s all about experimentation – find out what makes you happy.

This article was contributed by guest author Sophia Beirne.

By on December 9, 2016 in Studying Abroad
Image by Iker Merodio, Flickr

Image by Iker Merodio, Flickr

Leaving your loved ones to move to university can be a daunting task for any student, but can be an even bigger challenge for those who chose to move abroad and become an international student. Not only will you be faced with the typical challenges of student life, you will also have to deal with the additional challenges that come from being in a completely new country.

There are several things you need to tackle before you set off on your new educational journey as an international student that will help ease you into the British life. So, to give you a helping hand, we’ve listed some of the top tips to consider before arriving in your new country.

1. Get Your Visa Right

This may seem like a given, but it is so commonly overlooked that it needs to be mentioned! The last thing you want to do is not be able to get into the country and waste endless hours getting your immigration status in order. As a non-EU member, you’ll need to make sure you sort out your student visa well before you arrive. You will likely need to obtain a tier 4 visa for your study, unless your course is less than 6 months long, in which case you will be eligible for a Student Visitor Visa instead.

It is always best to check with an immigration service or speak to your chosen university’s student services team. You’ll find that most universities have international coordinators who are there to help you with the logistics of your paperwork, application and move as a whole.

2. Research! Research! Research!

You need to thoroughly research every detail of your move, including the area, the university and where you’ll be living. While it is important to get to know the local area, most international students find it is easier to adapt to UK life by joining societies and groups for international students. Whether it is online groups or forums, or actual clubs that you attend, they’re all great sources of information and support from people who’ve been in your shoes. Find local versions of your hobbies prior to your move as it will help settle you in a lot quicker.

When it comes to accommodation, if you’re not looking to move onto campus, you’ll need to identify places where you can stay locally with an easy commute. Ensure you look into what deposits you’ll need as well as I.D. in order to secure a place. If you’re looking to use a house share solution, you should meet your potential housemates first to see if you get on with them and would be happy to live with them.

3. Don’t Forget Your Finances

Aside from already knowing your financial situation and how you’ll be funding your study, you need to ensure you’ve got all of your bases covered. Each bank will offer a different rate and fee to transfer money to and from UK based accounts. They may also have offers that are specially catered for international students. You’ll need to make sure that these aren’t solely for new accounts and that you won’t encounter large fees further down the line, especially if you’re studying in a program that is due to last a number of years. Before you even get to that point, though, most UK banks have extremely stringent policies on opening an account as a foreign national, so make sure you have all the documentation that you’ll need. You might also qualify for bursaries, scholarships or specialist funding, so it is more than worth checking to see if you fit the application criteria for these.

4. Travelling and Calling Back Home

Settling in any new place can be hard, and at some point, homesickness will set in. It is at this point that you’ll want the ability to get in touch with your friends and family back home to get that support you need. The main UK phone networks have fantastic deals with international operators, meaning your existing phone will more than likely still function in the UK. This, however, is a more expensive option, as it is likely to be cheaper to pick up a UK SIM card and use apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp and Skype to keep in touch with friends and family back in North America

This article was contributed by guest author Rebecca Harper.