<aside> 💡 Iscicle Tip: Curious to hear about how other students decided on where they would study abroad? Create a post on iscicle.com to find out!

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Trying to decide what country to study abroad in as an international student? We asked current international students on Iscicle, and here’s what they think you should consider:

Degree + Post-Grad

Not every degree program is created equal. There are varying lengths of time it may take to get a degree, and this is something to consider as you think about what country you want to study in, as well as what program you’re interested in.

If you’re interested in potentially staying abroad after graduation, it’s important to look into the possible avenues for permanent residency in that country. Most student visas will have options for you to work in that country after graduation, but the amount of time you can do so, and the manner in which you can work, will vary. If you want to spend any time after graduation in that same country, it’s important that you look at post-grad options, as well as the amount of time those options provide you. If permanent residency (PR) is an option you’re considering, look into the amount of time it takes to achieve PR status in each country you’re interested in. Note: the avenue you choose for PR can also impact the time it takes.

Lastly, if you do wish to stay in the country you studied in after graduation, another factor to consider is your earning potential. You can think of this in various ways, one route is to consider current and predicted job market trends in general, as well as the trends for industries related to the subject you intend to major in. You can also consider growth industries, as well as any post-study opportunities that may be available to you.

Cost

Beyond the cost of tuition, there are various costs associated with studying abroad. The most general is the cost of living. As an international student, you’ll want to consider how much money you’ll need to cover necessities like housing, food, and transportation. Taxes and the level of inflation in your host country will also have an impact on the overall cost of living. Another significant area to consider is healthcare. Healthcare systems vary greatly based on the country, so everything from the costs of healthcare, to health insurance, are worth factoring into your decision.

A common question we hear from prospective international students is, can I work while I study to alleviate some of the costs? That’s a great question and the answer varies depending on the country you choose. The hours you can work while in school, and the places (on campus, off campus) you can work - will also vary. There are also often different regulations regarding full time work (such as internships) that occur when you’re not studying. Generally speaking, working while studying may help you to pay for a part of your costs, but it is unlikely that you will be able to fully cover all of your costs while studying abroad by working, so do keep this in mind. A great way to get an idea of the way this works in different countries is to ask current students on Iscicle!

Environment

When you go to study abroad, you’re also picking the location that you’ll be living in for at least a year (usually 2-4). When we asked current students, the environment that they were living in turned out to be incredibly important to them! Students highlighted that the level of crime, by state and region you’re considering, are worth looking into. Sometimes you can also gauge a level of diversity and/or general attitude towards foreign or international students, which might impact your decision. Asking fellow students on Iscicle is a great way to get an honest response about what the atmosphere of a campus and region are like.

In line with some of the above content, it can be helpful to identify the types of systems in place in the country you’re looking at. What is the healthcare system like? How are taxes done? Are you allowed to drive as a foreign student? Will they accept your high school diploma or do you need to do extra schooling? The institutions in place are different based on the country - and even if they don’t impact your decision to go there, it can be useful to have an idea of what to expect when you do make your move!

Lastly, as silly as it may sound, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you know the language that your classes will be taught in! Some universities even teach in different languages based on the particular program - for instance, a German university may not teach all of its courses in German, they may have a program that is taught only in English. It’s a simple and quick thing to look up, but it’s helpful to know.

Overall, the place you choose to study is going to be your home for the next few years. It’s worth chatting with current students and making sure you’re prepared for when you land in your new country!

In case you’re wondering where we pulled this information from, check out the original post on Iscicle here.