There are times when your pursuit of education might take you to a foreign land. Whether it’s a neighboring country, or one that requires even longer distance travel, there are numerous international schools that offer quality education and a variety of programs. However, unlike a local institution, taking a semester or more abroad requires more planning and understanding of what you are undertaking. Before you finally take the plunge and choose an institution, you need to figure out if it’s the right fit for you and how you can pay for the school as well as the cost of spending your time in another country.
Once you have narrowed down the schools and countries that you might want to apply to, you should ideally plan a visit before starting the program which will give you a much better feel for what you will be experiencing when you go to school there for a longer period of time. You may want to plan this visit early on in the application cycle or when you are at the step of making your final decision.
To help you prepare for your international college visit, we made a checklist to help you plan your trip and determine if an institution fits your educational and personal needs.
Planning the Institutional Visit
The majority of international schools welcome visitors and prospective students to see how their day by day activities go. All you have to do is coordinate with the head of school, admissions or the international student office. You can schedule a whole-day visit as a part of a customized tour for you. In many cases, there is a planned time for a group visit, perhaps tailored for international students. It is crucial to prepare a list of all the questions you have so you can maximize the benefit from your visit and, if at the application stage, in order to demonstrate your interest in the school. You can also prepare a list of individuals or offices you want to talk to such as a key professor in a program, student from your country already there, an alumnus, a sports coach, financial aid person, or an advisor.
Taking a Look at Class Structures and Student Engagement
Each international school has its own methods of teaching. For example, some schools focus more on academics while others offer a combined academics and experiential programs outside the school. There are many American colleges that offer programs abroad for a semester, a full year or more. While on campus, request to attend classes in session, as well as activities that students are involved in. Attend gatherings that allow you to socialize with the existing students in order to get first hand knowledge of their experiences and if they have any advice for you.
Check out the daily class schedules and ask to meet with the international office to determine what resources are offered to international students as this varies greatly by program.
Assessing Instructors and School Support Resources
Chances are, you already know quite a bit about the school if you have already selected to pay a visit. Since there is more to an institution than its classes, or subject offerings, this is now your opportunity to pay a closer look. You can observe how teachers manage their classrooms and students, as well as how they manage workloads and co-workers. When instructors and staff are happy and motivated, it translates into their commitment to the students.
Strolling on Campus
As much as possible, immerse yourself in the environment that the campus provides. See if the school cafeteria and dorm rooms are clean. Look for and read some announcements on school boards. Notice how often they use technology as integration in their learning. It will also help if there are a lot of resource materials you can use for learning. Do they have libraries, learning sheds, technology, or computer rooms that everyone can use? Last but not least, see how students interact with each other. How active are clubs? Notice if the majority of the students are using the English language or their native language when conversing.
Housing
As you are studying abroad, a crucial question will be housing. What are the options? Are there dorms? If you have to secure off campus housing yourself, this trip is your best chance to find an affordable apartment. Locating one close to campus is likely to be critical. Are there opportunities to live with a host family? Essentially how immersive of an experience are you looking for? Dorms are a great way to connect with students from that country and other international students. Some schools have specialized dorms for international students. Living off campus or with a host family will give you a much more culturally immersive experience and also help you with learning a local language if that is one of your goals.
Asking Some Questions
Before your visit has come to an end, take a moment and converse with the college representative regarding all of the unanswered questions you have on your list. You can ask questions regarding the possibility of having a job while studying (for money, course credit or resume building purposes) and whether they have support systems for disabled individuals?
Always remember that your education is an investment of a lifetime and considering some time in an international university can provide you with a more memorable experience as well as an opportunity to advance your degree. The institution you choose is an integral part of your success in the future. Therefore, you must take proactive measures to ensure that you are getting your (or your parents’) money’s worth.
