The Basics of Studying Abroad in a Foreign School or University

I like to travel, which could be why I chose the college abroad experience that I did. When I was searching for a university to attend after high school, I knew I didn't want to be like my friends. There's nothing wrong with going to college in your home country, as most young Americans do. There's also nothing wrong with wanting to see what else the world has to offer. That's how I ended up studying in a university in a foreign country.

And I haven't regretted a single moment.

Choosing a Foreign School

I originally thought about going to a university in Seattle, Washington. It was far from my home in Hawaii, and seemed pretty foreign to me. But I wanted to see the world and travel for a bit, and I knew that the college years were the best times to do it. I looked into study abroad programs, which let you travel and earn college credits for a semester or two.

"Wait a minute," I though to myself, "if I could study abroad for a semester, why not do it for all four years of college?" I enlarged my school search to include countries other than the United States of America. That's when I found Trinity Western University, a private university in Canada that regularly receives high scores among Canadian critics. "Perfect," I said.

Going to a university in a foreign country can be scary. You need to learn new rules, new laws, new methods of doing previously ordinary things-try mailing a letter at a foreign post office, or going to a bank for the first time in another country. What seems everyday to you now, will be completely different when you're doing it in a different country. Yes, it can be quite scary. It can also be a terrifically fun time to meet new people, learn a new culture, and broaden your experiences. These are all traits that your future employer would love to see and can add significant value to the college or university degree that you're studying for.

There are a couple of ways to find a good, foreign college or university. The first is to pick a country that you would want to study in. What attracts you to this country? Certain countries have stereotypes, but be ready to find new and exciting things about a nation that you would never have known before moving there.

Once you have a country in mind, contact its education departments or do a web search of its local media. These will often point you towards the schools that are well-regarded in the academic world. You can also start with searching for state-run universities and then work your way down to smaller schools. Remember, bigger colleges often have better resources and tools to help foreign students (like you) to adjust and get oriented.

Another way to find a foreign school is to see what universities partner with your local schools in exchange programs, then contact the foreign school directly. They often have someone who can help point you in the right direction.

Traveling to a Foreign Country for School

The old adage, "less is more," is certainly true in this situation. If you're traveling abroad for school, you'll want to bring as little as possible. This will help avoid delays, unnecessary baggage inspections, any local import fees that the country might charge, and additional headaches. Bring one suitcase, or two at most. Check ahead to see what items are banned, and NEVER try to get around those bans.

For clothes, you'll need to know what the local weather is like. Contact your university and ask them what essential items to bring. Keep in mind that the best idea is to buy most of your things in the foreign country that you're traveling to.

Certain essentials: Toiletries, a couple of sets of formal clothes, at least a week's worth of casual clothing, any outerwear that is necessary, and a good book to have while waiting in airports or train terminals. You'll also want to bring money, which leads me to my next point.

Banking and Converting Money in a Foreign Country

When you're traveling abroad or studying in a foreign country, the issue of money can be difficult. If you're studying in Canada or Mexico, exchanging U.S. dollars for the local currency can be easy. It can be more difficult if studying abroad in Asia or the outskirts of Europe.

The first thing to remember is that the country will probably not accept U.S. currency. Get a credit card that lets you use it internationally: Visa and Mastercard both offer good credit cards that let you use them abroad without any heavy fees. A credit card is ideal to help you get settled.

Once you're settled into the foreign country, you'll need to setup a local bank account. Get suggestions from other students or the faculty of your school to see what banks are the ideal. Unless you're studying in a small town or city, most banks offer English services and are able to work with you to setup a bank account. You will need to wire money to your new bank account and have it converted to your local currency. Be attentive and watch for currency exchange fees, which can take a big bite out of your account. Find a bank that does not charge foreign currency exchange fees.

Learning a Foreign Culture and a Foreign Language

The best part about studying abroad is learning a new culture. If you just wanted a college degree, you could have attended any university in America. Studying abroad gives you a wide range of experiences. The best tip for you is to forget your stereotypes and reject any feelings of superiority you might have. Have fun, take in all the sights and smells, and enjoy yourself.

Studying abroad is an immensely rewarding experience that lets you travel and see the world while also working towards a future college degree. Your future employer will love seeing the experiences you've learned while abroad, and this can set you apart from other college graduates. You will also find that learning to navigate a foreign culture can give you confidence and skills that are useful when you return home. Overall, this is an experience that all students should consider when looking for a university or college.