The fundamental of study abroad program is the one where the aspirants choose precisely what kind of course he/she wants to land up before going further with application procedures and searching for best universities and colleges abroad. One should have clarity of thought regarding courses and programs that are available in their preferred study abroad destinations. We clearly accept it is hard to get all the things in one location but not at all-impossible. Certain diligent and proactive action is needed from the aspirant’s side, which should be clear in terms of their selection of courses and programs. We immensely appreciate their intensions of getting into a best universities and colleges with best course structures.
It is important that students choose an appropriate program to get the most out of an international experience. Because there are a variety of program types, structures, locations, and requirements. it is worth the time and effort it takes to find a program that meets your individual academic and personal needs. Programs have distinctive characteristics, like students, and thus it is important to find the right “match” between the student and the program. Your friend, Sister, or teacher may have participated in a program that was “absolutely great” for them, but may not be a good for you. Thus, a getting recommendation from someone who went on a program is not necessarily the most appropriate approach to choosing a program.
One should evaluate oneself before getting into or selecting gamut of courses. Below are three basic approaches to evaluate one self:
- Understand your needs and characteristics before choosing a program
- Self-Analyze and explore several options. Than compare the available courses and programs with their respective characteristics.
- Finally select or choose a course that fits your needs, area of expertise and characteristics.
Self-evaluation
It is the key while selecting a course or a program for any aspirant who intends to pursue one’s career abroad. We at vingsabroad have less say when it comes to selecting courses and programs, where we solely consider it as a call of the aspirants but we will provides all necessary guidelines and assistance to our valuable aspirants who get confused on certain terms. Following are certain tips regarding how one should self-evaluate oneself before selecting a program without falling pray to various confusions:
Evaluating your needs and characteristics:
Ask yourself these questions, and get a friend or family member to confer with you on these
Topics
1) What type of courses do you need to take (major requirements, major electives, general education requirements o r lower-division courses, electives)?
2) What academic topics do you need (and want) to study (only your major, or a mix
of academic disciplines)?
3) Does your home institution approve experiential courses (internships, field study, independent study, independent research, service learning, touring)?
4) Can you take courses in another language / are you sufficiently fluent?
5) Do you have beginning or intermediate foreign language skills?
6) Does your home institution have requirements about the number of weeks and/or contact hours the courses must fulfill to transfer credit?
7) Are you a self-starter, outgoing, and self-motivated, experienced in exploring new/different situations?
8) Do you prefer functioning in a group with leaders and/or guides making decisions for you and being surrounded by others much like yourself?
9) Do you have any dietary, medical or mental health needs?
10) Do you want to become a “specialist” in one location (language and culture and history and cur rent events) or do you want a comparative perspective of several different places and perspectives?
11) Do you have a good sense of how (and if) you will use alcohol in a mature setting? Have you ever been disruptive of others or put your well-being at risk with alcohol?
12) Have you ever traveled before? Outside your country? If yes, how long and where?
13) How long have you ever been away from “home” before, away from family and
friends?
14) What type of leisure activities do you enjoy? What do you do with your “free time”?
Evaluating programs types:
Direct enrollment
Explore colleges and universities in other countries, and directly enroll in a program that al lows
“transient” or “ international” students.
Exchange
Utilize an established relationship through your school that exchanges students with another designated college or university.
Program provider
Participate in a program administered by an organization offering study abroad support services.
Faculty-led
Participate in a program administered by a various study abroad college or university and taught by a native professor.
Evaluating Location where you intend to select your program:
Country
Location, geography, language, population, economic/ industrial development, cost of living, food, health and safety conditions, climate, ease of transportation, etc
Language
Do you have beginner, intermediate, o r advanced language ski l ls in the host country primary language? What is the English language fluency of the local population?
Community / City size
Cosmopolitan city, urban city, industrial city, suburban city, town, rural community
Host institution
Enrollment size, percentage of local students and international students, urban campus or enclosed campus, facilities available, teaching style, language of instruction, grading/assessment style, academic options, academic rigor, distance from housing,
Living conditions
Home stay, residence hall , apartment, house, hotel , with all locals, distance to shopping, entertainment , school, transportation, shared or not, cost of living, where will you eat meals?
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