Decided to study abroad but not sure where? Get started on the right path with this advice to help you choose the best university for you.
You are an individual
Your starting point should always be a determination to ultimately find the location, university or course that is right for you as an individual. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to university.
Talk to people that know you, teachers, friends and family. Get their input as to how they see you, but, ultimately, after hearing what they say, listen to your own ambitions.
What are your reasons for studying abroad and what are your priorities in a university? What languages are you comfortable in and what are your longer-term study or professional objectives?
Are academic or cultural considerations more important to you? Have you got extra-curricular considerations? What lifestyle do you want? How are you going to finance your studies and will you need funding from a bank or a scholarship?
Which country?
Fundamental to studying abroad must be the desire to spend a period of time, often years, in another country. If you can shortlist or identify your country, or what you want from the country first, then you have a starting point for identifying possible universities to apply to.
You may be searching by language. If you want a period of time in a Spanish-speaking environment, for example, consultation of the QS World University Rankings might lead you to consider Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico, as well as Spain's University of Barcelona (190*), Spain and universities in other Spanish-speaking countries as starting points.
Once you have short-listed your country, you can identify some of the national organizations, such as UCAS in the UK, who can point you in the right direction for providers of scholarships and further information to refine your search.
Face-to-face
When searching worldwide for a university that is right for you, there is no substitute for coming face-to-face with people from that university.
Clearly it will most often not be feasible to actually visit the university before applying. However, major worldwide universities have alumni associations, often with an international network. It is always worth trying to identify any alumni who may be willing and able to meet you closer to home or just talk to you on the phone and give you that all-important feel of what it is like to actually study at their university.
Education fairs are also an effective forum for meeting representatives from universities, talking with them and comparing approaches and what courses are on offer.
Keep an open mind
Your key to finding the best university and course for you is to keep an open mind. Identify your priorities, do research online, and talk to people. You are about to embark on one of the most exciting and important experiences of your life. Let the search begin!