Aspects to Consider when Studying an MBA or Another Master’s Degree Abroad
Studying a graduate degree outside of your country is an excellent idea. On the one hand, there is the experience of dealing with a multicultural environment in which new and valuable skills are acquired. If a reasoned decision is made, there is an opportunity to gain knowledge that may not be available in your hometown school. Finally, studying at a highly prestigious university can change and definitively mark the course of your future.
This and other possibilities are presented as incredible and, when you have a good academic performance and the opportunity, it seems that there is nothing else to think about. The benefits seem to be the only thing in mind. However, each benefit has its cost and it is important to put the cards on the table.
Studying for postgraduate studies abroad is not a pretext for traveling
Although knowing new countries is exciting, remember that you are making a professional decision. The university you choose in the country you choose will determine the results and opportunities that may be presented to you during your studies and as a graduate.
Don’t idealize a city; Many times the image we have of a place is the impression of a tourist and it has little to do with the lifestyle. There will be other moments to discover the country of your dreams, but there is only one postgraduate choice.
Eligibility
How feasible is it to be admitted to a graduate degree? How likely is it to be admitted to the program you want? Is the university you choose really a good option?
Deciding to leave is not everything, even if you think that a university is ideal for you, it may be the case that you are not what they are looking for. Many are excited to cover all the details of a new life abroad without stopping to think about its real possibilities: what can you offer to the university that makes you different from other candidates?
To have your reality clearer you need to know yourself. Review how your academic performance has been so far, how well you have developed in the professional field and how much of your time you have invested in personal extracurriculars or for the benefit of your community. It is also important to identify where you stand in the language aspect depending on the requirements of the country you would like to go to study.
Living costs
Sometimes you are fortunate to be able to pay your study expenses and other times we rely on scholarships and financing. Whatever your case, keep in mind that tuition is a large part of expenses, but there are still others equally important to cover. Although in your hometown you also spend, you must consider the extra expenses that can add up to “the small differences”:
- Housing: if you emigrate alone or as a couple, you will have to seek to rent a room, an apartment or a house according to your age and economic possibilities. In the case of moving with your family, you will need more space and therefore pay for a larger place. You may now pay a modest place for a good price, but in countries with higher costs, it could be the case that you have to pay large amounts for a really small or distant home.
- Food: This can be maintained in several products, but if you are going to work while you study or you think you spend a great deal of time away from home, you may need to eat out. Research how much a fast food, a menu of the day, or the college cafeteria meal costs.
- Doctors: some prefer to take out a high coverage insurance from their country, others when they arrive. The important thing is to be aware of the costs of accessing medical care in the destination country and access to medicines. If you suffer from any disease, it is equally important to anticipate these types of situations.
- Transportation: there are Latin American countries that have really accessible public transportation, in other countries there may be an equally functional system but at a higher cost. Some countries in Europe have the option of charging season tickets to young people, everything will depend on your age and the distances you have to travel daily.
Migratory documents
Several of those who have immigration documents for access as a tourist to a country consider it easy to leave with that paper, wait for the deadline to expire, leave the country and re-enter. Do not believe in this, in addition to putting yourself and your professional future at risk, it is illegal and you are violating international regulations and agreements.
It is important that you are clear about your student and / or worker situation so that you can obtain the appropriate document. Be clear and sincere in your residency objectives, and if you plan to stay to work at the end of your graduate degree, also find out about the requirements; Do not plan a life in a place when it is not viable.
Consider the requirements, costs and validity of the documents that you have to process.