Few experiences can compare to living in a foreign country for an extended amount of time as a student. Aside from learning subjects from a new perspective, studying abroad also allows you to meet new friends, practice a new language and explore another country in more depth than would be possible if you're just going on vacation. 

To make the most of your study abroad experience, it's not enough to simply hop on a plane and show up at your host university. Extensive planning is key to a truly enriching experience. This applies to most things, from securing the right student visa, reading up on the culture and taking language lessons. In this piece, we’ll provide our top tips when applying and preparing for an exchange program. 

Submit Required Documents To Your Chosen University 

During the application stage, you'll be required to submit several documents to your prospective host university – these might include a simple resume, your academic transcripts and a motivation letter. Thankfully, technology has made it much easier to put all these requirements together. For example, you can choose one of the many student CV templates on Adobe Express and tailor it to your needs if you're looking to create a professional-looking resume. Many universities also allow you to request your transcripts online, saving you the trouble of having to physically head to the registrar’s office. 

When you’re pulling the necessary documents for a study abroad program together, make sure to start well in advance of the deadline. Some official documents, like academic statements, medical certificates and language proficiency test results, can take days or even weeks to arrive. You don't want to put your entire exchange program in jeopardy because you haven't submitted all the requirements on time. 

Search and Apply for Any Relevant Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships for students studying abroad for a semester or year. Make sure to search your university’s website for related scholarships, and if you find any tailored to studying abroad, check their eligibility requirements. If you confirm that you’re eligible, there should be information to follow to submit your scholarship application. If you can't find application information or a relevant scholarship, it’s worth contacting your student services and asking for more information.

A scholarship can make it more affordable for you to study abroad, with many offering to cover some of the costs or providing a fixed sum of money to go towards your expenses. Make sure you read all the fine print if you’re awarded a scholarship, as some may only offer to lend the money or require you to pay it back if you don’t pass the units you take abroad.

Apply For The Relevant Visa

Before studying abroad as a foreign student, you'll need to apply for the relevant visa. The requirements for securing a student visa will vary from one country to another, but these will often include a letter of admission from a local university, evidence that you can support yourself financially and a certificate of enrollment from your home university. Sometimes, the embassy of the country you plan to study in will also contact you for an interview. 

Once you've secured your visa, the next step is to read its conditions several times over to ensure you won’t be breaking any of the rules. For instance, most student visas limit the number of hours you can work, and exceeding this limit might land you in hot water with the authorities. Different visas will also allow you to visit different countries: for example, you can visit any country within the European Union on a Schengen visa. Ensuring that you don't violate any of the conditions listed in your student visa is the best way to avoid potential legal issues and problems securing future visas. 

Start Learning The Local Language 

Knowing the local language is the key to a rich study abroad experience. While you probably won't reach total fluency in a semester, you can reach a competent level by starting your language lessons well before your exchange begins. 

If you're studying in the US, the UK, Australia or another country where English is the primary language, make sure to brush up on your English communication skills. If you're going to a country where another language is spoken, you can learn it through online courses, private tutors and self-study. Learning the language of the country you're studying in will improve your chances of building close friendships, finding your way around and networking with local professionals. 

Plan Your Budget 

Studying abroad isn't cheap. Before setting off, make sure to carefully plan your budget to give yourself enough money to pay for all your necessities while abroad and still have enough left over for leisure activities.

Start by researching the price of food and housing. Allocate a budget for groceries and also for a few restaurant meals on days when you don't feel like cooking. While some foreign universities offer free or discounted housing to exchange students, you shouldn't assume that yours does. Conduct thorough research into the different housing options while considering your overall budget.

Finally, make sure you have enough money left over to explore the country you're staying in. Look up the cost of taking trips to nearby locations, going on a night out and engaging in leisure activities. While studying is a big part of an exchange program, it isn't the be-all end-all. 

Proper Prep Makes for an Enriching Exchange

Increasingly more young people are realising the benefits of a foreign education, which explains why many Udaipur students are studying abroad. While this is certainly a good thing, it also means there's more competition for places, so you need to make sure your application is competitive and that you submit all the necessary documents promptly.

In this piece, we've covered some top tips for applying and preparing for a study abroad experience, including obtaining all your application documents promptly, applying for the right visa, learning the local language and planning your budget. Make sure to prepare well prior to the start of your exchange, and you'll be all set to have a wonderful experience.