| Are you thinking of studying abroad in Europe but don't | | | | teachers what courses you studied abroad will be |
| know how to start? Nowadays, earning your degree | | | | recognized once you are back. This is usually done |
| or part of it abroad has become a vital tool for | | | | through a document called "Learning agreement". - In |
| students to grow personally and professionally. With | | | | general, exchange students follow different application |
| over 5,400 institutions, a cohesive higher education | | | | deadlines than the usual dates. |
| policy, a safe environment, and an amazing cultural and | | | | * STEP 3: Find a school that best meets your |
| historical heritage, Europe has a lot to offer you as a | | | | academic profile and personal expectations.This is the |
| student. On this article, I explain the steps you should | | | | most time-consuming part of the process of organizing |
| follow to come study in Europe and give you some | | | | your foreign study experience in Europe. When |
| pieces of advice on the essential factors to consider | | | | selecting a school in Europe, you should consider |
| when preparing your foreign study experience in | | | | factors such as: - The language of instruction: in |
| Europe. | | | | Europe, you can study in many languages, such as |
| * STEP 1: Have you already started your higher | | | | English, Spanish, French, German or Italian, just to |
| education studies? There's a great difference | | | | mention a few of them. Don't be afraid and take the |
| between applying for studies abroad in Europe as a | | | | chance to improve your foreign language skills. Many |
| first-year student and moving from a university or | | | | schools in Europe offer languages courses addressed |
| college from another country: - If you are not enrolled | | | | to their international students. So you may be able to |
| at any higher education institution in your home country | | | | earn a degree while learning or improving your foreign |
| and would like to study as an undergraduate student in | | | | language skills. In fact, I studied Swedish while earning |
| Europe, you may need to prove you have | | | | my degree. The language of instruction of my lectures |
| successfully passed your upper secondary school / | | | | was Swedish! It might seem hard in the beginning, but |
| high school studies and your school leaving | | | | the result is truly rewarding. - Social activities: does |
| examination. If you passed the leaving examination and | | | | your school offer activities to get you socially |
| your home country signed the Lisbon Convention or | | | | integrated in the campus life? It's not just about having |
| have a reciprocal agreement with the country in | | | | fun, but also about learning more about the country |
| Europe where you will be studying, you might be | | | | where you will be living in and getting to know other |
| exempted from taking the examination again. To | | | | people who are in the same situation as you. You will |
| check the validity of your previous studies at high | | | | even make very good friends! - Accommodation offer: |
| school to continue to higher education studies, you | | | | does your school provide you with accommodation at |
| should contact either the university or college of your | | | | the campus or help you find a place to stay? You |
| interest or the ministry of education of the country | | | | should look for an accommodation option before |
| where you will be studying. Which one you will have to | | | | coming to Europe. - Career opportunities: think of the |
| contact vary depending on the country in Europe. - If | | | | possibilities available for you after you finish your |
| you are already studying at university or college in your | | | | studies at the school you chose. Do they also help you |
| home country and would like to study abroad in | | | | with career development? |
| Europe, you may continue reading the step #2. | | | | * STEP 4: Take the admission tests. This might not |
| * STEP 2: Decide whether you will be an exchange or | | | | always be the case but, for certain competitive study |
| a free mover student. If you would like to study your | | | | programs, students are required to pass an admission |
| entire degree in Europe, coming as a free mover | | | | test. The results you obtain at those tests will |
| student might be the most appropriate option for you. If | | | | determine whether you will finally be admitted. In the |
| you would just like to study abroad in Europe for a | | | | event you are applying for studies related for fine arts, |
| specific period of time, participating in an exchange | | | | you may also be required to pass aptitude tests. |
| program between your current school and its | | | | * STEP 5: Prepare your student visa and residence |
| counterpart in Europe might be the best approach. It is | | | | permit. Once you have selected your school and have |
| important your firstly evaluate your status as a student, | | | | been admitted to the study program of your choice, |
| as it will determine how to apply for studies abroad in | | | | you may initiate the process of applying for a student |
| Europe. Among the differences between being an | | | | visa or residence permit. Students from certain |
| exchange or a free mover student in Europe, I would | | | | countries or planning to stay in Europe for a period of |
| mention these ones: - Exchange students submit their | | | | time longer than 90 days, will have to apply for a |
| applications through their coordinator at their home | | | | Schengen Visa and/or a residence permit. Usually the |
| school, while free movers must arrange all the | | | | application for a residence permit and a Schengen |
| documentation by themselves. - As an exchange | | | | Visa is carry out through the embassy or consulate in |
| student, you will be charged moderate or no tuition | | | | your home country, where you can also address any |
| fees at all, while you will have to pay full tuition and | | | | questions you may have. |
| registration fees as a free mover student. - Keep in | | | | I hope the pieces of advice are of help and encourage |
| mind that if you intend to return to your home school, | | | | you to come study in Europe. Welcome to Europe! |
| you should make sure you agree in written with your | | | | |