Congratulations on deciding to get an education abroad! Maybe you’ve already found a program that is a perfect fit for you, but if not, then the first thing you’ll need to do is find a location that fits YOU and your educational goals (okay maybe you just want to see another country, but even so, your future self will thank you for taking 2 minutes to consider a few main tips...)!
Different countries have different strengths and weaknesses in education/experience, and these depend on what you want to take from your time there! For example, Germany offers almost free education, even to foreigners! So if money is a big factor in your decision, then think about the countries who offer cheaper schooling! And don’t forget to check the international student webpages, because many countries have different costs for local or foreign students (often EU and Non-EU).
Another factor is language. Okay, so you took 4 years of French in high school, but can you actually pass the language test required by the school you’re interested in? Is it worth the additional struggle of living in a country where making friends will be limited to those willing to put up with your sub-par French abilities? Maybe! But it’s good to be aware of these struggles before you arrive and get hit with the culture shock...
Think about time of stay. Will you be there for a year? Six months? Maybe you’d like to get an entire doctorate abroad... can you be away from your family for that amount of time? If the answer is no, then go back to your budget and figure out if you can afford the plane tickets home and back, and how often you will want to book them. Remember, Christmas flights are wayyy more expensive, so if you plan to go home for every holiday be sure that your family and your credit card know this!
Lastly, what do you hope to achieve and gain from your time in another country? And be honest with yourself! Are you going for the food, culture, specific professors, beach, to find love, to learn language...? Whatever your goal is, be sure to choose a country that can best help you achieve this! Don’t go to China to study Spanish, ya know?
There are many more factors to consider, but when applying for a program these are the big 4! For me, I studied internationally three times... once in Belize for a summer, once in Japan for a semester, and once in Ireland for my masters program. I would definitely do it all again, but there are a few things I wish I had known/considered more beforehand... keep an eye out for more tips and thoughts about studying internationally! Also, let me know if you have specific questions, I’d be happy to address studying abroad in more detail!