So you've decided to study abroad! Now it's time to choose where in the world you want to go! There are several factors that you should consider when choosing your country and even the university you will attend. There are four things you should consider when choosing where to go.
1. Do you have academic requirements that require you to go to a certain country or region?
For me, because I am an International Studies major with a minor in Japanese it made sense for me to go to Japan to improve my language skills and fulfill the credits I needed for my major. Remember, you're still going to school just in a different country so think about how the country you are going to will improve you academically.
2. Are you comfortable with being in a country where you might not know the language?
If going abroad is already a big step out of your comfort zone think about how comfortable you are with not knowing the language. However, not knowing the language should not have you crossing out amazing countries from your list. Before I went to Japan, I knew a little bit of the language but I still struggled a lot. It got better as I adjusted and there were plenty of people around that were willing to help me!
3. Are you more of a city or country person?
When picking a university research the town surrounding it. I was in the middle of Tokyo and I loved being in the hustle and bustle of the city. There was always something to do and the transportation was really convenient. The city isn't for everyone though, so you should scope out different parts of the country and see what best suits your needs (maybe you'll end up in a cute beach town!)
4. The cost of living
Studying in Thailand is probably going to be a lot cheaper than studying in the middle of London. Researching the average cost of living prices in different countries may help you narrow down the place you want to study.
I think these are the four most important points you should think about when choosing where to study abroad. This part was the most fun for me when I decided to go abroad. Who knows, you may discover a country you never even thought of! Really do your research and have fun with it!
