Studying Abroad: Expensive and Distant, but Helps with Future Employment

The decision to study abroad is certainly not an easy one. In addition to choosing a university, you are also selecting a new living environment in a foreign language area, an unfamiliar culture, among new people, far from the known surroundings and domestic comfort. It is necessary to carefully assess your ability to adapt to the chosen area and your readiness for (sudden) independence and taking responsibility, not only for studying but also for organizing an independent life in an unfamiliar environment.

Choosing a University

Did you know that there are over 40,000 higher education institutions in the world? If you are surprised by this information and consider choosing a suitable higher education institution an impossible mission, it may be best to consider consulting with one of the many educational advisors.

Significant assistance in choosing a study location is certainly provided by university rankings. These vary depending on the methodology and criteria used, and personal experiences of former students are also an important source of information. It is very important to realistically assess your abilities, knowledge, and skills.

One of the most important conditions for enrollment in an undergraduate program is the result on standardized tests. What the matura is in Croatia, standardized tests are at universities abroad that allow for a transparent comparison of candidates from different parts of the world.

In addition to standardized tests, grades are also important. In graduate studies, great attention is focused on presenting candidates through resumes and essays, and it is expected that everything mentioned is supported by recommendations. When it comes to doctoral studies, prior experience, research orientation, and the ideas and visions of candidates are valued.

Financing Studies Abroad

Tuition fees at most universities are very high, and when living costs are taken into account, very few students can independently finance their studies abroad.

There are various scholarships for study, which can be full or partial, allowing for the combination of multiple sources of scholarships. Most students receive financial support from various institutions or the universities themselves.

Many young athletes decide to study abroad after finishing high school. Their sports successes make it easier for them to make such a decision as they open up greater opportunities for obtaining scholarships at prestigious European and world universities.

Experience of Studying in America

For the purposes of this article, L.K., a promising basketball player studying psychology at the University of San Francisco, shared her experience of studying abroad.

She believes that the process of enrolling in an American university is somewhat more demanding and complicated than enrolling in a Croatian university. In addition to the matura, she had to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and achieve at least 580 points out of a possible 800 in English.

She highlighted some differences between the Croatian and American higher education systems.

– There are many advantages compared to studying in Croatia. The first, which surprised me the most, is the more individualized approach of professors who are very involved and care about their students and their grades and well-being in general. They also encourage students to come to ‘office hours’ that last several hours each week, during which students can come to the professor’s office and ask anything related to the lecture or can come to talk generally and get to know the professor better. Another advantage is that a single university offers subjects from science to arts. A student does not have to commit to a specific program immediately but can choose subjects that seem interesting to them and then decide what they want to study. The biggest disadvantage of studying abroad is that you are forced to be far from family and friends for very long periods – said the basketball player.

She considers her experience of studying in America excellent because she met people from all over the world who have different customs, became independent, improved her English language skills, and studies what she loves, and she would definitely recommend anyone considering this option to take that step.

Erasmus+ Program

If you have decided to study in Croatia, it does not mean that you cannot simultaneously experience studying abroad. The best opportunity for this is the Erasmus+ program, which allows students to spend part of their studies abroad of their choice without paying tuition fees, depending on their success at their home university.

Numerous programs are offered, and in addition to the experience of studying in a different educational system, students have the opportunity to meet different cultures as they encounter other exchange students from all over the world. Moreover, it is an exceptional opportunity for improving foreign language skills.

All students who have decided to study abroad or participate in the Erasmus+ program unanimously agree that it is a valuable and unforgettable experience of immense importance for personal development. They believe it has helped them build confidence, taught them to see things from a different perspective, connected them with people and cultures from around the world, taught them to accept change, and they expect it will significantly help them in employment and their future careers.

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