The dream of studying abroad feeds the imagination of most Brazilian students and the curiosity about what life abroad is like. And, so much desire is justifiable! The presence of a foreign institution adds weight to your CV, not to mention the incalculable experience of living in a culture different from your own!
However, before embarking, several factors must be taken into account in this decision, from which country to choose to what you will miss when you are there. After all, this is literally a huge change in your life, and the more you prepare, the better! Climate, culture, cost of living, work and leisure options are some of the items considered.
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For this reason, Escola Educação has prepared a basic guide for those who intend to study abroad.
What to consider before doing an exchange
Some factors must be taken into account before embarking on an experience abroad. First, what is your objective? High school, graduation, specialization, improve your language or live a work experience in another country?
Then consider how long you can stay out. This will be paramount in your choice, as it will be based on the type of course, which country to choose, in addition to the expenses you may have while living abroad.
What are the exchange options?
High School: the student spends one academic year studying in high schools abroad. Normally, it stays with a family that, before receiving it, goes through an entire evaluation process.
Graduation: you are going to study abroad. For admission, the institutions ask for the application process, in which the student sends a real dossier for acceptance.
Language courses: can last from four weeks to a year, depending on the level you want to reach. Options include tuition fees, materials and different types of accommodation.
Postgraduate studies: specializations, masters and doctorates are on this list. The duration depends on the type of course and is normally two years.
Internship: includes professional exchanges, in which the student experiences his area of expertise in another country. The duration varies according to the type of program and can reach two years.
Work and study: involves language study and work. The most common are Au Pair (nanny), work in restaurants, hotels and resorts.
What documentation is required for exchange?
This will depend a lot on the type of exchange. But, the first step is to get your passport and visa, necessary to leave Brazil and enter another country (as a student). It is also necessary to receive the acceptance letter from the school, in addition to providing the documents requested by the school (application letter, tests, history, among others).
Also have travel insurance and an international vaccination card, which are in great demand.
How to organize my finances?
The decision to live abroad involves a main issue: money! If you don't have high financial resources, you need to resort to support, such as student financing. Some exchange students also bet on online crowdfunding and programs offered by their home institutions.
But, the concern with finances should not be restricted to when to leave Brazil. Check the cost of living in the country where you are going to live, more affordable housing options (if not included in your program), cheaper places to shop, discount coupons, among others. The ideal is to keep in touch with natives who always have good tips.
How to find the perfect accommodation?
The accommodation part usually generates a lot of stress for exchange students. So, to prevent this from happening to you, take into account the following factors:
- move forward with the selection process, starting to think about the available options, taking into account important details such as location
- check application deadlines for student accommodation
- define your budget, considering how much you have available for housing expenses and extra expenses
- find out if the analyzed options include extra expenses, such as internet, or even if they do not cause unforeseen expenses
- confirm length of leases and if renters ask them to vacate by specific dates
- see items that you do not give up, such as types of accommodation, bathroom, etc.
Exchange terms you need to know
See a summary of the main expressions used when talking about living abroad to clarify:
Types of institution: you can find, among the options, three types of institutions. University (the institution itself, which offers several courses, with USP, UFG, UFRJ), College (the faculty, that is, the unit that offers the course, such as the Faculty of Letters, Faculty of Communication) and Polytechinics (institutions more focused on the labor market, such as IF's).
Application: this is the one you will see the most. It is the set of documents you will use to register your candidacy, such as tests, documentation, forms and essays. It can be sent to the chosen institution or through unified platforms.
Primary and secondary courses: are the Academic Major (concentration) and Minor (secondary field). These are the main and additional graduations that the student can study while there.
Tuition fee: annual, half-yearly or monthly fees charged by the institutions. Some may include room and board.
Counselor: bringing to our reality, represents the advisor or coordinator of the school. It is the professional who helps in the preparation of applications and supply of the necessary documentation for presentation.
Deadlines for application: if you submit your application on the regular application calendar, usually in March or April, you are making a Regular Decision. But, if you do it in advance, in November, for example, you will be presenting an Early Decision.
Admissions Office: this is where your acceptance or refusal to study at the institution will come from. This department will evaluate candidates through a team of specialized professionals.
Personal Statement: it is the text in which you introduce yourself and tell your motivations and interests, that is, why you want to study there and how you can contribute. Works like a well-crafted cover letter.
Essay: all the written part that is part of your application process. The essay includes the Personal Statement, Supplementary Essay, essays and answers.
Recommendation Letter: is the letter of recommendation issued by your home institution, which can be written by a professor, supervisor or director. In it, that person will introduce you, describing your skills and professional and academic qualities.
Transcript: better known as school history. Easy huh?
Extracurricular Activity: you know that volunteer program, plays you participated in, fairs, tutoring, workshops, among other things you did during your course? So, everything comes in here, in the field of extracurricular activities.
Standardized Tests: are the standardized exams, that is, tests that can be ordered to complement your candidacy. They include SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), ACT, TOEFL and IELTS.
SAT: very common in the United States, evaluates three areas of knowledge, namely, Critical Reading (language and interpretation of texts), Math (mathematics) and Writing (writing). It can take place in complementary exams, such as the SAT Subject Test or SAT II, which will evaluate the subjects you have mastered.
TOEFL: long known by those who study English, the Test Of English as a Foreign Language measures your ability to use and understand the language in academia. Assesses Listening (Listening), Reading (Reading), Writing (Writing) and Speaking (Speaking).
ACT: Also very common in the USA, it evaluates the areas of Text Interpretation, Mathematics, Scientific Reasoning (Science Reasoning) and English, in addition to optional writing.
IELTS: the International English Language Testing System is the Toefl of British English. It has an academic version and a General Training Version, for work experiences.
Aid: good word, right? You will hear a lot about Need-based financial aid (provided according to family income), Financial Aid (provided by institutions that support students with expenses and training) and Merit based financial aid (based on merit of the student).
Financial consideration: it concerns whether or not the evaluation committee considers your financial need in the application process. It depends, most of the time, on the capacity of the institution to help newcomers. Therefore, you will see the expressions Need-aware College or University (when considering the financial situation) and Need-blind college or university.
Most searched countries and costs of living
Germany
The country is highly sought after by undergraduate and graduate students due to its reputation for investing in foreign talent, in addition to the high level of its institutions. The cost of living is also not among the highest. The government estimates that a student spends 700 euros a month, expenses easily covered by grants.
New Zealand
The country has a high cost of living, with expenses measured per week. The most expensive services are housing and food. Therefore, students choose to share an apartment and cook at home. On average, the cost of living, all expenses considered, is NZD 400 to NZD 500 per week.
Australia
The country also has a good number of foreign students due to its receptivity and level of education. The cost of living is high, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane has the second cheapest cost of living in the country. The weekly expenses of a student in Australia can vary between 140 and 525 Australian dollars.
U.S
Champion of applications, the cost of living in the United States depends on the city where you live. Large centers, such as New York and Los Angeles, have higher costs, while the interior is usually cheaper. On average, a student costs between USD 181 and USD 208 per week with food, transportation, housing and general expenses.
Canada
Despite the high level of quality of life, Canada is usually cheaper than other countries, such as the United States. Of course, monthly costs are relative, but on average, a student has monthly expenses of 1,200 Canadian dollars, considering all expenses and sharing an apartment with someone.
Ireland
It is one of the most popular destinations for Brazilians. Like other countries, the cost of living will depend on the chosen city. Dublin is the most expensive, while alternatives like Cork, Limerick and Galway are cheaper (and equally beautiful). Monthly expenses can reach 580 euros, including housing, food and general expenses.
Portugal
One more country chosen by Brazilians and, in which, the cost of living will depend on the chosen city. In big cities, like Lisbon, everything can be more expensive and the student can have an average monthly cost of 845 euros. In inner cities, the cost drops to around 630 euros a month.
France
Incredibly, France is not among the most expensive countries in the world for a student to live. On average, monthly expenses are around 500 to 600 euros per month. However, there is the possibility of having housing assistance provided by the government, which can range from 80 to 180 euros.
UK
Another very popular country, but with a high cost of living. Spending on accommodation, on average, is £150 a week. Add to that £104 a week for other expenses. In short, save £800-£1000 a month to live in the UK.
What will I miss when I live abroad?
This part, of course, is pretty random, just to give it a little bit of fun. Obviously, what you will miss the most are your family and friends. But apart from that, keep in mind that, living abroad...
- Even if you find a cheese bread, it won't taste the same as the one made by your mother, grandmother or sold in any bakery here.
- Medication, it's good to take your own, because the formulas manipulated in another country may be different from the Brazilian ones
- Brigadier like ours, doesn't have it! Others may even try, but nothing compares!
- Forget food by the kilo! This wonder only has here!
- Try to install that sneakers on the card! The cashier will laugh! So, be aware of this when making that purchase.
Of course, this is all just a joke! The experience of living abroad is very enriching! It has its perrengues, of course, because you will experience another culture far from everyone you know. But, he will return with a priceless baggage, in addition to a lot of stories to tell!
