What questions should I ask before studying abroad?

Studying abroad is a remarkable project, but it needs to be carefully and must therefore be prepared at a very early stage: right from the start of high school, and sometimes even before!

The first problem you’ll face is choosing the country and university course you want to study in. Visit universities and there is no shortage of study programs, but it’s vital to choose the one that most closely matches your expectations and profile, in terms of environment, budget, admission criteria and career opportunities in your chosen field.

Set yourself objectives before going abroad.

So you need to ask yourself the right questions. For example:

What subjects would you like to learn more about during your studies? Are you more interested in theory or practice? Do you need specific training or qualifications for your chosen profession (e.g. architecture, law, medical or paramedical professions)?
Is your goal to return to France after graduation? How many years of study abroad are you prepared to undertake?
Where does your attraction for expatriation come from? Does it stem from a need for freedom and independence, or is it a desire to surpass yourself? As career coach Anne Saci puts it, is your desire to go abroad “a conquest” or “a flight”?
Do your parents and relatives support your plans to study? If not, what fears do they have, and do they seem justified?
Is this the right time for you to leave? Do you feel ready to spend at least three years in another country?
How do you feel about moving away from your family? Do you feel ready to move far from home (several hours by plane), or would you prefer to stay in Europe so you don’t feel too far away and can come back regularly?
Are you looking for a bit of culture shock? Some environments or destinations will be more exotic than others, requiring you to adapt to a greater or lesser extent.
Is climate an important factor for you? Could you, for example, live in a very cold climate (like winter in Scandinavia, Canada or parts of the United States), or a very hot one?

Constance, a biomedical engineering student at Imperial College London (England), offers the following advice: « It’s really important to find out what’s going on by asking students who are already in the course you’d like to follow, or in the university you’d like to go to. It’s also important to project yourself into the course you’ve chosen, and really look at the name of each course, because the subjects are totally different from what we’re taught in high school. »She also explains : « If you’ve chosen a course of study that really interests you, you’ll have a great experience, but it’s easy to make a mistake, and many people change direction after the first year. You shouldn’t tell yourself that you can’t do this or that course because you weren’t very good in a subject associated with it in high school, because the subjects will be very different at university. »

As a result, it’s essential to choose a course of study in which you will truly thrive, and which will enable you to achieve your goals both immediately after graduation, and in the longer term.

Feel free to consult our article if you want to know the most accessible destinations with a budget of between €0 and €10,000 a year.

Find all the answers to your questions about studying abroad in our book “Etudier à l’étranger après le Bac” (Studyrama Editions).

Do you need personalized support to make your plans to study abroad a reality? Do not hesitate to Contact us to discuss your project!