Myths about studying abroad

Myth #1: Studying abroad is too expensive

Studying anywhere is probably going to be a costly venture to some degree, regardless of if you’re studying around the corner from your house or in a different country. Then, why study abroad anyways? The good thing is that international education is only growing in popularity, and more and more opportunities for financial support are becoming available.

Though this may seem like one of the biggest challenges of studying abroad, many universities now offer scholarships specifically for international students! It’s all just a matter of finding and applying for them.

Myth #2: Employers don’t care that I studied abroad

With technology that makes it easy to work internationally in the modern world, any international experience whatsoever is only going to be a benefit when applying for jobs and pursuing your career; it’s certainly not going to negatively impact your employment opportunities in any way.

Listing on your CV that you've spent time abroad shows employers that you can take risks, are independent, and can work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Rather than being one of the challenges of studying abroad, international experience is quite the opposite - it prepares you for a career!

Myth #3: Making friends while studying abroad will be too hard

For some people, making friends while studying abroad won’t be an issue at all. But for the rest of us who have trouble just walking up to a stranger and introducing ourselves, it can be an incredibly daunting task.

Why study abroad then? Well, most universities will host an array of programs and events specifically aimed at connecting international students from all around the world who are in the same boat. Before you know it, you’ll be making weekend plans with your new acquaintances and your worries will be quickly forgotten!

Myth #4: I need to learn the language while studying abroad

This myth is commonly seen as one of the biggest challenges of studying abroad when looking at international programs. Chances are that you're contemplating studying a course taught in English when you go abroad. So, in most cases, it isn't essential for you to learn the native language of the country (assuming it isn't English).

Most foreign universities put a lot of focus on recruiting international students, so English-taught programs are becoming more and more commonplace. Having said that, even knowledge of some basic phrases in the native language of that country will offer you a much more authentic study abroad experience, meaning that you can immerse yourself deeper into the culture and interact more confidently with the locals. But in most cases, it's not a necessity!

Myth #5: Studying abroad is dangerous

When asking yourself, “Where should I study abroad?”, this myth is likely to come up, especially from parents. In reality, some countries will be safer than others, but overall, safety shouldn't be a major concern when deciding whether or not to study abroad.

Most universities will have established processes in place to help international students settle in and feel safe, whether that is helping you find accommodation, advising you on the safest public transport options, or connecting you with fellow students so you have friends to travel around with. Any good university will be able to give you all the information you need to make sure that your time abroad is safe, secure, and fun! Do your research on the country or city you're traveling to so you can learn as much as you can about the culture and any known safety concerns. Put plans in place to limit risks and keep your mind at ease!

Myth #6: I can’t study my major abroad

Regardless of the type of degree or subject of study you are interested in, there are plenty of study abroad opportunities in countries throughout the world - it's just a matter of finding them!

It may turn out that some countries offer higher quality education in certain subject areas than others, so do your research. If you're intending to do just part of your degree overseas (e.g. a semester or one year of a three-year Bachelor degree), chat with your university at home to see what kind of study abroad programs can be cross-credited to your qualification. There’d be nothing worse than returning from a year abroad only to find out that half of what you’d done wasn’t going to count towards your degree!