The Four Key Elements to Pursuing Further Studies

Are you a coffee lover? drinker? At least I know I am. Have you ever wondered how coffee is prepared? Well, any basic coffee requires ingredients: water, coffee beans, milk/cream, sweeteners (optional). Well, just like coffee preparation, your study abroad requires specific basic elements without which it is impossible to fulfill that dream. The following are significant to getting you started.

1. Get a passport

This is the most basic requirement. It validates whether or not you are even allowed to leave the country. A passport number is required during the application process of the schools you are checking out, therefore, it means that without it you cannot start anything. This is why it is a key component in this process. Normally in Kenya, at least by the time when I was applying, it took only two weeks to get it after submitting my documentation. But I’m sure the timeline must have changed by now so you might want to plan according to the timeframe and check out for any changes that must have happened within the last year.

2. Do Research

You must check out your target schools’ locations, whether interested in the United States, Australia, Canada, or the UK etc. You want to get an in-depth understanding of the environments within which those schools are situated in terms of climate, security, the cost of living, tuition, scholarships, and other sorts of funding offered. You want to understand the placement rates of those institutions together with employability rates. As a potential exchange student, you not only want to minimize expenses but also focus on the credibility of these universities and colleges. Therefore take your time to understand these dynamics and decision make thereafter.

3. Choose A Program

Now this part of the process is easier only if you have taken the time to do research. It comes right after you have considered every other aspect mentioned earlier and it gives you a better perspective of what you want to pursue. Might I add that consideration to the GPA is very crucial. Now I understand in Kenya we do not necessarily grade ourselves in this manner, however, other online tools can tell you what GPA you have by just filling in a few details here and there. The good news is if you got a second-class upper division in your undergrad, it’s basically above a 3.0 GPA. You must know this since you will have to fill it up during application, but you can estimate as well since you will still need to upload your transcripts and the chosen institution can tell whether or not you meet the admission requirements.

NOTE: If you are looking to pursue a graduate program, consider one that aligns with your undergraduate degree. This might save you lots of explaining during the visa interview at the embassy.

4. Create A Budget

This is what I call, the “heart” of the process. It will be somehow challenging to get everything together without finances. You need money to process a passport, you need application fees, and you need finances for English proficiency tests (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc), you will need money for visa processing and you will need to show proof of funds at the embassy with or without scholarships or Graduate Assistantships. You have to be prepared. You want to plan so that you do not stress yourself to the roof while at the same time focusing on future benefits. Is it worth it? Yes? Take the risk. Your future self will thank you.

>Apply to your desired school

I want to stress that you pay attention to the submission due dates and keep everything in check. You want to have the application fees ready with you(some institutions waiver), English proficiency tests(Also consider the score needed for your program), testimonials, transcripts, and referees if needed. It is desirable to apply to many schools just to be safe.

GOODLUCK!