Venturing abroad to further your education is a precious opportunity; it’s an adventure and the chance to immerse yourself in both knowledge and culture. However, the decision to spend the next four or so years of your life in a different country is not one to be taken lightly and there is much to think about before booking that plane ticket.

Here are four things to research and consider as you prepare to study abroad: 

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is mandatory, which means you must take it and pass a standard set by the universities in which you are interested. You’ll be assessed on your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to prove that you are proficient enough in English to follow the courses. Most universities in the United Kingdom require you to achieve a band score of between 5.5 and 7, but make sure to confirm the exact figure before taking the test.

Academic English

This is quite different from the English we use in conversations or the language you hear in movies. Academic English is more formal and has very specific rules for writing essays, analysing various texts and creating lab reports, among others. It’s highly recommended that you take a course on Academic English or research it considerably to prepare yourself for the demands of university.

Location

The location of your university can make all the difference in your daily experience abroad. If it is situated in the countryside, you’ll likely spend much of your time in a small town with a limited option of shops and entertainment venues, which close quite early in the day at around 6 p.m. In large cities, shops stay open later and you’ll have a greater choice of restaurants serving food from all over the world. However, the cost of living here is also considerably higher. So, weigh these options carefully to decide how you’re willing to spend your days when you’re not in class. 

Living arrangement

Your living arrangement may depend on your finances, but you still have several options on the matter. You may choose to live on campus with an assigned roommate, live alone in an apartment, or rent a house with a group of people. But whatever you choose, it will require you to do your own chores. Unlike in Indonesia, having a housekeeper is rare in the UK, so be prepared to wash your own clothes, make your own bed and cook your own meals.

Above all else, look at this opportunity to study abroad as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will help shape who you are as a person, a student and as a professional. We wish you the best of luck in your studies!

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