Going Abroad

Going Abroad

Study, work and travel are the three main purposes of going abroad. Many students and faculty may be looking for more information about studying abroad, and some students have already started to arrange possible semesters, internships or summer programs abroad.

There are many aspects to consider when going abroad including location, the application process, living, and studying. Of all English-speaking countries, the United States and England may be the most popular choices, but still, Australia , New Zealand and Canada are also viable options. Additionally, some Chinese students may pay attention to countries closer to home, such as Korea , Japan , Malaysia , and Singapore .

Students should evaluate their individual situation carefully, because every country and every university have unique strengths and weaknesses. Here are some questions potential study abroad students should consider.

Campus Environment

Students' personal and academic lives will change depending on the campus environment. Several elements can be taken into consideration.

Population: How big (or small) is the student population ? What is the average class size?

Location: Where is the university located? (Region of the city, state and country) How does the location affect students' quality of life?

Campus grounds: Universities often provide photographs of campus on their websites, so students should view the specific website of their university of choice. Is the campus well-maintained? Does the campus look like it has a positive learning environment ?

Facilities: Is the layout and terrain convenient and is there appropriate transportation on campus? Does the university provide high-quality libraries, computer labs, sports and recreation facilities, and a student union?

Furthermore, students should consider their area of study. Does the university provide appropriate facilities and resources in the specific department or college?

Academics

According to personal interests, there are many study and academic options to consider.

Majors & Degree Programs

Here are a few online resources to help students to find the proper school and the proper major.

The Collegeboard website is divided into three parts: “For Students,” “For Parents,” and “For Professionals.” In the Student Section, readers can find detailed information about majors and careers .

Exchanges for Teachers & Students

Partnerships and exchanges among universities in China and other parts of the world are quickly increasing . SUST currently works with two U.S. universities, which students can learn more about on the Exchanges & Partnerships page.

Application Requirements & Procedures

StudyAbroad.com (even in Chinese ) is a comprehensive directory of study abroad programs, International education support through the study abroad handbook provides a guide to education abroad, health and safety and study abroad scholarship/financial aid information.

OK.com provides all the necessary information about study abroad procedures, material, qualifications, application requirements, application time and useful tips for those who want to study and live outside their own countries.

Study Abroad Links points to thousands of opportunities and resources from around the globe.

Graduateshotline.com collects information and opinions from university students. The information is up-to date and continuously growing.

Gradschools.com is a leading and comprehensive online graduate

school guide to find the best graduate schools and graduate programs.

International Exams

It is important to read about information on various international exams. Getting a good score may be vital for gaining admission to a foreign university.

Choosing the proper resources to prepare for an exam may also be crucial. Here in Xi'an , New Oriental School , English First and Global Education (there may be more) are available for helping students prepare for the international examinations.

Boxfreeconcepts.com is a comprehensive website about many important international exams' admission tests and essays.

This website is for people studying for one of the many English language exams. It contains free online practice tests for the most important international ESL/EFL exams, including IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and the Cambridge ESOL exams such as CPE, CAE, FCE, and PET.

Tigtag.com is a platform that includes information about study abroad, immigration, overseas job-seeking, language study, paper preparation, and university information. The Tigtag community is a leading Chinese “going abroad” resource.

Microedu.com is a leading site for LSAT, GRE, GMAT, test prep, and admission essay editing for graduate school, business school and law school admission applications.

Cost of Going Abroad

Costs may influence students' decision on which major, school and country they choose.

Paying for Studying Abroad (Tuition Fees & Scholarships)

This depends on school and major the students choose. The following links provide information about tuition fees and scholarships abroad.

Visit the Study Destinations bar on the Infozee homepage to find general information about tuition fees, scholarships financial aid and other details about study in the United States , the United Kingdom , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

US News & World Report offers particularly up-to-date information about tuition fees at American universities.

Collegeboard ‘s Pay for College page provides financial aid and scholarship information for American universities.

Accommodation

Generally, there are 3 types of accomodation: home-stays, apartments or on-campus dormitories (all with varying costs). If students have any concerns about their home-stay, apartment or dormitory, they can contact the housing department or residence director at their university.

Transportation

Students may have many choices for city-wide transportation, such as bike, bus, taxi, or subway. In many countries, students receive a discount with their student ID cards.

Other Tips for living abroad

The following links are general reference guides for students and faculty interested in moving abroad .

Shelter Offshore is an online publication that provides information, facts and advice to those want to explore life outside their own country. Topics include living, banking and property.

Transitions Abroad Magazine [link 24] provides “information that would enable travelers to actually meet the people of other countries, to learn about their culture, to speak their language, and to ‘transition' to a new level of understanding and appreciation for our fascinating world.”