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There are many considerations when looking to study in the US, UK and Europe. Things like weather, costs and culture; language, alumni and geography, are all important and must be considered objectively and realistically.
But, there are other considerations too that need sober exploration.
Here then are 4 more questions you must ask yourself if you’re looking to study abroad.
1. Is the jump educationally worth it?
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South African institutions are renowned for producing capable and competitive graduates and should not be overlooked when considering a career pathway.
Rankings are not everything, but one should consider where institutions like UCT rank globally when considering an option abroad. If a school abroad is globally weaker than a local option, what are the advantages of making the leap? There may still be many, but do they outweigh a local offering?
Targeting globally renowned institutions with higher rankings is an easy way to circumvent this potential stumbling block, but many of these are not easy to get into and need added focus and candidacy building.
Check out this candidate and uncover how he got into Stanford University with the help of his Crimson team.
2. If your purpose is to work abroad, what is the possibility of gaining a working visa as a graduate?
Studying abroad can be done on a study visa. But, gaining employment as a graduate can come with challenges and not all countries are open to offering internationals work, even as graduates of their own universities.
Yes, it is true that many who graduate in the US, UK and Europe may find work there, but others may find it difficult and could be forced to return to South Africa.
Your country of choice, school, industry and even citizenship can drastically change this outcome and so need careful consideration before you consider the leap abroad.
3. Can I actually pursue my dream career if I study abroad?
For the most part, studying abroad will catapult your dreams further and give you the best possible platform to launch a dream career.
But, this may be more difficult in some countries and industries than in others. Although studying medicine in the US for example may be technically possible, it may be beyond the reach of most internationals.
In this particular case, and others, one has to be very careful to understand the implications of what studying abroad could actually mean if you have specific career intentions. Not fully understanding your career pathway abroad can lead to years of wasted time so one must be careful of the potential stumbling blocks.
Meeting with an Academic Advisor at Crimson Education is a good place to start if you’re unsure. Register here to book a consult.
4. If my intention is to return to South Africa, can I use my degree in Mzansi?
Most often, yes you can. Graduates of international institutions are more than capable of cementing themselves into our local economy – often with heightened opportunities and prospects.
However, sometimes being a graduate from abroad can hinder your ability to work locally, but this could depend on the country or school you graduate from, or importantly the major you graduate in.
Law is a good example of a degree choice that may come with obstacles if returning to South Africa. Some types of Law are more robust across borders, but others may be too niche to use in South Africa at all.
Again, careful consideration is key and work with a Crimson strategist is fundamental when looking to avoid potential issues in years to come.
There you have it. Four sobering questions to ask yourself before heading abroad. Have you considered them before?
To unpack your particular candidacy and potential in detail, feel free to reach out to us directly on 010 500 1036 or contact our team at southafrica@crimsoneducation.org.
