Studying abroad is the dream of most young people. Having global experience, international network and interacting with multicultural cultures is the main attraction.
Especially for young people who like challenges. Studying and living abroad will be an unforgettable experience.
As the saying goes, different grasshoppers, different fish. Each country has special requirements for foreigners who want to study in their country. Especially if you want to study with a scholarship. There are many special requirements that you must meet.
Those of you who don’t have experience managing scholarships to study abroad must be confused and wondering. However, don’t worry. Here are 8 tips for getting a scholarship to study abroad.
1. Determine Your College Major
A few moments ago, a young artist got the opportunity to study at the world’s best universities, namely Oxford and Stanford. This artist was also hit by confusion because both of them are majors of interest.
After discussing with his parents and people he trusted, the choice fell on a major that could provide extraordinary benefits and impact for his future.
So, before deciding which scholarship you will take, invite your parents or someone you trust to discuss it.
You can ask their views on the major you will choose. Choose several majors that interest you and then tell your parents. You can also find out the opportunities for this major in the future.
Also read : 9 Tips for Choosing the Right College Major
2. Find Out Your Candidate Campus
When the major has been determined, the next step is to look for a campus that provides the major and provides scholarships.
For this one, you can rely on the recommendations of friends who are studying abroad. Or you search yourself through well-known search sites like Google.
Knowing your prospective campus will help determine your strategy for getting a scholarship to study abroad. For example, you can browse through which city you will live in.
Therefore, look for a campus that provides the major you want. Read carefully each of the terms and facilities provided.
You can also track how many Indonesians live in the city or the culture of the population.
Because it uses a foreign language, you can also ask your family or closest people to read the terms together.
3. Learn the Terms
Every campus that provides scholarships for college, there must be terms and conditions that apply. For example, what is the TOEFL limit, age requirements, letters of recommendation, LoA letters, and so on.
You must carefully read and carefully meet all the requirements. You can highlight some special requirements that usually distinguish it from other scholarships.
Generally, administrative provisions are the first thing selected by the campus or scholarship provider. For that, you have to prepare it carefully.
Doing something suddenly will make you easily panicked and rash. So, make a list of scholarship requirements and tick the list that is already eligible.
You can also create a to-do list and work on them in the order of convenience. Paste the note of your scholarship terms in an easily visible place.
In addition to providing motivation, this also makes you always remember to do something so that it is appropriate and effective.
4. Sharing with Indonesian Alumni Overseas Graduates
Indonesian alumni who study abroad usually form a community. Currently the most famous is the PPI (Indonesian Student Association). The PPI alumni network is also very strong and is usually still connected to campuses abroad.
Immediately search for PPI social media in the area or campus you are going to. Do not hesitate to make contact first.
Why? Because one of their goals in holding this community is to make it easier for people who also want to study abroad.
Sometimes PPI Alumni also hold sharing with students or students who want to study abroad. Sign up immediately if the opportunity is open.
You can also note who you can still share with after the activity ends. Share about requirements, applying for LoA, culture and how to adapt when studying abroad.
5. Look for the Scholarship Hunter Community
You can search for communities that have the same goal on social media. The community in question usually consists of young scholarship hunters.
You can get the necessary information by joining the community. In addition, the community makes you more enthusiastic because you have comrades in arms.
Therefore, establish communication with people in the community. Of course this will make it easier for you to get a scholarship to study abroad.
6. Ask Parents’ Blessings
There is nothing more important than asking the parents for their blessing before deciding on this important matter.
The blessing of your parents will make it easy for you to get a scholarship to study abroad. It also makes your mind calm and your heart more open.
Make parents the first place to tell everything. Especially when preparing for a big future.
There are no parents who do not want their children to be successful in the future. They will help by praying after each service.
7. Prepare LoA
One of the things that need to be prepared to get a scholarship abroad is a Letter of Appearance (LoA). Getting an LoA means that you have been accepted and meet the requirements to be a student at the campus you are going to.
LoA itself can be a requirement at the beginning for the scholarship giver or last. It depends on what kind of scholarship you choose.
Learn in advance the requirements given by the campus you are going to. If you are confused, you can ask the contact person listed on the campus website.
If you have Indonesian friends or acquaintances who study at the campus, you can ask for help. By getting an LoA, you will be increasingly considered by scholarship providers.
8. Learn the Culture
Each country has different characteristics. Whether it’s language, weather, food to the habits of the people.
You should study and analyze the culture to make it easier to adapt. It’s even better if you can speak the same language so you don’t feel like you’re in a minority.
Studying foreign culture does not mean forgetting the culture in your own country. You just enrich the culture more so you don’t stutter culture.
Instead, it becomes a means of learning and expanding knowledge. This is also one of your considerations for choosing the campus where you study.
Also read : 10 Ways to Deal with an Angry Supervisor
Closing
So many offers of scholarships abroad and opportunities are wide open. Not only that, the competitors also do not come from their own country but also from other countries.
Preparing carefully and planned will make it easy for you to get a scholarship abroad. You should also prepare mentally when accepted or rejected.
