10 Common Mistakes to Avoid in 2024 to Study Abroad

Planning a study abroad journey is rigorous and requires extensive steps. You sure will not want a process involving huge amounts of money, time, and effort to go in vain because of silly, common mistakes. This article lists the 10 common mistakes that study abroad aspirants must avoid. 

Get ready to make your 2024 study abroad applications a hassle-free experience.

1.Missing on Upcoming Destinations 

When talking about study-abroad destinations, our minds ponder countries like the US, the UK, Canada, etc. In a rush to keep up with the trend, aspirants overlook offbeat destinations that may suit them better. These upcoming study destinations have unique features that could be a game changer in your study abroad journey. 

For instance, Finland has state-funded university education even for international students, the universities in France are scaling up the rankings year by year, Australia is a good option if you are looking for a welcoming country that offers quality education, and so on.

2. Not Shortlisting Course First

While this may seem imbecilic, it is one of the most common mistakes aspirants make. Not being sure of the course they want to pursue can turn out to be a big blunder. Before selecting a suitable program, students should thoroughly research the course structure, modules, and relevancy. As a general rule, first decide what you want to study, and then move on to shortlisting the university.

3. Not Researching about Country

As an international student, immersing yourself in the host country’s culture is vital. Before deciding on the country, you must learn its geography, culture, communities, and lifestyle. Information on these aspects will help you determine if you can fit well there and adapt easily to new surroundings. 

4. Incomplete Application

In a rush to embark on their study abroad journey, aspirants sometimes tend to submit incomplete applications. You will be amazed to know that the hurriedness in the process can make you commit mistakes as silly as entering the wrong email ID! Sometimes, aspirants forget to attach the requisite documents. Hence, you must keep all your documents (academic records, transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, proficiency test scores, passport, etc.) ready before starting an application. Double-check all the information and documents before submitting your application. This surely is one of the top mistakes we want you to avoid in 2024.

5. Not Meeting Deadlines

Imagine you go through the strenuous process of filling out the long application form but forget the last submission date, or you prepare diligently for the standardized tests but are late at registering yourself!! This can blow away your chances of studying abroad. Hence, aspirants must stay extra careful on deadlines of all sorts– application submission, fee payments, test dates, etc. Pen them down or set reminders if you wish. 

6. Loose Financial Planning

When calculating a budget to study abroad, most aspirants consider only tuition fees and forget about pre-arrival and post-arrival costs and other miscellaneous expenses. This includes university application fees, specialized test fees, flight tickets, student health insurance, accommodation charges, visa application fees, etc. You should also research the country’s cost of living as it will impact your budget. 

For instance, you may select a country due to its lower tuition cost, but it will ultimately weigh your budget if it has higher accommodation costs. Similarly, a country with higher tuition may have a lower cost of living too. Indulge in thorough research, especially of the city/state you will be residing in.

7. Applying to No or Fewer Scholarships

While financial planning is essential, so is knowing the key to reducing the costs involved. Many countries offer fully-funded and partially-funded scholarships for international students categorized based on their economic status, qualification, academic performance, citizenship, etc. These scholarships may be offered by universities, NGOs, private companies, or the government. For some scholarships, you may have to apply separately, while for others, you automatically qualify with the confirmation of your admission to the program. 

8. Ignoring Interview Preparation

The entire study abroad process boils down to the visa interview! Messing this up can put a halt to your dream. So, in 2024, we will want you to put due focus on the visa interview preparation. Research what kind of questions are asked, the best way to answer them, the body language to maintain, etc. Our pro tip is to practice as much as you can!

9. Not Keeping Back-Up Plan

Just meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to your dream university. What if your university application is rejected or there is a delay in getting a visa? Having a plan B is always advised to keep your dream of studying abroad intact. The foremost thing in such cases is not to get demotivated or give up. To counter this scenario, you can apply to multiple universities – in the same country or different countries, to strengthen your chances of being admitted to a few.

10. Mental Block to Innovative Study Abroad Models

One of the most common mistakes is following the usual path and not exploring new and innovative study-abroad models. This means not researching different ways you can start your study abroad journey with ease and in a cost-effective manner. What if you aren’t able to get the required GMAT/GRE score? Does it mean you will have to give up on your dream? Absolutely not! You can enjoy greater flexibility with the admission process with innovative study-abroad consultants or models. Also, when you choose the right study abroad model for yourself, you can get in-depth information on significant aspects like documents you need to apply to a university, the visa application process, etc.

Apart from the points mentioned above, not finding accommodation in advance, ignoring health insurance, and not researching which visa to apply for are other common mistakes you should avoid.

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, and you must start the process early for a smooth sail but do not rush into it. Keep calm and plan your journey vigilantly. Thoroughly research the countries, their guidelines on international students, visa types, admission processes, fees, cost of living, etc. Ensure that your chosen country and course align with your professional as well as personal goals. Avoid these listed common mistakes in 2024 and prepare to sail your ship smoothly to the next milestone.