Hi everyone!

This is my first post here in the thread (though I have commented on several posts in the thread) and as I am writing this I feel a little bit nervous but I simply just want to share my experience studying abroad and how much of an impact it has on me on my academic, professional, and personal growth. I graduated during COVID so it's been awhile since I graduated, but this past year I have done a lot of reflection upon my past experiences and how it changed me so much as a person compared to during my time doing my undergraduate. Open to any questions regarding my study abroad experience and especially if you have any general or specific questions about study abroad in China, Korea, or honestly just any part of the world, I am happy to help answer and possibly guide you. I genuinely want to encourage Aggies to consider Study Abroad (in any form), because it really does change your worldview, perspective, and that experiential learning you get is so impactful :D

A little about me and my background:

I completed a double major in Chinese and International Relations at UC Davis. I honestly went in first as 'Undeclared' as I was not sure what my interests were at the time, so I took a mix of random classes, including Chinese my first year, and found that I am quite good at it. I am Chinese American, but mostly spoke Cantonese at home and did not know any Mandarin, so it was quite interesting how I broke the code in mastering the basics of Mandarin at that time.

Study Abroad was always on my radar as I was inspired by my cousin who studied abroad in Hong Kong, Seoul, and London, and motivated me to explore other parts of the world.

I was stuck between China and Korea for my top two choices, but decided to study in China at - Peking University and did a year program (I studied at UC Davis and applied for the year program via UCEAP aka University of California Education Abroad Program). I chose Beijing over Shanghai (UCEAP does provide a semester and year program in Shanghai specifically at Fudan too), because I thought it would be better to advance my Chinese and International relations studies in Beijing, especially since it is the capital and international affairs/politics) I think if I was doing something more in finance or engineering, I may have considered Fudan.

I actually ended up writing some blog posts about my time in China, but due to rules, I am unable to post them here, so if you would to view my blog posts, please feel free to reach out to me via DM. Overall, I experienced a great time making friends, exploring Beijing, and most importantly the teachers and classmates were so nice and I felt a sense of community being there. Living in Zhongguan Xinyaun(the international student dorms) was very convenient as it was located in the Southeast gate of the campus and there was a convenience store, KTV, and cafe located in the area.

What's the worst part? I still remember how I did not prepare myself for the cold weather and under-dressed. It came to a point where one night I went back to the dorm one night and I actually nearly passed out. It got to the point where I felt like I was experiencing jerky movements, dizziness, loss of consciousness, loss of vision for around 5 minutes and had to get some rest to recover. I remember closing my eyes in the shower for a few minutes and gained vision back. It was a very scary experience, so after that, I made sure to always dress warm and stay warm.

After China, I knew that I wanted to do another abroad program and applied for UCEAP - Yonsei as well as the Gilman Scholarship, which I actually got (did not expect this at all!!)

Unfortunately COVID-19 happened and all study abroad programs got cancelled. I knew that I wanted to further my academic studies in Korea as I wanted to connect Korean international relations, economy with my studies in Chinese and International Relations, as well as having a better understanding of Korean society, business, culture- beyond what we see on the Internet about Korea. In the end, I decided to pursue language program studies and then a full time Master's at Yonsei University, where I also got to work part time and full time internships in Korean companies.

Somehow, I am in the international education/travel field now, helping next generation of students with study abroad with advising/consulting, program fit, and developing more global learning programs. In my spare time, I write blogs, newsletters related to international education and travel :D

Since my story is quite long, this is a much more condensed overview, so happy to answer any questions about my personal experiences studying abroad. If it is a more specific question which may be not ideal to post here, you can DM me.

I’m currently an international student studying in the U.S., and I’ve been struggling to keep up with my classes because English isn’t my first language.
It takes me much longer than native English speakers to complete readings, understand lectures, and study for exams. I feel like I’m constantly trying to catch up.
I often hear people say that getting enough sleep improves learning, memory, and academic performance. I understand how important sleep is, but the problem is that everything takes me so much longer that I struggle to find enough time to sleep.
I feel stuck between getting enough sleep and keeping up with my coursework.
For those of you who are or have been international students, how did you deal with this?
Did you prioritize sleep even when you hadn’t finished studying? Did things get easier as your English improved? Are there any study strategies or time management tips that helped you?

My Stats: I am senior at a highly competitive stem focused high school. I have a 4.0 unweighted, 34 ACT, research experience, solid ec's, ap classes (Chem(4), CSP(5), CSA (5), APUSH (5), APAH (4)), dual enrollment (eng 111/112, calc 1/2, physics 1A).

My Education Goals: I want to study chemical engineering if I stay in the US because I believe that will give me the best foundation to work OR pursue a masters. If I go abroad I am interested in studying either chemistry or chemical engineering (depending on program) and would intend on pursuing a masters. I don't want small town, I don't want to live on campus, I would need an English based program because I'm not very proficient in other languages but do intend on learning the native language wherever I go. Research is extremely important to me. Also I love chemistry. I'm really interested in physical chemistry (which might make you think why chemical engineering but i promise I just think it gives me a more rounded foundation).

Why Europe: The program structure- I love that they cut the gen eds and throw you right into rigorous, major focused courses. Also the uni culture- I am not looking for a tight knit community, i do not need to live on campus, I know how it differs from American uni's and I love that. Also I want to leave America- here life is very much live to work and I would prefer to work to live. I plan on permanently immigrating at some point. It would be nice to be able to move now for my bachelors, but I recognize that may not be the most logical choice. I know you might say just go to a state school AND DON'T WORRY IM APPLYING TO 8 OF THEM SO HOPEFULLY SOMEONE GIVES ME A FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP but really thats just me crossing my fingers. Even state schools are unaffordable with the cost of living compared to the aid I'll receive.

Being Realistic: I have 60k usd set aside for school right now (tuition + life costs). In America I am not eligible for much financial aid, if any. Budget has some flexibility. I do not believe Europe will be more affordable (with everything considered), that is not what I care about. Budget is just for logistics. I have a very heavy senior year course load and my domestic college apps are overwhelming any ways so I would prefer minimal extra exams. I know this is lazy and probably compromises my potential.

I've spent too much time researching and this is the most realistic list I've come up with for myself:

Aalto University

Kaunas University of Technology

Johannes Kepler University Linz (I actually need to do more digging because I am not certain I'll even meet diploma requirements BUT THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL OPTION IF I DO)

Any advice, suggestions, thoughts, comments, ideas, feedback, would be appreciated. Family is supportive, I just have to figure out everything myself (sigh).

im currently planning on studying abroad this spring (im currently a junior) but im having trouble finding a subleaser so i was thinking of pushing it back to next spring aka the semester i graduate. i would have all my classes completed before i go abroad so transferring credit won’t be a problem. i want to go abroad for the experience of living in another part of the world and i dont want to graduate early, ive been really saving up for this. i cant go next fall bc ill be recruiting for full time jobs. ideally i would like to study abroad this upcoming spring but it would be very difficult to absorb the double rent cost. so im just wondering what are the pros/cons of studying abroad the last semester before graduation? can anyone who has done this talk abt their experience?

tldr: can’t find subleaser, might have to push study abroad back to senior spring, can anyone talk abt their experience?

I'm a super indecisive person and I have a deadline I need to decide by, pleaseee help

Ireland (maynooth):
Pros:

• Small college town
• School is less posh, smaller, easier to make friends
• Music (I loveee irish folk music)
• Language is more integrated with the culture 
• Gorgeous landscapes
• Nearby city has more nightlife 

Cons:

• Poorer academics (for my specific major)
• fewer backup classes if I don't get into the ones I registered for
• Hard to get places from maynooth, I need to take almost an hour bus to dublin then go on a train from there, most of the things I want to do are out west 

Scotland (edinburgh)
Pros

• Amazing hiking
• Mountains everywhere!! 
• Can go more places I’m interested in via public transit
• Very prestigious school, going there will look good for me
• Interesting classes, 

Cons

• Sad grey city
• Big, touristy city
• Will the school be too intense for me? I can struggle with self-guided academics
• I don’t like the gothic dark academia vibe compared to a cutesy small town

if anyone has input, or has experience in these places pleaseeee please lmk!!

Hey all!

I am need a field school and/or internship for my BA in Anthropology. This is because I am also getting a Applied Archaeology Certificate through my university. I was looking at the IFR Field School, along with some study abroad programs.

Has anyone had any experiences with a particular field school? Or anyone else in the same situation? I need something for Summer 2027 so im actively looking now and applying by Dec/Jan.

Thanks a bunch!

I'm a B.Com graduate from India and I don't have any full-time work experience. I'm considering pursuing an MBA in the UK, or in any other cities preferably through scholarships or other funding opportunities.

Has anyone with a similar profile applied to or studied for an MBA in the UK? I'd like to know about eligibility, universities that consider applicants without work experience, the application process, and scholarship opportunities.

Also, are there any universities you'd particularly recommend looking into for someone with my profile?

Hi everyone. I am from Mauritius and I have a french nationality. I have done my cambridge A levels this year and I have been wanting to go to universities in spain. The admissions open in November and I don’t have my A level results yet. I have emailed plenty of universities and they told me to go through UNEDassiss to convert my UK results into Spanish results. This service is costly and I don’t want to convert only my SC results right now.I also don’t have any predicted results. I would like to convert both of them but my A level results come out in January. Anyone who have gone through this process can explain to me how this works please?

Hello! I am planning on doing a semester abroad in Tokyo in the spring of 2028. How much should I save in total? The only billable item I have to pay for upfront is 500$, so I will only be paying for things like suica, food, school supplies, whatever else I gotta pay for. Housing is already covered and should be on campus, so I wont have to worry about daily transport.

Hello everyone. I am in my final year on a bachelor degree in geology (geochemistry) in one of world top-100 universities, at least according to some outdated lists. Although i don't complain studying here, it's becoming difficult to do science in my country and basically to survive, especially for people like me. So i'd love to take an opportunity to do my master's abroad (and better not to return). One of the problems is that i poor (as well as most of people in the third world) so i consider only fully founded scholarships.

At first glance i seem to have quite good chances: my GPA is 3.67/4 (apparently), i have a year and half of lab experience at a respected institute, including geospatial modeling, chemical analysis, participation in a biogeochemical expedition, and presentations at several local and regional conferences. On other hand i've messed up and missed the deadlines for most applications, and my preparation for IELTS started too late so now i approximately may get 7.0-7.5 at the end of November, while my writing and speaking are so weak i doubt whether they will be above 6.5 or even 6.0. Taking the test requires going to another country (as our *beloved* government banned IELTS not long ago) so the total cost will be about $500, which is a lot for my family.

Since i still have to work at lab, write my thesis and try not to go insane, i've started dwelling on worthiness of my struggles. Regarding my main field (which is biogeochemistry and/or geospatial modeling) there are generally left two scholarships - Erasmus Mundus GEM and ETH Zurich ESOP. For any other program, i'll fall behind in application deadline by the end of November when i'll get my IELTS results. I'd appreciate if anyone could suggest scholarships i might still be eligible for, but even if there are some i'm not sure whether i will apply. Most programs require letters of recommendation, and i am lacking in confidence to ask for them. Although i work for a certain amount of time, i don't have any published papers and my previous courseworks were generally laughed at. My university also has hard time helping student on applications, so we have to translate transcripts ourselves and practically fight with administration to get them approved.

Honestly, it would be easier if i skip this year and apply for wider range of programs on autumn 2027, when i'll have my diploma on my hands. The only downsides are emotional damage of giving up and slowly growing risks for life. Since i was almost burnout i wrote this post hoping for advice - not necessarily about any specific programs, but about my direction. I welcome any opinion on *does it really worth to have a try* if you have one.

How to get a fully funded Master’s in the US or Canada?
What matters most for securing funding as an international student?

Which country is flexible in terms of study gap( MSc)?

I'm a 17-year-old international student currently on a gap year, hoping to start a BSc in Mathematics (preferably pure mathematics) in 2027.

I've been feeling pretty discouraged about my grades recently, especially because I'm aiming for highly ranked universities. I'm not sure how competitive my overall profile actually is.

I'd appreciate some realistic suggestions for universities in Europe (excluding the UK) and Asia that offer English-taught undergraduate Mathematics degrees.

Academic profile (Pearson Edexcel International A Levels)

• Mathematics: A\* (achieved)
• Further Mathematics: A\* (predicted, entirely self-studied because my school didn't offer it)
• Physics: A (predicted)
• Computer Science: B (achieved, currently resitting with the aim of improving to an A/A*)
• IGCSE First Language English: B
• UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge: Top 1% scorer
• Planning to take the SAT in November.

My biggest concern is my B in Computer Science. I'm worried that it might significantly weaken my application despite my Mathematics grades.

Extracurriculars and supercurriculars

Mathematics and research

• Conducted research into nonlinear mathematical models, numerical stability, eigenvalue analysis, and soliton behaviour, with academic guidance.
• Worked on independent mathematical projects involving differential equations, numerical methods, computational simulations, and complex dynamics.
• Self-studied the entire Further Mathematics A Level.
• Achieved a top 1% score in a national/international mathematics challenge.
• Tutored around 10 students in Mathematics, from IGCSE to A Level/Further Mathematics.
• Created educational mathematics content explaining advanced concepts.

Programming, entrepreneurship and technology

• Founded and developed an educational web platform with over 200 users.
• Developed a separate university research and comparison platform.
• Founded/co-founded a web development business, worked with multiple paying clients, managed numerous websites, and generated over $10,000 in revenue.
• Gained professional experience in software development, data analysis, and technical roles.
• Built computational mathematics projects involving numerical simulations, Python, data analysis, and visualisation.
• Participated in engineering and technology competitions involving programming and hardware.

Leadership and other activities

• Led a music band, organised musical productions, and performed at concerts, festivals, and other events.
• Reached the finals of a regional interschool football competition twice.
• Trained in martial arts for several years and competed in multiple disciplines.
• Balanced academic research, independent study, tutoring, and paid professional work alongside my qualifications.

What I'm looking for

I'm interested in universities that have:

• Strong Mathematics departments, particularly in pure mathematics.
• Good international reputation and opportunities for postgraduate study.
• English-taught undergraduate Mathematics programmes.
• Good student life and a reasonably social environment.
• A strong academic community and opportunities for undergraduate research.

I'm mainly considering continental Europe and Asia, including places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, mainland China, and other countries with suitable programmes.

Tuition fees and living costs aren't major restrictions.

My questions

1. Which highly ranked universities would be realistic reaches, targets, and relatively safe options for someone with my profile?
2. How badly does my achieved B in Computer Science affect my chances, especially when Mathematics is my intended major?
3. Would my research, programming projects, entrepreneurship, and other extracurriculars meaningfully strengthen my application?
4. Are my grades genuinely weak for top universities, or am I overthinking the B?
5. Are there any underrated but academically excellent universities in Europe or Asia that I should consider?
6. Would a strong SAT score make a meaningful difference for universities in these regions?

I'm not expecting guaranteed admission anywhere. I'd just like to know how competitive my profile is and build an ambitious but realistic university list.

I'd really appreciate honest feedback and specific university recommendations. Thanks!

Hi im thinking of going to france for my bachelors so im thinking of either global bba in essec or bsc economics in escp i think i can achive b2 french and maybe c1 if i work hard how possible is it for me to land a good job hopefully in luxury management or something

Lunch here is around 2:30 and dinner is 10pm. I knew that going in, I read all about it on the flight over, but knowing it and being starving at 7pm every single night are not the same thing at all.

My residence dining hall doesn't open for dinner until 9, so i've become a professional snacker. The bakery by campus knows me by now, the lady has my napolitana bagged before i get to the counter. My Spanish roommate thinks it's hilarious that i eat a whole meal before dinner and then go out and eat again with everyone at 10 😅

The weekend trips make up for it (Lisbon/Paris so far, Seville next). People who did a semester in Spain, how long until your body gave in... hoping it's soon

Good day!

I am currently 16F, from Philippines and is currently a g11 student studying ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management) and I have this burning passion to study abroad however I have no idea on where to start all I got is this desire of mine. I would really appreciate it if someone could give advice, tips and ideas on where I could start.

Hi,

I'm indian, 22 year old pursuing B. Tech in CS. And currently I'm in final year. I've 12 months of working experience. 5 months of remote internship and six onsite work in front end development. I also have some real skills. I really need genuine advice. I've 7.3 CGPA. Want to pursue masters abroad. I'm not financially capable of handling fee of abroad but I'm ready to work harder to get a scholarship abroad. Till now I've searched for some colleges in Germany and DAAD scholarship. I'm also preparing for GATE. I'm so confused what should I do. Or simply I should get a job and move ahead for now and apply for M. Tech later after getting some clarity. I genuinely want to study further. Also I've doubt about what's the application process for the scholarship and exact document needed. Even I'm not getting clarity through their official portal.

I am thinking of doing my bachelor's abroad in 2028

One of the countries I consider is USA but in the current time immigration condition is worse, USA still provides best universities in the world and highest ROI but it still depends upon the h1b lottery. I am getting very confused whether I should have usa in my plan or not

And if government changes in 2028 election will it make immigration condition better?

I’m currently in my junior year of high school, and I’m looking to study abroad for university. It’s always been my dream to study in America, especially since I’ve visited a few times and absolutely loved it. However, I’ve heard a lot of people say that the US isn’t a good place to live or study, so I wanted to hear some opinions from people who have experience with it. Is it really that bad? And if so, what other countries would you recommend for university?

Hi everyone!

I’ve just been accepted to study abroad at Royal Holloway University next semester!! I was wondering if anyone who has studied abroad here or is a full time student here could share their experiences? I’m a little nervous about making friends since I’m coming in the spring semester instead of the fall semester :(

Thanks!!

How much loan do you have now which u took for studying abroad how you plan to pay back. Only people with 30lakh+ loan reply here and how old are you ?

Hi everyone,

I'm 18, a Pakistani citizen living and working in the UAE. I want to do a Bachelor's in Computer Science in Europe (Schengen), starting 2027.

My profile:

- HSSC (FBISE 2025, Pre-Engineering with Computer Science): 58.4% (English 58.5%, Maths 55.5%)

- 1 year of BS Computer Science at a Pakistani private university (studying at its UAE campus, degree issued by the Lahore campus)

- Taught in English throughout; I can take IELTS (aiming for 6.5)

- Budget: up to around €6,000/year tuition, plus family support for living costs

What I've found so far:

- Romania: Pakistani HSSC now needs 80% (Politehnica Bucharest confirmed by email)

- Lithuania (SMK): needs 75%

- Austria: 80%

- Germany: HSSC + 1 passed year at a Pakistani university gives same-field direct entry (DAAD), but I study at the UAE campus, so I'm not sure uni-assist will accept it

My questions:

1. Has anyone with a low HSSC % got into a European bachelor's recently? Which country/university?
2. Has anyone used 1 year at a Pakistani university's overseas campus for uni-assist/Germany? Did it work?
3. Is it smarter to finish my bachelor's first and go for a master's in Germany instead?

Any honest advice or experience would really help. Thanks!

Hello everyone!

I'm planning to pursue a master's degree in Canada, preferably in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related IT field. However, I'm concerned about whether my three-year bachelor's degree will affect my eligibility for admission.

I completed my Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) with an 8.5 CGPA from a regular degree college affiliated with Osmania University, India.

I've been researching Canadian universities, but I've noticed that some institutions require a four-year bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification. I'd like to understand whether Canadian universities accept a three-year Indian BCA degree for master's programs in Data Science, AI, or Computer Science.

I also have some concerns about the current Canadian study permit and visa situation, and whether it could affect my chances of studying there.

My qualifications and experience:

Education

• Degree: Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
• University: Osmania University (affiliated college)
• Duration: 3 years
• CGPA: 8.5/10

Internship Experience

1. Junior Developer Intern | Credencer Technologies | March 2026 – October 2026

• Led and coordinated a team of 11 interns, managing task allocation, communication, and progress updates.
• Developed the homepage of an industrial website using React.js as part of a three-member team.
• Implemented client-side navigation using React Router and contributed to a video-based hero section.
• Worked with FastAPI, MySQL, Git, and GitHub.

2. Python Full Stack Developer Intern | LaktoTech Labs Pvt. Ltd. | August 2025 – October 2025

• Developed web applications using Python, Django, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap.
• Worked with MySQL and SQLite and applied object-oriented programming concepts.

3. AI Strategy & Business Intelligence Intern | IBM SkillsBuild × CSRBOX × AICTE | March 2026 – April 2026

• Completed a six-week internship covering AI strategy, business intelligence, data interpretation, and AI applications.

4. Data Science Intern | IBM SkillsBuild × CSRBOX | October 2024 – November 2024

• Gained experience in data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, and basic machine learning using Python, Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib.

My questions:

1. Three-year BCA eligibility: Do Canadian universities accept a three-year BCA degree from an Indian university such as Osmania University for master's programs in Data Science, AI, or Computer Science? Are there universities that consider applicants with this qualification?
2. Admission chances: With an 8.5 CGPA and multiple internships in software development, AI, and Data Science, do I have a realistic chance of getting admission? Would my internship experience strengthen my application even though I don't have full-time work experience?
3. IELTS or GRE: Should I take IELTS Academic, or would the GRE also be beneficial? Which tests should I prioritize for Canadian master's applications?
4. University recommendations: Could you suggest universities that offer relevant master's programs and are known to consider three-year Indian bachelor's degrees?
5. Study permit and visa concerns: Given the current situation with Canadian study permits, what factors should I focus on to improve my overall application?
6. Alternative options: If most universities require a four-year bachelor's degree, are there any bridging programs, qualifying programs, or other pathways I should consider?

My goal is to pursue a master's degree in a field related to AI or Data Science and build a career in the IT industry.

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has completed a similar journey, especially Indian students with a three-year BCA degree who successfully secured admission to Canadian universities.

Thank you!

I'm 27 from Delhi and need blunt advice.

Profile: B.Com (DU SOL, 56%), M.Com (IGNOU, 54%), both distance mode. IELTS 7.0, German A1. About 3 months in customs documentation, then 2 years in international email support (Salesforce). Learning Excel, SQL and Power BI.

What happened: I was admitted to an MBA at a German university, funded by a ₹30L loan (about 12%). The student visa was refused. Admission and funds were fine, but the embassy said I couldn't show why I need a second master's at the same level, and my reasons were too general. I'm not appealing.

Now: No job yet, refunds pending, and my father (the family's main earner) retires in 3–4 years. He has offered to help with the loan.

Options I'm weighing:

A Gulf job, then Europe later

A specialised master's (supply chain or analytics) for autumn 2027 after some work

Bank exams alongside a BPO job

Questions:

Is reapplying for the same MBA with a new SOP worth it?

Is a specialised master's realistic with 54–56% distance-mode degrees?

Does one German refusal hurt applications to Poland or the Czech Republic?

Has anyone recovered from a "second master's" refusal? What changed?

Is a Gulf sponsored job realistic with my profile?

Please be honest, not comforting. Thank you