Everything to work out before you go
Written for students planning to study a language abroad.
Where will you live?
Homestay, student residence, a shared flat or a place of your own. Each one changes your budget, your routine and how fast you learn. Here is what they really mean.
Read the accommodation guide
Which visa do you need?
For most short language courses the answer is simpler than students expect, and in several countries you do not need a student visa at all. Country by country, for students from Latin America.
Read the visa guideChoosing
Where, which school, and for how much
6 min readStudying abroad? What to know before choosing your course
The nine things that decide whether the experience is worth it, and none of them is the price of the course on its own.
Read
4 min readWhat does studying a language abroad really cost?
The course is one line of the budget. Here is the rest of it, before it surprises you.
Read
3 min readHow much should you bid?
The number you write decides how many schools answer. Too low is not a bargain, it is silence.
Read
4 min readHow do you know a language school is trustworthy?
You are sending money to an institution thousands of kilometres away. Here is what to check first.
Read
3 min read15, 20 or 25 hours a week: which course should you choose?
More hours does not automatically mean faster progress. It depends on what you plan to do with the rest of the day.
Read
3 min readHomestay, student residence or a flat?
There is no best option, only the one that fits you. A short orientation, plus the full guide.
Read
3 min readCan I work while I study abroad?
One of the most common questions, and one of the most dangerous to generalise about.
ReadPreparing
Between deciding and boarding
Arriving
The first weeks, and getting the most out of them
3 min readHow to avoid scams as an international student
You have just arrived and do not know the local rules yet. That is exactly what some people count on.
Read
4 min readYour first week abroad: what to sort out first
Do not try to solve everything on day one. Start with the basics, in this order.
Read
3 min readHow to learn faster while you are there
Being in another country does not teach you the language. Using it does.
Read
3 min readCulture shock and missing home: what to expect
Not every day will feel like a holiday. That does not mean it is going wrong.
ReadAfterwards
What the experience is worth once you are home
