The process of studying abroad

The so-called school search is to find an acceptable school in your beloved country after making the decision to study abroad at your own expense, taking the desired study abroad goal (what kind of diploma to take and what courses to study) and which country to study in as the selection criteria, and combining your existing diploma level and learning ability. This division of labor is mainly to inquire about the information of studying abroad, that is, to collect and sort out the information of studying abroad according to the basic situation and ideas of individuals. The contents generally include:

1. Fully understand the political, economic, cultural background, education system and academic level of the countries to study abroad;

2. Fully understand and master the situation of foreign schools, including history, tuition fees, academic system, majors, teachers and equipment, teaching facilities, academic status, number of students, etc. And pay special attention to the number of international students in this school, including how many China students are studying. In addition, it is also necessary to determine whether the diploma issued by this school is recognized by our country;

3. How about accommodation, transportation and medical insurance in this school?

4. Does the school have an intermediary agency for studying in China?

5. Study visa status;

6. Does the government allow international students to work legally?

7. Employment situation of this major in this country;

8. Can I immigrate after graduation?

It is necessary to preliminarily determine the country, school and major of study under the condition of understanding the above basics. In addition, it is suggested not to be preconceived, but to choose, compare and identify in many ways. Only by comparison can we make the best choice. Attention should be paid to collecting school information from other countries and relevant laws and regulations in China, including: the basic policy of studying abroad at our own expense; Certification of study abroad agents; What other countries and institutions accept majors; What is their educational status and academic system, whether their diplomas are recognized by China, how long the academic system is, what are the tuition and living expenses standards, and what are the admission conditions; Visas for studying abroad in other countries at their own expense; Whether foreign students are allowed to work, what is their mother tongue and what are the geographical and climatic conditions; What is the employment trend of graduates, and so on.

Information about studying abroad can be inquired by visiting the websites of foreign universities through the Internet, or you can go to the education centers of relevant countries in China to inquire and consult professional and legal institutions engaged in self-funded study abroad consulting services. In addition, regular participation in international education exhibitions is also a good way to communicate directly with foreign universities.

Once you find the ideal school, you can get in touch with them by writing or email, and briefly tell each other the basic situation, including: age, gender, country, what courses you have attended or are attending; What courses do you want to take? Then, you can ask the school about the admission conditions and application materials of this major. Every foreign school that enrolls international students has a special person to answer such consultation letters, so don't worry about the lack of response to the consultation. Of course, sometimes there are too many people signing up for consultation, and teachers will be too busy. Therefore, once you ignore the consultation within a reasonable time, you should immediately resend the letter or simply change the recipient. It is suggested to make full use of the convenience and rapidity of the Internet to inquire about the school, and to obtain more information through the online service of the school. The specific method is to find the "search" service directly on the home page of the school website, and then enter "Request for Information" or "Request for Materials Form" or "International Students" to find out the information request method immediately, fill in the form, and the general school will give a reply in the near future. If the school website does not provide online information service, you can write down the contact information of the school's international student affairs department and write them an English short message to ask for it. Usually, the school will be happy to send information for free, but because the school has to deal with a large number of similar letters every day, it may take a long time to reply, or there may be no news at all. Of course, some schools need to pay to provide information. In addition, we should pay special attention to the information about the international education exhibition in the media, which is a good opportunity to collect rich school materials for free. Of course, you can also take advantage of this rare opportunity to ask some questions directly to the representatives of other schools, without worrying about the language barrier, because the organizers usually arrange an assistant in each school booth to be responsible for translation.

2. Study abroad project design

The design of study abroad plan is the soul of the whole study abroad plan, and it is also the scale for visa officers to measure whether study abroad is true and reasonable, and to decide whether study abroad will be successful and whether it will produce the best economic benefits. If you feel that you have no experience in designing the study abroad program, you can ask "experienced people" or go to a professional study abroad agency for advice. The specific operation is to design a scientific and reasonable study abroad program that suits you on the premise of mastering the basic information of studying abroad and the admission requirements of foreign schools, combined with your age, education, economic ability, foreign language level, majors you have studied, personal hobbies and other factors, and finally make a final decision on the country, institution, major and admission time of studying abroad. Among them, it is especially necessary to have a clear grasp of the input-output "price ratio" of studying abroad and the future employment prospects of the selected major. After designing the study abroad program, we should immediately start a comprehensive "warm-up and supplementary" preparation according to the admission criteria of the selected target, including: language study and examination, preparation of funds needed for studying abroad, preparation of personal qualifications, and adjustment of physical and mental state. Once the time is ripe, you can apply for a school.

Three. Application for admission

After receiving the free application form from a foreign school, you should fill it out carefully and completely, and send it to the school you apply for together with your personal education certificate, recent academic transcripts, recommendation letters, resumes, language test transcripts and other materials. At this time, you usually need to pay a certain registration fee at the same time. Because China students often take a casual attitude towards applying for schools, and some even apply for as many as 7-8 schools at the same time, but no one comes after the school sends out the admission notice, more and more foreign schools tend to levy registration fees on China students. After the application form is sent, it usually takes 1-2 months to get a reply, while it takes only 2-3 weeks to apply for short-term courses in English learning. However, you have to add time for email exchange. Therefore, in order to leave enough time for visa processing, it is recommended to apply as early as possible. Generally, it is more leisurely to apply in advance 1 year. Except for short courses, it is very hasty to apply in the first half of the semester. In addition, the courses in some schools are limited by age and English level. For example, language centers in most universities have an age limit for applicants, generally 16- 17 years old, so you must pay attention when applying.

While applying for the course, you can apply to the school for accommodation arrangements such as student dormitories or host families. If you think your academic performance is excellent, especially those students who have taken postgraduate courses or above, you can apply for foreign scholarships and other international student grants, which may be a surprise.

The necessary documents for applying for general courses include: the highest academic qualifications and transcripts, the highest academic diploma, a complete school application form, photos, economic certificates and registration fees;

In addition to the above-mentioned necessary documents, you should also apply for formal courses such as bachelor's degree and master's degree, including TOEFL or IELTS scores, recommendation letters from professors or employers, work experience certificates, autobiography, study plans, etc. Applications for art courses need to provide portfolios, audio-visual materials, etc.

4. Apply for passports, exit cards and prepare visa materials for going abroad for personal reasons.

Once your application for admission is approved by a foreign institution, an admission notice will be issued to you. After receiving it, you can apply to the public security organ where your account is located for a passport and exit card for going abroad for personal reasons. At present, the procedures for China citizens to apply for leaving the country for personal reasons have been simplified. Ordinary citizens can obtain the approval form for applying for going abroad with their household registration book or ID card, and applicants only need to submit relevant certification materials. Overseas students generally hold ordinary passports for personal reasons. At the same time, you can start to prepare all kinds of materials needed for foreign entry visas, including personal education, transcripts, work experience certificates, etc. Personal and family income, funds and property certificates; Proof of family members' relationship, etc.

Notarization of verbs (abbreviation of verb)

Notarization is the act of state notaries to prove specific legal relations or legal facts according to the rights and legal procedures granted by the state. China citizens applying for studying abroad at their own expense must be notarized. This kind of notarization belongs to the category of foreign notarization. The documents to be notarized include: birth certificate, education background, degree and achievement certificate, experience certificate, kinship certificate and economic guarantee certificate.

Intransitive verbs apply for a visa

After obtaining a passport, you can immediately apply for an entry visa to the embassy (consulate) of that country to study in China. When applying, you need to fill in the relevant forms, submit the necessary supporting materials and pay the visa fee. Some countries (such as the United States, Britain, Canada, etc. ) applicants will be required to go to the embassy (consulate) for an interview when applying for a visa. The purpose of the interview is to let visa officers closely observe and judge the true degree of the applicants studying abroad, that is, whether they are real students, whether the purpose of studying abroad is pure, whether they have the ability to successfully complete their study abroad (mainly depending on their foreign language level), and whether they are inclined to emigrate. Many people have been "dismissed" by visa officers because they have reached this level. Therefore, we must find a professional and experienced study abroad consulting company in advance for visa interview guidance, so as to ensure that we will not fail.

Some countries (such as Ireland) may require remittance to pay tuition fees before issuing visas, so be careful. Be sure that what you have is the official admission notice and the authenticity of the international remittance account, that is, whether it is a special account for the school. In addition, some schools require that all the money must be paid when applying, so it should be remitted at least 3 months before departure.

There are generally three ways to pay fees to the school: go to the bank to mail a foreign currency check or bank draft, and remember to leave a copy for yourself; Bank transfer, if the school provides the account number, address and account number of the transfer bank, you may wish to use this method and remember to keep the receipt; Credit card, some schools can accept Visa, Master, AE card, etc. Pay by credit card, don't forget to keep the receipt.

7. Physical examination, booking air tickets and preparing for packing.

Before studying abroad, physical examination, immune examination and vaccination against infectious diseases should be carried out in accordance with relevant state regulations to protect citizens' personal health. In addition, some countries also require applicants to go to designated hospitals for physical examination.

When booking air tickets, it should be noted that individual countries and cities may need to transfer. Make it clear with the airlines concerned before booking tickets, and determine the time, flight and connecting place. In addition, some countries, such as Japan and Russia, can travel by boat and international train.

In fact, you don't need to bring too many items or clothes to go abroad. Usually foreign daily necessities are also very cheap, so just avoid shopping in the tourist area. Before going abroad, you should leave a copy of your school, accommodation address and contact information for your family to contact.

Eight. reach

Most foreign universities will provide airport pick-up service and help arrange accommodation services. Be sure to make it clear to the school or study abroad agent before you leave. After settling down, you can have a preliminary understanding of the campus and the surrounding environment, and then devote yourself to the new study as soon as possible.