You probably already know that studying abroad is an excellent way to experience a different culture. Studying in a foreign country allows a deeper engagement with a new culture than you would typically get visiting as a tourist. It can also offer the opportunity to access a higher quality education or to study without paying tuition fees.
Most students think about the country they want to study in before selecting a specific university. So, let’s take a look at some of the best countries as a destination for your study abroad. In no particular order.
Norway
Norway offers one of the highest quality educations in Europe, so it is no wonder it features on our list. The country is well resourced and it prides itself on maintaining an education system which is open to everyone, irrespective of background.
For the majority of degree programs, there are no tuition fees. This applies to both locals and students coming from abroad.
Norway is a well-developed and equal society. English is widely spoken and there is a range of courses available in English. This makes living and studying in Norway very easy and you can concentrate on the subjects and content you need to learn.
Whilst you are in Norway, you will also have access to some spectacular landscapes and an opportunity to experience the Aurora Borealis—aka. the Northern lights.
Australia
Australia has a very impressive list of universities. The University of Melbourne and the Australian National University are both ranked in the top 50 universities in the world. There are six Australian universities which make it into the top 100.
The majority of the universities are located in the capital cities of the various states. Studying in Australia means studying in an interesting, modern city, boasting the high quality of life and great weather Australia is renowned for.
There is a large population of international students, so you can be sure you’ll get a chance to make new friends from across the globe.
When you are on a semester break, there is a huge expanse of the country to explore. Take a trip to the outback, see the rainforests or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
Italy
Beautiful Italy—with its amazing art and food, rich history and captivating language—is always a popular destination for students. It is generally easy to find programs which cater to students who don’t speak the language, and a wide variety of disciplines are available.
Popular cities are Florence for lovers of art, or the capital Rome. We suggest also taking a look further north to Milan. This is an amazingly vibrant city and excellent for those who are interested in fashion, design, or business. As well as the opportunity to see other cities in Italy, you will be very close to Switzerland and France.
New Zealand
It may be a small country in an out-of-the-way location, but don’t let this put you off. In terms of education and a great study abroad experience, New Zealand has plenty to offer. All of its eight universities rank high on a world scale—within the top 3% in the world.
If you have watched the Lord of the Rings Trilogy of movies, you already know that New Zealand has some amazing landscapes and is ready for adventuring between semesters. Whether you want to go skiing, mountain climbing, whale watching or kayaking, New Zealand has it. And, it is never too far away.
New Zealand is a very open and friendly society. The current Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, is making headlines around the world for her empathy and inclusiveness as a leader.
The United Kingdom
London was recently ranked as the top city for students. It is definitely an impressive, international city boasting some prestigious institutions, but there are also many other options in the UK.
The country has the largest number of high ranking universities in the world after the US. It is home to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge—ranked the top two universities in the world.
If your priority is high-quality education, the UK has plenty of options. It is hard to argue with the reputation for academic excellence also enjoyed by many UK universities.
Whatever your area of interest or expertise, there will be a UK university that has a degree program to suit. And, the degree you obtain will be well recognized across the world and sought after by employers.
The universities are well set up to accommodate international students, with more than 450,000 international students enrolled in UK universities. It is a popular study abroad choice—not only for students from the US but also China, India, Malaysia and the rest of Europe.
Japan
Unless you are planning on studying Japanese, then you might not have considered studying abroad in Japan. There is now an increasing range of programs available in English.
You can complete an entire undergraduate degree in English, or investigate the many exchange program options available through your home university.
There is no doubt that Japan is a fascinating culture and one which is far removed from the typical western experience. It maintains strong ties to its traditions, and yet is also an incredibly modern and high-tech country.
The bullet trains allow you to easily and quickly traverse the country. Go from bustling Tokyo to sitting in a remote zen garden in the mountains in no time.
It will be easier to get by with just English if you are based in a city. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Yokohama are good options for research. However, most programs will include some Japanese language study.
Take advantage of the opportunity for deeper cultural immersion, find a language tandem partner, and add reading kanji, hiragana, and katakana to your skills list.
Yes, there are actually three different writing systems in Japanese! Mastering all the kanji might be out of reach, but you will be reading the others in less time.
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