Studying Abroad As A Ghanaian Student; What You Need To Know!

Studying abroad is an exciting and a life-changing experience for students, however, it also comes with its unique challenges that you may not have faced as a Ghanaian student before. So, to help you better prepare for this here’s a quick guide on how you can make the most of this opportunity.

From packing for your trip to finding a place to live, we understand how daunting the process is for students who want to study abroad. This is why we’ve come up with a convenient and easy-to-follow list that outlines all the tips and advice on how to apply to study abroad including how to handle the most important aspects of studying and living overseas.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know from the preparation stage and the requirements to study abroad to the exact step-by-step process on how to apply.

How to study abroad and what goes into your preparation stage?

1. Do your research when looking for a program or a university.

When preparing to study abroad, the first step is to begin your research. There are thousands of possibilities to consider in choosing a university and a destination, and there is often no such thing as having too much information. Doing adequate research will help you understand what to expect from the university and your overall stay.

University advisors and education agencies are usually available to assist you with this process—take advantage of their expertise by learning about their programs at an education fair if there are any. Sometimes, these study abroad advisors also conduct online events to accommodate interested students so make sure to check their website.

Aside from the usual surface-level research, consider looking into forums and groups of international students who have previously joined the program. This will enable you to have more in-depth information on how university life would be as well as some insider tips to help you increase your chances of getting accepted.

2. Apply for a passport.

If you’re already keen on starting your journey as an international student, make sure first that you have already procured your passport before moving forward to the next step of the application process.

3. Find out your financial aid options.

Don't forget about your financial aid options either—speaking with a financial aid counselor can determine what kind of scholarships or other assistance you may be eligible for to help make studying abroad more affordable. Usually, financial aid options have extra steps and requirements to study abroad so see to it that you have access to this information and can obtain the necessary documents.

4. Understand the cost of living in a specific country.

Not all countries have the same standard of living—some have cheaper housing options and transportation costs while others might be a bit more expensive. That said, when deciding for which university to apply to, you should also consider the country and place you will be moving into. Some of the factors you need to consider are:

1. Housing or Accommodation

2. Transportation Fees

3. Food and Groceries

Some requirements to study abroad:

Depending on your academic history and your future career needs, you will realize that pre-examinations are a crucial part of your university applications. Different courses require different exams, so it’s important to check with each university which qualifications you need before you apply.

According to a recent publication by www.citinewsroom.com, parliament has initiated moves to get Ghanaian students who wish to study abroad exempted from taking English proficiency examinations as a prerequisite to gaining admission to foreign universities. Should this happen, Ghanaian students will be very successful with their applications regardless of their preferred programs. On the contrary, some of the typically required exams are TOEFL and IELTS.

Aside from the language proficiency tests, it is also important to make sure that you have all the documents listed below for your application.

1. Application letter from the university

2. Official Academic Transcripts:

3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

4. Resume

5. Letter of Recommendation

6. English Language Proficiency Test Scores

7. Statement of Purpose

How to apply to study abroad step-by-step:

• Decide on where and what to study.

When deciding on a program to study, talk to faculty, friends, family, and other students about your choice. These people who are close to you may have profound knowledge about you, your interests, strengths, and weaknesses and can therefore suggest a thing or two that can influence your decision.

• Prepare documents and check the deadline.

You need to prepare these required documents ahead of time to make your application process easier. Putting these documents together takes time and depending on how long you have completed your last academic level, where to find your tutors for references, and other factors that can have an impact on your timelines and deadlines so start fast and finish fast!

• Translate and authenticate the documents

Most universities will prefer the original copy of your documents. Either these will be sent directly from your school or you as the applicant will share an authentic and credible file with them. Remember that forging documents is highly prohibited and could cost you dearly.

• Prepare for the interview (if necessary)

There is nothing wrong with undergoing an interview process. The school or faculty who arranged this interview is interested in knowing who you are and is interested in understanding your ambitions and career plans. Not all schools will initiate an interview process with students but this interview stage can help you increase your chances of getting accepted and can also serve as a platform to validate the offer.

• Receive the offer and prepare your travel documents.

If you have already received an offer from the school of your choice, it’s time to prepare your student visa, arrange your accommodation and book your ticket!

We are committed to the success stories of our students and will walk the journey side by side with our students. Click here to connect to an counsellor!