Study abroad myths

Misinformation keeps many youngsters from even considering studying abroad. Many students mistakenly believe that there is no place in their academic plan for studying abroad or that studying abroad is just a luxury that they can neither afford nor benefit from. To the contrary! Below are some of the most common myths students hold about studying abroad and, more importantly, the facts that bust them.

Myth 1. Studying abroad is not for everyone.

No matter what your gender, background or interests are, studying in a foreign country can benefit you personally, academically, and professionally. There are very many programs available for studying abroad and if you search, you would probably find several that suit your needs and interests.

Myth 2. Studying abroad is a waste of time and money.

Some students (or their parents) believe that studying abroad is not really studying. The reality is quite different. In other countries the teaching methods can be different from what you are used to, but that does not make studying less valuable. In addition to the formal instruction you receive, very important part of learning takes place outside the classroom. You will gain experience you could never get at your national university. The entire experience abroad will change your life as well as employment potential. In fact, international companies are mostly looking for employees with the ability to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds.
If you ask anybody who has ever studied abroad, you will probably hear that any concerns they had before they left home vanished after they arrived in their study destination. They will most probably confirm that the experience was worth any extra expenses or time. Also that the benefits they have gained from the experience are much bigger and longer lasting than they could have ever imagined.

Myth 3. It is easier and just as good to travel once I have a job.

Easier said than done. Once you have a job and responsibilities, it is very difficult to get away. You may find it very difficult to get time off from work and you may find yourself in a situation where you will not be able to afford unpaid vacation because you have taken long-term financial responsibilities: a car, rent payments or a mortgage or other family responsibilities. In addition, travelling as a tourist gives you a very different experience from living somewhere as an integrated part of the foreign culture. The two experiences are incomparably different. As a tourist you will normally be looked at as an outsider. When you live in a foreign culture and participate in the everyday life you become much more integrated in the culture that enables you to really understand people from different cultural backgrounds.

Myth 4. I do not have enough money to study abroad.

Studying abroad can cost the same or even less than studying at your national university. Dream Foundation aims to offer study abroad possibilities which cost less than studying at your national university. You can find many different programs abroad where the tuition fee is fully or partially covered by local authorities or the government.
Furthermore, if you would have to move away from your parents to study in your national university and work to cover your accommodation and living costs you would, in many cases, have to work up to 40 hours per week to cover the costs. In some countries that are cooperating with Dream Foundation you can cover all the costs while working only 12-15 hours per week, leaving you much more time for studying.

Myth 5. I can only go to study abroad to the UK or U.S. because I don't speak any other foreign languages besides English.

This is a common misconception. Dream Foundation aims to provide study abroad programs from other countries besides the UK, which offer high-quality education in English. Most popular of them are Denmark and the Netherlands.
There are programs available, where you only need a basic knowledge of the language and which provide you with intensive language courses at the beginning of your stay abroad. You should not let lack of language skills stop you from studying in a particular country. However, the better your language skills are, the faster you will be integrated into your studies.

Myth 6. Only foreign language students study abroad.

Study abroad programs are open to all students. In fact, more humanities, social sciences, business, economy, and arts students study abroad than foreign language students. Even if you are not a language student, you probably could add a higher language qualification to your CV as a result of your studies abroad.