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When is the best time to study abroad?

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  • Published: 27 February 2024

The decision to study abroad is an important decision in the future orientation of students, so both parents and students need to pay attention to choosing the right time to facilitate the process of studying and living abroad. Let's analyze and compare with IDP specifically about the ages to study abroad and choose when it is most appropriate to study abroad.

1. When should I study abroad?

1.1 Study abroad at the Primary level (from 6 to 11 years old)

Character

This is the age at which students will be familiar with the international education system early from the beginning. This level of learning can be likened to the foundation of a building on the learning and development process.

Advantage

  • Quickly catch up and integrate well with foreign educational life from the beginning.

  • A solid premise for higher levels of education.

  • Promotes independence and problem-solving skills.

Restrict

  • Early study-abroad students face many obstacles due to limitations in experience, psychology, and age...

  • It is difficult to adapt to a new environment, feeling lost, and lonely because of homesickness, and spending an additional 1-2 years studying for a preparatory school,...

1.2 Study abroad while studying in middle and high school (from 11 to 18 years old)

Character

In recent years, this age group has been the choice of many parents. This period is the time to shape personality and social relationships. This is a young age that loves to explore and experience to develop comprehensively.

Advantage

  • It will be easier to adapt to the culture of the natives as well as learn English better. The younger the age, the higher the ability to learn a foreign language.

  • Help children be more independent and brave. Students at this age are often still living in the arms of their families, so when they come to another country, their level of independence will have to change.

  • Easy study abroad conditions. The visa will be issued quite easily, as long as the parents can prove the health status of the child and the family's finances. Children also do not need language certificates or if they do, they are not too strict.

  • Be career-oriented in the curriculum. Career guidance for students in the foreign education system will be extended from level 2 to the end of high school. In addition to professional counseling, the school, and the government also create a lot of conditions for the children by setting up clubs, associations, and vocational organizations. As a result, foreign students have a very good career orientation.

With great advantages, it can be affirmed that the age from 11 to 18 years old (at the middle and high school levels) is the golden time to study abroad.

Restrict

  • It is easy to suffer from "culture shock" in the early days of studying abroad.

  • When returning to Vietnam, it will be difficult for international students to reintegrate into the learning and working environment when they are too familiar with Western styles and lifestyles.

1.3 Study abroad from College or University

Character

  • This is the most popular time to study abroad for international students, which is considered a turning point for each student.

  • Most of you are very enthusiastic, love to explore, like to be challenged, and want to express and affirm your personal ego.

Advantage

  • Being able to work part-time to earn more income to cover life, and have the opportunity to experience and communicate with local people.

  • Learning in an advanced, modern educational environment, focuses on practice rather than theory.

  • There are many opportunities for applying for a job in any developed country in the world after completing your studies.

Restrict

  • Many requirements for studying abroad (English entry to study requires IELTS 6.0 to 6.5).

  • Requires high independence. Students at this age when studying abroad will not need a guardian like high school students but are not mature enough to be as mature and mature as postgraduate students. Therefore, you must prepare psychologically and skills well to take care of yourself and ensure learning.

1.4 Study abroad for postgraduate studies

Character

  • Have a certain knowledge base after sitting in the University lecture hall.

  • Life experience and psychophysiology are also quite stable.

  • It is a time when international students have a lot of free time.

Advantage

  • After graduating from university in Vietnam, students will be able to continue learning "seamlessly", so there is no "laziness".

  • There are many study programs with short paths and low budgets. Helping international students after returning to Vietnam will have a better and more prestigious degree, thinking, and foreign language proficiency.

  • Get practical career experience, thereby opening up many job opportunities with a professional working environment and attractive salary.

  • Students who study abroad as adults can choose the appropriate major.

Restrict

  • Although they have a high level of education, international students after returning home do not have much work experience.

  • The actual salary may be different from the actual expectation after studying abroad.

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2. Factors that determine the best time to study abroad

Each individual will have their own conditions, qualities, and experiences which influence the decision when to study abroad. To give an answer, you should clearly define the purpose of studying abroad, and prepare solid luggage in terms of knowledge, foreign languages as well and life experience before leaving.

2.1 Background knowledge

The international learning environment in advanced countries today is a close integration of theory and practice. The pace of teaching and learning there is quite fast and with high intensity. Therefore, having solid and broad knowledge in your hands will help you integrate faster, keep up with class lectures, easily participate in discussions/presentations/teamwork... help you avoid the limitations and hassles of learning in a new environment.

2.2 Foreign language proficiency

Foreign languages are one of the prerequisites and extremely important for you to study in a country outside of Vietnam. Practicing and preparing yourself for a good foreign language will help you keep up with class lectures, and easily integrate and communicate with people. You should choose a suitable class for yourself to strengthen your language skills. If you are not confident in your foreign language, you can register for a course at the school before entering the main course.

2.3 Study Abroad Orientation

You need to know clearly what level you want to study abroad at in order to answer the question of when is the right time to study abroad. Clearly defining the level of study will help you draw a better plan and orientation for the future development path.

2.4 Financial resources for the study abroad process

Studying abroad in any country is very expensive, so preparing yourself with strong financial resources is a must if you want to study abroad successfully. In addition to the self-sufficient study abroad path, you can completely consider the options of studying abroad with scholarships to save costs.

To help readers know more about costs, schools and disciplines, scholarships, countries, and culture... of Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. IDP would like to send you an automatic Brochure with useful information about 6 countries. Register to download documents here.

3. IDP - Vietnam's Leading Study Abroad Consultant

  • IDP Education is Australia's international study abroad and admissions consultancy organization with more than 50 years of establishment in the world and more than 25 years of presence in Vietnam.

  • IDP plays an important role in international education by helping more than 450,000 students successfully study abroad at schools in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.

  • IDP currently has a network of 80 international admissions offices in 30 different countries. IDP is also the co-founder and organizer of the IELTS test worldwide.

  • IDP is the official admissions representative of more than 600 prestigious schools in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.

The above article is about the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad at different ages, and choosing the right time depends on each person's different factors. Hopefully, it will help readers determine when it is appropriate to study abroad, as well as determine the direction and make the right decision for themselves.

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