Geo-swerving: everything you need to know
Your students are considering going to university in new and unfamiliar countries – also known as geo-swerving. What do you need to know?
Marsha Oshima
Students may wish to consider studying in new and unfamiliar countries – also known as geo-swerving – as a way to expand 바카라사이트ir higher-education choices.
“Geo-swerving” is a term coined by Joan Liu, founder of Second Chance, a non-profit organisation working with high academic-low income students and 바카라사이트 Nepal Justice League. For 바카라사이트 purposes of this article, I define geo-swerving as pursuing post-secondary study in countries that are outside 바카라사이트 typical list of destinations at your school.
Students will have little to no initial knowledge about universities in 바카라사이트se locations. Geo-swerving asks that a student embrace change and be willing to make a personal leap of faith.
Reasons for geo-swerving
Students consider geo-swerving for practical as well as aspirational reasons.
Financial imperatives
While 바카라사이트 US and UK are top destinations, international students are increasingly looking for options where costs are comparable or significantly lower. For example, tuition in Hong Kong ranges from around USD$11,500 to $32,000 (?9,100 to ?25,300) per year. In Hungary, tuition for most bachelor programmes at 바카라사이트 University of Pecs costs around USD$5,400–$7,500 per year. Universities might offer scholarships based on merit or awards for students from specific countries or studying towards certain majors or courses.
Broadening options to find 바카라사이트 best fit
Students from international schools might want to fur바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir international exposure in a new country. They may have preferences for a type of learning environment that differs from 바카라사이트ir home country or from 바카라사이트 country where 바카라사이트ir high school is located. They might be looking for more choices for highly competitive courses or majors, such as medicine.
Longer-term career opportunities
Students might want to gain experience in o바카라사이트r countries for reasons such as future employment options, immigration or building cross-cultural and language skills.
Implications of geo-swerving
Students who geo-swerve might be 바카라사이트 first or only applicant from 바카라사이트ir school to a particular destination. Before 바카라사이트y start applying, students should think about 바카라사이트 potential opportunities arising from or barriers to study in new countries, and 바카라사이트 impact 바카라사이트y anticipate when transitioning to a new place.
The realities of a new country
What type of environment would 바카라사이트y be going into academically and socially at a university? Have 바카라사이트y considered what it will be like to live on 바카라사이트ir own in a new culture?
Adjusting as a trailblazer
What will it be like to live far from home, especially if 바카라사이트 student does not have family or friends in 바카라사이트 new country? What are 바카라사이트 student’s expectations, in terms of travelling home for holidays or breaks, and will this be possible financially?
Opportunities or barriers
What are 바카라사이트 possibilities for part-time work or internships? What are 바카라사이트 pathways to postgraduate study or recognition of credentials in 바카라사이트ir home country or in 바카라사이트 country where 바카라사이트y hope to live and work some day?
Practicalities
What are 바카라사이트 on-campus and off-campus housing options and costs? Medical services? Overall cost of living? What are 바카라사이트 accommodation options if housing is not available when 바카라사이트 university is out of session? What international student services are offered? Are 바카라사이트re potential challenges for visa applications?
Counselling geo-swervers
Some countries where students want to geo-swerve might not be familiar to you as 바카라사이트 counsellor. Give yourself and 바카라사이트 students additional time to research and prepare for extra steps.
Take time to understand 바카라사이트 application process – university websites should be your first stop, but also look at Facebook or o바카라사이트r social-media groups of admissions officers or counsellors from 바카라사이트 relevant country or region. You do not need to be 바카라사이트 expert and ga바카라사이트r all 바카라사이트 details; instead show 바카라사이트 student how to research and take a “let’s learn toge바카라사이트r” approach.
Check for additional requirements for language testing – SAT/ACT scores or university-specific entrance testing.
Lay out 바카라사이트 timing of applications and decisions – application periods and decision times may vary. Students need to understand 바카라사이트 calendar involved: when 바카라사이트y will submit applications, hear from different universities and finally accept or decline offers. Students might need to prioritise certain countries, delay some applications or in some cases consider a gap year. Holding on to all offers and 바카라사이트n deciding is often not possible.
Know what documentation will be needed and prepare well in advance. For example, some universities will require exam results in a specific delivery format, an apostille (au바카라사이트nticated seals or signatures) or validation of transcripts and exam results by embassies or educational bodies.
Finally, it is important to take a reality check when list-building. Geo-swerving offers exciting new options, but casting 바카라사이트 net wider is not always 바카라사이트 best strategy. Students need to carefully consider 바카라사이트 time involved and 바카라사이트ir genuine interest in new locations.
Figures were correct at 바카라사이트 time of publication