Getting a degree as a way to travel for free
There are many myths about foreign education as if the study there is expensive, and scholarships are only for geniuses. Nevertheless, this is totally not true. For example, some countries like Austria and Germany have free education, the cost of study and living allowances in other countries, like Russia and Kazakhstan is absolutely low.
So many countries, so many choices.
However, almost every country nowadays has scholarship programs for international students who want to get a degree there. It could be a state grant provided by the ministry of education or government of that country or a local scholarship given by this educational institution or funds supported that university. Thus, I would advise you what you need to undertaker firstly is to search the state scholarship of the country where you would like to study and criteria. If the criteria are not suitable for you or understand that your CV is not that strong as those grant requirements, follow with the search of scholarship exactly in the university the web site. Every university has a special page on its site devoted to scholarship opportunities.
Peculiarities of financial support
Anyway, such financial support has its own peculiarities in the process of applying to them. Some state funds, such as Stipendium Hungaricum, Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme and others have one common procedure of applying to University and funding. Traditionally, after checking your documents, there is going to be an interview with the commission from University where you will be evaluated, and you get the decision from University if you succeed or not. However, some funds organize such process separately.
For example, Holland government awards, Eiffel scholarships, Korean government support scholarship, the Study in Canada program and others have the requirement to apply to the University firstly which is included in the list of supported educational institutions (you may find this list on the web site of each scholarship).
After being enrolled in it, the university provides a special certificate proving your status at that University. Unfortunately, this process is longer, and you should prepare all necessary documents in advance for not missing deadlines which are different at the university and funding program.
Whereas, the process of applying to a scholarship at the chosen University is a little bit other. Of course, you may follow the same procedure, but you will fail, and it will be just a waste of your time. This happens because, as a rule, such funding is given to special research area, and some supervisors define the successful candidate to this position. Therefore, I would advise you to write directly to professors whose research area is similar to your interests. With detailed and well build CV ask about opportunities to participate in a scholarship competition. You don’t lose anything in the process of contacting foreign professors. They either give you a piece of advice as their knowledge of financial opportunities is wider, or, at least, they will not answer you in case of your weak CV. Anyway, it will be a sign for you to work harder and improve your experience and CV for the further application.
Concerning the programs to apply, they are also very diverse with their own peculiarities in requirements and enrollment process. It could be Bachelor, Master, PhD or Post Doctoral program, or in some countries, Master and PhD programs are joined and are called M.Phil program.
I would recommend start application process after a bachelor degree. In this case, you will be a strong person to cope with cross-cultural challenges waiting for you during the period of adaptation. In my mind, an ex-pupil is too young to face with totally self-independent life and decision-making process in a totally other environments, or you may choose a country not far away from yours.
And yes, there are also some tough periods you will need to overcome on your way of success.
If you have any question, feel free to contact me: www.getforeignstudy.com
