STUDYING IN EUROPE- PREPARING

FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE TIPS AND

OBSERVATIONS.

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 Dedication

This e-book is solely dedicated to those who have aspirations, dreams. I would

say no dream is too big or too small. To those who support and guide others,

to the accomplishment of their dreams. Never allow your dream to go

passive……..activate your dreams now.

CONTENT

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..

How do I Start? …………………………………………………………………….

Deadline and Applications………………………………………………………

Letter of Recommendations……………………………………………………..

Which Countries in Europe are suitable for studying if I don’t have enough

money? …………………………………………………………………………………..

In which Countries in Europe can I study at a cheap rate? ……………………….

What are the financial commitments?......................................................................

Contacting the University as a prospective student………………………………..

Visiting the embassy ………………………………………………………………………

Interview at the embassy. …………………………………………………………………

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 Introduction

If you yearn to study abroad, this is your opportunity to realize that dream.

There are lot of potentials and resources in developing countries. Much

potential remain dormant or passive because they lack the opportunities to

showcase their skills. Illegal migration seems to be another way of escaping

the insensitivity of administrators in developing countries.

An ultimate chance however is studying. However, how many people know

this? Studying enhances your opportunities in the labour market; studying

abroad further enhances your skills and experience.

Due to the experiences I gathered during my study and stay abroad. I would

disclose some major facts needed when you want to study abroad. I would

reveal the basic things you need to know by asking relevant questions.

How do I Start?

This is a crucial question as many people fail in their bid to secure a visa to

study abroad.

Like a mother preparing for the delivery of a new baby. There are several

things she gets ready before the delivery day. Let me start by disclosing major

things that are needed:

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  First and foremost is a burning desire.

 Qualifications and certificates; for undergraduate study you would

need your GCE or other relevant certificates, an experience in some

fields such as Nursing or technical qualifications. A TOEFL

certificate….which depends on the university. For a Masters degree you

definitely would need your transcripts and other certificates.

 You would need a valid passport.

 You would need academic references (references from professors ) or

otherwise.

 You would need to certify most of your documents (this is done by

taking the original and photocopies to the court or notary public

institution to certify it. This also depends on the requirements of

Universities.

 If you are studying without scholarship; you have two options. The first is

showing or depositing the required financial proof in the foreign

countries bank which ranges from 8,000 euros as minimum requirement

for one year. The other option is getting a sponsor in Europe; for

instance if you have a relative or friend that is stable financially in

Europe. He/she could act as a sponsor throughout your study by going

to the home office to pledge his support for your study and through

that you get a document.

 You must have access to Internet; define the perimeter and base of

your search for a programme in most case. You could narrow your

search to advanced countries in Europe or the least developed.

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  You must be ready to learn the language of the country you want to

study; as it is most times difficult to get a part time job without

proficiency in the language.

 Language requirements are important for some fields of study or some

countries in Europe. Moreso it would be an added advantage to be

proficient in several foreign languages.

Deadline and Applications

You must be observant when it comes to the deadline. Several Universities

have different admission deadlines. Another crucial issue is reading the

instructions on the webpage as regards admission requirements carefully.

After that, issues such as relevant documents, exceptions and forms are

important.

Applications sometimes require a brief view of your future aspirations, the

relevance of the study to your future aspirations. For Master’s degree

programme, you need a well written CV and a submission of intent. Most

people do not get admitted to Foreign Universities in Europe, because of

grammatical errors in the short essay. Some Master’s programme even

requires you to write a short proposal of what your Master’s thesis topic

would look like. This is all aimed at understanding if the applicant is fit

enough for the study programme. Remember some courses in European

Universities may require you writing the Graduate Record

Examination(GRE) or TOEFL.

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 Letters of Recommendation

In most cases, the Master’s programme requires academic references

from professors, senior lecturers at the home University you obtained your

first degree. Exceptions to the foregoing occur only when you applied to a

professional degree ,which requires the Manager or director of your

company to make recommendations.

Which Countries in Europe are suitable for studying if I don’t have enough

money?

Many are ignorant of the opportunities that exist in European Universities. In

countries such as Sweden and Finland; you can study without paying

tuition fees but you must declare that you have the financial strength to

sustain your self and study. Norway is another country without tuition but I

would advice you to seek scholarship by checking the Quota scholarship

programme.

In which Countries in Europe can I study at a cheap rate?

Generally ,Europe is expensive but you can still study in some countries .

Countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland were not mentioned because of

the cost of studying over there is high.

From my experience Germany is also another country that might be a less

expensive place for a foreigner to study. You can contact me for more

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 information. Well countries like Bulgaria, Estonia, Iceland, Romania, Czech

Republic, Hungary, Latvia, and Lithuania all have English programmes and

a cheap living cost. Your country of destination depends on your financial

status, so you need to think very well before embarking on a campaign to

study abroad.

What are the financial commitments?

Planning to study abroad involves commitment both mental and financial.

You need to think about several costs; cost of transportation and logistics

within your country in preparation for studying abroad.(visiting your home

universities, transport cost to the embassy e.t.c). Another form of commitment

is the flight ticket, health insurance fee which is monthly, accommodation,

feeding, clothing, transportation, books to mention but a few.

Contacting the University as a prospective student.

I would advice you to visit the university’s home page, see what they have to

offer before applying. You must also ask several questions before you travel.

The embassy might also be a good source of getting information; this is

possible when you have an admission letter from the University.

Visiting the embassy

Visiting the embassy is one hurdle you would need to overcome. However

with a genuine reason for visiting such as enquiry about visa requirements

after you have your letter of admission or letter of admission with a need for

finding out about scholarships. The aforementioned is more official and

guarantees you entrance into the embassy.

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 The visa requirements for one European country differ from one country to

another. It is important that you find out what is required.

Interview at the embassy.

This is yet another stage where many fall by the road side. Adequate

preparation is needed. All the documents required must be available, you

must be prompt and endeavour to wear a reasonable clothe. Your look and

composure is important. Be relaxed. If you are studying economics for

instance in the prospective foreign Universities; the official interviewing you

would ask about the relevance of the course to you and your future plans,

why you want to study that programme abroad and not in your home

country. Lots of questions would be asked, this is the point most people fail. Be

precise and don’t adopt the strategy of story telling.

 (1) Question from Official; why do you want to study M.Sc

environmental engineering in Finland?

Answer from prospective student A: I would like to study M.Sc

environmental engineering in Finland because it’s a new course not

available in my country and it gives me the opportunity of visiting the

country alongside making new friends.

Answer from prospective student B: I would like to study M.Sc

environmental engineering in Finland because it is a more practical and

innovative course which allows me to gain more experience and

contribute to the development of my country.

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  (2) Question from Official; after your programme in Finland what

would you do? Would you go back to your country?

Answer from prospective student A: I would stay in Finland to look for a

job. I would not go back to my country; I would get a job in Finland.

Answer from prospective student B: I would look for a job or further

develop my potentials and skills by doing a PhD or going back to my

country to utilize the knowledge I gained in Finland.

Analysis of the Questions: positive –negative response.

Remember the questions asked are more psychological, emotional and

there are always loopholes for the officials to deny your visa

application. For instance; Prospective student A clearly declares his/her

intention but creates a picture of been desperate.

Prospective student B is straightforward and declares his intention

although in a diplomatic way, not making emotions or intention known.

Prospective student B eventually gets the visa, while prospective

student A is rejected. I do hope from the examples below, you should

be able to figure out you could scale through the visa hurdle.

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 Estimates-Different European Countries

Estimate--Germany

Properties Country Figures(estimate)

Financial Proof (for a year) Germany Normally Between

9,600 euros or above
(800*12).
Insurance(Monthly) Germany In between 70-90
euros monthly.
Accommodation Germany In between 250 euros
to 500 euros.
Transport,Books,Clothing,Field Germany This depends mainly
Trips e.t.c on Individuals.

Tuition Fee Germany Minimum fee per

semester is 700 euros.
Student Union Fee Germany Depends on different
Universities—but
minimum rate per
semester is 125 euros.

Estimates-Finland

Properties Country Figures (estimate)

Financial Proof(for a year) Finland Normally Between

8,400 euros
(700*12).

Insurance(Monthly) Finland In between 70-90

euros monthly.
Accommodation Finland In between 250
euros to 500 euros.
Transport,Books,Clothing,Field Finland This depends mainly
Trips e.t.c on Individuals

Tuition Fee Finland FREE

Student Union Fee Finland Differs from one

university to
another

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 Estimate-Sweden

Properties Country Figures (estimate)

Financial Proof(for a year) Sweden Normally Between

8,400 euros
(700*12).

Insurance(Monthly) Sweden In between 70-90

euros monthly.
Accommodation Sweden In between 250
euros to 500 euros.
Transport,Books,Clothing,Field Sweden This depends mainly
Trips e.t.c on Individuals

Tuition Fee Sweden FREE(The Swedish

government may
start charging
tuition fees for
foreigners from 2011
onwards).
Student Union Fee Sweden Differs from one
university to
another

Properties Country Figures (estimate)

Financial Proof(for a year) Denmark Normally Between

8,400 euros -16,000
euros

Insurance(Monthly) Denmark In between 70-90

euros monthly.
Accommodation Denmark In between 250
euros to 500 euros.
Transport,Books,Clothing,Field Denmark This depends mainly
Trips e.t.c on Individuals

Tuition Fee Denmark FREE

Student Union Fee Denmark Differs from one

university to
another

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 © Patrick Agbedejobi (2009), Permission is granted for educational Use.
Contact @ +4915771869434

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