CEIAG & Careers Leaders
Have your students thought of studying abroad?
Monday 14th October 2013
Yesterday I trudged damply through the streets of north London to the Emirates Stadium to attend The Student World fair 2013. As a careers teacher I don't have the depth of knowledge that a careers advisor has, so I tagged along with a friend of mine who is a very experienced CA.
We spent the morning talking about how young people today are being burdened by debt (We both hail from the days when your tuition fees were paid AND you got a grant) that many pupils that could go to uni don't and that we thought most students who do apply to study abroad are from middle class homes. This and the chats we had with several delegates prompt this short blog. I shall restrict myself to bullet point headlines
- The first thing that I noticed was that the attendees were not all of the middle class, 'Mummy thinks it's a good idea I travel' cohort. There were many different races and creeds, all lapping up information and free pens & choccies in abandon.
- The USA aisle was the most crowded
- Lithuania & Eastern European universities are teaching in English & linking up with universities in America to run joint programmes where you could study in both countries.
- There was a large crowd around the study medicine in the Czech Republic stands - very popular as they offer cheaper tuition fees and cost of living is much lower than the UK.
- Tuition costs varied wildly but most were less than the UK and in most cases, EU citizens are entitled to the same help that the local people get, thus if the local students get their fees paid in full, then you should get the same.
- Holland is a popular choice with many degrees taught in English, fees are about £1500 pa which can be paid in instalments. Also if you take a job 32 hours or more a month after 3 months you can access student grants of £200
- There is a private company called EUNiCAS who can help you in your application for a €28 fee providing contacts, support and updates as well as information on applications - It did occur to me that it might be a good idea for schools to use their services - however do your own research as I've not used them.
- As an EU citizen you would have the same rights as local people to find work within the EU
- You need to check the compatibility of the proposed course - you can use http://www.enic-naric.net/ for this.
- Employers are usually very receptive to graduates who studied abroad as they are often very practical and organised and have real life experience
I'm just sitting here pondering the idea of a study abroad club for the lower 6th... I've also pinned a number of sites to my Pinterest board for University application inc Widening participation & studying abroad
