A self assessment to fuel your study abroad

Posted date: 21 Oct 2021

With so many students opting to study abroad, whether within Europe or further afield, having a bachelor's degree isn't always enough; foreign universities look for strong grades, personalities, and personal statements. How does one go about writing down their thoughts and ideas regarding their future year abroad in order to make it as appealing to institutions throughout the world as possible? Have a short refresher on the ins and outs of a personal statement, but this is only the beginning - after two years (or more) of studying your degree, you must truly demonstrate to your possible host university that you have what it takes to be their perfect student.

Do your research

It's pointless to send letters to several universities in the aim of gaining a spot on your own or through Erasmus; instead, make sure you know as much about the university as the Dean himself. You must ensure that this is the place where you wish to spend the next semester, six months, or year. You never know, you might decide to pursue your postgraduate studies overseas, so choose somewhere you'll enjoy and will benefit you in the future.

Inquire of fourth-year students about their travels

If your home university has a database, you should be able to see where others have gone before you; try to locate them. You can also inquire about where other students applied, what they studied, and how the interview/application process went. Some institutions prefer in-person or phone interviews, while others are satisfied with a well-written application form. You'll also want to know how long you'll have to wait for a response, which may be a few days or several months. You can make other plans if you don't get accepted to the course by calculating how long it will take you to receive an answer.

Writing the deed

Now that you've done your research, asked around, and confirmed that you like the university, the course, and heck, the nation, you'll need to put pen to paper and scribble down some thoughts. Some institutions ask specific questions, while others simply expect you to produce an outstanding essay as part of your application. If it's the latter, don't panic; you've written essays and personal statements before; all you have to do now is get back into the groove of things.

Getting feedback

Please double-check your spelling. Use a dictionary to double-check it. Check your expressions; are they up to par whether you're writing in French, Spanish, or another language? Do you come across as well-read or slangy? Because tone is so crucial in this setting, have your work reviewed by foreign language assistants, course instructors, and Erasmus students. You must ensure that it reads accurately, succinctly, and well, whether in English or another language.

Honesty is the best policy

In your application form, there's no purpose in using fancy terminology, parabolic descriptions, or outright lies. You should expect your course tutor to write a statement to go with yours, so you don't want theirs to throw a wrench in the works just because you saw how competitive the course was to get into. Make sure each statement you make is supported by an example.

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GSP Admin