The decision to pursue higher education as an international student is a leap of faith that has a profound impact on the trajectory of your professional life. With more global universities easing their policies towards international students and becoming more inclusive, more Iranian students are traveling abroad to continue their education.
You shouldn’t let go of this opportunity, especially if you’ve dreamt of getting into a reputed international university. There are numerous key factors to be informed of beforehand. In this article, we’ll be outlining some of those factors to consider before applying for an overseas university as an Iranian student.
What are the Benefits of Studying Abroad as an Iranian student?
Studying abroad as an international student regardless of your nationality, would open up many opportunities in the global market. The opportunity to study abroad in a developing country with state-of-the-art facilities and current syllabi will instantly set you apart from your competitors.
Local Iranian students specifically find it challenging to integrate into the global market, mainly because of a lack of exposure to the industry and their cultural differences. International Iranian students can easily overcome these challenges and nurture their skills at a reputed university abroad that provides a comfortable cultural exchange experience and a high return on investment.
7 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right University as an Iranian Student
1. Pick a program that compliments your qualifications
If you are like most people who fly overseas for their higher education, it’s easy to snap at a chance to do so without considering whether or not a particular course of study would suit you. With hundreds of international universities to choose from, it’s likely that you would have many options to pick from. It’s also likely that there are a few programs that would perfectly align with your qualifications and your future career goals. Ensure that you’ve understood what program you need to study before considering a suitable university.
2. Inform yourself about language constraints
As an Iranian student, your first language could be Farsi. While there aren’t many other countries in the list of best study destinations that speak Farsi, you could easily find a university abroad that delivers your program of interest in another language you are comfortable with. Programs around the world are offered in English, and some institutions even offer English language short courses for international students who might not be very proficient at the time of flying in.
3. Read about the country’s recent statistics
It might be that you are very unlikely to get yourself into any sticky situations during your stay in a foreign country. But, if you are planning to spend the next few years pursuing education at a university abroad, it’s crucial that you feel safe and welcomed. A good pointer to decide if a country is safe and secure is to make a quick Google search or to ask people who have visited the country that you are planning to go to if it’s a safe haven for international students.
Living expenses are also a key factor to consider in your decision-making process. Abroad, you might be left to deal with the financials pertaining to your education and other living expenses yourself. Ensure that you are well informed about the living expenses, tuition fees, and employability restrictions of the country that you are planning to move to.
4. Make sure that the country accepts Iranians
It might be discouraging to know that on rare occasions, some countries or universities do not accept international students be it for political, cultural, or demographic reasons. At the initial stage of figuring out the best university for you, it could be a great idea to look for Iranian student associations in the respective country and get in touch with a few alumni to understand what you are getting yourself into.
There’s no better source of information about the international-student-friendly nature of a country than past pupils from the same origin. You might even find a few people who could help you with settling in after you have moved into a foreign country.
5. Explore scholarship options
For your specific program or your university of choice, there might be government or external organizations that offer scholarship programs for international students. While there are scholarships that all international students could apply for as we’ve listed out in this article, there are also others that are specifically targeted at Iranian students. Being eligible for a scholarship not only eases your financial burdens, but it increases your chance of being admitted to a reputed university of your choice.
6. Consider cultural similarities and dissimilarities
For you, culture is probably something that you would last think of, in your search for the best international study destination. Regardless of how insignificant it sounds, making it a point to understand the cultural background of the country that you are planning to move into, will make your stay exponentially convenient. It could save you a lot of time trying to integrate and ensure that you are with people who could make you feel at home away from home.
7. Understand the potential scope of following a program abroad
It’s very likely that you are going abroad for education because you want access to better educational facilities, so you have a chance in the industry of your choice. Some international students are also open to the option of getting employment abroad, often in the same country that they study in. Others might want to return to Iran, their home country, and serve the nation with the expertise and experience they’ve gained abroad. Either way, ensure that the program and university you have selected entertain your career goals for the future. Talk to a few experts who could guide you in exploring your possibilities.
Continuing your higher education abroad can be a somewhat intimidating endeavor to undertake. It’s easy to make a wrong decision and stay stuck with something that doesn’t actually align with your career goals. As an international student, make sure that you are aware of these factors before considering your options overseas.
We hope that this article on how to choose universities abroad for Iranian students was informative. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
