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1) Language

You'll suffer a lot if you don't know the language of the country you're going to, especially if it's not English. It is advised that you start learning the language at least six months to one year before you leave.

Some people believe that when they go to live in a foreign country they will be able to catch on quickly. Well, it's not true if you start from zero and you're an adult. It would be better to pass any language exam required by the university of your destination first, and then get accepted into the school.

 It should be noted that academic language and technical terms in some areas of study are very difficult, and studying the foreign language for only one year might not be adequate to understand lectures.

2) Field of study

Some fields require more background education than others. You need to consider whether you should study the bachelor's programme in your country, and then further the education overseas for the higher degree.

 Students should choose their own field of study. They should observe what they like and are capable of, and then go for that field. What parents see as being best for their children is not necessarily the best.

You should also make sure that it's really you who wants to study overseas, and not just your parents who want you to do it. It is better for parents and students to compromise than to force the issue.

3) Be prepared

Studying and living overseas is tough. You have to take care of everything yourself (which is not easy) and can be stressful … especially for people who have never done it before. For people who never cook, do laundry, the ironing, take public transportation or travel alone here, it will be harder to do it overseas.

But some things will have to change if you plan to go overseas. If you don't know how to cook, you'll have to eat junk food. If you don't do dishes and just leave them in the sink, you might have problems with your housemates.

It's hard enough to move and live in other provinces, but this is going and living overseas. You should talk to students who are currently studying in your desired field and country, and get the real story.

4) Attitude

Failing an exam is not the end of the world. Some students, especially "good" students, live with high expectations from people around them. This means a lot of pressure and high stress. If they fail or don't live up to expectations, they might not be able to cope with it.

Life has both good and bad sides. Failure is not wrong. It happens.

Just because students are good at studying here, it doesn't mean they're ready to go overseas and live by themselves. These are two different things. Studying overseas not only requires acceptable academic performance but also other elements, such as the ability to adjust and cope with problems.

Sources: Assoc Prof Dr Kriengkrai Charoenthanavat, lecturer in Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Law; Punroung Puntuhong, director of the Education and Training Abroad Service at the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC); Ariya Sakulkaew, Education Officer 8, Education and Training Abroad Service, OCSC and Wipa Pinyochotiwong, managing director of Ednet, the Overseas Educational Agency.

By Rojana Manowalailao

The Nation