Study in North America

The United States of America is the number one destination for students looking to study abroad, with over 600,000 international students each year. And just to the north, Canada is also popular with students looking for a quality education in a friendly English speaking nation. Here, we look at why these destinations attract so many students, and what it is really like to study there.

USA – a wealth of surprises

Students arriving in the USA are often surprised to find it is nothing like the images they are used to on their TV or movie screen. The USA offers diverse landscapes and people, and your study experience could take you to a small rural town or a dynamic multi-cultural city.

Virginia, from India, is studying a graduate engineering program. She says, “Studying in the United States is a unique opportunity for foreign students in many ways. The professional work ethic followed here even in graduate school is rarely found elsewhere in the world. A degree from a good American University is recognised and valued the world over.”

With over 4000 public and private colleges and more than 6000 non-collegiate postsecondary institutions, there is an incredible variety of education opportunities. Whether you want a small private college or a large state university, a prestigious MBA school or vocational training, you will find something to suit you. 

Did you know?

An American education is not as expensive as you think
Tuition fees vary widely –a four year undergraduate program can range from under US$3,500 per year to over US$15,000. Living expenses also vary, from small towns to big cities. But you must budget for health insurance as the US does not provide any socialised health care, and treatment can be expensive.

It’s not that hard to get a visa
Over 500,000 international students get a visa to study in the USA every year. It’s not as daunting as it looks, and StudyLink can help you through the process.

You can move between colleges
It is common to complete the first two years of a degree at one institution and then move to another.

Pierce College, in scenic Washington State on the West coast, is an excellent community college that allows students to earn a two year associate degree and then transfer to another university. For international students, this means they can get used to another culture in a smaller, friendlier environment before moving onto a large state-based university.

Students in the US also enjoy small class sizes – as few as 10-20 students per class – and a close relationship between faculty and students. You may share a coffee or meal with your professor, and gain a valuable mentor in your chosen field. 

MBA programs began in the US over 100 years ago, so if you are looking for a prestigious graduate school then this is the place to study. Hult International Business School in Boston offers one of the most globally diverse MBA classes and is a top-ranking school. Jaye Matriano, from Switzerland, chose Hult “because I wanted to study the American way of how to do business, which is still distinct from the European way in the sense that it is much more aggressive and determined.”

Johnson & Wales University offers international students a choice of campus locations – from the mountains of Denver, Colorado, to the coastline at Rhode Island or Miami. With world-class programs in business, hospitality, culinary management and technology, they have one of the highest post-graduation employment rates and are known for their hands-on training.

Many international students see a US education as an investment in their future. They will return home speaking English fluently, a global network of friends and contacts, and with a new perspective on the world and their area of expertise.

Canada – strength in its differences

If you are looking for an education in North America where you can learn another language, pay lower tuition fees than many other countries and have the opportunity to stay and work after graduation, then you should also consider Canada.

The United Nations has ranked Canada as the best place to live in the world. Yes, a local author may have described their climate as “six months of winter followed by six months of bad sledding”, but in terms of education, national income and quality of life Canada has a great standard of living. It is a safe, peaceful country with excellent inexpensive health care. And with two official languages (English and French), Canadians are world leaders in language training.

Sam Ko, from Taiwan, studied at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia and says: “You can learn English anywhere. In Kamloops you can have a different kind of life. I say here is a great city. Fresh air. Friendly people. No traffic.”

TRU offers a wide choice of undergraduate and diploma programs in the modern, safe city of Kamloops north of Vancouver. Students can try snowboarding, fishing, camping and experience the best of Canada.

Canada is a vast country, with most cities clustered on the east or west coasts. You may be surprised to find that very few Canadians live in igloos in the far north, and not every Canadian speaks French.

As well as the opportunity to work for one year in Canada after graduation, international students can work on-campus during their study without a work permit.

There are two main ways to study in Canada. Universities provide academic and professional degrees, and community colleges offer vocational certificate and diploma programs. At most universities and colleges, instruction will be in either English or French, and you must meet proficiency requirements in that language to be admitted.

There are large international student populations in all of the main cities, such as Vancouver on the west coast. One of Canada’s largest cities with 1.8 million people, it is surrounded by ocean, mountains and lush green parks. Vancouver Community College provides a pathway to university, English language courses and vocational training, and has an excellent reputation. Yumi, from Japan, says “Since I started here I really see an improvement in my English skills. I’ve has a good time skiing and hiking, I like the opportunity to explore so many beautiful places.”

Fraser International College also offers pathway and English language programs in Vancouver, and is a great way to enter Simon Fraser University, one of Canada’s top universities.

Both Canada and the USA offer you the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised education, to improve your English, and to discover more about their culture in a diverse and often spectacular setting. The next step is up to you – to find out more about courses available in North America contact one of our student counsellors.

Your inspiring stories…

A poor man and a student – by Egbe nelvis Njibiri, Cameroon

There was a poor man, who had nothing to eat in our village. Then came a boy who had spent all his time to study in Europe. This made him very proud and anyone who came his way, he just mocked them.

The poor man was on his way for the village meeting and so was the boy who studied in Europe. It has rained so much that the road was very muddy. The boy who studied in Europe splashed mud over the poor man as he sped in his car. Black mud was all over his best clothes. He exclaimed, “cha, to be poor is a sin.” After the meeting he told his children. The first son of that father promised him he must also study in Europe and in a quality school where life gets better.

Guess what, I was the first son of that poor man.

Niloo Torabzadeh – Iran

There is no way for me to improve as I want – and I know I’m powerful enough to be different. I am a girl and I can’t decide for myself. We have traditions that make me walk away from my country. As a girl I just have two ways to choose for my life: getting married or living with my parents. If I marry, someone else shall decide for me!

I like to study, to be more experienced and wise and more open-minded. I’d like to have a good job and find a way to change my life, a way that helps me get to my goals.

Maureen Dengah – North Sulawesi (Indonesia)

I am very interested to study English. I work in a resort in North Sulawesi and my big hope is I can speak in conversation with foreign people in English better. I can speak a little bit of Japanese too.

In my job at front office I am very shy ‘cos I can’t speak English, just say yes and no. I am divorced, my son is very proud of me when I speak English with guests. I’d like to teach my son too. I love him very much. My hoping, I imagine I could be a good tour leader or guide.

Natashka Ber – Republic of Moldova

Many people never heard about my country, but it is a small beautiful place in Eastern Europe. I am an ambitious and optimistic person, who dreamt from childhood to become a famous fashion designer.

Everything which refers to art: fashion, make up, painting, design, is part of my life. I want very much to study at one of the Fashion Design faculty from England. In the future I hope that I can create my personal clothes, and have a small atelier, personalised in romantic style.

For more of your amazing and heart warming stories, please read next months Student Adventures!
Thank you for sharing them with us – and keep them coming! Email us with no more than 200 words on why you want to study overseas, and what you hope to achieve. And remember to ask [link to counsellor page] a counsellor about your specific study questions.

Application Deadlines

Australia and New Zealand – Apply now to start in July/August 2008. Application deadlines are approaching. Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have an answer from the institutions. Submit your application and supporting documents to us now. You do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course, completing your applications, and confirming your enrolment.

If you applied to start in February/March 2008, you should be arriving at your study location, finding accommodation, and getting settled in. If you have any questions on settling in to your new home, contact your counsellor.

USA and Canada – The main term starts in September but several start dates are available throughout the year. You can still submit your application to start in September and should contact your counsellor immediately to submit your applications. Application deadlines vary and we encourage you to apply well in advance for best consideration and to allow time to apply for a visa.

Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Submit your application to StudyLink now to start in September 2008, the UK's main term. It is best to get your application in early as some courses will start to fill up. Submit your application and supporting documents to us now. You do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course, completing your applications, and confirming your enrolment.

If you applied to start in January/February 2008, you should be arriving at your study location, finding accommodation, and getting settled in.

Counsellor of the month: Shikha Arora

Shikha is an Assistant International Student Counsellor in our New Delhi office. She studied at Delhi University, completing a Bachelor of Science. Her degree combined theory with practical experiments, and she enjoyed creating physical products from different chemicals.

Although Shikha has not travelled abroad yet, a trip to Australia is top of her wish-list. She is very keen to visit her cousin, who is studying at Deakin University in Melbourne. She would also love to experience Singapore.

“Being a student counsellor for StudyLink means dealing with different people from every horizon of the world,” says Shikha. She speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi, and can help you with all your questions and concerns about studying overseas.

UK: Oxford Brookes overtakes traditional universities

Oxford Brookes University is consistently recognised as Britain’s best modern university. The Times Good University 2008 Guide now places it at 49th out of 113 UK universities, and 26th for graduate employment (ahead of Manchester, Nottingham and Edinburgh Universities).

It also has strong student satisfaction ratings – better than 13 ‘older’ universities. Nine out of ten Brookes students say they would recommend the University to prospective students, according to the Student Satisfaction Survey in 2005.

“Oxford Brookes enjoys the atmosphere of one the world’s true student cities,” according to the Virgin 2007 Alternative Guide to British Universities. Over 4000 students come from overseas, studying a wide range of courses from English language to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Oxford itself is of course home to one of the most well-known universities in the world, and has a large international student population. Large enough to offer a lively mix of shops, restaurants and activities, but small enough to get around easily, it is only an hour by train or bus from London.

Oxford Brookes University has developed a flexible study program over the past 26 years. Courses are modular and can be taken part-time. Individual modules can be taken without registering for the whole degree, allowing students to update their knowledge in areas of interest. A January start is also available – useful when you need extra time to meet language requirements or make travel arrangements.

“I knew which course I wanted to do and Oxford Brookes consistently ranked highly in university ratings. I also like the idea of living in Oxford,” says Poulomee Basu from India, who also received a Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) scholarship for her MSc in Spatial Planning at Oxford Brookes.

To work our which of the many flexible study options at Oxford Brookes would suit you, contact one of our student counsellors.

USQ: An Australian degree without leaving home

If you are looking for an international qualification without any travel and living costs, there are many opportunities available through distance education, or off-campus learning.

The University of Southern Queensland is an international leader in distance education. Over 17,000 students study off-campus – that is 75% of their students – in more than 80 countries across all continents.

Distance education allows you to study from your own home, anywhere in the world, at times that suit you. You can easily fit your study around your current work or family commitments. Study the same courses, with the same lecturers, and receive the same qualifications as the students who are on-campus.

USQ was awarded the inaugural International Council for Open and Distance Learning (ICDE) prize for its flexible learning initiatives. Courses and assessments are completed online or by mail. Study packages, including books, readings, audio tapes, CD-ROMs and tutorial work, are sent by mail before each semester starts. Depending on the course, exams may also be held at overseas regional centres.

USQ also overcomes the isolation facing some distance learning students by providing them with Learning Circles – 3-10 students in the same region, studying the same courses, can work together, share resources and form friendships.

If you prefer to study on-campus, USQ has a large international student base at their Springfield, Fraser Coast and Toowoomba campuses, all near Brisbane. Their unique International Friendship Program introduces international students to local families and individuals, making it easier for new students to make friends and improve their language skills.

Daniella Dung says; “The real Australian life can only be experienced in getting to know the ‘real’ people outside uni, living their lives the Australian way. I was lucky to get to know Kate right at the beginning of the semester. No weekend passed without meeting Kate and her family and friends.”

For more information on the courses available at USQ, whether on-campus or online, chat with one of our student counsellors today or visit our website.

CRICOS code: QLD 00244B

Dubai: Hult MBA is a Middle East first

Hult International Business School now offers the opportunity to study a top-ranking American one-year MBA in the world’s fastest growing city, Dubai.

Dubai is one of the most international cities in the world, with more than 150 nationalities, and is the gateway for commerce between East and West. Double-digit GDP growth is forecast for the next eight years, and over 150 Fortune 500 companies have an established base there.

Hult give students the option to study at any of their three locations – Boston, Shanghai (a satellite campus) or Dubai, and gain a unique insight into the world’s key economies. The Dubai campus offers highly qualified faculty from the US and Europe in a modern world-class facility. The Academic Dean of Hult’s Dubai campus says “The opportunity to study for a world-class MBA in one of the most dynamic cities anywhere will be attractive to students from around the world. Already we are seeing interest from students as far away as Tokyo.”

Hult’s President, Stephen J. Hodges, sees it as another way Hult can provide MBA students with a global perspective and exciting career opportunities in the world’s fastest growing economies. Obtaining visas and residency in the UAE is easier than in the USA or Europe, and there is an attractive 0% income tax rate. English is widely spoken, and is the language of the professional workplace.

Hult’s MBA is ranked 21st in the US by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Dubai program features the same case study method, with management consulting projects and business simulations, and requires a mature, experienced student group with at least three years work experience. Located in the Dubai Academic City, campus life is self-contained. The school’s ultra-modern facilities include wireless internet access, amphitheatre-style classes and a computer centre.

To find out more about how you can study for a Hult MBA in Dubai, talk with one of our student counsellors or visit our website.