The process of studying abroad: A step-by-step guide to making your dreams come true

The girl sitting on the roof cornice and looking at the sky still has images of unknown countries in her eyes. The dream account accumulated on the pages of her parents' savings account and foreign university catalogs. But suddenly, thousands of hopes are shattered by the red tape of the visa, the lack of a first place in the English test, or the discrepancy in the funding calculation. How many aspirations of life are lost in this complex maze called the process of studying abroad! Have you also had such dreams shattered? Then know that if you have the right direction and indomitable willpower, this path is not so difficult. This guideline can be your roadmap, where the path to higher education abroad will be illuminated step by step.

The process of studying abroad: How to get started?

It is difficult to find a Bangladeshi student who does not dream of studying abroad. But to make this dream a reality, the first thing you need to do is set a clear goal. It is not just “going abroad” – this vagueness, but rather ask yourself: What subject should I study? Research or professional courses? Which country’s education system, culture, climate is suitable for me? Canada’s liberal immigration policy, Germany’s tuition-free education, Australia’s job opportunities, America’s research facilities – each destination has its own characteristics and needs. Don’t forget the story of Rifat, an economics student at Dhaka University. Instead of wasting time targeting just “Europe”, he decided first that he wanted a country with low tuition fees and good research opportunities in economics. After hours of internet research, visiting education expos, and talking to seniors, he chose the Netherlands. This goal-setting step laid the foundation for his success.

Then came the important step of selecting the institution and course. Don't just look at the world rankings, consider:

• Course curriculum: Does it align with your interests and career goals?
• Profile of faculty: Does it align with your research interests?
• Campus facilities and lifestyle: Is it urban or rural? Accommodation facilities?
• Student support services: Is there special support for international students?
• Alumni network and placements: What companies are graduates working for?
• Course-specific requirements: Are there any pre-requisite courses, work experience or portfolios?

Make a preliminary list using online tools such as QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings. Explore the official websites of your preferred universities in depth. Take note of each course's details, faculty profile, admission deadlines, fee structure. Remember, admission requirements can vary for different courses within the same university!

Time management is the most important thing at this stage. Usually, the admission process should be started at least 12-18 months in advance. Keep the following timeline in mind:

Deadline (in advance)       Work

12-18 months Country, university and course research; Start test preparation (IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT)

10-12 months Register for tests and take exams; Request recommendation letters; Start writing SOP/motivation letters

8-10 months Obtain academic transcripts, certificates; Finalize SOP; Submit application

4-6 months Receive offer letter; Prepare for study permit/visa

2-3 months Apply for visa; Medical tests; Book flights and accommodation

1 month Final preparation; Pre-departure briefing; Organize important paperwork

This timeline is just a guideline. Deadlines will vary by country, university, and course. The deadline for applying to undergraduate programs in Germany in March is not the same as the deadline for a master’s program in Canada in September! Check the “Admissions” or “International Students” section of each university’s website regularly.

Preparing to Apply for Study Abroad: The Most Important Step

The heart of the process of studying abroad is your application. Even a small mistake or indifference here can ruin your dream. Start by gathering your academic documents:

• All academic transcripts and certificates (translated and notarized): SSC, HSC, Honors/Masters marksheets. They must be translated into English by a translator approved by the Education Board of Bangladesh. There are many reliable translators in Dhanmondi or Uttara in Dhaka, GEC in Chittagong, Dargah Gate in Sylhet. You will need to get them notarized later.
• Proof of English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL): IELTS or TOEFL score is mandatory in most countries. IELTS Academic is more acceptable in the UK and Australia. TOEFL is more valued in the US. Some courses in Germany and France require IELTS 6.0-6.5. Top universities require 7.0 or more. Check the course requirements and target a score of at least 0.5 more than the prescribed score. For preparation, DID in Dhaka, British Council, Mentors Education or online platforms like Magoosh are good resources.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) or motivation letter is the mirror of your academic biography and dreams. Here, it is not only good writing, but also your uniqueness, academic journey, career ambitions and the reasoning behind choosing that particular university and course should be highlighted. Don't forget to write a generic SOP! Tanisha, a student of North South University, applied to the University of Manchester in the UK. In his SOP, he made himself stand out by mentioning not just grades, but also his thesis research, the similarity of his interests to the specific work of a professor at that university, and a special lab facility on campus.

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a third-party certification of your academic or professional capabilities.

Who to give it to? For an academic LOR, a teacher in your subject who knows you well. For a professional LOR, an internship or job supervisor.

What to write? Ask the recommender to give specific examples of you (e.g., class projects, research work, problem-solving skills). Generic praise is worthless.

How to give it? Depending on the university, you may want to submit it online (link will be sent to the recommender’s email) or in hard copy. Inform the recommenders in advance, and send a reminder a week before the deadline.

Create a resume/CV in an academically focused, clean format. Try to keep it to one page. Highlight academic achievements, research experience, publications (if any), relevant skills (programming, lab techniques, software), extracurricular activities (leadership roles are good).

Portfolio (for specific subjects): Architecture, art, design, filmmaking – a strong portfolio is key to a successful offer if you are applying to creative fields such as architecture, art, design, filmmaking. Present your best work professional.

Important Tips:

Online Application Portal: Most universities accept applications through Common App (USA), UCAS (UK), OUAC (Ontario, Canada), Uni-Assist (Germany) or their own portals. Subscription fees are payable by card/net banking.

Application Fee: Each university has a separate application fee (usually $50-$150).

Scan all documents: Upload clear, readable scanned copies. Follow the file size and format (PDF usually).

Submit before the deadline: Last-minute submissions are at risk of technical glitches.

Financial Preparation and Scholarship Search: Funding Your Dream

The biggest obstacle to studying abroad is financial capacity. Tuition, room and board, travel, health insurance, books – all add up to a huge expense. But don’t panic, plan ahead.

Estimated Costs (Annual):

Tuition Fees:

• US: $20,000 – $50,000+ (public/private, depending on program type)
• UK: £10,000 – £38,000 (undergraduate); Masters usually higher
• Canada: CAD$15,000 – CAD$35,000
• Australia: AUD$20,000 – AUD$45,000
• Germany: Semester contribution fee at public universities €150-€350 (most tuition-free); Private €10,000+

Accommodation and living expenses:

• US: $10,000 – $18,000
• UK: £12,000 – £15,000 (less outside London)
• Canada: CAD$10,000 – CAD$15,000
• Australia: AUD$18,000 – AUD$25,000
• Germany: €8,640/year (mandatory minimum for blocked accounts)

Sources of financial support:

Savings and family support: Main sources.

Education loans: Loans are available in Bangladesh from government (Ministry of Education, Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust) and private banks (Sonali, Social Islami Bank, IDLC). Good universities require an offer letter and visa. Compare interest rates and terms.

Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries:

• Full Funding: Tuition fees + room and board + other allowances. (Example: Fulbright, Chevening, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth Scholarship).
• Partial Scholarship: Partial or fixed amount of tuition fee grant.
• University-based Scholarship: Almost all top universities offer merit/need based scholarships for international students. Separate application or auto consideration is done at the time of application.
• Bangladesh-based organizations: Bangladesh American Center, British Council, Goethe, DAAD Dhaka office provide regular scholarship information.

Scholarship Tips:

Apply more: Don’t just wait for full funding, apply for partial scholarships as well.

• Check the official websites of the country and university: Keep an eye on the “Financial Aid”, “Scholarships for International Students” sections.
• Meet specific requirements: GPA, test scores, research proposal (PhD), or community service credentials.
• Follow deadlines closely: Scholarship deadlines may be different from and earlier than the admission deadline!
• Strong application: Argue why you deserve the scholarship in your SOP. Ask for your eligibility for the scholarship to be mentioned in your LOR as well.
• Blocked account (for some countries): In some European countries, including Germany and France, a certain amount of money (blocked account) is required to be deposited in a local bank (blocked account) as proof of funds for a visa (e.g. currently €11,208/year in Germany). This money can be withdrawn in monthly installments once the visa is granted

• Visa application and health check: Last step to do

Admission confirmed, funding secured – now the visa application, the most sensitive step of the process.

General Steps:

• Select Visa Category by Country: Student Visa is commonly known as Tier 4 (UK), F-1 (USA), Study Permit (Canada), Student Visa Subclass 500 (Australia), National Visa – D (Schengen Countries – Germany, France etc.).
• Fill in the application form online: Open an account on the immigration website of the concerned country (e.g. UKVI, USCIS, IRCC Canada, VFS Global – Visa processing of many countries in Bangladesh is done through VFS) and fill in the detailed form. Be very careful. Slight mistakes or inconsistencies can lead to rejection.
• Documents Preparation (Usually Required):
• Valid Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
• University Offer/Acceptance Letter (Unconditional Offer)
• Proof of Financial Capacity (Sponsor's Bank Statement, Scholarship Letter, Loan Approval Letter, Property Papers - All Notarized Translations Required)
• All Academic Certificates and Transcripts
• English Proficiency Certificate (IELTS/TOEFL)
• Visa Application Fee Payment Proof
• Visa Appointment Letter
• Passport Size Photograph (as per specifications)
• Medical Report (Country-specific - e.g. Immigration Medical Exam is mandatory for Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
• Biometrics Submission: Fingerprint and Photograph. Must be submitted at VFS Global Center in Dhaka.
• Visa Interview (For Some Countries): Interview may be required for America, sometimes UK or Canada. Be prepared: Answer these questions clearly and confidently: Why that country, that university, will you comply with the visa requirements, and will you return home after your studies?

Health Test: Immigration Medical Exam (IME) is mandatory for Canada, Australia, New Zealand visas. You have to go to IOM or Immigration Medical Center (IRC) in Dhaka to take this test. Usually, chest X-ray (TB screening), blood test, physical examination are done. For best results, get enough sleep the night before the test, eat light food.

Visa decision time frame: Varies depending on the country and season. It can usually take 3 weeks to 12 weeks or more (for example: America's F-1 visa processing is now very long). So start preparing for the visa immediately after receiving the offer letter.

Pre-departure preparation: Before setting foot on foreign soil

The visa sticker is shining on the passport! Now the final preparation:

Flight booking: Book tickets on airlines with student discounts as soon as the visa is confirmed. Set a target to arrive 1-2 weeks before the start of the semester.

Accommodation: Contact the university accommodation service (hall reservation). If you want to rent a flat outside, use Facebook groups (e.g. “Bangladeshi Students in [Country Name]”), university forums or sites like Spareroom, Uniplaces. Before signing the contract, find out about the living cost, location, security.

Health insurance: In many countries (Australia – OSHC, Canada – province-specific, Germany – around 120 euros/month) health insurance is mandatory for international students. The university will help.

Packing: Weather-appropriate clothing, necessary medicines (including prescriptions), some Bangladeshi spices/packaged food, adapter plugs (voltage and sockets are different abroad!), photocopies and scans of important documents (save them on the cloud!), some local currency cash.

Orientation Program: Don't forget to attend the pre-departure and welcome week programs organized by the university. You will get valuable information on campus, registration, opening a bank account, local transport - everything.

Registration at the local Bangladesh embassy: Go to the website of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and register your Nationals Abroad (RNR). This is important to get help in an emergency.

There will be frustration and impatience while going through this long process of studying abroad. But remember, whether it's the girl from Mohammadpur, Dhaka who works 8 hours a day at a call center and prepares for IELTS at night, or the boy from Rajshahi who searches for online resources for SAT on the slow internet in the village - their indomitable willpower ultimately brings them to the threshold of success.

Know (FAQs)

Q: Which is the most important document in the process of studying abroad?

A: All documents are important, but some need special attention. Offer letter is the main basis of visa. Visa will not be granted without proof of financial capacity (bank solvency certificate/sponsorship letter/scholarship letter). Properly notarized and translated academic certificates and transcripts are essential for admission. There is no room for evasion.

Q: Is it possible to study abroad without IELTS/TOEFL?

A: It is possible in very limited cases. Some universities or programs in some countries (especially for English-medium students, or at the secondary/higher secondary level) may make exceptions. Again, some European countries (such as Germany, France, Netherlands) have the opportunity to study in the local language (in which case, a certificate of that language will be required). However, IELTS or TOEFL scores are mandatory for most English-taught programs. Check the official requirements of the university.

Q: Is it necessary to get the help of an agent? How to recognize a good agent?

A: Not necessarily, but a good agent can make the process easier and more streamlined, especially in university selection, document preparation, and visa guidance. A good agent will recognize:

• Transparency: Is there a detailed written agreement on fee structure, services?
• Experience: Do they have experience in your target country and program?
• Credibility: Do they have accreditation from an international organization like the Ministry of Education or AIRC (American International Recruitment Council)?
• References: Will they give you the opportunity to talk to students who have been successful through them?
• Non-pressure: Will they insist on your choice, or will they just push them to the university of their choice?

Q: What should I do if my visa is rejected?

A: Don't be discouraged. The rejection letter will mention the reasons (Genuine Temporary Entrant – GTE doubts, financial opacity, document confusion, etc.). Eliminate those reasons and apply again. If necessary, seek advice from an immigration expert or a good agent. Never provide incorrect information or forgery. If there are genuine mistakes, correct them and submit new documents.

Q: Can I get a part-time job abroad? How many hours a week can I work?

A: In most countries, student visas allow limited hours of work during the study period (usually 20 hours a week). On-campus jobs are readily available. There may be restrictions if you work outside (for example, in Canada, an SIN number is required for on-campus jobs). If you lose focus on your studies and work excessively, your visa or academic status may be at risk. The university's career center will help you find a part-time job.

Q: What are the chances of permanent residence in that country after completing your studies?

A: It varies from country to country. In countries like Canada, Australia, and Germany, the path to getting a work permit after completing your studies and later permanent residency (PR) is relatively easy. In the United States, there is a lottery system for H-1B visas after the OPT (Optional Practical Training) period. The UK has a post-study work visa (Graduate Route). While studying, you need to know the updates on the country's immigration policy and collect relevant experience (co-op, internship).

Every step in this journey called the process of studying abroad will test your patience, caution, and preparation. But whenever disappointment surrounds you, remember that first day - when you started walking on the path only with the power of a dream. Today's guideline is a tool to touch that dream. Your preparation, hard work, and the right guidance will create the ladder of success. It's time to start now. Open the website of your dream university, take the first step today. Good luck on your journey!