Studying abroad has taken on a new meaning in recent times. Thanks to technology and the progressive offerings of many educational institutions, it’s easier than ever to see the world while gaining a qualification. If you’re thinking about combining study with travel, check out these tips before embarking on your next adventure…
Enrol in an online course – all you’ll need is an internet connection
Many colleges, universities and TAFEs now offer courses that are delivered entirely online to cater for a range of lifestyles and schedules. As an online student, you’ll be able to log into an online learning system where you’ll receive your study materials and instructions, and also submit your assessments.
Depending on the education institution, you may be able to watch lectures via video, Skype with your tutors, complete readings and participate in tutorials, just as an on-campus student would.
Favour Wi-Fi accessible accommodation & locations
As internet access is essential to study, make sure you’ll be visiting destinations and booking accommodation with good internet connections. Contact the properties you’re researching and ask about the strength of their internet connections and whether in-room Wi-Fi is included in your booking. If it’s charged as an additional fee, you might want to rethink your stay, as it could become quite expensive!
Alternatively, look into the locations of affordable internet cafes or regular cafes that offer free Wi-Fi. There are several smartphone apps that can help you locate these, such as Free Wi-Fi Finder.
Plan your travel itinerary around your coursework
Many people think travelling and studying at the same time isn’t possible because they’ve lined up an action-packed itinerary. In order to successfully do both, designate studying to the quieter periods of your trip, such as long waits at the airport, flights and trains, or if you have time to lie around the beach, pool or hotel.
There will be some discipline involved here, as you’ll need to ensure that you won’t be completely distracted by what the city has to offer during your study sessions. Make sure you don’t burn yourself out either, so keep well-rested and try and maintain a healthy sense of balance.
Set study goals with worldly rewards
You may find it tempting to ditch the time you’ve allocated for study for bigger and better experiences that await you in each new city and country. However, if you approach every new adventure, meal or tour as a reward, you can achieve great things.
Set aside a manageable amount of time for study every week, and you’ll feel motivated to complete each task when you know what’s waiting on the other side!
Choose a self-paced course so you’re not locked in
Self-paced courses give you the opportunity to choose whether you’d like to buckle down and get qualified quickly, or study a few hours a week while you work or travel. If you’re embarking on a big adventure, a self-paced course will allow you to be realistic about the time you’ll have to put towards study.
You might appreciate not being locked in to a specific timetable and be able to enjoy travelling while applying yourself to your studies on your own terms.
Equip yourself with all the right resources before departing
On your journey, you will need specific tools and technology to stay connected. Travel with a light, compact laptop that has a built-in camera for all of your video tutorials and chats with lecturers. You will also need to keep a battery charger with you and a good set of earphones so you don’t disturb other people in public environments.
A smartphone will also prove very handy to enable you to access helpful apps that make travelling and studying simultaneously more convenient. Be sure to check out the Tripadvisor app for global traveller reviews and information, as well as Tripverse which lets you store your itinerary and keep track of your travel schedule.
Looking for more study tips? Check out these 7 tips to help you study or see these study techniques that work.
You can also browse courses by study type or industry or see how to find the right course.
