Studying abroad is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental building blocks that shapes resumes in the Arab World because it widens students' horizons and cultivates their independence and personalities.
Studying overseas can be a particularly phenomenal opportunity to offer scrupulous knowledge on specific concentrations of law and some hands-on practice as well. I would personally recommend a helpful website called LLM-Guide.com that will help you brainstorm your area of specialization.
However, we all know that financial restrictions can bring up some concerns about taking the decision to study abroad. Luckily, there are many scholarships in Egypt that offer excellent opportunities for postgraduate degrees.
There are generally two types of scholarships; scholarships that are provided from the university itself, which are usually partially covered scholarships. There are also fully paid scholarship programs, which sponsor multiple students into different tracks of study, such as Chevening, Fulbright, Qalaa Foundation, and many more.
Since general scholarships typically sponsor multiple students at the same time, I advise you to apply for reasonably priced universities to increase your chances of getting accepted into the scholarship program.
Each university and scholarship program comes with a unique set of eligibility prerequisites. Yet, three of these prerequisites are common across all: the English placement exam, the personal essay and the interview. Firstly, there is the English placement exam, where regardless of your English proficiency level, adequate preparation for the IELTS exam is a must. One of the resources that I would personally recommend is a YouTube channel called ‘Learn English with Emma’.
Secondly comes the personal essay. Admission officers read thousands of essays daily, so you really need your essay to stand out. Make sure you prepare several drafts, run it by multiple people, get feedback, refine and repeat. Replicate this process until you feel comfortable that your essay is coherent, mistake-free and most importantly, real.
Thirdly, there is the interview. There’s a secret tip to having a great interview, which is – yes, you guessed it right – rehearsal. Practice in front of the mirror, in the car, with your friends, while waiting in line; just practice, a lot.
Once you get accepted into the program you will need to decide where you’ll live. I personally recommend staying at the dorms for many benefits, including security, proximity to the campus, and having students around who support you whenever you feel homesick.
An imperative part of the experience is learning about the new culture, it is a good opportunity to allow one not only to restrict to a single set of ideologies, but also to figure out a totally different style of ideologies. Enroll yourself in clubs/groups, do volunteer work, and shuffle your groups so you connect with more people and enrich your cultural exposure.
Once your study abroad program comes to an end, stay in contact with your international friends as they may turn out to be promising professional contacts sometime in the future.
In conclusion, a study abroad journey will definitely equip you with a powerhouse of skills and talents that will help you become a more independent, open and a better-rounded individual.
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