Studying abroad while choosing a competitive destination like the Netherlands is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. However, it can also be quite challenging to get there in the first place. Looking for a place to live, getting healthcare taken care of, and searching for job vacancies for students is hard on its own. Applying to a foreign university can often be a difficult and complex task. There are a large number of forms, documents, deadlines, and additional requirements to keep track of and prepare in a relatively short period. However, as the saying goes, there is always a slew of difficulties on the way to any great endeavor, and luckily, you’re not without help.
Nowadays, there are plenty of great online resources, guides, and helpful services to help you study in the Netherlands in English. Those can aid you significantly at every step of the process, and here’s how:
- Research and planning
One of the most crucial aspects is to think about your plans in advance. Considerations should include: what kind of degree you’re pursuing, where is it located, and what do you need to get going? If you don’t do your research, you might miss out on a lot of great opportunities for international students you could’ve benefited from otherwise. Bad planning, on the other hand, can cause you a lot of inconvenience along your journey. That’s why it’s vital to collect the advice and knowledge of more experienced international students. The best universities in the Netherlands even have alumni programs that can help shed some light on the murky waters of college applications. Even more, some of the services, as mentioned earlier, will offer free counseling and answer all of the most poignant questions. That is perfect for saving you a big chunk of time and effort on your part right at the beginning!
- Chart a course
Once you’ve established the ‘what,’ ‘where’ and ‘why’ of your future degree, it’s now the time to unite them all in a neat little plan. Write down the entry requirements for your top 5 picks and start preparing. You’ll likely need to apply through Studielink or send your documents directly to the university. If it’s the former, it will tell you the exact requirements to proceed, suited to your case. If it’s the latter, don’t forget to take into consideration the time it will take to deliver, as well as the kinds of documents to send. Remember, under almost no circumstance should you send your documents in original!
- Collect, send, done
After you’ve compiled your list of necessary documents, all that’s left is to start acquiring them. Here, the most crucial part is to keep track of the expected date when you can receive your documents and the last point in time you can still send them. That is the trickiest part, which is why the real key to success at this stage is to get someone’s help. The only practical way you can get into the top universities in the Netherlands is by having someone looking over and keeping an experienced eye on your application. There are too many small pitfalls you could stumble on, especially if this is your first time applying. Reliable help at this point is invaluable, both for your success, as well as for your peace of mind.
There’s a lot of peer pressure on students to succeed and get it right on the first go. That stress can, at times, drain all the enjoyment straight out of a college application – which is otherwise a fun, exciting step directly into a bright future. Receiving guidance throughout the college application process, and also the more challenging parts of studying abroad are what keeps your focus on what’s truly important – your education. Best of luck!