ทำไมถึงต้องเลือกเรียนที่ประเทศอังกฤษ

Studying in another country is a big deal. Whether it’s a full degree abroad or a short-term study abroad program, the decision to move and study abroad is one that must be considered seriously. Having now studied abroad in England twice, I know. Here I will describe why I chose to study in England in the first place and what ultimately led me back.
การศึกษาต่อในต่างประเทศนับว่าเป็นเรื่องใหญ่เลยทีเดียว ไม่ว่าจะเป็นปริญญาในต่างประเทศหรือคอร์สระยะสั้นในต่างประเทศ การตัดสินนใจที่จะย้ายไปเรียนต่างประเทศนั้นหนึ่งสิ่งที่จะต้องพิจารณาอย่างจริงจัง ขณะมีการศึกษาอยู่ในประเทศอังกฤษ 

Planning my junior year abroad

วางแผนปีแรกๆในการใช้ชีวิตในต่างประเทศ

During my sophomore year of college in the US, there were lots of information sessions and fairs on the different study abroad destinations available. At my college, the vast majority of study abroad opportunities were year-long programs, which generally took place during a student’s junior year. This idea of spending my entire junior year abroad, which initially seemed very daunting to me, ended up becoming the best thing about studying abroad.
ในช่วงปีที่สองของมหาวิทยาลัยในสหรัฐอเมริกา

Since the study abroad programs emphasized full immersion and studying in the host language, I narrowed my options to England and Australia, two English-speaking countries. Australia got eliminated because I thought it was too far away, though it was my front-runner for a long time.

This brings me to the England options. I knew that if I were to study abroad, I would want to go somewhere really different from what I was used to. My options of where to study in England were the Universities of Leicester, York and Sussex. After going to the information sessions, speaking with returning students who’d come back from their junior year abroad, and researching each university and city intensely, it was clear to me that the University of Sussexwas my choice.

The main factor which led me to the University of Sussex was the location, on the edge of the city of Brighton. Not only is Brighton just an hour away from London, but it’s also an attractive seaside city. I thought there seemed to be a lot to do, from shopping to restaurants to ample nightlife options. I knew that the university was easily accessible from two major airports – London Heathrow and London Gatwick – which I thought would make traveling more convenient.

I did of course consider the academic options as well. I looked at the available classes we were allowed to take as study abroad students, and saw a lot that really interested me. I had so many materials – both online resources and via the study abroad office – which helped me to make a really well-informed decision.

Even so, I was really undecided about studying abroad for the longest time, mainly because it would be for a whole academic year. In the end, I pushed myself to go and was so glad I did. I can’t imagine my life without studying abroad, as it is the reason I am where I am today – back in England.

Returning to study a master’s in England

Fast forward a couple years. My junior year abroad year was full of ups and downs for sure, but on the whole it was a positive experience for me. Since the vast majority of my friends at Sussex were British, I was able to learn so much about the country’s culture and really fall in love with England. When I came back to the US, reverse culture shock hit me hard and lasted for many months. I so longed to be back in England and was homesick for the place every day.

The benefit of this depressing time in my life was that I learned how much I wanted to work as a study abroad advisor. In searching online for related master’s degree programs, I was able to find a relevant master’s in England, at Newcastle University. This program was the only one I applied to, since I knew I wanted to come back to study in England for another year. The program is called Cross-Cultural Communication and Education, it is one year long and I am currently about halfway through!

My study abroad immersion experience of living in England for a year with British friends and flatmates ultimately led me to earning my master’s in England. If I hadn’t spent my junior year abroad with mostly Brits, I would never have gotten the deep cultural knowledge I have today. The bond I have with England is so strong.  This place has shaped me personally and professionally. I honestly don’t know who or what I would be doing with my life had I never studied abroad here in the first place.




ที่มาจาก: www.topuniversities.com

5 เหตุผลว่าทำไมต้องเรียนต่อต่างประเทศ

The question “Why study abroad?” is one of the issues explored in our recently released report on Trends in International Student Mobility, based on global surveys of graduate degree applicants in the last five years. The report examines some of the key motivations and priorities for students applying for a master’s or a PhD, and particularly those with an interest in studying outside of their own country. Here’s an overview of some of the most common answers respondents gave to the question “Why study abroad?”

คำถามที่ว่า "ทำไมต้องเรียนในต่างประเทศ?" เป็นหนึ่งในประเด็นการสำรวจนักศึกษาโดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง  

1. Study at a university with a strong international reputation

การศึกษาในระดับมหาวิทยาลัยที่มีชื่อเสียงในต่างประเทศมีความแข็งแกร่ง

A major motivation for many international students is the prospect of studying at a university with a strong international reputation. This underlies the continued popularity of study destinations such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Germany, which boast large numbers of universities that are well-known and respected worldwide. As more institutions succeed in growing their international reputations, there’s now even greater choice than ever before for prospective international students for whom reputation really matters.

แรงจูงใจที่สำคัญสำหรับนักศึกษา

2. Experience life in a different culture

ประสบการณ์ชีวิตในวัฒนธรรมที่แตกต่าง

For many international students, the opportunity to spend an extended period of time immersed in a culture other than their own is a huge part of the appeal of studying abroad. This might simply be for the pleasure that comes from encountering new experiences and perspectives, or it could be that students are already looking ahead to their graduate careers; international experience and intercultural skills are highly valued by many employers. Some students may have a specific destination or culture in mind, while others may be ready to explore pretty much anywhere new.

สำหรับนักเรียนต่างชาติหลายๆคน โอกาสที่จะใช้เวลาในการศึกษาวั

3. Benefit from scholarships or lower tuition fees

ประโยชน์จากทุนการศึกษา หรือ ค่า

Studying abroad is certainly not always a cheaper option; indeed, for many (if not most) international students, it’s more expensive to study abroad than it would have been to stay closer to home. However, this of course depends on how the tuition fees and living costs compare in your own country and your potential study destination. If you’re based in the US and decide to study in Germany, for example, you could actually end up saving a lot in tuition fees, as our student blogger Felix explains. You may also be able to benefit from international scholarships, such as those available to attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour.

4. Improve your language skills

พัฒนาทักษาภาษาอังกฤษ

Lots of students are also motivated to study abroad at least partly by the prospect of improving their language skills, which again can be a major asset when applying for graduate careers. This could mean spending time taking a preparatory language course, in order to study a full degree program taught in the local language. Or you may study in your native language, but have opportunities to improve your foreign language skills through immersion in the student community.

นักเรียนจำนวนมากคาดหวังและมีแรงจูงใจที่จะได้พัฒนา ปรับปรุงทักษะทางภาษา ซึ่งอาจเป็นประโยชน์สำหรับการสมัครเข้าทำงาน ซึ่งอาจหมายถึงการใช้เวลาในการเรียนเตรียมภาษาเพื่อการศึกษาระดับปริญญาอย่างเต็มรูปแบบ

5. Start building an international professional network

เริ่มต้นสร้างเครือข่ายระหว่างประเทศ

Finally, studying abroad can be an opportunity to establish a really strong international professional network, by establishing friendships with classmates from all around the world, which will long outlast the duration of your study program. If this is one of your motivations for overseas study, you may want to make sure you choose a university with a particularly diverse student community. Of course, it’s not essential to study abroad to achieve this goal; you could choose to study in your own country and still have the chance to meet people from across the globe!

สุดท้ายการไปเรียนต่างประเทศเป็นการสร้างความแข็งแกร่งทางความสัมพันธ์ที่จะสร้างมิตรภาพกับเพื่อนร่วมชั้นเรียนจากทั่วทุกมุมโลก ระยะเวลาก็ขึ้นอยู่กับระยะเวลาการศึกษาของคุณ 

ที่มาจาก: www.topuniversoties.com

การตัดสินใจที่จะศึกษาต่อต่างประเทศ

In our recently published report on Trends in International Student Mobility, one of the questions we asked prospective students was how they’d decide where to study. Here’s an overview of what they said – maybe this will help you narrow down your own choice of study abroad destinations!

Look for countries with a global reputation for education

The top priority identified by our survey respondents was ‘international recognition of qualifications’ – almost 18% said this was one of their most important factors when deciding where to study. In practice, a large number of countries now have a very strong reputation in the international higher education sector, so this doesn’t necessarily narrow down the options too much. However, it could still be useful to think about how your degree qualification is likely to be viewed in future, especially by prospective employers.

Consider the local lifestyle and culture

The second most important factor for our respondents was ‘cultural interest and lifestyle’ – chosen by more than 15% as a key motivation when deciding where to study. This is probably one of the most fun aspects to consider when planning your study abroad experience – encompassing everything from the local climate and popular activities to the size of city you want to be in, languages spoken, and even very specific things such as how close you’ll be to a ski slope or what kind of live music venues are around. It’s also quite a tough aspect to research without physically travelling to the place, but you could start with some of our student-focused country guides.

Research the costs and availability of student funding

No surprises here – third on our respondents’ priority list was the availability of scholarships and student funding in general. Different study abroad destinations can vary a lot when it comes to tuition fees and overall living expenses, and also in terms of how much financial support is available for international students. So before setting your heart irreversibly on one particular country, make sure you’ve taken into account the costs and student funding options; you may find that a different location is just as good a match for your academic and lifestyle requirements, but at a fraction of the price.

Check out the post-graduation employment prospects

The fourth factor our survey respondents cited when deciding where to study abroad was that they’d like to stay and work nearby after completing their degree. Of course you may plan on returning home after graduating – but then you never know, you might change your mind and decide you want to stay on after all. And with many countries worldwide still reporting high unemployment levels, it could be good forward planning to think about which locations are likely to offer the best employment prospects. You should also check the current regulations on international student visas and work permits, and whether there are any plans to change these. Many countries have made it relatively easy for international students to stay on and seek employment prospects, but this is not always the case.

These are the top four answers to one of the questions we asked graduate degree applicants worldwide as part of our recent report on International Trends in Student Mobility. Download the full report to see respondents’ top 10 priorities when deciding where to study, and to find out how this list has changed over the last five years.








ที่มาจาก: www.topuniversities.com

การเลือกมหาวิทยาลัยของผู้ปกครอง : สิ่งที่ต้องจำไว้

It’s likely that many prospective students and their parents don’t agree on much. But, judging from the turnout at the QS World University Tour in London last weekend, it’s obvious that a large number agree on the importance of choosing a university that is right for them.

Choosing a university to spend the next three or four years at can be an overwhelming experience, and so the last thing you’ll want is your dad leaning over your shoulder denouncing the brickwork of the student union as you read up on a promising university’s prospectus. Nor do you want your mum batting her eyelashes at the university’s representative when you’re trying to find out about the sports societies on offer. 

What many students do want however (as well as a lift to university fairs and open days), is a bit of back-up when going to university events full of admissions representatives. When attending alone or with a friend it’s all too easy to sneak off early for a coffee and a Flappy Birds session, but with mum and/or dad there you know you’ll be forced to get enough important information before you’re allowed to step back outside into the daylight.

Despite this, as a teenager about to live away from home most likely for the first time, you’ll need them on your side. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t shout at them when they gently question your own perspective on what matters when choosing a university.
เป็นไปได้ว่านักศึกษาหลายคนพ่อแม่ไม่เห็นด้วยกับการตัดสินใจ

Your parents really do “only want what’s best for you”

พ่อแม่เพียงต้องการทำสิ่งที่ดีที่สุดสำหรับคุณ

You’ve heard this a million times and you know deep down that it’s true. When your parents tell you they’ve got your best interests at heart, they’re almost certainly not lying. When I asked one prospective student’s mother what she thought about her son going to university, she said; “I just want him to have all the best opportunities in life and not to be held back by anyone. I’ll be sad when he does [leave home] but it’s for the best.” And she did mention something about the house being tidier with him gone, but that was just a joke!

Obviously all parents aren’t quite so laidback. Some might be sceptical about study abroad programs or they may be dubious about your plans for attending veterinary college or going off to study something they’ve never heard of before like digital media or interactive arts. In this case you’ll need to remain calm and present your case to them, letting them know you’ve done your research and concluded that it this is still what you want to do. Sometimes, all parents need is to be assured that you’re serious about your education and career goals.
คุณเคยได้ยินเป็นล้านครั้งและรู้ว่ามันเป็นความจริง เมื่อพ่อแม่ของคุณบอกคุณ เมื่อฉันถามแม่ของนักศึกษาคนหนึ่ง

They want you to have fun just as much as anyone!

Although you might view them as living, breathing “fun sponges”, you might be surprised to realize that your parents (probably) want nothing more than for you to go off, have fun and live your life to the full. The fact that they are helping you make your decision in choosing a university and following you around to these open events, means that they are as concerned as you are in regards to your future.

And, as much as you don’t want to hear it, your parents were also young once and there’s a fair chance that fun isn’t a foreign concept to them – although it may seem like that when they’re sat watching The One Show when they could be enjoying The Wire.

More than a few parents I spoke to at the London World University Tour event proved this. Liam Green’s mum said this: “I should think good support services, good facilities and a good reputation are important but also yes, I guess it does have to be a fun place to live… uni is all about the experience as well. It was never an option for me or my siblings but nowadays everyone’s doing it. It’s sort of like a rite of passage.”

You might actually miss them too

You may think going to university will be all sunshine and light (if ‘sunshine’ means ‘all nighters’ and ‘light’ means ‘jagerbombs’), but I’m sad to say it won’t be. There’ll be times when work is piling up and you’ve spent all day alone in your dingy student room revising, when all you’ll want to do is go home for a nutritious home-cooked meal and a sympathetic parental ear. And, if you haven’t even so much as texted your mother since starting university a month ago, then you’ll appreciate why she might be a little frosty when you finally do get in touch out of the blue.

It might seem like a hassle, but if you arrange a regular time to call home each week, either by phone, Skype, Facetime or whatever, you’ll keep your parents happy as well as yourself. After all, even though student life may be unpredictable and awesome, home is still home, and the dull stuff –your dad’s back problems, sick pets, annoying relatives, that sort of thing – will help to keep you grounded while maintaining important family relationships.

And you might need to be bailed out by them at some point

There are many things that you may need to be bailed out of in the early days of university, for instance when you realize too late that you probably should’ve budgeted properly and not spent the majority of your first installment of student loan on clothes and in the student union.

The easiest and most sensible option is to phone home to ask for help, even if this sounds like a horrible idea. The last thing a newly independent student needs is his parents saying “we told you so”, but it’s likely that this won’t happen. What they might do is berate you a little bit, but this is to be expected.

After the trauma of having to tell them, your parents are likely to help you out – either with some money to tide you over or some advice to keep you healthy and happy while you try to live off of $5 a week. They’ll probably be able to help you budgeting better for future terms– after all, they’ve been paying bills a hell of a lot longer than you have.

What you’ve got to remember is that just because you admit to needing some help, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed in being independent. Going to university is a learning curve and becoming mature enough to handle money, relationships, studies and whatever else is an ongoing thing that your parents are there to help with.

Lastly, they’re probably right

Finally: the majority of what your parents tell you is probably quite wise, so do try to listen to them before flying off the handle or retreating for a two-hour sulk!





ที่มาจาก: www.topuniversities.com

10 อันดับ มหาวิทยาลัยแห่งชาติในสหรัฐอเมริกา

 10 อันดับการจัดมหาวิทยาลัยแห่งชาติในสหรัฐอเมริกา จากการจัดอันดับของ BEST COLLEGES US.News 


1. Princeton University


          The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, N.J. Princeton was the first university to offer a “no loan” policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.
          สถาบันการศึกษาเอกชนที่ตั้งอยู่ในเมืองที่เงียบสงบ Princeton รัฐนิวเจอซี Princeton เป็นมหาวิทยาลัยแห่งแรกที่เสนอนโยบาย ไม่ให้มีเงินให้กู้ยืม ให้กับนักเรียนที่ยากจนทางการเงิน แต่ให้ทุนการศึกษาแทนการให้กู้ยืม ให้กับนักเรียนที่ได้รับการยอมรับที่ต้องการความช่วยเหลือในการจ่ายเงินค่าเล่าเรียน
           *มหาวิทยาลัยปริ๊นซ์ตันเป็นสถาบันเอกชนที่ก่อตั้งขึ้นในปี 1746 ที่มีการลงทะเบียนเรียนในระดับปริญญาตรีรวมกว่า 5336 จากการจัดอันดับในปี 2014 มหาวิทยาลัยปริ๊นซ์ตันเป็นมหาวิทยาลัยแหงชาติที่ดีที่สุด ค่าเล่าเรียนและค่าธรรมเนียมอยู่ที่ $40,170
          ปริ๊นซ์ตันเป็นมหาวิทยาลัยเก่าแก่อันดับที่4 ในสหรัฐอเมริกาตั้งอยู่ในเมืองที่เงียบสงบ รัฐนิวเจอซี ภายในมหาวิทยาลัยเต็มไปด้วยไม้เลื้อย ตามตำนานปริ๊นซ์ตันหากนักเรียนคนใดก้าวออกจากประตูก่อนที่จะจบการศึกษาจะถูกสาปไม่ให้จบการศึกษา
          ศิษย์เก่าปริ๊นซ์ตันมีเหล่าคนดังมากมายไม่ว่าจะเป็น ประธานาธิบดีสหรัฐ Woodrow Wilson, John Forbes Nash จากภาพยนต์เรื่อง "A Beautiful Mind", สุภาพสตรีหมายเลขหนึ่งของสหรัฐอย่าง Michelle Obama

2. Harvard University

          Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Mass., just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.

          มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ด เป็นสถาบันเอกชนในเมืองเคมบริดจ์ รัฐแมสซาชูเซตส์ เป็นมหาวิทยาลัยที่เก่าแก่ที่สุดในอเมริกา 

          มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดเป็นสถาบันเอกชนที่ก่อตั้งขึ้นในปี 1636 ที่มีการลงทะเบียนเรียนในระดับปริญญาตรีถึง 6658 จากการจัดอันดับมหาลัยที่ดีที่สุดของสหรัฐอเมริกาในปี 2014 มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดจัดอยู่ในอันดับที่2 ด้วยค่าเล่าเรียนและค่าธรรมเนียมอยู่ที่ $42,292

          มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดตั้งอยู่ในเคมบริดจ์ นอกบอสตัน ห้องสมุดมหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดเป็นห้องสมุดที่ใหญ่และเก่าแก่ที่สุดในสหรัฐอเมริกา

          นอกจากนี้มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดถูกจัดอยู่ในอันดับเกี่ยวกับด้านวิศวกรรฒและกฎหมาย ศิษย์เก่าที่มีชื่อเสียงของฮาร์วาร์ดเช่น John F. Kennedy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt นอกจากนี้มหาวิทยาลัยฮาร์วาร์ดยังเป็นมหาวิทยาลัยที่มีเงินบริจาคมากที่สุดในโลกอีกด้วย

3. Yale University

          Yale University, located in New Haven, Conn., offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 12 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning, and socializing.

          Yale University ตั้งอยู่ในนิวเฮฟเว่น 

4. Columbia University

          Columbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.

          มหาวิทยาลัยโคลัมเบียมี 3 โรงเรียนในระดับปริญญาตรี คือ  The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), และ the School of General Studies. 

เก่าแก่อันดับที่5 ของอเมริกา และเป็นมหาวิทยาลัยแห่งแรกของมหานครนิวยอร์ก

5. Stanford University

          The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

6. University of Chicago

          The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. Since 1987, the private institution has hosted the University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, a four-day event that is regarded as the largest scavenger hunt in the world.

7. Duke University

          Located in Durham, N.C., Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

          Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science, and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management, and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Mass., just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

9. University of Pennsylvania

          Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.

10. California Institute of Technology

          The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, Calif. is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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