Studying overseas is an exciting and entirely possible option, both for high school and university students.
The experience you gain from overseas study can be fun and rewarding and can also help to open up new and different career opportunities.
Students who have done all or part of their education in another country say that the experience has helped them gain maturity and to develop a better understanding of world affairs.
There are lots of websites out there that can help you to find out more about the possibilities for studying overseas (see the list of links at the end of this page for some ideas).
Many universities also have a Study Abroad office that can assist students wanting to study overseas.
Finding the course you want
The Victorian government maintains a site with links to Victorian-based organisations (new window) that can help high school students who are interested in studying overseas.
Study Abroad (new window) has a searchable database of information about international study programs for lots of different countries. You can search for high school (new window) courses available internationally, programs that allow you to study for an entire degree (new window), to specifically study English (new window) in another country, or to undertake post-graduate (new window) courses.
The handbook from 'It's Your World' has some good advice about the benefits (new window) you will experience from study overseas.
GoAbroad.com's 'Study Abroad Directory' (new window) also has material that can help you decide whether overseas study is right for you. If you do decide that it's what you want to do, you can use their searchable directory (new window) and look for courses either by country or by field of study.
Study Overseas (new window) is another organisation with searchable country and course databases. It also has a range of online magazines (new window), each dealing with a different specialist subject area.
If you're already studying at a university or TAFE, check to see if they have exchange programs with other universities overseas.
Getting financial help
Travel and course fees are expensive, but that doesn't mean that study overseas is limited to people who are rich. There are a number of schemes that can help you to be able to afford to undertake international study.
A lot of the organisations that organise international exchange for high school students also offer some form of scholarship. AFS Intercultural Programs (new window), Youth For Understanding (YFU) (new window) and Student Exchange Australia (new window) all offer some kind of scholarship, as do other exchange organisations.
The Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has a list of scholarship and exchanges (new window) that are available to financially assist Australian students to study overseas. Browse through the list to find out which ones you can apply for.
Links for studying overseas
Victoria Australia International Education - Student Exchange
A list of links to and addresses of Victorian-based organisations that facilitate international high school student exchange.
AFS Cultural Programs
Exchange organisation offering placements all over the world, and scholarships.
Youth For Understanding YFU
YFU is another exchange organisation that places high school students in international schools.
Student Exchange Australia
Search the Student Exchange site for countries to go to and scholarships that you might qualify for.
IDP Australia
IDP offers information opportunities here and overseas for Australian university students.
Study Abroad Directory
Has heaps of information about countries to study in and courses to undertake.
Study Overseas
With a searchable directory of countries to study in and courses to study.
Study Abroad
Information for high school and university students about overseas study opportunities.
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange
A not-for-profit, Australian organisation offering cultural exchange opportunities for high school students.
Educations.com
Find the course of study of your choice in the country of your choice.
