Should I seek professional help?
Written by: Laura Eckland
Studying abroad usually requires a great deal of planning and preparation and few of us have that kind of time. Imagine if somebody had already done all of this research for you?
Educational Consultants are professionals whose business it is to know and evaluate thousands of study abroad opportunities. They provide students and their families with the information and tools they need to choose appropriate and safe educational options overseas. Their goal is to help you find whatever type of study abroad experience you're looking for.
How Can an Educational Consultant Help me?
Much like insurance or mortgage brokers, most educational consultants are not affiliated with one organization. That allows them to view the program information the same way students would. These consultants will monitor and guide you throughout the selection process and provide families with practical advice on topics including safety issues, budgeting and travel arrangements.
Matching a student to a school or program requires a thorough assessment of their educational background, life experiences, capabilities and interests. Educational Consultants can help you with applications, finding the right school or program, help you choose courses or find you the perfect summer course. They'll make the necessary arrangements and get you the best price for the program and in some cases, the travel too. An educational consultant can also help with visas, transcript verification and course equivalencies.
Educational consultants assist students and their families through every step of the decision-making process from the very first consideration to the journey itself.
Should I use a Travel Advisor?
This is a question that many students ask. As both a traveler and a travel advisor, I would agree with the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) statement, "Without a travel agent, you're on your own".
Take into consideration where you are traveling. How accessible is that part of the world? While navigating through relatively safe parts of the world is fairly simple, it's nice to have the assurance of a helpful travel advisor to see you through the other parts should you need them. So my best advice to you is to do both - use the help of an advisor and plan on your own.
Use a travel agency that specializes in student and budget travel such as STA or Council Travel. They can provide you with low-cost, flexible student airfares, find flights that allow travel for up to one year, change dates and find re-routes; all of which can be very difficult to find through a conventional travel agency.
These agencies also provide a full range of student-oriented travel products and services including the ISIC (International Student Identity Card), rail passes, budget hotels, travel insurance, language courses, study abroad and work abroad programs, tours and packages. Their global network of offices also give student travelers access to assistance and advice while away from home.
Whether you choose to plan your travel yourself or with the use of a travel advisor, be sure to pick up a good quality guidebook. Travel guides vary depending on your destination, interests and what type of trip you want to take. Take some time and flip through a bunch of them. Find one that suits your needs but don't keep your nose in the book!
The biggest benefit of planning a study abroad trip with the help of a travel advisor is that when a crisis pops up they can really save the day. Be it last minute rail passes through Switzerland or a hostel in Rome, their knowledge and assistance can be a reassurance that your travel experience will always be enjoyable.
So let someone else worry about the details. With the assistance of an educational consultant and a travel advisor, you'll find studying abroad and preparing for your adventure both easy and fun.
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