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  >  Study Abroad Planner Guide

The content of this page is detailed guidance for those who want to move abroad via the study pathway to Canada, UK or wherever. This is supposed to serve as a guide to any one who downloaded my free study abroad planner which breaks down the huge task of studying abroad into smaller goals. The planner was designed as a one-year plan, feel free to adapt it to your own timeline.

Month 1

Hi  ,

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 1 goals from the study abroad planner?

I have 3 questions I would love you to answer truthfully:

  • Did you find a study abroad agent in month 1? Remember this is optional, you do not need one. You can always get your admission yourself using this ebook that provides you with all the study abroad resources you like.
  • Were you able to find 5 schools you are interested in applying to? Did you meet all the program requirements? If No, only apply to the schools you meet all the requirements
  • Have you secured at least 2 referees that have agreed to be in your university application?

 

If you answered yes to all my questions, you are doing fantastic. If you answered no to at least 2 of those, carry forward those goals into Month 2. I would love for you to tackle them in the first 7 days of Month 2 so you are not overwhelmed.

Looking ahead into Month 2, I wouldn’t anticipate many of you taking the GRE, GMAT, or IELTS in February, but if the institution you are interested in demands one of these exams, register now and start studying.

For your transcript, get started as soon as possible because it can take weeks or months. Once you are ready to submit your university application, you don’t want anything to slow you down.

Lastly, I will share some resources that will encourage you in Month 2 as you work on your study abroad goals:

  1. What I Wish I Knew Before Moving Abroad
  2. Get to Know The Canadian Education System
  3. Read Olamide’s story about studying In Italy

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

Have a fabulous month ahead!

Month 2

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 2 goals from the study abroad planner?

Month 2 was paced such that you have time to study for your standardized tests (IELTS/ GRE/GMAT/TOEFL) and pass with flying colours. Additionally, it gave you enough time in between to figure out how to obtain & submit your transcript to the school of your choice. This implies that if you didn’t already have a copy of your transcript, you should have an electronic copy.

I understand that not everyone needs a standardized test, however, did you get your transcript sorted for a courier service to send to your potential university abroad?

Month 3 is when you start to reap the fruit of your labour of the past 2 months. You will be submitting your university application. Isn’t that exciting?  (**excited dance** ) With all the little steps you took in month 1 and month 2, you are one step closer to your goal.

Just before you apply to your desired school, I will advise you to do this :

  • Write your statement of purpose – let it have all the details:
    • Why you are choosing the school & course,
    • your academic & professional background. Include your volunteer experience if you have any.
  • Message your Referee (s) that you are submitting your university application & they should check their email often. You need to use their academic email, not yahoo or Gmail.
  • Scan all your documents – Download Camscanner on your phone to do this. Save yourself the money.

If you have done this, you can now proceed to submit your application.

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will encourage you in March as you work on submitting your application:

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have an awesome month ahead!

Month 3

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 3 goals from the study abroad planner?

Month 3 was an exciting month for me because three people from this community had major wins:

–  an international student had her study visa approved

 –  another student has secured admission to a school in Canada

–  another will be moving to Canada as a Permanent Resident. How amazing is that?

 

Month 3 was the month designed to set you up for success. You cannot move abroad without submitting your university application and getting your referee to respond to your intended university’s email. I am not saying this to create fear but for you to understand how vital completing month 3’s goal is. If you have submitted your application and your referees haven’t responded to the reference email keep disturbing them else change them.

 

I had a similar experience years ago when I was applying to study at Dalhousie University, Canada, one of my lecturers agreed to be my referee and after submitting my application, he stopped responding to my emails. I did not give up, here’s what I did :

 

1. I reached out to the school to ask if I could change my referee

2. I looked for another referee and gave him the referee form to be filled out for my application to be considered and it worked out.

 

Congratulations if you have submitted a complete application – it is not an easy feat to put a solid university application together with the referee and statement of purpose.  You will get good news in April.

 

If you are still struggling with your statement of purpose, I can assist you, I have a few slots still open. If you are doubting if it is worth it, read this testimonial below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April is the time to get your finance in order as once you receive your admission offer depending on your university/college will ask you to pay your acceptance fee and possibly show proof of funds.  [subscriber:firstname | default:reader], I need you to be ready once your admission letter is sent to you. Also, this will prepare you for your visa application process. This is the perfect time to gather your finances or speak to your sponsor to gather do the following :

  • Investment documents – Land, stocks, bonds etc
  • Funds – put it in an account and let the months start counting towards your visa application.
  • Gift Deed
  • Seek scholarship

 

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will encourage you in month 4 as you work on gathering your funds to better prepare you for the financial expectations while being a student.

 

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have an awesome month 4.

Month 4

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 4 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

I spent the majority of month 4 working with international students.  One thing majority of the international students have in common is applying to colleges and universities late. There are very few schools that are still open for start dates in September and January. Here are a few schools in Canada that are still open:

Did you gather your proof of funds in month 4?  Money is a key factor whether you are studying abroad with a scholarship, your family is sponsoring you, or you are using your personal savings. 

My prayer for you in month 5 is to receive multiple university offers – Amen!  It will be a month of congratulations for you .

With numerous offers comes decision paralysis, which means it may be hard to pick which school to attend. Use the following criteria to help you select the university offer you truly want:

  • Tuition Cost 
  • Support system – if you have family living closer to where the university is located
  • Diversity within the University or location
  • Distance to major city
  • Living expenses cost
  • Weather

Years ago, I once had three offers from schools in the UK,  from the Universities of Essex, Sussex, and Coventry. It was a difficult choice because up until that point, my parents had always made decisions for me. I started by examining the school fees and was able to exclude Sussex because it was twice as expensive as the other institutions. Cost-wise, Essex and Coventry were pretty much the same, so the decision came down to which school was closest to London and where I would have the best support network. I had friends from my A-level school at the University of Essex so that will make settling into the system a lot more easier.

If you do not hear back from any school in month 4, do not panic.  Lots of schools right now are currently focusing on the next admission season. You should still work on gathering your proof of funds and preparing for your life ahead.

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will encourage you in  month 4 while you wait on your university offer letter(s) :

 

Just to wrap things up, I would love to hear from you as well! Tell me where you are at in your study abroad journey and what challenges you are currently facing. I will be more than happy to walk you through how to navigate them. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com

 

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have a Jolly Month 5!

 

Month 5

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 5 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

Month 5 was the month of congratulations for many students in this community. I had an Instagram poll where many shared they have received admission, are paying their fees and are about to submit their visa application. I love this for us. If you haven’t heard anything back, ride it out till month 6 & reach out to the Admissions office except you are your admission season is 2 months away.

 

Month 6 is for gathering all your documents. How do you know what document you need?  Simple! click the link below for the requirements for Australia, Canada, the UK  and the USA. Follow the instructions on these pages carefully:

  • USA – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html  
  • UK – https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide 
  • Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html 
  • Australia – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

Gathering the documents required for visa application takes time and patience. The key to success here is starting early. If you are submitting an online application, start scanning your documents.

 

Of all the 4 countries above, Canadian study permit applications usually require writing a convincing study plan. Need help with it? Click here

If you need a visa and immigration services for your UK and Canada study visa, email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com. This is going to be a paid service.

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will encourage you in May and allow you to start dreaming of your life abroad:

I would love to hear from you as well! Tell me where you are in your study abroad journey and what challenges you currently face. I will be more than happy to walk you through how to navigate them. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com.

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have a Jolly Month 6!

 

Month 6

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 6 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

We’re officially halfway through the study abroad planner and have shared monthly tips and even released my new ebook that will further propel you to make this dream a reality.

Did you spend month 6 gathering all of the documents for your study visa application? I shared some resources last month for study visa requirements for Australia, Canada, the UK  and the USA. If you missed it, follow the instructions on these pages carefully as have added Germany to the list:

  • USA – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
  • UK – https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide
  • Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/apply.html
  • Australia – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500
  • Germany – https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/germany/visa/student-visa/

Month 7 is an exciting month because you finally submit your study visa application which means you are one step closer to moving abroad by December 2023. Once you submit your visa application, you can begin searching for accommodation. DO NOT PAY FOR ANY ACCOMMODATION TILL YOUR VISA IS APPROVED.

There is currently a housing shortage, particularly in Canada & UK in particular. As a student, you should be looking for an accommodation of $500(USD). This is only possible with shared accommodation. If you are moving with your family, your housing will be much more expensive.

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will be useful in July and allow you to start dreaming of your life abroad:

I would love to hear from you as well! Please tell me where you are in your study abroad journey and what challenges you currently face. I will be more than happy to walk you through how to navigate them. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have a Joyous Month 7!

Month 7

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 7 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

July was an exciting month for me as I got an opportunity to giveaway 2 copies of my 50 Study Abroad Resources ebook to Ifunaya & Toluwaleke. I enjoyed learning more about how instrumental the ebook will be in their respective study abroad journey.

As for your study abroad journey, month 7 was the month to start figuring out your accommodation situation, how did that go? Have you been able to narrow down the likely places you will stay or you have settled for staying on campus? The prices these days in Canada for accommodation are now exorbitant. You can find a way around it by looking for a place with roommates and using websites such as Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

Month 8 is for planning what your life abroad will look like. Do not be idle while waiting for your visa start connecting with other international students and finding your tribe. In 2018, I was able to find a roommate on the Graduate Students’ Facebook page of my university and we ended up looking for accommodation before arriving in Canada. She was able to help me purchase furniture and other basic room items before arriving in Canada. 

You don’t have to wait for reality to hit you abroad before making a plan for your future. Here are a few plans you should put together before moving to Canada :

  • How do I become a permanent resident in Canada? What pathways should I consider?
  • What career paths should I consider? 
  • What high-paying part-time jobs should I be applying for?
  • Can I take an internship during my program?
  • Should I move to another province to get a better-paying job after my university program?

As have done previously, I will share some resources that will point you in the right direction in August that answer the above questions :

I’ve covered a lot, and I’d love to hear from you to let me know how far along you are with the study abroad plan. Please tell me where you are in your study abroad journey and what challenges you currently face. I will be more than happy to walk you through how to navigate them. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com

CIBC has partnered with Student Life Network to give away $35,000 to students in Canada. This is an opportunity, particularly for those who will be paying their tuition in January. Apply here

Always remember your study abroad goal is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Baby steps and in 12 months or less you will be abroad.

You can now download the free Study Abroad Planner – Download Now

Have an amazing month 8!

Month 8

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 8 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

Month 8 was a delightful month for me as I was able to give away two copies of my  50 Study Abroad Resources ebook to Sewa and Ama on my Instagram page. During my free one-on-one chat, I also had the opportunity to speak with Titi, who had questions about relocating to Canada.

There’s been a hot topic in the news lately. Unfortunately, due to persistent housing challenges in Canada, the Canadian government is now debating limiting the number of overseas students who can enter the country. As you may be aware, finding a place to live is difficult, and the government wishes to reduce the number of international students, which means the visa approval rate will drop.

This serves as a reminder to not put off your relocation plan because situations beyond your control can happen. If not the exchange rate, it is the Canadian housing market. I am hoping that the international student limit will not be implemented.

Looking ahead to Month 9, preparing for your life in Canada entails knowing what to expect from the province where you will reside. There are ten provinces and three territories, and only a few of them are home to international students. Here are the top five provinces in Canada that attract international students, and you ought to know about living in any of them:

Learn the part-time & full-time jobs that are in demand in these provinces and you are on your way to succeed. Start building out your LinkedIn profile to prepare you for the job market.

I started this monthly newsletter together to help you through your study abroad process; Tell me where you are now with your study abroad plans. Have you applied to school Or did you submit your visa? I’d be delighted to hear from you. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com

 

Finally, I have some exciting news for you. There is a scholarship from Ted Rogers of 25,000 and 1,000 respectively for students in Canada. You can apply now. Also, the scholarship with CIBC is still open.

If you found the content of this newsletter helpful, share this link with a friend.

I wish you all the best in the month 9. It’s my birthday month so please say a word of prayer for me.

Have a superb month 9

 

Month 9

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 8 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

First of all, I want to apologize for sending our monthly email check-in late. Your girl has been ill for a few days. There’s a flu virus going around and I caught it as well. Aside from that, month 9 was a splendid month, of course, it was my birthday and one of the busiest months as lots of people are working towards the January Admission start date and I hope you are as well as it is crunch time right now.

 

Month 10 is here and it means your congratulations is around the corner. Congratulations!!! if you have received your study permit approval. This means the journey to Canada has begun. There’s so much that comes with moving to a new country and I want you to be prepared. This is the time to intensify your accommodation search. Remember, Canada is facing some housing challenges so you should start looking for off-campus accommodation or give yourself peace of mind and stay on campus.

If you have friends and family already in Canada, ask them to view the accommodation you are considering before making any deposit. There are a lot of Facebook groups that will help you navigate your accommodation search. Here are a few articles to help you with settling into Canada:

 

I started this monthly newsletter together to help you through your study abroad process; Tell me where you are now with your study abroad plans. Have you submitted your study visa application? I’d be delighted to hear from you. Email me at unravelwithtolu@gmail.com. If you need help with your study visa letter, you can reach out to me here.

If you found the content of this newsletter helpful, share this link with a friend.

I wish you all the best in Month 10 – your month of rejoicing is already here and I can feel it.

Have a marvellous month 10 !

Month 10

Happy New Month! How did you do with your month 8 goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

It’s your month of congratulations if you made it this far in the planner tackling each goal from month 1 to month 10. You started the year identifying the schools you want to apply to now getting your Canadian Visa.

Congratulations to all who have secured their Canadian visa, I am indeed excited about what your future holds in Canada. There’s so much to prepare for as you start the journey of moving to Canada in January. January is literally the middle of winter so that means you need to get all your winter gear and particularly find a place to stay warm.

 

Here are a few resources to help you navigate your life ahead in Canada:

 

 It’s okay if you haven’t taken the first step with my planner. The planner is designed in such a way that you can start any time of the year. You might be wondering how ?  You can start by using the planner by writing the month you are starting from and tackling the goal for each month. Yes, you can do it yourself using this ebook.

Tell me where you are now with your study abroad plans. Have you submitted your study visa application? I’d be delighted to hear from you. If you need help with your study visa letter, you can reach out to me here.

Should I come to Canada as a Student or Permanent Residency

Lastly, I shared this new post on how to decide on the study or PR pathway to Canada.

If you found the content of this newsletter helpful, share this link with a friend.

I wish you all the best in month 11 – your month of rejoicing is already here and I can feel it.

Have a spectacular month 11!

 

Month 11 &12

Hi  ,

Happy New Month! How did you do with your November goals from the study abroad planner? If you missed where to download my study abroad planner – Download Now

Wow! It’s officially December – what a year it has been. You are on the final lap to move abroad by January 2024.  In November, you secured your flight, selected your courses and drew up your shopping list – proud of you. It’s such an exciting journey to see all the steps you have taken to achieve the goal of moving abroad.

In December,  you should focus on getting everything you need for moving to your study abroad destination which includes your travel essentials, booking a flight and finding a place. Finding a place from your home country, particularly in the UK & Canada has been challenging in the past year, however, you shouldn’t be discouraged. You can check for short-term stays on booking.com to secure short-stay accommodation till you get a permanent place. 

 

Here are a few resources to help you navigate your life ahead in Canada:

 

 It’s okay if you haven’t taken the first step with my planner. The planner is designed in such a way that you can start any time of the year. In addition, you can get a copy of my 50 study-abroad resources which will allow you to move abroad without paying fees to agents.

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year sharing valuable information to equip you to move abroad. As this is the final email for my study abroad planner, I would love to hear from you about how you found the monthly emails and how successful it has been in helping you move abroad. Reply to this email telling me where you are now with your study abroad plans.

Thank you for your support throughout the year. I greatly appreciate it. I hope you have a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.

If you found the content of this newsletter helpful, forward this email to a friend.

 

 

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