How to Prepare for Higher Studies (Master’s/PhD) Abroad?

Shahinuzzaman Shahin

Fellow – FDA, America

It is best to start dreaming of higher education abroad and working toward it from the very beginning of your undergraduate studies.

If you only begin thinking about studying abroad after finishing your master’s, you’ll already be quite behind. Those who decide as early as their first or second year of undergrad that they want to go abroad are always in a much better position. On the other hand, if you finish your master’s, try and fail to get a job in the country, and only then think about going abroad, you are undoubtedly very late to the process.

Many people around us dream of pursuing higher studies abroad, but due to various external factors, they are unable to prepare properly—or if they do start preparing, they often stumble halfway for different reasons. Today I will share some general advice for those who truly aspire to study abroad. It does not matter here what subject you are studying or at which university.

First: Determine your research area.

From the moment you decide that you want to pursue higher studies, do a PhD, and become a researcher after your studies at home, you need to start developing some basic thoughts about research. One of the key questions is: What do you want to research? Remember, only you can truly determine your field of interest. Reflect on your academic studies and consider which subject interests you most, which area you want to explore further, and on which topic you’d like to make a discovery. Do not choose your field of research just by following a friend or a senior; the topic should be something that motivates you from within to keep moving forward. Remember, research is like an ocean—there is a starting point, but you may never see the end. So, you need to develop a genuine sense of curiosity from within. After identifying your area of interest, you need to devise a specific research plan. For example, suppose you are thinking of researching cancer. The question then arises: What exactly about cancer do you want to study? Cancer is a complex disease with no singular cause. So you must read extensively. If you can identify your area of interest in your first or second undergraduate year, you can begin reading about cancer with the help of Google. Even if not daily, try to read at least half a page of recent articles or research papers each week. You can try accessing relevant articles from renowned scientific journals such as Science, Nature, Springer, and Elsevier. You may also read pieces on recent scientific discoveries from the Science News website. Additionally, pay attention to your teachers’ lectures; they can provide you with insights into recent research during class. By doing this, you’ll be able to outline a draft research plan in your mind. Later, when you start applying abroad, you may need to submit your research plan in writing or include it with other components of your application, depending on the country. For example, if you want to go to the US or Canada, you must include this plan in your Statement of Purpose (SOP). If you apply to government scholarships in countries like China, Japan, or Korea, you will be required to submit your research plan in a specific format.

Second: Prepare for the IELTS exam.

As soon as you plan to step outside the country, you will have to face a new language—no matter whether you go to Asia, Europe, or America. So, the moment you start considering higher education abroad, you should begin to learn about the IELTS exam: how to take it, whether you need coaching, how much it will cost, etc. You must plan your IELTS exam so that you receive your results at least 15 to 20 days before you begin your overseas applications. I repeat: don’t even think about going abroad without IELTS; it would only be a waste of time.

Third: Gain research experience.

In your final year of undergrad or during your master’s, if you have the opportunity to take a thesis or participate in some research under a teacher, definitely do so. This will give you your first hands-on experience with research. Try to write research articles based on your findings from these projects and publish them in reputable international journals with your teacher’s assistance. Additionally, attempt to write some review articles on your topic of interest. Be sure to write or publish these articles under the supervision of a teacher or an experienced senior (preferably someone with a PhD). If you manage to publish some good articles before you apply abroad, it will make your path much smoother and improve your standing in scholarship competitions.

Fourth: Maintain good relationships with teachers.

Maintain good relationships with the dynamic, young, talented, and student-friendly teachers in your department. If there is a teacher who fits these criteria and has recently returned from abroad with a degree, seek advice and discuss your plans—they can share a lot of valuable insights. Having a good rapport with such teachers will make it easier to secure the two or three recommendation letters you will need when applying abroad. Remember, these are absolutely essential for any international application. Always try to obtain recommendation letters from teachers or supervisors who hold a PhD.

Fifth: Prepare the necessary academic documents.

Many institutions still provide academic transcripts and certificates in Bangla. If yours do, you must have them officially translated into English. Learn how to do this formally. Also, try to collect your original certificate if possible—even though you can still complete your application with a provisional certificate. If you are aiming for admission in the US, you will need to have your undergraduate and master’s results evaluated by World Education Services (WES). You can find more information about WES by searching on Google.

If you follow these important guidelines in a timely manner, there will be no further obstacles on your path to achieving your dream of higher education abroad. As you complete your undergraduate studies, if you also follow this advice step-by-step, you’ll qualify to apply abroad immediately after graduation and be able to start your advanced research journey very quickly.

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