Are you planning to study abroad and looking for options on where to study? Are you overwhelmed with so many options that are making the decision difficult? We understand the dilemma which is why today, we will be discussing and comparing three amazing and most sought after countries when it comes to pursuing abroad studies.
There are plenty of amazing countries who are popular and widely known for their acceptance of foreign students. Not to mention the array of opportunities that each country offers, this has opened up a new height to students who wish to broaden their horizons of experience, skills, knowledge and career opportunities. However, amongst the most, there are a few names that come up when students do decide to pursue their future. Today, we will be exploring and getting in-depth on these locations.

Australia is one of the top destinations as statistics in 2022 tells us for foreign students to study. With leading international institutions, a world-class education system, a multicultural and multi-ethnical environment, the country has much to offer. As one of the largest countries it has one varying climates and diverse landscapes as well. Apart from this, one of the major reasons that students choose Australias as their study destination is the ease of working before and after the completion of their courses. The popular cities that are popular amongst the foreign students are Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and more.
This varies widely upon where and which city you choose to pursue your studies. It also depends on the decision of whether or not you live on campus. While the popular cities are costlier than the rural areas, it comes with numerous advantages that makes it worthwhile. The estimated and approximate cost of living are:
On Campus Housing: Anywhere from AUD $440 to AUD $1,833 per month
Off Campus Housing: Anywhere from AUD $380 to AUD $1,760 per month
Apart from this there are several other amenities like transportation, daily expenses, food and more that will add onto the average living cost.
As we mentioned before, one of the top reasons that students apply for Australia for their career opportunity. If you are a student studying full-time, you will have the option to work upto 20-hours two weeks. During the summer holidays however, they have the choice to work full time. Apart from this, there are plenty of post-graduate opportunities for international students that they can apply for directly after completing their studies. Graduates can easily extend their stay and apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa easily!

Canada is known for their generosity, their friendliness and acceptance making it another top destination for students applying for abroad studies. Not to mention the fact that it ranks amongst the highest for their quality of life and their excellent education. It is a fairly large country, it too has variation of weather conditions. While a few parts and cities do face pretty harsh winters, it is still moderate throughout the rest of the country. The popular destinations for students are usually Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal which have accepted thousands of foreign students so far.
Like Australia, this does vary depending on the city and the community you decide to live in. However, an approximate cost of living is fair in comparison to other expensive countries. That said, it does mean it is cheaper to live and pursue a future here. According to the statistics, the average living cost pertains to:
On Campus Housing: Anywhere from CAD $9,125 per year
Off Campus Housing: Anywhere from CAD $8,819 per year.
Apart from this, there are several amenities as mentioned that will add to the approximate cost of living in Canada.
Foreign students are not required to apply for any type of work permit to work during the entirety of their course, if they are enrolled into an institution full-time. However, there is a limit to the work time which is 20 hours per week when classes are in session. But during the holidays the students can work full-time. There are of course more amenities to completing your studies in Canada. This allows students to apply for their Post-Graduation Work Program which permits them to lengthen their stay and apply for a job of their preference.

USA is the leading name when it comes to the destination that attracts students world-wide each year. With aspirations to achieve amazing success and the opportunity to graduate from world-renowned education institutions, the US has the lead. It also houses more than half of the World’s best universities and top 20 academic institutions. So, of course, when someone mentions their plans on studying abroad, definitely the USA is amongst the top choices. Depending on the landscapes and the location, it is varying in climates and distinct seasonal changes. As a large country, it does have states that vary in ethnicities, cultures, traditions and of-course the way of living. The popular student destinations have been New York, Boston, California, Chicago and more.
Just like with other countries, the price and the cost of the tuition, living, commuting, fooding and everything else depends on the region you have decided. While New York, Los Angeles and California are pretty expensive, there are options that offer you a more affordable cost of living. According to statistics, here is an estimated cost of living in the USA:
On Campus housing: $5300-$8000 per semester
Off Campus housing: $500-3500 per month
For students to be eligible for working, they will need to have a valid F-1 or M-1 visa. There are certain requirements and conditions when working as a student. After the completion of their studies, the US also offers the students the opportunity to enroll for one or two year long certification programs to enhance their skills further. There are also plenty of post-graduate short-term study programs that one can apply for.
And this concludes our comparison of top student destinations for studying abroad. We hope with this post, you have a better understanding of what to expect in each country and which is the best option for you.
If you are interested in studying in these destinations, ApplyBoard is a great platform to get you started. We offer services to guide you through the process of shortlisting and choosing the right institutions, locations and successfully processing your visa application.