English by and large is the most common language around the world for day to day human interaction. If you plan to study abroad and you know English, that’s half the battle won. From travel to job interviews and from classroom to conference, limited knowledge of English hinders progress in Europe and America. You might be a scholar in your home country but in this country it hardly matters unless you have the right marketing tool i.e strong communication skills in English. Your participation in class is welcomed and often required. You may not be intelligent but you are enthusiastic and that’s what the instructors look for in an American/ European college.

•Becoming flexible to accommodate hectic schedules and classes.

I have always been an evening person. But when you go for a study abroad program you need to be a 24 hour person. Reading assignments are extensive, much more than international students are used to doing each week. Typically, international students work in the day and go for classes in evening. Little margin is left for many of your routine activities which you were able to perform in your home country. Rather than cribbing try to adapt as soon as possible. Sooner the better. Period.

•Maintaining integrity and academic honesty.

Expressing your own, non plagiarized, original views in the form of papers, class discussions, and research. Students here are continually evaluated on performance, not just at end of course. Academic performance is stressed. Admission to top schools is not an end in itself. It's important to do well there.