Key Takeaways:

Preparing to study abroad involves building an academic foundation, practicing English, choosing a major and country, preparing documents, submitting applications, and arranging a visa. These steps should start while a child is still in school so nothing is rushed. A school with a globally recognized curriculum and an English-speaking environment can help children feel more prepared.

Preparing to study abroad should start while a child is still in school, not just before graduation. The steps include building an academic foundation, practicing English, choosing a major and destination country, preparing documents, and then submitting applications and arranging a visa. The earlier you start, the more room your child has to prepare each step without rushing.

Many parents want to open up opportunities for their child to study abroad, but are not sure where to begin. A common worry is that a child is not yet used to foreign languages and does not have enough preparation to compete. With a clear picture of the steps, this worry can be addressed one step at a time.

This article covers the steps of preparing to study abroad, from the foundation built at school to submitting applications. Each step is explained in simple language so it is easy to use as a guide. At the end, you can also see how a school can help children get ready from an early age.

When Should You Start Preparing to Study Abroad?

The short answer is as early as possible, because preparation begins long before a child submits an application. Preparing to study abroad is not only about filling in forms, but also about academic skills, language, and experiences that develop over many years. With enough time, children can prepare everything more calmly. Here are three reasons why starting early helps:

• An academic and language foundation forms step by step, so children do not have to catch up suddenly in their final year.
• Preparing documents and tests takes time, from English language tests and essays to requesting transcripts.
• Each university has different deadlines, so they need to be tracked from the start so nothing is missed.

Steps to Prepare for Studying Abroad

The steps follow a clear order, from the foundation at school to departure. The application flow below follows the general guide from IDP, which explains the steps for applying to universities abroad. Here are the five stages to keep in mind.

Build an Academic Foundation from School

An academic foundation is the base for every step that follows. One way to build it is to learn with a globally recognized curriculum, such as Cambridge International. Its qualifications are said to open the door to leading universities in many countries, including the United States, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany. Besides the curriculum, consistent grades and academic records also help when children apply.

Get Used to English and Practice It

English should be used in everyday life, not just studied right before a test. This habit helps children speak, read, and write more fluently. Many universities ask for an English test such as IELTS, and IDP advises starting test preparation early. That way, children have time to get to know the test format and improve the parts they find difficult.

Choose a Major and a Destination Country

The choice of major and country should match the child's interests and goals. Each country and university has different entry requirements, including minimum grades and the tests they ask for. Because of this, parents and children need to check each campus's requirements carefully. This discussion also helps children understand the reasons behind their choices.

Prepare Supporting Documents

Documents usually needed include transcripts, recommendation letters, and an essay or statement of purpose. Recommendation letters should be requested from teachers who know the child well, and they need time to write them. Transcripts should also be requested early so there is spare time if the process is delayed. Preparing documents well in advance reduces the risk of missing a deadline.

Submit Applications and Arrange a Visa

Most universities accept applications through an online portal. The child creates a profile, fills in the form, uploads documents, and reviews everything before submitting. After receiving an offer, the child can choose and accept it, then arrange a student visa and accommodation. Visa rules differ by country, so make sure the details are checked with official sources.

Non-Academic Skills to Prepare

Beyond grades and documents, there are other skills that matter just as much. These skills often decide how comfortable a child is living and studying far from home. Here are four things that can be trained from an early age:

• Independence in managing time and daily needs, because children will handle many things on their own in a new environment.
• Communication and critical thinking skills, which are used in class discussions and when writing assignments.
• The courage to take initiative, so children actively look for help and opportunities instead of waiting to be told.
• Leadership roles and community contributions, which help shape a well-rounded student profile that is not measured by grades alone.

The Role of School in Preparing to Study Abroad

Schools play a big role because most of the preparation happens there. A recognized curriculum, college guidance, and an environment that builds English habits help children move forward more prepared. A good school also gives children room to practice independence and critical thinking through projects.

When choosing a school, parents can ask the school a few questions directly. For example, which curriculum is used in the final years, whether college guidance is offered, and how often English is used in learning activities. The answers give a real picture of the child's pathway to university.

Sampoerna Academy: Preparing Students Early to Study Abroad

Sampoerna Academy is known as an international school and pioneer of the STEAM method in Indonesia. The STEAM approach invites students to investigate real problems in groups, so they are trained to think critically, work together, and be independent. These skills line up with the non-academic skills discussed above. In Surabaya and Medan, this method is combined with the Cambridge International curriculum, as described on the school pages for Surabaya and Medan.

According to the school's explanation on its official Instagram account, university preparation begins long before students submit applications. Students are encouraged to discover their interests, take on leadership roles, contribute to their communities, and build the confidence to express who they are. Here is an overview of preparation at each stage, the curriculum in the final years, and the universities graduates attend.

Step-by-Step Preparation at Every Stage

The school describes university preparation as a gradual process, not something that only starts in Grade 12. Its message is that leading universities read more than transcripts, they also read students' stories and profiles. That is why the school helps students build theirs from the start. Here is the overview:

• Grades 7 and 8: the school emphasizes foundations such as critical thinking, strong communication, and a love of learning. In Middle School, students begin to go deeper in certain subjects, while leadership roles, CAS activities, and community impact start to shape a personal profile.
• Grades 9 and 10: students deepen their interests and build the qualities universities look for through an international curriculum. This stage acts as a bridge before the more concrete application preparation.
• Grades 11 and 12: students are guided through the whole university application process, from personal statements and portfolios to interviews. In High School, personal statements, portfolios, predicted grades, leadership records, and community contributions start to come together.

Curriculum and Guidance in the Final Years

In the final years, the Sampoerna Academy High School page describes several points relevant to university preparation. The page states that graduates can continue their studies in Indonesia or abroad. Here are the points most related to preparing for university:

• Students take Cambridge IGCSE starting in Grade 9, and sit IGCSE exams in Grade 10 at all campuses.
• In Grade 11, students can choose Cambridge A-Level or the IB Diploma Program at the Jakarta and Medan campuses.
• Students can use career and college guidance from college guidance counselors to help choose their next academic step.

Universities Graduates Attend

As for results, Sampoerna Academy graduates have been accepted into a wide range of top universities. The school notes that the list is only a selection, and the campuses are spread across several countries. Here are examples of campuses the school mentions:

• The UK, including Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, Durham University, King's College London, the University of Bristol, the University of Warwick, and the University of Leeds, which shows pathways to leading research universities.
• Australia, including Monash University, the University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, The University of Queensland, and Macquarie University, as options that are relatively close to Indonesia.
• Hong Kong, namely The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which open up study opportunities in Asia.
• Other countries, such as the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, Nagoya University in Japan, and Purdue University and Penn State in the United States, which show the options are not limited to one region.
• Indonesia, namely Universitas Indonesia, as an example of graduates who choose to continue their studies at home.

Of course, each child's results differ and depend on their effort and preparation. What a school can do is build an academic foundation, a habit of using foreign languages, and independence from an early age. With step-by-step guidance, children have time to prepare their own story and profile.

Want to know how Sampoerna Academy, an international school and pioneer of the STEAM method, prepares children to continue their studies abroad? Parents can see the learning environment and talk with the school team to make sure it fits their child's needs. Contact the Sampoerna Academy Surabaya or Medan team to book a consultation and schedule a school visit.