I Almost Gave Up on My Dream to Study Abroad — But Then This Happened

“I didn’t come from a top college. I didn’t have a perfect CGPA. I didn’t have industry contacts or a research publication. At one point, I was convinced my dream of studying abroad was over. But I was wrong.”

If you are a student who’s ever thought of giving up on your study abroad plans….this is for you.

When I first decided to pursue a Master’s degree abroad, I was full of energy and excitement. I spent days browsing university websites, reading course descriptions, and imagining my future life in Europe.

But that excitement soon turned into doubt:

• My CGPA was average.

• I had no international exposure.

• I was unsure if I could afford tuition and living expenses.

• And I had no idea where to start.

Worse, every time I looked at forums or LinkedIn posts, it felt like everyone else was way ahead of me like publishing papers, getting scholarships, acing the IELTS, networking with professors…And I began to wonder - Is this even worth trying?

The Day I Nearly Quit

It was a quiet afternoon when I received my second rejection email, one from a university I had pinned all my hopes on.

It read:

“We regret to inform you…”

That one sentence was enough. I closed my laptop. For two weeks, I didn’t open my applications. I avoided talking about the future. I felt lost and discouraged and no one around me really understood.

Instead of aiming for perfection, I created a step-by-step plan.

Here’s what I did:

• Reviewed my weaknesses instead of avoiding them.

• Rewrote my SOP with a clear story of who I am and what I want to do.

• Practiced IELTS consistently using free online tools.

• Reached out to alumni to get course-specific insights.

• I researched scholarships and universities that align with my profile.

The Result?

• I received admission offers from two well-ranked universities in Europe.

• I earned a partial scholarship.

• I built a strong foundation for my career, not just an application.

It didn’t happen overnight. But it did happen because I decided not to give up.

What You Can Learn from My Experience

1. Rejection is not failure — it's feedback.

2. Your story matters more than your CGPA, if you know how to tell it.

3. Planning early reduces pressure and improves your chances significantly.

4. You’re not alone — many students face the same struggles but stay silent.

   
   

What to Do If You Feel Like Giving Up

If you’re at a point where you feel stuck, here are 3 small but powerful steps:

1. Take a short break, not a permanent pause.

2. Talk to alumni or mentors who’ve been in your shoes.

3. Start again with just one task per day — rewrite your SOP, revise your university list, or set up an IELTS study plan.