The Importance of Critical Thinking for International Students

August 19, 2024

In today’s digital age, international students need to be more careful than ever when choosing which sources of information to trust. The internet is constantly evolving, with increased access to publishing platforms and the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), making critical thinking skills more important than ever.

Whether you’re just beginning your study abroad journey or you’re already partway through, exercise extra vigilance as you prepare applications, find accommodations, and complete study assignments. Your future self will thank you for it!

Find reputable institutions and programs on the ApplyBoard platform. It’s free to use and can help you narrow down your best options for study abroad.

What Is Critical Thinking?

It can be easy to follow the advice of others without giving their recommendations a second thought. However, it’s important to use your own logic and reasoning (critical thinking) to make decisions for yourself. Critical thinking is an essential skill set that empowers us to navigate challenges and uncover solutions. Essentially, it’s one’s ability to analyze facts before forming a judgment.

When you connect new pieces of information together and understand that solutions can change and improve as new information is discovered, you’re using critical thinking skills. Some more examples of critical thinking include:

Researching: Looking for information about a topic using different resources, like reading books or visiting websites.
Identifying trusted sources of information: Being able to differentiate between reliable and unreliable resources. Also, knowing what to look for to flag a source as harmful or misleading (like spam).
Evaluating information: Being able to combine information from different sources that you’ve discovered during your research.
Decision-making: Making an informed judgment about a topic after conducting research on it.

Ways to Practice Critical Thinking

Applications

Whether you’re a high school graduate or a mature student supporting a family, it’s essential to be able to make choices that suit your study abroad situation. Some ways to use critical thinking in your study abroad application processes:

Talk to multiple study abroad advisors: Evaluate what pathways best suit your needs.
Identify potential challenges: Understand common issues which might arise (such as document verification or proof of finances) and try to prevent them. Also think about how to resolve these challenges, if they happen, in advance.
Research the visa process: Read about the student visa process in the country you want to study in.
Talk to others: Connect with people you know who have also studied abroad and ask them about their experiences.
Review and reflect: To give your visa application the best chance of success, read it through at least once and edit your answers as needed before submitting it. It’s also a good idea to let a trusted friend or family member read your answers and offer feedback (but not write it for you).
Prepare for the interview: Anticipate the questions that might be asked during your student visa interview, and practice your answers in advance.

Note: Beware of fake student visa or scholarship phone scams targeting international students. Government or immigration authorities will never demand money via phone or text. Learn to spot common scams with resources for Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US.

Find out how to ace your visa interview in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States on our blog.

Living Arrangements

Looking for housing can be difficult as an international student, especially if you’re searching before you leave your home country. This makes it all the more important to exercise vigilance to avoid being scammed out of your money or into living in unsafe living conditions.

These are some critical thinking skills you can use while seeking accommodation as an international student:

Think twice when a space seems “too good to be true”: If the housing is in a new building, in a convenient location, with extra space, all for a very low price, it’s most likely a scam.
Do not pay a deposit without viewing the property first: Always see the property virtually (or ideally in person) before signing a contract or sending a deposit.
Contact your institution: Many institutions have housing advisors or services for international students. They can offer guidance and may have a list of recommended or verified housing options and providers.
Have written contracts: Always have a written lease agreement that outlines the terms, rent, and tenant responsibilities. Review it carefully and ask any questions you have, or have a trusted friend or family member read through it before signing or sending any payment.
Verify the agent or landlord: Ask for the agent or landlord’s full name and contact details. Then, look them up through property records and online directories.

Note: Students are encouraged to seek legal advice before signing a contract. You may access these services for free or for discounted options through your institution or student unions.

Academics

Luckily, critical thinking is a skill you’ll develop during your studies as it’s typically built into programs. However, if you want to take the extra steps to enhance your critical thinking skills independently, these are some great ways to do that:

Ask questions in class: Don’t be afraid to raise your hand! Involve yourself in lessons and go deeper when learning concepts to gain new perspectives.

Join debate teams: Debating allows you to understand multiple perspectives on issues, think quickly, and enhance your ability to evaluate and construct logical arguments.

Practice active listening: When speaking to your peers or professors, take the time to hear what’s being said, reflect on it, and ask follow up questions.

Don’t assume: Approach situations with an open mind. There could be great opportunities to learn more about less-familiar subjects!

Research, research, research: Before coming to a conclusion on something, it’s key to conduct thorough research through multiple credible sources.
Evaluate the credibility of sources: Practice fact-checking your sources by checking the author’s credentials, the publication, supporting evidence, and how long ago the source was published.

Tip: One great resource to check a source’s credibility is the Media Bias/Fact Check website.

As you work towards studying abroad, we hope this blog helps you enhance your critical thinking skills! Best of luck on your new adventure—you’ve got this!