Student success stories: University Experience of the students who opted for their higher education through the Duolingo English Test has been given below. Duolingo English Test is an unique English language proficiency test which analyses candidates’ literacy, conversation, comprehension and production skills. The test is accepted by more than 1500 schools across US, UK, Australia and Canada. From the University Experience of the students, their success stories can be considered helpful in understanding how students aspire for their University life. Their experiences would help in identifying how they have been able to succeed for studying abroad.

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Motivation for Students’ Success 

Students willing to study abroad require motivation through which they understand that pursuing a career in their desired field abroad would be successful. Students want to see and take inspiration from students who have studied in abroad colleges and universities like them and succeeded in the process. Through the Duolingo English Test candidates are able to choose a convenient form of test that enables them to apply for studying abroad. It is the DET Exam Pattern which has motivated many students to undertake the test and fulfil their aspiration to study abroad. While it is challenging for the international students to move to study in an international country where there are cultural differences, the experience is truly rewarding. Whatever students learn within their campus from making new connections to learning the student life and culture, all becomes part of their life.

5 Things to do in First Semester in Campus 

While it is true that students willing to study abroad put in a lot of effort through English proficiency tests, they also have the desire to enjoy their college life. Especially for international students, they desire to have not just an efficient career but also create an engaging social life as well. However, life gets tougher with passing years of college, hence, here are the 5 things that you can do in First Semester in Campus:

• Make New Friends and Connections: it is essential that students are able to engage with new people and increase their connections. This social life would also help them in learning about the international culture, expand network and exposure to knowledge.
• Learn how to do things independently: from cooking, cleaning to laundry and even washing the dishes, all should be learnt by the student. This would make them independent.
• Join a society or community: it becomes essential being part of social service and doing something for a group of people. Engaging in these activities only enhances your skills, and personality.
• Learning the culture: whether in the UK or US, learning their culture can be highly beneficial. It would help in understanding how people behave in general, their lifestyle pattern, etc.
• Research cheap travel options: by finding cheap means of travelling from one place to another, students can save money for trips during holidays and weekends.

What Shocked me About Studying in the UK? 

Studying in the UK includes a number of different aspects which international students find shocking. These can be evaluated as follows:

• Candidates need to apply for a course in advance and select their major. For many students, selecting a major is a difficult decision as they feel they need to have their options open for exploring their interests.
• When students take a subject as a major, the additional subjects are in relevance to your major subjects. A US student studying in the UK finds it shocking because they can choose any subject with their major which interests them unlike in the UK.
• Students do not find too many extra-curricular activities present in the colleges of UK and most students only join for studying.
• While in many countries like the US, professors are strict about maintaining grades, in the UK, it is more student-led. More than grades, it is student's efficiency that matters. Students can easily bunk classes and go for trips which is not possible for many international colleges where maintenance of attendance is strict.

Real Students’ Advice on Studying Internationally 

Various students who got themselves admitted into their desired University with the help of Duolingo English Test. Their University Experience needs to be learnt about which would help in understanding the convenience of the test. Here are some of the advice pertaining to success stories of the students:

Serena S, Barnard College, US 

Serena is a girl from Chile, who wanted to study Lieral Arts Education after high school. She aspired to take up English language tests so that she qualifies to opt for her desired college. However, she was unable to pay the dues required for IELTS or TOEFL courses. Eventually, she found the Duolingo English Test as one of the English language proficiency tests accepted in many colleges in the US. For Serena, the Duolingo English Test has been highly convenient and cost effective compared to any other English language proficiency test. She got herself into Barnard College under Columbia University, which is the school for Liberal Arts in New York. The test allowed her to take up the exam online and only for an hour while she received her results in two days. While she was doing her DET Preparation, she found it easy and convenient and said that “ “I was really happy because I was able to fit it in my schedule.” Her success in being able to clear her exams and study for her dream exam can be considered inspiring.

Sergey, University of Birmingham 

Sergey is a student from Russia who is studying Applied Linguistics in the University of Birmingham in the UK. he wants to pursue a position as a teacher for which he wants to develop his English language skills efficiently. He considers that motivation is a “deciding factor” that leads you to take actions in life. For him, taking up the course of Applied Linguistics in the UK and improving his abilities were the way he could achieve it. Certainly, he understands and advises that one might need to study hard and work hard to achieve its goals in life and succeed. It is the only way to move up to the career ladder. However, even if one fails, he suggests that the person would still be learning from its mistakes and take forthcoming steps wisely.

Guilherme, Stanford University 

Guilherme is from Brazil who is studying for an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, USA. He took the Duolingo English Test as part of his English Proficiency test to enter the university. He states that the Duolingo English Test is far different and convenient from other standardised English tests like TOEFL or IELTS. There isn’t any particular method that can be used in order to excel in the test. Rather he suggests that one needs to make use of the English language on a daily basis that would help the person to speak the language most naturally. He advises in reading English books and texting friends who know the language in English. He advises on trying to impart the language in his daily speaking and listening activities. Guilherme stated that as long as one is able to associate themselves with the English language in all aspects, they can ace the Duolingo English Test.