What are the benefits of studying in cold destinations?

Studying in cold destinations offers unique cultural experiences, opportunities for winter sports, and a chance to explore diverse ecosystems.

How can I prepare for studying in extreme cold weather?

Pack warm clothing, learn about local climate, and make sure your chosen institution provides support for international students in cold climates.

What are some of the coldest study abroad locations?

Some of the coldest study abroad destinations include places like Norway, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.

2021-06-23 |

Study Abroad

10 Coldest study abroad destinations in the world

What's the coolest place to study abroad?

By Grad-Dreams

General

10 Coldest Study Abroad Destinations In The World

1 Canada :

If you love winter sports, you’ll be content to study in Canada especially in winters. Also, Canadians are fond of winter sports; hence you’ll find playgrounds for skiers, snowboarders, ice skaters, and hockey enthusiasts, etc. To get the feel of the cold weather you can travel to ‘the Great White North’ and enjoy the cool breeze adrenaline. Experience the best of Canada's slopes and landscapes covered in snow in the outskirts of the cities like Vancouver and Montreal. Witness the wonderful national parks or chill in a sports bar adjoining locals as you cheer your favorite team.

2 Norway :

Dark and cold winters along with a welcoming atmosphere make this not-so-typical European country an ideal study abroad destination. This Scandinavian country has a cultural appeal, an amazing standard of living, developed and innovative cities, along sweet natural beauty. The fjords or narrow basin of the sea enclosed by cliffs and mountains are enough to make this country, the Scandinavian leaders. The incredible natural surroundings outside of major cities like Oslo are hard to beat.

3 Mongolia:

Mongolia, in general, is an awesome yet underrated study abroad destination.

Though the country is considered a ‘nomad domain’, the capital city – Ulaanbaatar itself houses more than 1.3 million ethnic Mongols, Russians, Chinese, Kazakhs, Tuvans, Koreans, and Americans. Mongolians are proud of their nomadic lifestyle and embrace their different way of living which can be a unique experience for the visitors. Other than the natural beauty this country offers, it has exceptional history of rulers who founded large land empires followed by Buddhist ruling the land and diverse cultures in today’s time.

4 Croatia:

Though the temperature during winters rarely goes below 5 degrees, the interiors of Croatia are colder. National parks in Croatia are some of the best tourist places. Along with these, you can visit lakes like Plitvice especially when they are frozen and you’ll see the streams of water turned into huge icicles. Even summers are good here with spectacular beaches and cobbled, rustic port towns. The country has a history of rule by Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Austria, so it is a combination of all these nations into one mini region with less price tag and tourists.

5 Australia :

Australia climbs ahead of the UK due to its delightful beaches and abundant sunshine. Australia will give you that warm winter weather in the south. Cities like Sydney and Brisbane are classic as well as vibrant that mounts on their liberal beat. Also, beach lovers will love Gold Coast and Byron Bay while others can even sign up for a work and travel program to see the whole of Australia. Australians are kind and friendly, so you won’t have problems communicating and also help you practice your English in daily life. If you missed winter here, you can come back on a working holiday visa after your graduation.

6 South Africa:

South Africa is a wonderful choice if you love cool breezes along with experiencing a different culture and Africa’s hidden gems. Though it is sunny during winters here, you can catch waves of the glorious beaches at Port Elizabeth. Wine tasting may become your habit in the shade of Table Mountain or you may spend some wild-time with adventure to witness Africa’s legendary wildlife. If cafes interest you then you’ll have fun at the colorful cafes of Cape Town while listening to Afropop.

7 România:

Winters here are also from December to February and the temperatures are fairly uniform across the continental region and decrease as there is an increase in altitude. You’ll often experience snowfall as it is common in inland plains with around 30 day’s snowfall per year. The average daily temperature in January ranges between 0 degrees and -2 degrees. Romania is home to some of the truest and most historic beauty in Europe and also don’t miss to check out the gigantic, communist-era Palace of the Parliament – it is the largest government building in the world.

8 Argentina :

Winters in Argentina are from June to August and are mild but southern parts are cold. You’ll experience extremely cold weather and snow in the higher altitude areas like the Andes mountain ranges. The average temperature in these parts can drop to 0 or below (sometimes) while other parts of Argentina have an average temperature of 15-18 degrees. Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, Mendoza, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Buenos Aires are some of the popular places to visit in winter here. Also, try to learn Castellano to get a hold of all the Spanish dialects.

9 United Kingdom :

Winters are mostly during December to February although November too can have strong wintry conditions. The average temperature during this time can be in the range of 6.6 degrees to 7.4 degrees. But temperatures can fall up to the freezing point of 0 degrees. You will experience the scenic frost in the mornings, ice on car windscreens and roads. You can also practice speaking English in any of the countries like England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland while adjusting to the regional accents. British winters are wet and windy so it’s advisable to carry warm and waterproof clothing.

10 France :

Winters in France start similarly to other European countries that are from December (21st) and end in March (around 20). Though most of December is autumn as the last month of the year, it is considered as a winter month. This is also because the weather is cold and there is snowfall throughout the country. Don’t be afraid of the language and jump on to learn it along with the culture and enjoy the delectable food. Paris is the favorite option for international students for higher education or you can also get a glimpse of Mediterranean life in the south.