How to do study abroad planning? Three Steps to Clarify Questions at the Shanghai Study Abroad Exhibition in November 2026

When children want to study abroad, parents and students often face a series of uncertain choices instead of 'whether to go or not': which country is more suitable to go to? How should the target universities and majors be ranked? When do you start preparing language and materials? These questions can be found in scattered explanations online, but it is difficult to assemble them into a feasible timeline.

Information asymmetry often manifests here. In the same country, different families see different aspects; The details of enrollment requirements, application pace, and living costs for the same overseas institution are scattered everywhere, and the more they compare, the more chaotic they become. Many families are not without direction, but rather lack an opportunity to compare multiple countries, schools, and institutions in person.

From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, the Overseas Immigrant Study Abroad Property and Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo will be held at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center (No. 99 Xingyi Road, Changning District) for three days, with an estimated 8000 visitors. The study abroad section gathers overseas universities and study abroad service agencies in the same exhibition hall, providing parents and students with a step-by-step on-site consultation space for organizing study abroad plans.

Step 1: Conduct a self-assessment first and clarify what you want

Before asking the institution, take the time to review your own situation, which determines the direction of all subsequent consultations.

▪  Family budget range: There are significant differences in tuition fees and living costs among different study abroad destinations. By first delineating the affordable cost range and then comparing it with countries and cities, unrealistic options can be eliminated in advance.

▪  The academic status and interests of students: general academic level, language foundation, and desired major category are the starting points for choosing schools and majors. The more specific the interest, the more targeted the recommendations provided by the institution.

▪  The time rhythm of planning: When to start school and how much time is left until now determine the urgency of language exams, background preparation, and material submission.

Write these items into a simple self-evaluation form, and then take it to the exhibition. On site consultation will not be limited to general discussions. This step does not need to pursue a final decision, but rather sets a benchmark for the subsequent horizontal comparison. The more honest the self-evaluation is, the more it can avoid being carried away by temporary popularity and focus limited energy on the direction that truly fits the reality of the family.

Step 2: Compare destinations horizontally and see the dimensions of each selection clearly

The study abroad paths in different countries and regions have their own characteristics and are suitable for different family needs. When consulting on-site, you can compare several dimensions one by one, rather than just focusing on whether they are popular or not.

① Academic system and degree structure: The length of undergraduate and master's programs, as well as the different ways in which degrees are awarded, directly affect the arrangement of time and expenses.

② Admission and language requirements: There are significant differences in language scores, academic backgrounds, and application materials required by different universities, and accessibility should be judged based on the current situation of students.

③ Cost of living and safety environment: There is a significant gap in expenses between cities, and it is also worth asking about supporting living information in person.

④ Post graduation career choices: Relevant visa and employment policies will affect long-term planning, and this type of information will be adjusted over time, making it suitable for on-site synchronous understanding.

The key action here is 'horizontal alignment': place two or three candidate destinations on the same piece of paper, fill in each item according to the dimensions above, and the advantages and disadvantages will naturally emerge. Just looking at the advantages of a country can easily be biased by local information.

It should be noted that the enrollment policies, visa and study abroad regulations of various countries will be dynamically adjusted. The information obtained on site is for reference only, and the specific enrollment policies and current regulations of relevant institutions shall prevail.

Step 3: Ask questions to the organization on site and check each item with a checklist

In the process of studying abroad consultation, the more specific the questions are, the greater the rewards. Facing the study abroad agents and representatives from overseas universities on the booth, you can prepare a list of questions and confirm each item in person.

▪  Application process and timeline: What are the general stages from submitting materials to enrollment, and at what time are the key milestones.

▪  Materials and Language Preparation: What grades, documents, and certifications need to be prepared, what level of proficiency is required for language exams, and when is the safest time to start preparing.

▪  Cost and Scholarship Direction: The approximate composition of tuition and living expenses, and whether there is any scholarship information available.

▪  Service content and fees: What specific services does the institution provide, how are the fees structured, and should be clarified before registration.

▪  Follow up support: To what extent can the institution provide information on accommodation, airport pick-up, and adaptation support upon arrival.

It is recommended not to consult only one company. Walk to multiple booths, ask the same type of questions to different institutions, record the answers and compare them, which makes it easier to see the differences and credibility of the information, and also facilitates the comparison of which company's services are more suitable for one's own needs.

A list of exhibitions that can be taken away

Before visiting the exhibition, why not prepare the following list to make your three-day itinerary more organized.

▪  Three things to think about in advance: budget range, student interests, and target enrollment time. Align these three items with the institution before arriving.

▪  Countries and universities that you want to focus on: shortlist and prioritize on-site visits.

▪  The materials carried with you include students' grades, language proficiency, current or graduation certificates, etc., to facilitate preliminary evaluation by institutions.

▪  Recording tool: mobile phone or laptop, jot down the key points and contact information of each institution's response.

▪  Mental preparation: Treat the exhibition as a centralized survey, rather than signing contracts on the spot; Understand first, compare later, and make a decision later, leaving time for home to slowly weigh the pros and cons.

▪  Leave sufficient time: The exhibition lasts for three days, and there is no need to rush it all in one day. You can consult in-depth in different time periods.

Studying abroad is a journey that requires advance planning, and the value of studying abroad planning lies in turning vague expectations into executable steps. The study abroad section of this expo provides a centralized and comparable field for such sorting - overseas universities and study abroad consulting agencies are present together, and parents and students can ask questions step by step in the order of self-evaluation, horizontal comparison, and practical consultation.

Exhibition hotline: 13681692751 (same as WeChat); Official website: www.qs-expo.com. To learn more about the exhibition details of the study abroad section or make an appointment for on-site consultation, you can contact the organizing committee of this expo through the above channels. The policy and project information mentioned in this article is for reference only. Please refer to the official enrollment policies and relevant regulations of each country's institutions and universities.