Going abroad to pursue education is a great opportunity for the young generation to make a thriving career and broaden their horizons. Stepping out of your comfort zone, not just helps you gain knowledge, but also gain maturity and explore diverse cultures while meeting new people.
Ever happened that you are watching a web series or a movie, and suddenly you want to pack your bags and move to a different country? Movies and TV shows have a way of giving us ideas about our future goals and aspirations. So, here we have curated a list of some of the best shows and movies about studying abroad to add more to your motivation.
1. Harry Potter
The list of movies based on study abroad is incomplete without mentioning Harry Potter! One of the most famous movies in the world, the story revolves around kids becoming adept wizards and witches at a magic school. The film gives a good view of the UK landscape as well as a taste of local food on the streets of London. While such a school doesn’t exist in reality, the movie is sure to inspire you to study in England.
2. Lulli
The film revolves around the life of a medical student in Brazil and is one of the rare movies that inspires you to take a look at South America. The movie also gives a glimpse of how the country is much different from the tourist vision that most of us have.
3. The Spanish apartment
This is a popular study abroad movie, representing the idea of overseas education beautifully. The movie revolves around the journey of a student in the Erasmus program. Erasmus is a renowned student exchange program promoted by the European Union.
The movie talks about a young boy who visits Spain to finish his education and lives in a room with five other people from different countries – Denmark, Germany, England, Italy, and Spain. The movie very well captures the life of Spain, the warmth, and the chance to make friends with people from diverse cultures.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle
Another popular one among the list of movies about studying abroad, Howl’s Moving Castle transports you to the very heart of Japan and its culture. As you enjoy the storyline, the movie will give you an urge to discover Japan through your own eyes. What makes the movie relatable is how the characters take root in a new destination, just what you do when you decide to study in a new country.
5. La Grande Bellezza
While this movie is not really about student life, it is still important to add it to the list of movies based on study abroad as its story lets you discover the beauty of the city of Rome.
The movie showcases how even the tourist can’t let go of the beauty of the city and all that it has to offer. By choosing to move and study here, you can experience delicious cuisines, serene landscapes, the warmth of Italians, and most of all, a place to rediscover yourself.
6. Lost in Translation
This is a beautiful movie that talks about starting from scratch in an unknown destination. The movie revolves around the relationship between a neglected woman and an actor who cross each other’s paths in Tokyo. This movie is sure to inspire you to transcend into untested waters, develop new skills, and build a rewarding career.
7. The Pursuit of Happyness
This is a heartwarming story of father and son, which can motivate you to push your limits and make it big. The movie is about a man called Chris Gardner, a salesman grappling to make ends meet and take care of his little son all by himself.
In the process, he becomes homeless but never loses his hope. His pursuit of happiness makes him study and ace a challenging examination, eventually putting an end to his miseries.
If you want to study abroad but are feeling low lately, watch this movie. You are sure to feel if Chris could do it, you too can!
8. Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is a timeless classic revolving around three girls in Monte Carlo, a place where they get a taste of passion and aristocracy. The movie is based on the famous short story Headhunters. Set in Monte Carlo, the movie is sure to give you a glimpse into the country’s culture and lifestyle.
9. The Lizzie Mcguire Movie
Another famous classic, The Lizzie McGuire revolves around a teenage girl, Elizabeth, who is mistaken for someone else, a pop singer, when on a school trip in Rome. She has to make the tough decision to go back home or live her new life, full of luxury.
Although not technically a study-abroad movie, the movie can help you learn vital lessons for your overseas education journey.
10. A Long Way to Come Home
A Long Way to Come Home is a famous movie about studying abroad loved by many. It is about a girl Aurora, studying in London and her struggle to maintain relationships with her family back home. This movie will not only inspire you but will also touch your heart in numerous other ways. The prequel to the movie is – “One day we’ll talk about today.”
11. Big Bang Theory
Students who love science may already know about The Big Bang Theory. The popular series helps you unravel the mysteries of science, math, and history in a catchy and humorous way. The show motivates one to study science and work at Caltech and portrays scientists and their determination to contribute to various aspects of science.
12. So Not Worth It
Based in Seoul, the show gives a fine look at life in South Korea. It is based in a university residence and makes you realize how studying abroad can make you meet new people and give you a chance to make friends from all across the world. It captures the beauty of Korean culture too, something that can inspire you to explore course options in South Korea!
13. Emily in Paris
An extremely popular show on Netflix, Emily in Paris is a must-have in the list of study abroad movies and shows. The show is about an American girl, Emily, and how she starts her new life in Paris. While the series is about a girl in a job, it is sure to give you the motivation to move to France as well as let you dive into the heart of Paris and the French way of living.
14. Fight for My Way
Fight for My Way is another popular show about four friends who are unsatisfied with their present life and decide to pursue their dreams. It talks about making a career that makes you happy, pursuing change, and facing challenges in life.
15. Street Food
This is a popular documentary on Netflix that is sure to evoke your tastebuds to move to another Asian country and try their meals. The documentary takes you through the wonders of Asian countries and their local streets to make you understand their habits and culture. And, what is a better way to learn and explore more about the country than to stay and study there?
16. Vicky Cristina
Many people find it hard to understand Woody Allen’s movies but there is no looking back for those who do. Vicky Cristina is another must-have on the list of best movies based on study abroad.
It begins with two people visiting Barcelona to spend their summer and will inspire you to pack your bags and move. The movie promises to be a great entertainer too as it will evoke multiple emotions in you!
17. I am Erasmus
I am Erasmus is a documentary that delves into the real lives of students of Erasmus. You can get to learn about the student experiences of finding love and friendship during their stay.
It also shows people who got grants for their work and young entrepreneurs who received grants recently. The documentary shows how Erasmus promotes learning for people who are aspiring to create their own business as well as deep secrets that many do not know about Erasmus.
18. The Social Network
Talking about movies for students cannot be complete if you don’t mention The Social Network, a very famous movie that talks about Facebook. While it is not a typical study abroad movie, it reflects on challenging times and how a wrong decision is not the end of the world.
It gives a glimpse of how Facebook came into existence and that one does not have to take the traditional route to ensure success. This lesson is critical to navigating challenges and roadblocks that you might face while studying abroad.
19. Good Will Hunting
Another wholesome movie, Good Will Hunting is the perfect watch to realize the caliber within you. Featuring Matt Damon as a 20-year-old janitor in a university, the movie shows him as a genius.
When he anonymously solves the most difficult mathematical problems on the blackboard, the professor is intrigued and makes a plan to find out who he is. When he gets caught, his qualities are revealed, and the professor is determined to help him realize his true potential. An inspiring movie indeed!
20. Júlia Est
Another movie on Erasmus’s experience, this one revolves around a student of architecture and shows a glimpse of emotions that every student feels – loneliness, fear, and insecurities along with love, friendship, and joy.
It beautifully captures the feeling of belongingness in the new place while longing for your own home. It shows Erasmus in its true sense and how even if everything is not great at college, the time spent gives you memories to last a lifetime.
21. L’auberge Espagnole
This is also a classic based on Erasmus students and revolves around a boy named Xavier studying in Barcelona. The French economics student finds himself sharing a flat with seven roommates.
It shows how they experience the good and bad times and at the same time make a bond that will last forever. The movie shows what it would have been like to move to a different country in 2000 when social media, mobile phones, and Google Maps did not exist.
While many of these shows and movies on studying abroad are based on real-life stories, some of them show the brighter side of moving as well as the challenge of leaving everything behind and chasing your dreams.
If you are inspired to study abroad and take the next step, we at MSM Unify will be happy to help you. Give us a call and our study abroad experts will guide you best regarding the suitable courses and colleges for your study abroad plan.
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