The Right Choice
With an increasing demand for study abroad program, foreign universities are leaving no stone unturned to attract International students these days. It seems like a competition amongst Universities for attracting good students worldwide to their Universities.
The preferences of country differ from student to student according to their requirement related to:
Cost Efficiency
For many students, it may be a matter of finance when it comes to selection of a University. Generally, priority is given to cost-effectiveness in terms of tuition fees and dwelling expenses. For instance, most of the students also assume that the overall cost of education of a particular country to be low compared to other destinations. Although, the educational expenses can be waived off partially by acquiring scholarships and grants through university.
Specializations and Future Prospectus
There are a variety of courses and specializations with most of the amenities and career prospects offered by the Foreign Universities. In addition to this, Universities round the globe as well attempt to magnetize the students by providing them on and off campus job opportunities along with the desired.
Eligibility
Scores acquired by students during their previous academic years also enable them to choose the University. Eligibility of the students for the admission depends upon their standardized and academic test scores. Some top ranked Universities may demand higher scores whereas the other may not mind accepting students with mediocre grades.
University Application and Visa Procedures
Generally aspirants of overseas education opt for popular destinations like USA, UK, Canada and Australia. Visa procedures of some countries are less complicated than that of others. Students generally start the process of applying to the Universities after the selection of the country.
Personal Choice
A proper comparative of the rewards offered at personal and professional levels, ethnic group, scholarships, climate and language would help the students in deciding whether to opt for a particular country for overseas education. At times, students select a country just because they have some relatives or known already living there.
Keeping in mind all the factors in mind about the study abroad program, an aspirant has to decide on the selection of university.
Choosing The Perfect Program
Every year a large number of Indian students pursue their dream of studying in an international university. The process can be long and stressful at times, but it is essential to find the program that best fits the student’s needs. Studying and traveling abroad can be one of the best experiences of their lifetime. The basic steps in studying abroad are simple – choose a program, apply, and pack your bags, but there is a significant amount of preparation involved. Students should do thorough research to select a good program. It is very important and crucial step in studying abroad. The right course helps the student for a successful career.
Choosing a Country
The first step is to choose the location for study abroad. Choosing the right country of study is very important as that will help students shape their personal and professional life for years to come.
Selection of Course
Once the country is decided the next step is to choose the right course along with the desired specialization. Students should choose the course as per the previous academic background and area of interest for future studies. The next step is to identify the Universities or institutes offering the desired course. Students should keep in mind few things before selecting a University they are Academics , faculty , infrastructure , Cost of study at the University, Financial / scholarship assistance, the prospects of further education, University Accreditation, Cost of living and other expenses, Work permit access and permanent residency and many more related things.
Language
If you are planning to choose a specialized program which is taught in a non-English speaking country, then you need to see if the program for which you are planning to enroll is offered in English or not. So, it is advisable that you learn the language either in India or enroll in the university itself and also ensure that the program is taught in English
Cost of the Program
Cost is an important factor that students should consider while they decide to study abroad. The cost depends on the type of program, the duration and also the cost of living and other expenses should be as well considered. Student can choose the Universities offering their desired courses as per their budgets.
Accommodation
This is an important factor that students should consider once you decide to study in a particular country. Check for accommodation facilities within the campus or in an around the University. Students can check for accommodation options in the University once they decide to go for. All the accommodation details are mentioned on the University website in details for student’s reference.
Students should consider all the above factors while choosing the program. Studying abroad is wonderful experience and a life time opportunity for most students. So choosing the right program can help students achieve their dreams.
STUDYING abroad is one of the most sought after options for many career aspirants. Studying abroad enhances your personality, improves your experience in the world and gives you a new appreciation of other cultures.
Flying? For the first time or has it been routine? A sense of numbness, excitement somewhere down the belly, fear, the thought of leaving your loved ones behind to pursue an education worth a foreign degree.
The final moments arrive and you are at the airport standing in the swirling lanes for immigration check and what not? Dad has already given you a word of advice and n your Mom is looking at you with tear filled eyes and your aunts also in the foray.
I would like to share my wonderful experience with you all aspiring study abroad students. My name is Aditya and I went to Australia to pursue a course in M. A. Marketing. I would like to take the opportunity to make aware to the new aspirants coming to Australia for their Masters about 'what it takes and what goes on in the life of an international student thousands of miles away from home?
You land in Australia and you head to your accommodation, mostly pre – arranged or the lucky ones to stay with their friends already studying there. The sheer size of buildings, the beauty, the exotic cars that you dreamt of owning, the absolute no pollution, and the transport system. Those who live in the temporary accommodations do find their potential 'roomies' from their courses or are introduced through some acquaintances but let me warn you here, that finding for a house is no mean task. Housing agents have mushroomed at every corner of various suburbs advertising their availability of homes with all the facilities.
The house you will be looking for will be reminiscent of the luxuries of 'your' bedroom back in India but then all this goes for a toss and that’s the first lesson learnt, that of adjustment with all your likes an dislikes and foregoing your comforts.
No! don’t get tensed there are still people with a 'heart' and their name ,'The Salvation Army' who provide all the necessary house furniture, beddings and other smaller accessories to students like me for a minimum cost or for free. If you don’t get to them then one can look around the neighbourhood for various shops which sell second hand stuff (never did u think of this right?) but nevertheless it is all about surviving and living on the budget that you have to prepare for you day to day life. The house is set up and so are my roomies and now that I have completed all the formalities with the University of enrolling in my course and the miscellaneous things, I am ready for the course to start that I came so far to pursue.
The cold in is chilling and for a person like me who never saw the mercury dipping below 25 degree was a shocker, but then with all the warm clothes, jackets I head for my classes. The timings for my course are different form the others n they start in the evening at 6.00 pm to 9 pm. The first day in the lectures gives you the idea of the sheer pressure (coz you are in the Masters, Post -Graduate remember) that would be thrust on you all throughout the 3- 4 months of the 1st semester. The professors are all supportive of your ideas and do help the students in all kinds of difficulties.
The lectures and the assignments start rolling in and you start working in groups and to meet the deadline you hold those numerous meetings. A student should be prepared to work in any kind of a job be it a waiter, retailer, etc. This would surprise you all but let me make you realise the harshest facts of life. Please do not be ashamed to work in any kind of a job. Till you do not leave your comfort confines you will not be able to survive here and learn to adjust. Then with a lot of attempts and interviews you get a job and start earning in 'DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!' sounds exciting right? Yes of course!Thus a typical day would start for a student depending on the job or class timings.
Going to the job, classes and then coming home tired to cook for yourself,” but surely I have learnt to cook and have become a better cook.
A long and tiring week is over, Sunday is here but then if you have the luxury of a washing machine at home the job is easy and if not then there are common laundries where you can wash your clothes and then think of having a good lunch and going out for exploring your neighbourhood or the city you live in.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg but then it is not all that bad and one does have the time for recreation and so many places to visit and have fun, its just a matter of time and the right people to meet. Till then 'No worries mate'
Adjusting to new environment…
Once the student gets the admission in a reputed University of his or her choice then the next important step is to secure the visas. And once they are through with their visa they are all set to fly. Every student faces a mixed kind of emotion at this stage. On one hand is the pleasure and satisfaction of taking a step ahead in life. While on the other of being all alone. All in the family gets paranoid about what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to wear and how are you going to live alone in the new place all by yourself. You are also not very sure of how are you gonna cope up this whole new change. Well The best way to counter this situation is to gather as much knowledge as possible about Food, Clothing, people, life style, Healthcare of the country you plan to go. As a student it is very important for you to be aware of these things then it becomes easy for you to get adjusted to the new environment.
Many of the social and behavioral aspects of everyday life vary greatly from country to country. Some students might find it initially difficult to understand the way the people behave in a particular country but gradually you can understand and manage the same. Once a student reaches a new country they will start noticing the differences in culture and lifestyle immediately. And gradually they will know the differences and get adjusted to the same. For most newcomers, exploring the cultural differences is one of the most rewarding things about living and studying in the new country.
You need not hesitate to talk to your class mates, room mates and try and be friendly with them. Once you are comfortable with your and make friends with them then you will not feel lonely and will start enjoin in the new country. Every country has different ways of greeting each other or being friendly with each other once you land in that country you come to know the way people are then accordingly you can be friends with them.
How to manage Food
While living independently eating a wholesome and well balanced diet becomes all the more essential. One must remember that he/she needs to concentrate on the studies and it’s important to remain healthy and fit to be able to do justice to them. You have the option to cook your own food. This can be the best way to eat what you prefer. Cooking yourself, occasionally or on a regular basis is easy once you know how to. So do pack along your favorite easy-to-cook recipes and some basic spices that you simply cannot do without.
During your stay in abroad, also make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to try out a wide variety of food especially the local cuisine. Restaurants abroad need not be too expensive; the general look of the restaurant should give you an idea of the prices. It is a general trend to split the bill (or go ‘dutch’ as it is called) in case you go out with friends.
Try and look for an Indian store in the vicinity and surely you will find plenty of them. They will help to get the basic ingredients that are needed for cooking Indian food. Some stores also stock pre-cooked Indian dishes, frozen Rotis and Naans, which just need to be heated in a microwave oven. For general grocery shopping, there may be many supermarkets around your campus offering a wide variety of foods, raw as well as tinned, frozen or pre-cooked.
What Clothes to wear??
Countries abroad have a wide variety of climates and temperatures. Find out all the information about the temperatures and seasons of the place where you are going be located and carry clothes to suit the weather. The every day Campus wear can be casual but do carry some sets of traditional Indian dresses which can be worn on formal occasions. Most places will be colder in winter than those to which you are accustomed. However, this colder climate is adapted to quite well as most places have central heating. Thus most of the indoor places will usually be maintained at a comfortable temperature.
How do I take care of my health??
A change in the environment, diet and climate can contribute to discomfort or illness. Carry some basic medicines from home which can be taken for minor discomforts. Also carry your doctor’s prescription for the same. If you have a serious medical problem, the ‘Student Health Service’ at your college or university is the best alternative. In some cases, your prepaid student health fee may take care of the service which could include free prescribed medicine. The health service may also advice you to consult a doctor off-campus. Keep the foreign student advisor notified in case you are ill, or visiting a hospital. The cost of health care in most of the foreign countries is extremely high and not affordable for most people, without an insurance plan. It is important for you as an international student to insure yourself for any potential medical liability that may arise during the course. Most colleges and universities require students to have insurance for sickness and accidents.
Costs involved in study abroad
Study abroad is an academic experience first and foremost and it does not only replace academic work a student might otherwise complete on-campus, but the international experience also enhances a student's curriculum on-campus. While studying abroad the first aspect that comes to your mind is the overall cost involved like Tuition fees, Living expenses, accommodation and so on. Cost is a factor on which most students would like to have detailed information first, before they plan their education abroad. In fact, awareness about the costs involved is 'very crucial' before one ventures into this high-cost involved process. The cost depends on the type of program that is chosen, the length of stay, the sponsoring school, etc. The other fees, which are often due prior to departure, may include costs such as airfare, meals, additional travel,
etc. Before a student plans to study abroad, it is important to have an understanding of the costs involved. Here are the details of specific costs involved.
Cost of studying can be divided in to three categories:
• Cost of Application (including academic entrance tests) • Tuition Fees and Living Expenses • Other Costs (like insurance, visa fee, air ticket, etc.)
A. Cost of Application:
• Academic Entrance Test: Academic entrance examinations will cost you around $100 to $200 per examination, and most students take at least 2 tests. Assume that you will be spending at least $500 on the entrance test required.
• Score Reporting: Test scores like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS have to be reported by the testing agencies, which may cost up to $ 20 per University for individual scores
• Application fee: Generally while applying to the Universities students have to bear the cost of application in most of the Universities which ranges between $50 to $150 per University. In some countries the application fees is not applicable.
• Courier Charges: Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per University
B. Tuition Fees and Living Expenses:
Tuition fee largely depends on whether you plan to study at a Public or Private Institution.
• Private Institution: $15000 to $30000 per year. At some Universities, it could go beyond $ 40000 per year
• Public Institution: $10000 to $20000 per year
• Community College: $8000 to $12000 per year
Note: The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses and popularity of the Institution.
C. Living Expenses:
Estimated Living Cost: $10000 to $12000 (per year). An average of $700 to $1000 per month should be considered as safe. This includes your accommodation (room and board), transport & travel, communication, food, text books, clothes and may be some entertainment expense too. These costs vary form area to area and from person to person
Other Costs:
Air tickets, Visa Application fee: Air tickets would be around $500 to $2000 (depending when you finish your admission process and / or book tickets).
Health / Medical Insurance: Insurance is mandatory for all international students, who plan to study abroad. Depending upon the company and policy taken, the cost of insurance for a student could be around $300 to $500 per year.
Along with the above expenses students may also incur some miscellaneous expenses as well which they should keep in mind. Therefore, it is always recommended making a budget for a one year's study and to get an idea of approximately how much money a student needs for a comfortable living.
How to manage your budget for studying abroad.
Studying abroad is certainly one of the wonderful experiences for each student. It is a great opportunity to see new places, meet new people and live in a foreign country. For each student it is important to manage their time well, and learn as much as possible, and gain the best of the knowledge from the course of study. Before students decide to go abroad, they should set a budget for their study of course desired. Students should make a list of expenses, which should include Academic expenses like tuition, books, housing, meals, Travel expenses like airfare, passport, visa, local transportation, Communication expenses like internet access, cell phone, Program expenses like application fee, Health and safety expenses like insurance, immunizations, Personal expenses like toiletries, souvenirs, entertainment etc. All these things put together will help students to know their cost of studying abroad and can manage themselves well.
BEFORE LEAVING
• Application cost: Generally while applying to the Universities students have to bear the cost of application in most of the Universities which ranges between $50 to $150 per University. In some countries the application fees is not applicable. Courier Charges: Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per University
• Tuition Fees: Tuition fee largely depends on whether you plan to study at a Public or Private Institution. And also the duration of the course. Students should check the fees accordingly and select the University as per their budgets. Generally the fee for Private Institution ranges from $15000 to $30000 per year. At some Universities, it could go beyond $ 40000 per year. And Public Institution: $10000 to $20000 per year. Community College: $8000 to $12000 per year. The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses and popularity of the Institution.
• Accommodation: An average of $700 to $1000 per month should be considered as safe. This includes your accommodation (room and board), transport & travel, communication, food, text books, clothes and may be some entertainment expense too. These costs vary form country to country and the type of accommodation option a student chooses to live.
• Travel: Students should plan their travel dates well in advance once they decide the University they plan to go. This helps in better air fare packages for them and they can save a lot.
WHILE STUDYING
• Day to day expenses: There are many day to day expenses which students may come across while studying abroad. These expenses depend on the living style, entertainment, calls, travel and other miscellaneous expenses as well. Students should set a budget for the same.
• Food: While it is true that dining is one of the major experiences of a new culture, students can save a great deal of money by preparing their meals and not depending on the outside food. If a student decides not to cook then they may have to keep a good budget for the food expenses as well.
Students should always be very careful with their expenses and can plan a proper budget for their education which will help them to get great success in study abroad.
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