AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO STUDY ABROAD FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
Education is the utmost priority of every student while being the ultimate call for a successful career. However, no more the spectrum of different education systems is limited due to the physical boundaries of a country.
With every starting education session, many students from all over the world go for higher studies in another country in the hope of a better learning experience and attaining relevant skills.
Now, if you are wondering and have yet to decide whether to go abroad for your studies, then this content is just for you as below are all the aspects that you need to know before going further with any decision.
Why Study Abroad?
There must be good options in your home country for further studies but then why do so many students choose to go for their higher studies abroad each year? A simple answer to this is because of the plethora of benefits and getting recognized for being a versatile student.
Moreover, you get a larger platform to showcase your academic and curricular skills. This will not only sharpen your skills but will also boost your confidence. Let’s get to know a few benefits of studying abroad.
Quality Education
The foremost reason why students choose to study abroad is solely to gain a quality education. The thing that matters while you are pursuing your studies is whether the education provided to you is of top-notch quality or not or whether the education system is allowing you to enhance your capabilities while bringing out the best version of you or not.
This is when your decision to study abroad is of great interest. Students get to have a standardized learning environment which further helps them to prepare for their studies and jobs.
These institutions provide education on a global scale which means an education made for everyone to thrive. Students get to have a more practical approach to their domains and as well have the option of researching.
Wide Range of Specialised & Interdisciplinary Courses
As students are becoming more creative and now experimenting with their career choices too, the study abroad option provides a wide range of courses and programs for students to opt from. This not only helps education to evolve globally but also encourages students to go out of the way and choose what is best for them.
At times like this, education is not constrained to just the basic existing career choices that were considered the safer options. Instead, it has extended to newly discovered fields and offers numerous alternatives to the students.
Not just the stream choices, but there are programs at different levels, too, such as graduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, diploma courses, etc. Many universities even allow students to take two classes simultaneously, saving time and money.
Discover New Cultures & Make Lifelong Connections
Studying abroad comes with the benefit of exploring the world and getting a first-hand experience of different cultures. You will not just get to know a foreign country and its culture but other countries and their cultures as students from all over the world come to the institutions accepting international students.
Meeting people from all over the world and being friends with them will help you gain a sense of empathy and respect toward everyone, which will help in the long run. These connections will further aid in your career.
Explore Global Career Opportunities
Studying abroad will make you an international student, resulting in more options and opportunities within your career. Moreover, being recognized as an international student gives a hike to your profile and makes you eligible for recruiters all over the globe.
These universities or institutions accepting international students have an approach to the industries globally and thus bring different opportunities to their students. Many prestigious universities have alums that have made a big name in the world and are thriving in their careers.
Make a Sound Global Network
The best part is it helps students to make a global network that allows them further their careers. Whether friends from different fields or countries or the industries you did training or internships with, all of them play an essential role in your career.
These minor points make a network that defines your career. The better the network, the more the chances of landing a promising job. It helps students to explore their career choices further and choose the one that suits them the best.
Now that you know why you choose to study abroad, let’s peek at which countries are considered ideal options to pursue your higher education.
Best Countries to Study Abroad
The next step of your plan after deciding to study abroad should be which country will suit you and your career choices. No doubt, many developed countries have many prestigious institutions that provide quality education, but you have to choose what ticks off your required qualities.
The decision can depend on various factors such as the country’s location and lifestyle, how costly a country is, your dream university, the course or program that you want to pursue, and many more.
So to make it a bit easier for you, below we have mentioned 5 top countries that students prefer for their higher education:
United Kingdom (UK)
The United Kingdom has always been considered the pinnacle of the education system and has excelled in the education aspect. Many countries have adapted features of the UK’s education system into their country’s education system.
The UK is home to many prestigious universities having top rankings amongst the universities in the world. The country offers a safe learning environment to international students and has simplified immigration policies for the student’s benefit.
Here’s the list of the top 5 universities in the UK:
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• University College London
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
United States of America (USA)
The United States of America is one of the most preferred destinations for international students. The country is home to many universities ranked in the top 30 universities in the world of QS ranking 2020.
One of the best universities for the STEAM programs, MIT, is in the USA. The country provides various courses to its students and programs at different levels.
The American education system mainly focuses on practical approaches, critical thinking, and cross-cultural skills.
Below is the list of the top 5 universities in America:
• Princeton University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Yale University
• Stanford University
Canada
Canada is yet another top choice amongst students for their higher education. The country is not only known for its quality education but also its friendly environment. The students feel welcomed and safe here.
Moreover, the country is quite affordable when compared to other countries, which makes it a win-win situation for students. The government even takes international students from an early age of class Xth and helps them build a career from their roots.
Here are the top 5 universities in Canada:
• University of Montreal
• McMaster University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Waterloo
• University of Toronto
Australia
Another preferred country for higher studies in Australia. The government is known for its excellent education system, which provides around 20,000 courses in graduate and postgraduate programs.
The country is best known for its research work and is an excellent option for Indian students with a tiny population. The island allows students to explore the beauty of nature at its best.
Below is the list of the top 5 universities in Australia:
• The University of Melbourne
• The University of Queensland
• The Australian National University
• Monash University
• The University of Sydney
Germany
The country is amongst the top choices as it offers free education through its public universities providing many options in the courses. The government even accepts students without IELTS. Germany has around 16 public institutions, of which 11 have zero tuition fees.
Below are the top 5 universities in Germany:
• University of Munich
•Heidelberg University
• Technical University of Munich
• Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin
• Free University of Berlin
How To Go Abroad For Studies?
When the question of studies comes into one’s mind for getting the value and the best option, everyone searches for that then the scope to study abroad or goes out there to reach for the best opportunity.
But shifting and managing in a new country is a little complicated if the information is not fully provided or learned beforehand.
How to connect and adapt to the diversity of other nations is the foremost thing here; how you communicate and build your connection will help your career.
For abroad studies, many countries offer studies with scholarships and many more facilities like the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, and many more.
How to reach them and grab the best opportunities for essential things are as follows:-
Language Proficiency Tests
If you are applying to an English-speaking country, some qualifying tests are necessary for giving and required by the universities for different processes like PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, etc. The qualifying marks may differ for other universities and the visa requirement. These marks will come in handy.
Analogous to English proficiency tests, if you’re concluding for any different country where the sanctioned language doesn’t correspond to the approved language of your home country, also you’ll have to show up for their needed language proficiency test for admission as well as the visa procedure.
Sometimes, universities allow admission without these tests if you take up a foundation language course with the other programs that you’ve selected.
Standardized Exams
Aside from language proficiency examinations, you might also be needed to take standardized tests depending on the program you’re referring to. These tests contain SATs for undergraduate courses, GMAT for MBA programs, and GRE for MS and MBA.
Document Checklist
The application you provide to the universities is the most important and valuable document, more like your first impression of them, so if they’re more organized, it’ll help.
Start collecting and documenting the application way before the date to apply and rechecking them according to the university’s requirements, as they may vary from one another.
The most important documents that you’ll be required to have are as follows:-
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
As there will be many applicants, so to differ and to know the perfect candidate for them, universities demand SOPs more like the reason to pursue and the future goals you want to follow. So take ample time before writing and rechecking the SOP essay before submitting it.
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
If you have a letter of recommendation from your professors, attach it to the document.
Application Form
It contains all the personal and professional details; fill it out carefully and recheck it before submitting it.
Academic Transcripts
All of your academic scores and records are more like a mark sheet. Readily available from your current university.
Test Scores
As mentioned before, the English proficiency tests or any other standard exam scores you’ve to attach, like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, etc.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
All the internships, degrees, certificates, and any other work-related experiences should be mentioned as it’ll help in building a better resume, more like a professional overview.
Essays
Many universities demand an essay as to why you want to study in their programs, and if you’re serious about the education you’ll be getting so, this essay will be one of the most important to write.
Student Visa To Study At Your Dream University
After applying and managing your application, then comes the process of applying for a student visa. It’ll only be applicable after the acceptance letter is given to you; a counselor will be provided to you for further processes.
The significant documents that are required for the student visa are as follows:-
• Passport size photographs
• Consent letter from the parent/guardian (if under 18)
• Language proficiency tests certification
• Copy current passport
• Vaccination results
• Acceptance letter copy
• Residence permit applications
• Bank details about the funding of the studies
Once you decide on the country, university, and course, the next major step is to apply for a student visa.
Though the process can be burdensome, to avoid any mistakes, it is advised to take help from A-Star Visas.