Study abroad is a dream of many students. The difficulty is to find the steps and processes involved in it.Many students want to know where to start, whom to meet, what to do in this regard.
This blog is the compilation of experiences shared by our students to help and motivate the freshers to study abroad.At the end of this blog you can get a clear idea about your “Study abroad” ambition. We at, stufe.me are ready to mentor you in this regard to select your right University, Country and Discipline.
Let’s start right now.
1. Expenses on Study abroad
Studying abroad is a right decision but the question is “Is it affordable?” So, always find out the expenses we have to meet. Don’t think studying abroad is a costlier option for all countries. Even though, Tuition fees vary across all the universities, try to find out the exact amount using your friends, seniors, through social media, LinkedIn etc.,
All the Universities across the globe have its presence in LinkedIn. Query at the admission department, their Alumni network and other stake holders to find fees, life style, temperature, etc., for the Internationals students.
Don’t simply rely on the Consultants, Websites of the colleges etc., Find the reviews posted by the alumni and have a connect in LinkedIn with them. Really they will help you in finding the truth.
Tip 1 : The costliest countries with respect to Tuition fees are 1.USA, 2.Canada, 3.UK, 4. Australia and 5. Singapore.
2. Domain of study abroad
You need not continue your higher studies based on your graduation. The power of cross discipline post graduation is enormous. Find out the higher education domain based on your interest and personality.
It is always advisable to go for a entry level job for one or two years before joining a post graduation.
These two years will help you to discover your strength and weakness. Based on your skills and the demand in the job market you can select your post graduation.
Tip 2: The Familiar Domains are, 1. Business and Management 2. Computer Science,IT, Data Science 3. Engineering 4. Law 5. Medicine 6. Psychology
3. Country to study abroad
Where to go for study? Normally your interested domain, and the budget will fetch you the answer for this query. The temperature, social issues like racism, safety are having greater impacts in the selection of a country.
Only the your college seniors studying currently in that university can help you. None other than your seniors will give you the right feedback. Keep connected with them.
Tip 3:The following are also the factors to decide your destination for higher studies. 1. English Speaking Country 2. Part time job during your studies 3.Climatic condition of the city or town 4.Distance and travelling time 5. The relatives living at the city/town
4. Compare the Programmes
Once you decide the country and the domain you want to study, start compare the programmes of the same university or other universities, offering the same programme. Very meticulously collect all the data like fee structure, duration, scholarships available, faculty, industries connect etc.,
Again, your LinkedIn connects will be helpful to collect all these data.
Tip 4: Part-time degree option will help you in finding the part time jobs for your financial aid.
5. Apply 3 to 4 Universities
Do not be over confident. Be an optimistic. File your applications to minimum 3 to 4 universities at least.
Now a days, digital documents are accepted for processing. When you apply for a country, kindly assure whether there is an centralised system for all the universities or we have to apply for every university individually.
Tip 5: Complete your applications fully. The attachments should be checked much carefully like Letter of recommendation, declaration etc.,
Check the University ranking from the trusted websites. If your under graduate programme in India is accredited like NBA, ABET, etc., it will increase your opportunity in getting a berth in top 200 Universities.
6. Study Abroad- English Test is essential
The fluency in English is essential to get a seat in foreign Universities. In order to prove your proficiency in English any one of the following certificates to be produced.
Tip 6: Indian English is good but we need some preparation and effort to crack and score in these examinations. These exams mainly evaluate the following skills. 1. Speaking 2. Listening 3. Writing 4. Reading
The format of each test is different, but it involves listening to speakers with various accents, answering multiple-choice questions, writing letters and essays, answering questions based on different types of texts, and many other types of tasks.
They will evaluate your grammar, vocabulary, understanding, and many other abilities. As long as you become familiar with the test format and practise long enough, you should be able to ace any test.
7. Apply for Financial aids
Applying for scholarships is an integrated process along with your application in some Universities. In some other places, we have to apply for the scholarship after getting the admission.
Please go through the documents very carefully. Because, some countries we have to pay back the the financial aid if we drop the course or missed to get the degree. Normally Student loans, private /military aids have to be repaid and in case of grants and scholarships we need not pay back.
Tip 7: What you need to know is that there are different types of financial aid programmes: 1.Scholarships 2.Grants 3.Student loans 4.Military aid
8. Confirm your admission
It is an joyous moment like your SSLC result, receiving the message from the foreign University stating that your application has been accepted and you are selected. The josh in you is deserved to be celebrated.
But, simultaneously, if you get many offers, be patient and sit together with your well-wishers and parents to decide a particular University.
Tip 8: Consider all the factors , to select an University and decide. Mind it, That decision should be final and concrete.
Once decided, send the confirmation to the university and make sure they receive it. During this process or after it, you might be asked to send additional documents or testimonials.
9. Study Abroad- Student Visa
Indian students normally require student visa to travel and pursue their graduation in foreign countries. It is not an tough task but it requires lot of documents. If you submit all your required documents intact in the first attempt itself very easily you will get the Visa.
Many countries are giving top most priority in processing student visa without affecting their study. In the current scenario you will get visa in few weeks after your interview in the embassy.
Tip 9: Once visit the embassy in your region, and find out the procedures and documents required for visa processing in the beginning itself. This will reduce last minute hectic work and pressure.
10. Accommodation in Abroad
You need to think about your accommodation in abroad.Normally, there are 3 options .
1.Dormitories
Like Student Hostels in India, internationally it is called as ” University halls of residence”. As the capacity is limited, first come first serve basis allotment. But, there are reserved seats for International students. This is the cheapest mode of accommodation available in campus.
2.Private Flats
Private flats are comparably costlier mode of accommodation. Sharing and part time jobs will help you to meet out this expense.
3. Staying with Local family/ Guardian
This is not as popular as the other two options, but it’s chosen by students on a very low budget or by those who want a hands-on experience of the local culture and lifestyle.
It’s usually very cheap, sometimes cheaper than student dormitories. But this often depends on how you negotiate and what is included in the overall price. For example, some families even offer one meal a day in the monthly fee.
Hope I have cleared all your doubts and the following questions. 1. How to study abroad? 2. What are the procedures to study abroad? 3. Step-by-step guide for "How to study abroad"
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