Overseas Education: Getting Started

by Aecc Global Education & Visa Consultants

There was a time when deciding to go abroad for an education was considered a herculean task. Options were limited for students, both in terms of programs and in terms of study destinations. However, with the advent of globalisation, global education network has seen massive expansion. Apart from intra-governmental MoUs, private players have also entered the education field. This has turned the global education scenario into a very competitive sector. As such, decisions such as ‘Should I go abroad for my studies?’, ‘where should I go?’, ‘When and how to go to study abroad?’ have become markedly easier to take.

Students nowadays are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing an educational program to pursue abroad. The global education scenario has undergone a massive change and expansion, whereby every year new courses are being opened up for students to avail. Along with the number of courses, the variety of program types and also choice of study destinations have increased manifold. In order to keep oneself abreast of all the developments and updates, it has become imperative for students to systematically organize and go about a long check list of tasks that need to be completed before they head out for their dream destination. The following steps are designed to help you out with systematically going about the whole process:

a) Taking a decision

Studying abroad has its own charms and advantages, but students should make sure that they do not end up blindly following the flow. He/she should introspect and try to figure out the pros and cons and whether going abroad will be a suitable move for them at all. Few questions that you should ask yourself:

Do I like travelling or going to unfamiliar places?
Will I be comfortable staying away from my close ones for an extended period of time?
Will exploring a new culture be enjoyable for me?
Will an overseas education enhance my professional as well as personal output?

If the answer is “yes” to most or all of the questions, then study abroad is definitely a positive step forward for you. If you answer “no” to a lot of the questions, then you definitely need to do a lot more thinking before taking a decision.

b) Choosing a destination

It is strongly believed by academic counselors worldwide that a congenial atmosphere augments the learning experience by leaps and bounds. Hence, it would be wise to select a study location BEFORE you select an education program, unless, you have strong arguments for taking up a particular course. The general atmosphere of the place where the educational institute is located affects the overall experience a lot. Some students would prefer a big bustling city with lots of options whereas there would be others who would prefer small towns and fewer distractions from studies. Also, one should take into consideration what the place has to offer besides academics in the form of extra-curricular activities. In addition to these, a student’s preference for the kind of culture he/she wants to study in should also be taken into consideration.

c) Drawing up a schedule

After a decision has been taken regarding the program and destination, one needs to draw up a schedule for the same. Going abroad for an education is usually a long drawn process with multiple steps such as applying at the university or college, applying for passport/visa, etc. As such it is advisable to be on schedule, if not ahead. Usually universities put up their admission procedure online and students can use that to draw up their schedule. It is preferable to start the entire process at least a year in advance as that would give ample time to the student to carry out his/her research to find a right place and program at leisure. In addition to this, student s can also approach educational consultants to help out with the entire process. Engaging educational consultants reduces workload by a huge margin as most official paperwork and other formalities are taken care of by them.

d) Finding the right program(s)

While choosing a program of study, one must keep in mind a number of things in order to decide on a program which benefits him/her the most. In order to choose the correct program, one has to be sure of what he/she wants to extract out of it. Apart from the overall career impact, choosing a right program also becomes imperative in order to gain a wholesome study and life experience. A student has to know and understand what kind of knowledge and experience he/she is trying to earn from an educational program. Apart from the larger goals that a student has to reckon with, some practical issues also need to be tackled Along with the broader goals you’ve identified above, program selection is also influenced by some of the more practical issues, such as- Is there any particular place or school that you want to study? Would you like to go to school in an urban or rural setting?

e) Discuss extensively with Parents

While taking major life decisions it is always preferable that parents form an integral part of the decision making process. Of course the primary push has to come from students themselves but involving parents in the why, when and where part of the decision to study abroad is necessary to come to a family decision that is acceptable and practical. Students should have an open and heart to heart conversation with them as that will help both students and their parents to plan the entire process.

For students: Some points to be discuss with parents:

Benefits of getting an overseas education which provides an international experience that converts into a big resume booster when it applying for jobs.

Personal and emotional growth that can be achieved by being in a different atmosphere.
An overseas education is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and experience life in a different country. It is a unique experience worth having.

For parents: Enquire from your child

What program(s) does your child want to go for? Is it worth it?

Will the desired country be safe for your child? Do some basic research on overall political and economic scenario of the country.

What type accommodation is available for students? Will it have to be arranged by oneself or will the institute take care of these things?
Most importantly, will it be affordable and cost effective? Are there better options available?

f) Get help from educational consultants

Although people hesitate to approach educational consultants thinking of costs and fees involved, in actuality, in the long run, approaching and engaging an educational consultancy a long way in helping a prospective student understand the finer points involved in a move to study abroad. At times, personal research may fall sort of various information related to academic requirements, VISA requirements and many other important points that need to be taken care of.

g) Managing finances

Funding for an overseas education is often a point concern for students and parents alike. Careful and meticulous planning is required at all steps. Moreover, there are a number of scholarship opportunities available for students that they can avail. Most funding agencies need a few months to approve the scholarship and once approved, the grant may take some more time before it materializes in a bank account. So it is wise to start early with scholarship processes. Once funding is taken care of, students have to carefully sort out their budget and expenditure and accordingly spend their money. They will have to prioritize their options and choices and do what is best and most affordable.