Global opportunities are open for study in the UK, Australia, Canada, USA and other countries. Studying abroad provides higher education and provides professional capabilities to the student who likes to study in Australia, UK, Scotland, Canada or USA. Choosing the right host country is the most important decision when planning for studying abroad. This is a decision that will affect the course of one's personal and professional life for many, many years. The improvement in the modes of communication and transportation in the recent times has increased the trend of Abroad Studies.
Students, prefer almost all parts of the world to pursue their education but USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore are the most favoured by the majority. Government and non-governmental agencies offer various grants, fellowships and financial aids for carrying out the various study programs. These are offered on the basis of merit and performance of the students. These aids also led to the tremendous increase in the study abroad programs.
The scholarships of the students studying abroad offer a prospect for educational, professional and research development. In Australia, the scholarships are offered by the government, home-country government of the students, Australian education institutions and private organizations. However, in the US, various categories of scholarships are offered like, Merit-Based, Need-Based, Ethnicity-Based, Institution-Based, General-Scholarships and Prominent Scholarships. Some of the well-known scholarships offered in the UK are the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme, The British Chevening Scholarships, The Royal Society Fellowships, the British Marshall Scholarships and the Churchill Scholarships.
Advantages of Studying Abroad
- Better Opportunities: Studying Abroad provides better opportunities both academic and economic.
- Cross-cultural Understanding and Appreciation: This understanding demonstrates maturity, initiative and creativity. All of these assets can be demonstrated through Studying Abroad. We often grow up thinking that our way of doing things is the only way, or sometimes the best way. But living in a new culture helps us realize new ways of doing things. And in many cases, not only will you get to know the natives of the country you are visiting, you may get to know classmates from all over the world.
- Knowledge of Additional Language: You learn the Local or Native language when it is being used everywhere- on the streets, in the stores, on the TV- you can't get away from it.
- Self Sufficiency: One learns to take care of himself. Living in another country may include cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, washing clothes, figuring out transportation, making living arrangements, setting up accounts for cell phones and utilities, etc.
- Change in Outlook: A person's life changes when you live in another country. One becomes a changed person and his outlook on life is different. New maturity can help lead you to new places in your life.
- Memories of a Lifetime: You make memories that will last a lifetime. Your pictures, journals, and souvenirs will help you remember your time abroad, but your memories and emotions of this special time will also be a part of your life until you are very old.
Disadvantages of Studying Abroad
- Homesickness: If you are a family-oriented person then you might feel homesickness and therefore you cannot study well. There will probably be times when you miss your family, friends, food, and everything familiar.
- Culture Shock: You will also go through some culture shock. It will become hard for you to identify yourself in an alien environment and it might take some time to adjust to a new way of living.
- Expensive Education: Money is one of the foremost requirements when Studying Abroad. Expenses will be kind of expensive to very expensive. Most places don't allow international students to work. You will have to have the money before you arrive in the country or have someone from home support you.
- Studying Abroad just to Learn English is not Necessary: To think that you just need to live in another country to learn the local language is not a good idea. Paying attention and studying are required as well. It is much easier and faster if you just study the language in your home country.
- Discrimination and Abuse: Many students are subjected to racial slurs and have to face verbal and physical abuse which is not really worth the education abroad.
- Loss of Purpose: Young minds are susceptible to all the attractions of the foreign country. This makes them lose the actual purpose of their visit.
- A sense of Freedom is Corrupting: Some students discover a new sense of freedom when they are free from the rules of the family. This sense makes them indulge in activities which corrupts the sense and which may further affect heir studies.
Studying Abroad: For Indian Students
There is a better environment for Indian students to take hold of their future and be the best. Abroad education in the UK or the USA has always placed great importance on the ability of students to work independently and to develop their own thinking. The end result is the combination of international education but also for gaining analytical abilities and problem-solving skills that are much prized by employers.
Studying in the U.S.A: Studying in the United States is a serious and expensive undertaking. One needs to decide if it is the best option and consider carefully how it will fit into ones long-term educational and professional plans. Basic requirements for studying in the USA are:
- Academic Qualification: If you are applying for undergraduate study at a two or four-year U.S University you must have completed at least 12 years of school and obtained the equivalent of a U.S high school diploma. If you are considering graduate study at the master's or doctorate level, you will need academic credentials equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
Some U.S universities are very competitive, selecting only students with excellent grades and test scores as well as leadership skills. Many U.S universities are less selective, but almost all require some demonstration that you have succeeded in your previous schooling and that you have the potential to succeed at a more advanced level
- Proficiency in English: Most universities will require undergraduate and graduate students to prove their English Language ability as part of the admissions process by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The level of proficiency required varies from school to school and from department to department, but it is important to remember that the more prepared you are before you begin the study, the more confident you will feel like a student in the United States.
It is an advantage to have a good command of written and spoke English from the very beginning of the application process. Some universities will require applicants to submit at least one essay as part of their application; others may request an interview or teleconference with you to hear how you express yourself in English.
- Financial Aspect: The cost of a U.S education includes the cost of tuition, living expenses, books and other items. Tuition fees vary widely from university to university, but it is usually the largest single cost an international student faces. A community college may have a yearly tuition of $28,000. Sources of financial aid available to international students at the undergraduate level are limited and highly competitive.
It is essential to have a financial plan that covers your entire program. An undergraduate degree in the United States takes an average of four to five years to complete. Master's programs may last one to three years. Doctoral programs may take anywhere from five to seven years, depending on your field of study and previous education. Non-degree or vocational programs last anywhere from several months to two years.
Bringing your family with you during your time in the United States is going to be more expensive. An additional $5,000 per year will be required if plan to bring your spouse with you and an extra $4,000 per year for each child. Health insurance is a necessity for living in the United States; budget for these costs as well. The cost of health insurance varies but generally ranges from $3,500 to $4,000 per year for a family.
- Alien Environment: Living and studying in the United States for an extended period of time is very much different from visiting the country for a few weeks or months as a tourist. You will be living in a new environment and a new culture might change you. You will need additional changes to make, upon your return home. Consider whether you have the skills to live independently in a new culture. You will likely be separated from family and friends for a long period. If you do bring your family, consider their adjustment as well. Resourcefulness, creativity and realistic planning are all key factors in determining factors.
Studying in U.K.: Hundreds of thousands of international students choose the UK every year. There are about 7,500 or more Indian students studying in UK universities and colleges. Basic requirements for studying in the UK are:
- Academic Qualification: Indian School Certificate (ISC or SSC) with at least five subjects passed at grade 1 or 2.
- Proficiency in English: English is increasingly becoming the language of discourse in many international professional environments. For most schools and courses, your level of understanding and competency in English will be key to your acceptance in a major program such as a degree program. You will need to make sure you have a good level of English understanding
- Financial Aspect: There are two main areas where most of the expenses are required these are Course Fees and Living Costs.
- Course Fees: Though course fees are not cheap the courses in the UK are often shorter so the total cost of study can be lower. Shorter courses also mean students can realise their earning potential sooner than their counterparts elsewhere.
An estimate: A Rough Estimate annual overseas fees in the UK. This estimate is just to give you an idea of costs which may vary so it's better to contact the respective institute.
- Universities
- Undergraduate classroom-based courses £6,000 - £7,000
- Undergraduate laboratory-based courses £8,000 - £9,000
- Undergraduate clinical courses £16,000 - £17,000
- Postgraduate classroom-based courses £6,000 - £7,000
- Postgraduate clinical-based courses £16,000 - £17,500
- MBA courses £6,000 - £16,000
- Further Education Colleges
- Access Courses £3,750 - £5,500
- Further education courses £3,000 - £4,250
- Higher level courses (such as HNC/Ds) £4,000 - £7,950
- Cost of Living: The cost of living is different throughout the country. Generally, it is more expensive to live in London and the South-East of England, and cheaper in the North of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Estimate of Annual Cost of Living for in the UK
- London - Academic year £7,300, Per month £811
- Outside London - Academic year £5,936, Per month £659
Information about the course available in the UK-www.EnglishinBritain.co.uk., www.baselt.org.uk and www.arels.org.uk
