Overseas education & global awareness. Two sides of the same coin

Overseas education & global awareness. Two sides of the same coin

You are one of the lucky ones. You’ve got the opportunity to pursue academic excellence in one of the top international study abroad destinations, and grabbed it with both hands. Bravo.

Academics and a successful career, of course, are the main reasons for your choice to study abroad. A rather indirect benefit, as a result of this choice, would perhaps play even more important role in shaping you as a person and stay with you for a lifetime. And that is Global Awareness.

It may sound simplistic and even irrelevant. It is anything but. Here’s why…

Leadership Qualities: An inevitable result of studying abroad is being exposed to global ways of conducting things. Personal and professional development thus, is an obvious outcome. Overall development is the foundation of leadership qualities. There will be time, soon enough after you complete your studies or even when you are pursuing studies, when your leadership qualities are called upon.

It is during those moments, what you have learnt and absorbed during your pursuit of academic excellence, would summon the leader in you. The decisions you’d take would be based on awareness that you may have cultivated from global perspectives.

Communication Skills: In all probability, you would be studying and / or living with other students from at least four-five different backgrounds / cultures / nationalities. Living in a foreign country, and on top of it, mingling with people with different outlooks from different countries will develop and enhance communication skills.

You will have to interact with them, and will soon figure out that in order to have an effective communication, you need to communicate with them in a way that makes sense to them. Voila! That’s how easy it could be.

Respect & Bonding: A lot is being said about how cut throat the professional life is. However, the success of most top-100 global giants is driven by people-positivity and interpersonal equations. It is because they hire the professionals who respect cultures and have the capability to bond despite the differences.

Imagine living and befriending students from every continent in your college. Their culture would be totally alien to you. As you start understanding the difference and develop a sense of comfort and respect, you’d ease into a friendship with them; bond with them on a different level altogether. This kind of awareness about people from every part of the globe will simply put you on a pedestal.

There are several other experiences about global awareness – traveling, linguistics, art, etc. that you would earn while studying abroad. And when you apply those experiences in practical and professional life, you’d realise the fact that you have pursued not just academics excellence but also global excellence.

Good luck to you, future global citizen.

Study abroad in the U.K.? These apps would make it more than okay

Study abroad in the U.K.? These apps would make it more than okay

Hurray! You are immigrating for higher education to a college of your choice in the U.K.

These must be some of the most exciting days of your life, no? The anticipation of living in a new country, its sights & sounds, making new friends, meeting new people, experiencing diverse cultures – so many things would be tickling your mind.

We are happy that your happy. Let’s ensure that this happiness and excitement is not dampened; least of all due to lack of important information, and ways to access it.

Information such as where are reasonably priced good restaurants located around the choice of your accommodation, how to access public transport systems, where to get the tickets to visit theatres and museums, which adventure and leisure activities could you indulge in.

Some of these apps could help you source fundamental services, entertainment, etc. that you may need while studying in the U.K.

Happy Cow: This app tracks cafes and restaurants near you. It also displays the nearest local food markets and grocery stores.

OpenTable: OpenTable works like Zomato / Swiggy. You could access many offers and discounts ordering from restaurants of your choice.

Flush: Relieving yourself and answering nature’s call in an unknown location could land you in embarrassing situation unless you have this app. It could help you locate nearest public restrooms.

Booking.com: This app helps students identify reasonably priced hotels. Whether accommodating a relative or returning from a semester break, this app promises to meet students’ budget expectations.

London Theatre: Gung Ho about rich theatre experience in the UK – especially in London – at affordable an price? London Theatre is the app for you. It even allows last minute ticket purchase.

National Trust: Unlock a world of discoveries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by accessing information on more than 500 special places. Visit a host of events, talks and tours at some of the most historic places in the U.K. by accessing info through this app.

National Rail Inquiries: A must-have app for every student studying in the U.K. It tracks the trains, provides information on timetables, stations, etc. Your train journeys would be smoother with this app.

UK Bus Checker: Information on each and every of the 300,000 bus stops in the U.K. is covered by the app! Check the timings of buses, and make good use of a cool feature ‘the stop alert’ – it would wake you up at your destination if you doze off in the bus.

All Trails: As the name suggests, this app delves information into activities such as walking, hiking, climbing, biking, and winter sports. Plan and go on a desired adventure by checking the reviews and photos posted by other adventurers.

We hope that these apps would come in handy while navigating your student life in the U.K. And while you are exploring this fine country, do not forget to keep your eyes on the target – academic excellence. Good luck!

Bullying is uncool. Take it by the horns.

The decision to study abroad is neither an easy one nor ever taken lightly. A lot of emotional and financial efforts have to be invested. But once the choice is made, there can be no looking back.

Most students, heading to top international study abroad destinations, plan thoroughly about their duration of stay in a foreign land. Many however, fail to consider the possibility of discrimination / being discriminated. Either racially or otherwise.

So, why are we talking about discrimination – a seemingly ‘negative’ topic? Let us assure you, it is for a very good reason.

As per some numbers, 3 out of 10 international students are victims of discrimination. The bullying could be in any form, but it does exist. No, its not cool. But it is what it is.

As an international student, such an experience could be overwhelming. It can potentially lead to emotional and mental distress, which could further lead to lack in confidence, self-esteem and a general sense of withdrawal from social life. But it need not. Here’s what you may want to do:

Stay focussed: Keep your eyes on the ball. Don’t let the idiots and what they say to you get to your head. Acknowledge their prickly personality, and just let them be. You remain focussed on your studies, your projects, the kind new friends you would have made. Ignore the fools and mingle with the ones who respect you.

Be tactful: There could be times when confronting the bullies may be the only solution. Do so, if you have to, but tactfully. You don’t have to match their meanness or level of stupidity. Remain calm, confront the bullies positively. In all probability, you my not make sense to them. Smile, and walk away knowing that you gave it back, but without indulging in any form of emotional, verbal or physical violence.

Reach out to authorities: Of course, if all else fails, make a formal complaint with college authorities. Don’t be worried, they are well-quipped to deal with such matters. Many colleges have anonymous ‘complaint box’. Should you choose to make an anonymous complaint, do so responsibly and not for the want of being revengeful.

Bullying is real, bullies do exist. Accept it. The reason for bringing this topic up is, obviously, to raise awareness about and against bullying. And also to point out at the fact that there are smart ways to deal with it. Remember, you are strong. Do not succumb to unpleasant situations or people.

Prevention is better than cure. Be sure.

Prevention is better than cure. Be sure.

‘Health is wealth’ is one of those expressions that’s often overused and seldom put to use. We don’t realize importance of good health unless an illness strikes us down.

You, our young reader, on his / her way to a top international study abroad destination for higher education cannot afford to take the subject of good health lightly.

After the initial euphoria of living in a foreign country, the stress of being away from your family & people, and a certain lack of discipline in maintaining good health could lead to illnesses. Here’s how you could prevent it…

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Exercise, go for walks, be outdoors, practice hygiene, don’t skip your meals and get enough sleep.

Don’t take things for granted: Given that we have just crossed over a period of global pandemic, exercise appropriate caution like using sanitizer, face masks (wherever needed), etc. Remember, nobody is invincible.

Mental health is important too: Pressure of studies could sometime get to you. It’s understandable. Maintain schedules, finish your revisions and projects on time, seek out help if you feel overwhelmed by your assignments, etc.

These preventive measures would help you stay on top of health. An illness, however, can strike despite these measures, and it should not be taken lightly under any circumstances.

In fact, you must be prepared for any medical eventuality before leaving India for your study abroad country. Here’s a checklist that could come in very handy.

Health Insurance: It is compulsory to have health insurance in most study abroad countries. However, the specific amount and where to avail it could depend from country to country. Consult your study abroad counsellor, or connect with us for more info

Medicines / Medication from India: Many countries allow prescription medicines and generic drugs. Confirm whether you are allowed to carry your specific prescription or medicines for general conditions like common cold, flu, etc. You can connect with us for more info on this

Doctor’s appointment: Visit a doctor a fortnight / month before departing for your study abroad country. It’d be better to get health checkups done rather than regretting later

Let’s say that you are down with some illness (God forbid) in spite of taking all these measures, what could / should be your response. Perhaps one of few of the following:

Take rest: Don’t overburden yourself at the time of illness. Taking proper and enough rest, in most cases, it’d be enough as resting enhances your immune system’s capability to fight off the medical condition

Doctor’s appointment: First and foremost, list down possible clinics / doctors nearby your college or student accommodation before you fly / once you’ve landed. And don’t feel awkward or be conscious about consulting a doctor in a foreign country.

Seek help: Inform your college authorities about the nature of your illness, if it is serious, and request them for guidance. It’d be very wise to keep them informed and updated.

Reach out to your family: If all else fails, don’t be scared and don’t panic. Connect with your family. In all probability, speaking with them would put your mind at ease and their love would help you recover fast. In any case, they would always be in a better position to take positive actions and decisions.

Don’t be indifferent with your health, do everything to prevent illnesses and take good care of yourself. After all, the ones who have good health have a great chance to realize their dreams and fulfil their potential.

These are skills needed for future, hone them now – Part 1

These are skills needed for future, hone them now - Part 1

Business, engineering, architecture, law, medicine. These specialties and skills are everlasting; they will continue to command the employment space for eons to come.

Businesses have to run, things have to be built, technologies have to be invented or innovated, people will require healthcare, societies will need law & order. Hence, pursuing higher education in these specialties at one of the top international destinations for career opportunities would be an obvious and a reasonable choice of many students.

Equally true is the fact that hundreds upon thousands of new specialties are emerging – in banking, finance, technology, sociology, communications, computing tech, biosphere, etc. The question therefore is this… the future is here, and are we ready for it?

We better be, if we want to thrive in these exciting times. One of the best ways to be prepared for the future is to stay ahead of it. By either upskilling, or better, pursuing higher education in the skills that’d be inevitable for future successes. Here are some of the top ones:

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT is passe, its old already. And many of us haven’t even been introduced to the concept of AI properly. That is the breakneck speed of AI development. Businesses are already using hyper-automation and business-intelligence tools in their process automation. These tools are powered by AI.

Of course, developing understanding and skills needed to interact and operate AI is not going to happen overnight. Which is why you must – if you are inclined towards AI – pursue Masters Program in AI & Machine Learning.

Recommended study abroad countries for AI & Machine Learning: U.S.A., Ireland, U.K.

Clod Computing

Roughly 120 Zettabytes of data is generated every year (that’s around 330 million terabytes!). And will grow ten-fold in the next few years. How and where would companies and people store this galaxy of data securely?

Enter Cloud Computing. It is one of the most valuable and sought-after function by businesses of all sizes. Developing cloud computing skills can help you secure a career in organizing and managing processes of companies and businesses of all sizes.

Recommended study abroad countries for learning Cloud Computing: Ireland, Poland, U.K.

Blockchain

To oversimplify this often-misunderstood specialty, Blockchain can be characterized as a solution that searches a problem before the problem develops. Yes, it is a highly specialized skill and it does need a certain ‘nerdy’ knack for it.

If cryptocurrency and trading is your thing, then perhaps you already have a hang of Blockchain. If you don’t fully understand it but may want to pursue it, do read blogs and watch videos before you dive deep into this matrix.

Recommended study abroad countries for learning Blockchain: Ireland, U.S.A., U.K.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are much sought-after by large corporates as the function involves in solving both, vague and specific problems. You may ask – what is the role of H.R. and management then? Fair question; but do realize that management cannot always direct every aspect of the workflow which means there could be roadblocks which result in lack of efficiency.

Strong critical thinking is a formidable skill that instils confidence in your employer about your ability to overcome any challenge by thinking outside the box.

Recommended study abroad countries for learning Critical Thinking: Ireland, Germany, France, Poland

The list of skills for future is really long. We will try to cover as many of them in the next three or four blogs. In the meantime, connect with us if you have any queries regarding study abroad options for these skills, or the ones you want to pursue.

Please note: Recommendations are given based on study programs trending in the respective countries.

Part-time work in U.S. & Canada – Coping with challenges

Part-time work in U.S. & Canada – Coping with challenges

The U.S. and Canada, global economic powerhouses, are in a recession. The effect of economic downturn in U.S. is felt more severely than in Canada. As a result, Indian and international students studying in U.S. and Canada are finding it difficult to get part-time work opportunities.

Studying abroad without part-time work can upset the plans and calculations, it is not a small matter.

So, let’s understand the reason why economies of these North American neighbours have been entwined, and what are the likely future scenarios.

By definition, recession is a slowdown of economic output for two consecutive quarters. Many factors could cause it, and we are not going to take a class in macro and micro economics here. Basically, business is slow and people aren’t buying things. And that directly affects employment.

COVID pandemic is the biggest reason for this economic slumber; even Europe could be or may already be in grips of recession. Some countries were more insulated than others from the post-pandemic economic challenges. Evidently, U.S. and Canada were not.

Then there are some geo-political reasons, some internal politics and some policy-making issues that could have led to the recession that’s affecting international and Indian students studying in U.S. & Canada.

Admittedly, these reasons and causes are over-simplified; but now that we know about them let’s move on to the more important part – the effects of recession on Indian students studying in U.S. & Canada, and why they should not be overly bothered.

Little or no part-time work: Employment bears a heavy brunt during recession. And the locals are preferred for any available work opportunities – it’s understandable. So, what could be the solution? Be innovative, connect with resident Indian families living close by. Do they have young kids? Do they need tuitions? Or can you apply your mind finding other such out-of-the box and manageable part-time work? Go, scout for it.

Financial planning: First thing to go for a toss is the calculation of expenses which was made based on potential income from part-time work. Students will have to figure out how to cope up with expenses in a work-less scenario. Spend less on eating out, put the next iPhone purchase or other shopping items on a hold, talk to your parents about lack of part-time jobs and the shortage of funds.

Quality of education: Recession or no recession, quality of study in the U.S. and Canada will remain unaffected. You will continue to receive the same top-class education that these countries are known for. Bright students will get their coveted Masters and PhD program degrees.

It would not be out of place to point out an important fact that genuine students, who have immigrated to study in the U.S. and Canada for sole purpose of receiving quality education, may face some temporary financial problems. Unlike some students who, in the guise of education, immigrate to these countries in order to get unskilled and part time jobs. They would be ones worst effected by recession.

Things always change: History has proven time and again that strong economies bounce back, despite the temporary economic lull. The foundation of U.S. and Canadian economy is strong. Their economies will spring into action. Some very powerful people are doing something very intelligent to bring things back on track while we read this. These North American countries are global superpowers for obvious reasons.

There you have it. The pros & cons and the perspectives of studying in the U.S. and Canada for next year or two.

At the cost of being repetitive, we would like to point out – yet again – that students who genuinely want to ace in their academics need not fret. Go, study in the U.S. or Canada.

Study abroad ambitions – Step-by-step guide to fulfil them

Study abroad ambitions – Step-by-step guide to fulfil them

So, why do you really want to study abroad? Which top international study abroad destination could be the right match for your higher education pursuits? If you have more than one interest, which study program should you choose? How to go about selecting college / university? When should you start the process? All said and done, what about finances? And hey, where are you going to find reliable student housing options?

Questions are good. Questions are the keys that open doors of clarity. Questions are your best friends to realize your academic excellence and study abroad ambitions. Let’s unlock one door at a time…

The reason

Getting to study abroad is a dream come true. But why do you dream this dream? Is it because your best friend is going? Is it because you fancy a staycation away from family? Or is it simply because you want to ‘experience’ living abroad for a while? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, do not pursue the dream.

If you, however, want to pursue academic excellence, want exposure to global career landscape and perhaps want to eventually settle down by opting for PR opportunity then you must do everything to fulfil your dream. Do it for the right reasons, or don’t do it at all!

Identifying interests

Choosing an appropriate country for your choice of study program is probably the most important of decisions. Let’s say, as an example, you choose to study in France for engineering. It may not be a suitable choice. Neighbouring Germany would be a better country to study engineering.

There is a possibility that you have more than one academic inclination. For example, you are interested in Big Data and Fintech. Which of the two programs should you choose? Which country would be apt for the final chosen study program? Do your research – on the programs, career opportunities, tuition fees, choice of colleges, etc. – and then make an informed decision.

You can also reach out to us to help you identify the right study program and a matching college / university for your academic aspirations.

College / University selection

Be fair to yourself. You may want to study STEM at MIT, but are you grades up there? Or are your finances? If yes, sure – go for it. If not, then be realistic. Pursuing STEM in the U.S. for example, could be a great decision. So would be knowing that there are many colleges – not as demanding as Ivy league – which provide top-quality STEM education.

The same logic applies for any country. Accounting, engineering, architecture, pharma, supply chain management, logistics – Canada is a top country for all these study programs. But which college / university in Canada? That is the moot question. Connect with us, we can help you choose better.

Student loan & accommodation

Many students may require student loan to pay for the tuition and living expenses. We have a page dedicated that contains exhaustive details about this important aspect of studying abroad. Details such as how does student loan work, what are the steps, terms & conditions, when to avail it, how much to avail and lot more is covered. Click here to read.

Student housing is another important aspect of studying abroad. Living in a safe and positive environment is non-negotiable. We have a dedicated page for student housing as well – it can help you find suitable housing options from the comfort of your own space. Click here to read.

As a parting note, we would strongly advise students to desist from using study abroad opportunity to enter a country for availing unskilled job or employment opportunity. The chances of deportation and destroying your future are quite high. Please be wary of people making false promises, don’t fall in their trap.

Student visa rejections – Reasons and solutions

Student visa rejections – Reasons and solutions

Pursuing academic excellence in a top international study destination is a dream come true for bright students. The dream, however, could turn out to be a nightmarish experience if proper processes and protocols are not followed.

As per data published in 2022, the visa rejection rate for the year 2021 – 2022 was a whopping 41%! Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons for this unfortunate issue, and how you can avoid making the mistake that the 41% made

Reason # 1: Financial Standing

This is one of the top reasons for student visa rejection. Proper proof of availability of funds required during the study period is a must. So, what constitutes proof of funds? Bank account statements, investment certificates, student loan with a proper CIBIL score, among many others.

But on whose name the funds must be? Is a joint bank account valid? What is an accepted CIBIL score if student loan is availed? Connect with us for a personal interview, our experienced study abroad counsellors will guide you through the entire process.

Reason # 2: Academic Records

Inconsistency in academics – long study gaps without proper explanation, major variations in scores / grades – could be a ground for study visa rejection. However, this aspect is not sacrosanct – different study abroad countries have different parameters to evaluate academic records.

Connect with us to know which countries are more lenient and which are not in evaluation of academic records.

Reason # 3: Improper Documentation

This probably is a top reason for study visa rejection. Not providing complete set of documents, not translating the documents in English – if & wherever applicable, not submitting or incorrect submission of college admission letter, not signing at appropriate places are some of the many reasons why study visa could get rejected.

Connect with us for end-to-end assistance in documentation and study visa application process. We provide complete assistance – from documentation to departure.

Reason # 4: Intent of Return

The visa interview officer must be made aware about your intent to return to India upon completion of your study program. If the officer suspects otherwise, he / she can reject your study visa application.

That’s why you must be well-prepared for study visa interview. Connect with us – we can help you cover every topic that you may encounter during your study visa application interview.

Reason # 5: Medical Conditions

Most, if not all, top study abroad countries have rules regarding students’ medical conditions. Nearly every one of them mandates students to provide a medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor. Non-submission could result in study visa rejection.

Have a medical condition and want to be sure if your study visa application would be accepted or not? Connect with us for guidance, and rest assured that we will respect your privacy.

A bright student must have every chance to further his / her academic ambition; study visa rejection due to process related matters should not be their concern at all.

We are happy to inform that our profile-based study visa counselling approach results in 98% success rate, earning us respect among the student community and in the study abroad segment. Click here to read reviews left by students on Google Reviews.

UK’s economic woes – Will it affect Indian students?

UK’s economic woes – Will it affect Indian students?

There is a growing concern among Indian students aspiring to study abroad in U.K. about the country’s economic slowdown and rising inflation. The apprehensions are not out of place.

Brexit and COVID pandemic have led to a sluggish growth. The Bank of England raised interest rates for 11^th consecutive time, leaving citizens in splits. The most affected are international students. Rising cost of living has caused a dent in their finances. Employment opportunities have shelved nearly by one-third.

So, as an Indian student, should you choose U.K. for higher education. Or not? Let’s address this question objectively and practically, point-by-point.

Students pursuing Masters program would live in the U.K. at least for a year to eighteen months. Perhaps two years, depending on the choice of study program. Many students may opt for internships or PSW opportunities. By this calculation, students could spend between two to three years in U.K.

U.K. is the sixth largest economy in world, with USD 2.83 trillion GDP. Yes, it is slated to fall to the seventh place, but mind you, it has been one of the strongest economies since centuries, and their economic foundation is solid – it is bound to bounce back.

So, the point is that students starting in 2024 intakes in the U.K., in all probability, would experience the revival of U.K.’s economy by 2026-27.

Geopolitical reasons have also contributed to U.K.’s economic downturn. History teaches us that wars, whether short or long, do end. Thankfully, U.K. is not directly involved in the unfortunate Ukraine-Russian conflict and therefore, once the fight is over the country’s current account deficit due to rising import costs would shrink. Interest rates could be lowered, inflation could decrease, resulting in manageable cost of living.

Let’s not forget that U.K.’s education quality is legendary; degrees earned from U.K. colleges / universities are highly reputed. Indian students could get career opportunities elsewhere in Europe, or any other continent / country. Just figure out which country has skill shortage specific to your academic credentials.

As a student, being worried about cost of living, economic problems and lack of career opportunities is understandable. You and your family would have to heavily invest to fulfil your study abroad aspirations. But falling prey to gloom-and-doom and negative news mongers is counterproductive. Do your own research, talk to friends or friends of friends who are already in the U.K. Listen to both point of views. Consider every aspect before making any decision. Reach out to us in case you need further help or information to know why studying in the U.K. could be a good choice.

New UK dependant visa rules explained

New UK dependant visa rules explained

The U.K. government has made major changes in the U.K. dependant visa rules. International students who are pursuing Masters Program will not be allowed to bring family members on dependant visa from January 2023. Only those international students pursuing research / PhD degrees would be exempted.

This change, temporary as of now, is likely to be made permanent soon. It has caused concern among many Indian students planning to seek admission in U.K. educational institutes for upcoming intakes. There are obvious reasons for this change, and also benefits that many worried and confused Indian students should understand. Let’s clear the air.

There is no change to the existing graduate visa system. Students pursuing a degree would be allowed to stay in the U.K. and pursue work opportunities after completing their program. However, they would not be able to switch to work visa from a study visa before completing the program
The main reason for this change is to attract and retain quality and skilled workforce. Research / doctorate students are likely to contribute more to the economy for a longer time and therefore issuing visas to their dependants made more sense to the authorities. No country should be blamed for wanting to do this
Admittedly, a high percentage of unskilled / casual work is taken up by the family member/s on dependant visas. Reducing this number would in fact benefit all students, whether pursing graduate, post-graduate or research programs. They’d have better and wider access to part-time work and post-study work opportunities in the organized segment, which was hitherto taken up by dependants

Let’s hope that this clarity helped you understand about the new U.K. study visa rules and would aid in making an informed decision. Reach out to us if you need any further assistance on securing your U.K. study visa.

Category: Study Abroad