|
The main reason that most students do
not go abroad for undergraduate education is the cost of study. It takes four years to
complete the Bachelors degree, after which you might have to take up a Masters course for
another two years before starting to work and earn. On an average, this could cost you
about Rupees sixty lacs. This figure could be much higher if you go to certain
universities. Financial aid is very rare for undergraduate study.
Looking at it objectively, the following are the points you need to consider:
1. You should first decide on the subject that you want to
study. Make sure that you have carefully analysed your career plans and
objectives. Consider things like what will you do after completion of this course. Whether
you want to study further, if yes, which subjects. If you want to work, then where would
it be, back in your home country or in the same country where you are going to study.
2. Is it better to do the same course at a much lower cost in your home
country and take up a Masters level programme abroad four years later?
If you answered a no to this question, it could be rational decision to go abroad
to study. Otherwise, you could consider doing your Bachelors in your home country and go
abroad for a Masters some years later.
3. Know how much you can spend and how much it costs.
The cost of study varies between different countries and can also be different for
different institutes within the same country. On an average the annual costs could be
about US Dollars 25,000 in US, UK Pounds 15,000 in UK, Canadian Dollars 20,000 in Canada,
or NZ $ 20,000 in New Zealand. Considering these costs over the duration of your course,
you could decide if you can spend this money. You should also discuss with your parents
how much they can spend over the entire duration of the course and take a decision if you
are comfortable going ahead with your plans.
4. Decide where you want to study.
Consider institutes in different countries that offer the course of your choice.
Study the advantages they offer, you could even compare them with some institutes in your
home country. You could consider the following factors while choosing universities that
are good for you.
- Grade Average or Ratings of applicants who secured
admission earlier
- Appropriateness of the program
- Popularity of the program and its faculty and
- Acceptance ratio of the number of students who applied
and who actually got admission.
- Accreditation
- Cost
- Housing
- International Student Services
- Location and
- Ease of admission
5. Plan your schedule
The whole procedure of applying abroad to study can be a lengthy one and you must
start atleast about a year before the date of start of your course. If you are in your
Class 11th or 12th, you have to decide how you will allocate time and effort to carry out
the required application procedure. You have to plan to fulfill the requirements of your
school studies as well as work on the application procedure. You should ensure that
applying abroad should not effect your performance in your 11th and 12th class exams. Your
results in these exams will also determine your chances of getting an admission in a
university of your choice.
If you are OK with all these factors, you could start your journey to a bright and
rewarding future. It could improve your exposure to a global culture, enhance your career
prospects and make you a cut above the rest among your peers in your home country.
|
