General FAQs
There are many reasons why study abroad programs are becoming so popular. For most students, the appeal lies in gaining a combination of high-quality education and experiencing a new culture, and adapting to a global mindset. It is also true that students who have studied abroad have better employment prospects at the end of the rainbow. Indian education system might be very thorough but the rote learning and marks hankering has brought down the standard of education imparted in our universities, which often become political playgrounds. Studying abroad is an exciting challenge that often leads to improved career opportunities and a broader understanding of the way the world works. The type of experience you have during your time abroad will vary hugely depending on where you go, so make sure to pick a study destination based on your own personal interests as well as the country’s academic reputation.
Studying abroad in all leads to the following:
- Better understanding on the global scenario and broader perspective.
- Greater employment opportunities.
- Cultural assimilation leads to personality development. Plus, one usually picks up another language abroad which is a great asset.
- If your acumen allows you to get a scholarship, then education abroad is lighter on the pocket.
- Building an international professional network.
We are of the opinion – the sooner the better.
Indians heading abroad are younger than ever before. They are often in late teens and fresh out of intermediate classes. Instead of joining the rat race that starts in our country after board exams are over, they choose to explore worthwhile options abroad, even if it means shelling out a few lakh more. Parents today also appreciate that students need to be able to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds. With falling standards of Indian education, people are looking to the west for better opportunities.
For Indian parents, sending their children to study abroad can be an interesting experience- ranging from pure euphoria to utter panic. For both parents and students alike, a question that is often debated upon is the time to take this big leap. Whether undergraduate studies is a good way to initiate their ward’s inter-country experience or whether post graduate studies abroad is the right call.
While undergraduate studies are commonly seen as the perfect doorway to international education, according to a recent HSBC report, 88% of Indian parents are keen to send their children abroad for postgraduate studies. They believe that once a student has had exposure to a college life, they are better suited to the needs of studying abroad independently. With growing age, they are better prepared to deal with the requirements of an overseas education. There is only a small fraction of kids who are mature at 17-18 and can deal with the culture shock, excessive freedom and peer influence at such a tender age.
Studying abroad after under graduation opens many avenues for entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
Maturity comes inevitably once one is left to make decisions independently. A sheltered life will only make a child incapable of facing life’s tough situations. They need to find how to look at the world from their own standpoint and not your lens. Theoretical education system in India is fast growing redundant and a fresher viewpoint is needed for the students to be exposed to.
For parents who are still jittery about this whole 4-year undergrad experience can start off with 6-12 month long study abroad programs and then make a decision. If good education and holistic development are your agenda, then overseas education from a good university can make all the difference!
Well this is a tough question to have a concrete answer for, since its very individual and is determined by an interplay of multiple factors. Personal interests and practicalities can often be at loggerheads and it’s a daunting task to sort everything out. But her at PPROEED, we try to help you make that decision- more specifically, help you make the right decision.
Your interests take priority over anything else in most cases. What you wish to study is more important since you will have to diligently pursue it. So choosing the subject of your undergrad or postgrad should take priority. Post which, there is college selection, which is determined by both your own academic records, extracurricular as well as financial viability. Costs of studying in a college or country (both tuition costs and living costs) are important decisions.
Also, another factor is your graduate career prospects (presence of a good job market) and the general vibe of the place matters. Sub-aspects would be college reputation, intake percentage, student to teacher ratio and other things.
Then what you want out of the entire experience determines the country. You may want to study in a world-class university in a big city or you may want to live in a small university town. You may want to experience the freedom of a liberal college or maybe travel a lot during your course years. Ensure you have all these questions answered before zeroing on a place.
Check out our country specific blogs to know more about different places and the viability of pursuing a college there.
The first concern of most students, and more importantly their parents is how expensive is an international degree. There are multiple costs involved beginning with tuition fee to lodging and boarding, commute, food and miscellaneous expenditure. Also, visa application and college application fee feature in the list.
In some countries, there are no tuition fees at all for undergraduate courses like Germany and Finland. The costs vary from country to country and university. Additionally, it matters how long the course continues. Undergraduate courses in United States go up to 4 years. So, that increases your living expenses in the country. The ideal way is to plan before time and save accordingly. Students also opt for student education loans and many successfully apply for scholarships. We help coordinate with the parents and prepare an effective calendar to ensure all this goes on without a glitch.
To understand how to fund your studies abroad you can check out our blog. To know more about other sources of funding, you can know all about bank loans here.
Deciding the country and the course is job half done. Whatever you choose, you need to follow it up with research. It’s a good idea to look for dependable sources to check university and course ranking of the one you choose. While deciding the destination, consult subject rankings of the programs in the colleges and college ranking for a particular course.
The next step is application. Different colleges in various countries have different application processes, details of which are available on the college’s official website. International students have a rigorous task of sometimes applying for two-step applications, which includes
- One application for admission in the university
- One application for admission to the course
Another important step is to see language and grade requirements, letter of recommendations and school board. Marks are sometimes converted to match their criteria and some universities accept Indian board results. Some universities may have entrance test and tests to check English/language proficiency. So these prerequisites need to be in place before applying.
Student visa is often issued only after you have received a letter of acceptance from your university, but in some cases it can be availed before that. But nonetheless it’s a lengthy process so allow yourself time to settle each matter diligently.
For more details on the aforementioned issues, consult our PproEed guide book and blog section, or call our counsellor.
Firstly, it’s the child that should be doing the choosing of subjects. It’s their choice, and not the parents’. All you can effectively do is to make sure that your child in on the right path. You may want a doctor in the family but your child may never be suited to, or even inclined towards a career in medical science. So, it is imperative that the subject decision is mutual and agreeable with the student, for they must pursue it eventually. One way to gauge your child’s acumen at a subject is to see how much they score at it in regular academics, and how much time they spend on an average in conceptual understanding of that subject. It is possible that you child may like computer science but takes a lot of time in understanding the basics, which may be problematic later in their academic life. So, the sure shot way of zeroing on a subject is to see the optimum combination of Time + Effort. Rise in the quantum of either beyond reasonable levels will spell trouble.
To be fair, all streams are achievable. Gone are the days when only Science was the way to go. Liberal arts are coming up in a big way and more students each year are applying for courses abroad. So, no subject or course is beyond the reach of your child. The only way to guide your child without planting thorns in your relationship is to never force a decision on them, no matter how strong your beliefs are about it.
Most students work part time to earn a few extra bucks or even support themselves during the college period. But this will depend on whether your student visa allows you to work. In some countries, paid work is restricted to a certain limit during your course. Some courses need you to work for credit. Often, it’s usually 20 hours’ paid work per week for term duration, with full-time work permitted during holidays.
In case you don’t need a student visa to work, then it’s your own prerogative. But it would do you well to check with your university. Check with us for more information on part-time work opportunities in different countries.
We are often asked by parents on whether they should opt for a school that offers IB curriculum for their wards or stick to conventional Indian boards. We aim to clarify some of those doubts
India Schools offer both Indian and International Syllabi namely:
- CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education
- CISCE: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
- IB: International Baccalaureate
- IGCSE: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Cambridge University
- State Board: State Government Recognized Board
In Indian Schools that offer the IB Diploma, the curriculum is implemented post the Year 10 Indian board. It is HIGHLY ADVISABLE in order to get the best benefit of IB education, students be enrolled since kindergarten. Changing boards in 11th and 12th is not a viable option as it poses additional stress on the students.
It is a perception that IB has a lot of advantages over Indian boards. However, that is not entirely true. There will only be a few Universities and few courses around the world which may not accept the ISC or the CBSE, like many colleges for medicine in the UK don’t accept CBSE. Also, SAT results are often a more important aspect of admission process in the United States than the board results. Commonwealth nations accept ISC results.
However, IB school goers face difficulties in Indian universities due to complex admission process and confusion regarding IB equivalent of ISC/CBSE results. IB results are also declared later than most schools which render it impossible to apply at many places. ISC or CBSE are therefore far preferable to an IB for an Indian student. All options in India are open to such a student while almost all options open internationally to IB students are also available to them. For admission to better US Universities, students from ISC or CBSE must take the SAT and so do IB students. So no differences there.
There are many reasons why study abroad programs are becoming so popular. For most students, the appeal lies in gaining a combination of high-quality education and experiencing a new culture, and adapting to a global mindset. It is also true that students who have studied abroad have better employment prospects at the end of the rainbow. Indian education system might be very thorough but the rote learning and marks hankering has brought down the standard of education imparted in our universities, which often become political playgrounds. Studying abroad is an exciting challenge that often leads to improved career opportunities and a broader understanding of the way the world works. The type of experience you have during your time abroad will vary hugely depending on where you go, so make sure to pick a study destination based on your own personal interests as well as the country’s academic reputation.
Studying abroad in all leads to the following:
- Better understanding on the global scenario and broader perspective.
- Greater employment opportunities.
- Cultural assimilation leads to personality development. Plus, one usually picks up another language abroad which is a great asset.
- If your acumen allows you to get a scholarship, then education abroad is lighter on the pocket.
- Building an international professional network.
We are of the opinion – the sooner the better.
Indians heading abroad are younger than ever before. They are often in late teens and fresh out of intermediate classes. Instead of joining the rat race that starts in our country after board exams are over, they choose to explore worthwhile options abroad, even if it means shelling out a few lakh more. Parents today also appreciate that students need to be able to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds. With falling standards of Indian education, people are looking to the west for better opportunities.
For Indian parents, sending their children to study abroad can be an interesting experience- ranging from pure euphoria to utter panic. For both parents and students alike, a question that is often debated upon is the time to take this big leap. Whether undergraduate studies is a good way to initiate their ward’s inter-country experience or whether post graduate studies abroad is the right call.
While undergraduate studies are commonly seen as the perfect doorway to international education, according to a recent HSBC report, 88% of Indian parents are keen to send their children abroad for postgraduate studies. They believe that once a student has had exposure to a college life, they are better suited to the needs of studying abroad independently. With growing age, they are better prepared to deal with the requirements of an overseas education. There is only a small fraction of kids who are mature at 17-18 and can deal with the culture shock, excessive freedom and peer influence at such a tender age.
Studying abroad after under graduation opens many avenues for entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
Maturity comes inevitably once one is left to make decisions independently. A sheltered life will only make a child incapable of facing life’s tough situations. They need to find how to look at the world from their own standpoint and not your lens. Theoretical education system in India is fast growing redundant and a fresher viewpoint is needed for the students to be exposed to.
For parents who are still jittery about this whole 4-year undergrad experience can start off with 6-12 month long study abroad programs and then make a decision. If good education and holistic development are your agenda, then overseas education from a good university can make all the difference!
Well this is a tough question to have a concrete answer for, since its very individual and is determined by an interplay of multiple factors. Personal interests and practicalities can often be at loggerheads and it’s a daunting task to sort everything out. But her at PPROEED, we try to help you make that decision- more specifically, help you make the right decision.
Your interests take priority over anything else in most cases. What you wish to study is more important since you will have to diligently pursue it. So choosing the subject of your undergrad or postgrad should take priority. Post which, there is college selection, which is determined by both your own academic records, extracurricular as well as financial viability. Costs of studying in a college or country (both tuition costs and living costs) are important decisions.
Also, another factor is your graduate career prospects (presence of a good job market) and the general vibe of the place matters. Sub-aspects would be college reputation, intake percentage, student to teacher ratio and other things.
Then what you want out of the entire experience determines the country. You may want to study in a world-class university in a big city or you may want to live in a small university town. You may want to experience the freedom of a liberal college or maybe travel a lot during your course years. Ensure you have all these questions answered before zeroing on a place.
Check out our country specific blogs to know more about different places and the viability of pursuing a college there.
The first concern of most students, and more importantly their parents is how expensive is an international degree. There are multiple costs involved beginning with tuition fee to lodging and boarding, commute, food and miscellaneous expenditure. Also, visa application and college application fee feature in the list.
In some countries, there are no tuition fees at all for undergraduate courses like Germany and Finland. The costs vary from country to country and university. Additionally, it matters how long the course continues. Undergraduate courses in United States go up to 4 years. So, that increases your living expenses in the country. The ideal way is to plan before time and save accordingly. Students also opt for student education loans and many successfully apply for scholarships. We help coordinate with the parents and prepare an effective calendar to ensure all this goes on without a glitch.
To understand how to fund your studies abroad you can check out our blog. To know more about other sources of funding, you can know all about bank loans here.
Deciding the country and the course is job half done. Whatever you choose, you need to follow it up with research. It’s a good idea to look for dependable sources to check university and course ranking of the one you choose. While deciding the destination, consult subject rankings of the programs in the colleges and college ranking for a particular course.
The next step is application. Different colleges in various countries have different application processes, details of which are available on the college’s official website. International students have a rigorous task of sometimes applying for two-step applications, which includes
- One application for admission in the university
- One application for admission to the course
Another important step is to see language and grade requirements, letter of recommendations and school board. Marks are sometimes converted to match their criteria and some universities accept Indian board results. Some universities may have entrance test and tests to check English/language proficiency. So these prerequisites need to be in place before applying.
Student visa is often issued only after you have received a letter of acceptance from your university, but in some cases it can be availed before that. But nonetheless it’s a lengthy process so allow yourself time to settle each matter diligently.
For more details on the aforementioned issues, consult our PproEed guide book and blog section, or call our counsellor.
Firstly, it’s the child that should be doing the choosing of subjects. It’s their choice, and not the parents’. All you can effectively do is to make sure that your child in on the right path. You may want a doctor in the family but your child may never be suited to, or even inclined towards a career in medical science. So, it is imperative that the subject decision is mutual and agreeable with the student, for they must pursue it eventually. One way to gauge your child’s acumen at a subject is to see how much they score at it in regular academics, and how much time they spend on an average in conceptual understanding of that subject. It is possible that you child may like computer science but takes a lot of time in understanding the basics, which may be problematic later in their academic life. So, the sure shot way of zeroing on a subject is to see the optimum combination of Time + Effort. Rise in the quantum of either beyond reasonable levels will spell trouble.
To be fair, all streams are achievable. Gone are the days when only Science was the way to go. Liberal arts are coming up in a big way and more students each year are applying for courses abroad. So, no subject or course is beyond the reach of your child. The only way to guide your child without planting thorns in your relationship is to never force a decision on them, no matter how strong your beliefs are about it.
Most students work part time to earn a few extra bucks or even support themselves during the college period. But this will depend on whether your student visa allows you to work. In some countries, paid work is restricted to a certain limit during your course. Some courses need you to work for credit. Often, it’s usually 20 hours’ paid work per week for term duration, with full-time work permitted during holidays.
In case you don’t need a student visa to work, then it’s your own prerogative. But it would do you well to check with your university. Check with us for more information on part-time work opportunities in different countries.
We are often asked by parents on whether they should opt for a school that offers IB curriculum for their wards or stick to conventional Indian boards. We aim to clarify some of those doubts
India Schools offer both Indian and International Syllabi namely:
- CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education
- CISCE: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
- IB: International Baccalaureate
- IGCSE: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Cambridge University
- State Board: State Government Recognized Board
In Indian Schools that offer the IB Diploma, the curriculum is implemented post the Year 10 Indian board. It is HIGHLY ADVISABLE in order to get the best benefit of IB education, students be enrolled since kindergarten. Changing boards in 11th and 12th is not a viable option as it poses additional stress on the students.
It is a perception that IB has a lot of advantages over Indian boards. However, that is not entirely true. There will only be a few Universities and few courses around the world which may not accept the ISC or the CBSE, like many colleges for medicine in the UK don’t accept CBSE. Also, SAT results are often a more important aspect of admission process in the United States than the board results. Commonwealth nations accept ISC results.
However, IB school goers face difficulties in Indian universities due to complex admission process and confusion regarding IB equivalent of ISC/CBSE results. IB results are also declared later than most schools which render it impossible to apply at many places. ISC or CBSE are therefore far preferable to an IB for an Indian student. All options in India are open to such a student while almost all options open internationally to IB students are also available to them. For admission to better US Universities, students from ISC or CBSE must take the SAT and so do IB students. So no differences there.