How To Study Abroad

It Is Natural To Feel Confused When Preparing To Pursue Higher Studies Abroad. From Selecting The Right College To Financing Your Studies, Here Is A Primer On Finding The Perfect Destination To Study Overseas

- TEENA JAIN KAUSHAL

Two years of enforced confinement at home appears to have heightened students’ desire to pursue higher education abroad. In just one year from 2021 to 2022, there was a staggering 69 per cent jump in the number of students who chose to study abroad. This wasn’t just a statistical anomaly because of the pandemic—the 2022 figure was also 28 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Of course, other factors were also at play. These range from the increasing affordability of foreign education to the limited number of quality institutes here, and the desire to migrate to countries with better standards of living.

As students start the application process for the 2024 session, here is a lowdown on the factors you should consider while making this all-important choice—not just of the course, but also country of study and financing options.

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE

The US remains the most preferred destination, especially for technology-related fields since it is home to Silicon Valley. But there are others that are popular, albeit to a lesser degree, like Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Spain, and Switzerland.

“Various countries are renowned for diverse areas of study. Students should look for countries that provide outstanding job opportunities in relation to their chosen field of study. Selecting the appropriate course that is not only interesting but also [promises] a prosperous career opportunity is essential. Therefore, moving to a destination where the preferred industry is thriving and has better future opportunities is crucial,” says Rajesh Kachave, Chief Business Officer–Student Lending and Insurance Business at Avanse Financial Services, a non-banking financial company (NBFC).