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International interest

Over the past few years students have increasingly been looking at lucrative options abroad. Various countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK and the United States have opened their doors to students seeking to build their careers on the foundation of more practical than theory-based education.

International interest

off to foreign shores: The options to study abroad are plentyful, you just have to choose the one for you



Awal Takkar

Over the past few years students have increasingly been looking at lucrative options abroad. Various countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK and the United States have opened their doors to students seeking to build their careers on the foundation of more practical than theory-based education.

Having an opportunity of access to curricula, which have a focused, industry-led and profound design, graduates with a degree from a foreign country are more industry ready. Students as well as parents agree that it makes more sense to choose education abroad at an undergraduate level than at PG level, largely due to the better malleability that students have at a younger age, which would lead to an easier integration in an international environment. Undergrad being the first step towards their career, students’ professional and personal growth is honed best if started at this stage.

In addition, focused students, committed to making it big in their respective choice of professions now have an option of choosing from specialised novel courses being offered at colleges and universities abroad at the undergraduate level. Courses in Business Information Systems is one of the numerous examples that can be cited here. Earlier, a graduate in IT or computer science engineering, willing to improve her/his employability in an organisation over and above being a technician, would have to go for an MBA or a course in management to be able to understand business intricacies, and therefore, be able to design information technology solutions for such organisations. On the contrary, a course in Business Information Systems after Class XII can provide an student with the expertise to be able to do just that, with a more focused approach, and in an international, high-tech setup. Another example is Professional Communication.  This is a course for students of humanities, who are interested in a career in communication or journalism.

A specialised course in marketing for commerce students is another course that, if done from a college abroad carries high value in the job market. These are only a few among a plethora of options that students today have in colleges abroad.

Practical edge

When asked about why they prefer colleges abroad the prime reason that students mention is that they seek practical knowledge.  Graduates who studied in such programmes abroad relatively think more creatively, and are better problem-solvers — qualities most desired in the dynamic workplace today. Also, such individuals who try something outside their comfort zone tend to develop an internationally competitive, entrepreneurial bent of mind. In fact, India has seen a trend of reverse brain drain in the recent times as countless number of graduates aim at gathering exposure abroad and then set up their entrepreneurial ventures in India with an international perspective and a broader mindset. In addition to the high quality of education, the students get to study, live and work in a multicultural environment, which invariably boosts their levels of self-confidence and maturity. Another aspect, which Indian parents particularly appreciate is the opportunity that their children who are studying abroad get to make international connections. 

Icing on the cake

Education abroad has become much more affordable than it has ever been with tuition fees starting at only about Rs 6 lakh per annum for Canada and about Rs 7 lakh for New Zealand. Besides, students pursuing education in the aforementioned countries have options of permanent migration as well, which comes as an added value. Overall, international education, especially at the undergraduate level, provides students an opportunity to learn and gain exposure in an international context at an affordable price, which is why it is the chosen option for increasing number of students today.

The writer is Business Development Manager, Sun Rise International


New destinations

While the US has always been promoted as the leader provider of top quality education, now it is being considered over-hyped, and definitely one of he most expensive options. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and European countries like UK and Germany on the contrary, interest more students today, given the quality of education provided, career prospects and the costs involved.

Canada: Canada, the host of one of the highest levels of education and living standards, and a multi-cultural environment, provides qualifications recognised world over, at one of the lowest tuition fee for international students; which is why it has been the most preferred destination for students. In addition, a host of academic programmes in Canada, have an option for Co-op or the opportunity to gain work experience as a part of the curriculum.

New Zealand: Critical and creative thinking are fundamental to education in New Zealand, which is how students develop skills in analysis and communication. Globally recognised education is designed in the form of levels- to suit needs of students at any stage in their career. A comprehensive system of education provides a range of novel courses where students can focus on skill development or research depending on what their goals are. 

Australia: It also follows a system of levels of qualifications, which provide students with the flexibility of career planning. In order to maintain the top-notch quality of education, it is mandated by Australia (Education Services for Overseas Students Act, 2000) that all programmes be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). 

Germany: Provides free education to international students.

Singapore: The cost of living is relatively low here. 

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