You have finished your Bachelors, cleared it with a good score and are quite gung-ho about finally following your dream of leaving Indian shores and studying abroad in a completely new country, perhaps even in a completely new continent, in a completely different part of the world. You are keen to learn from the best in your field and to study in an international environment with students from all over the world, after all, it’s going to put you on the fast track to success and advance your career.
But before you move away from home, here’s 5 people we recommend you speak with to ease your coming journey:
Academic Advisor
Applying to a course overseas is not as easy as applying to a college in India. Most colleges will ask for a test which showcases your proficiency in English. The IELTS test works for most commonwealth countries, while the TOEFL is the commonly accepted test in the States.
Beyond that, you need to know whether additional tests such as the GMAT or the GRE are required for admission to your course. Speak with your Academic Advisor to get all these details in a timely manner. Your advisor will also guide you in approaching the best colleges, based on your test scores, your financial condition, and your calibre, to help you get into the right kind of program to maximize your chance of success.
Peers & Students
Speaking with your peers, or students who have done the same course before you is a good idea. It not only helps you find out about the contents of the course, the level of the teaching staff at those universities, the career guidance provided, to name a few, but also gives you a first-hand perspective of what they experienced there, and what you too will have to experience, thus giving you adequate time to prepare for it.
College Representative
Once you have been accepted into a few programs in different universities, speak to the representative of the colleges to find out in-depth detail about the course curriculum, information about alumni and how they are doing in their chosen fields on graduation, the kind of career services that you will be offered as a student, to name a few.
You should also make sure to ask about the housing conditions, the expected cost of living, and the additional extra-curricular activities and services that the college provides to get a well-rounded education, one which also provides an interesting life even as you study. Make sure to inquire about scholarships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships as well as part-time work and internship options to help reduce the brunt of your fees and provide valuable experience which can be added on your resume.
Banker
Speaking with your banker is a must to find out the kind of education loan you need to take, its duration, and the percentage of interest that you will need to pay. Make sure to ask the right questions and get all the details correctly so that you do not get stuck in a financial quagmire. For safety’s sake, also inquire about term loans.
Family Doctor
Since you’ll be moving into a totally different country, make sure you speak with your doctor and get all the right vaccines for the common diseases there. Remember, being in the best health is a must if you want to enjoy your time in a foreign country, doing what will surely be a rigorous degree. After all, prevention is better than cure, and medical costs in India are much more affordable than in western countries.
Do your research well and speak to the right people so that you can make the best of your experience in foreign lands!
