The biggest factor one needs to consider when selecting a country for education is the course that you are choosing to study. The area of study and the expertise of teaching in that area become the prime motivating factors for picking a country. Over and above that, the opportunities for work after education, budget and eligibility also play a big role in choosing a country. One also has to consider the popularity of the institution they will be studying at, also the popularity of the course in the country is also crucial deciding factor.
The test requirements are different for different countries. The most widely accepted worldwide tests are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT, GRE and SAT. These tests are conducted with the intention to test the proficiency of the applicant and their aptitude.
- Australia – IELTS, PTE, TOEFL
- New Zealand – IELTS, PTE
- United States of America – GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS
- Canada – IELTS, TOEFL
- Unite Kingdom – IELTS -UKVI, PTE
There are some countries which do not require these tests, but there may be universities and institutions in the country which require these tests. We advise the students on which exams to appear for depending upon the institutions they want admission in and the country they want to study in.
The cost of studying abroad can be divided into two basic costs:
- Tuition fees
- Cost of living
The cost of living includes food, accommodation, transportation and lifestyle needs. The tuition costs for each country are different, different institutions in the same country also have different fee structures. Public institutions in some countries have nominal fees while private institutions may charge a higher tuition, however, this is not always the case. Some countries also offer considerable subsidies to students while others have generous grants and scholarships available for the taking. We, at Rao Consultants ensure that our students are completely informed about the costs they will face and the subsidy/scholarship options available to them.
There are many colleges and universities that generally offer on-campus accommodation. Hostels are available to students on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students can choose to stay on-campus or find an accommodation outside college. It is, however, more advisable for students to pick accommodation on-campus during the initial days as it makes assimilating in the new environment that much easier. It also saves a lot of time and money on commute and is a convenient place to make new connections. Most countries are quite convenient in terms of finding shared accommodations for students. Shared furnished apartments, off-campus hostels, are just a couple of examples. These spaces can have attached kitchens/meal plans for your added convenience. We, at Rao Consultants, also can help you find out convenient accommodation options for you to live at during your initial days.
Most countries allow international students to work part-time while they are studying there. On a standard basis countries allow students to work 15-20 hours per week on a part-time basis and full-time during the vacations. Some countries offer different rules of work according to the type of course or institutions. For example, college students in the UK are not allowed to work but university students are allowed. Another example is medical students in Philippines are not allowed to work part time but students studying other courses are allowed to do so.
Most countries run the prime courses on offer in the English language. It is, however, always good for a student to immerse himself/herself in the culture of the country. For this reason learning the local language, or the most popular language in the country, can be the best possible way. In countries like Germany, speaking German can open options for you not really in your career but also in terms of some very interesting courses. Some of the most popular language spoken around the world are:
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
- German
- Portuguese
Students get post-study work visa or job search visa depending upon the course they are doing, its duration and the country.
- USA – You can get a 1 year optional practical training period after studying in a US education institution.
- Australia – Rules in Australia allow for 2 years of job search visa after you have concluded your education.
- Canada – Depending upon the duration of your course you can get a 1 to 3 years job search visa after your education.
- New Zealand – You can get a 1 year job search visa after you have finished your course.
- Ireland – Irish laws allow for a 1 year job search visa after study.
- Germany – In Germany you can get up to 1 to 1.5 years of job search opportunities after finishing your education.
There are a few basic things you need to get working and we, Rao Consultants are here to help. The first steps to the process are:
- Decide with clarity if studying abroad is the right path for your career
- Figure out the timeline of your education abroad plan
- Find the course that you want to study
- Talk to our advisors and get accurate counselling on the courses, universities and countries available to you
- Understand the financial requirements and line up your resources
Yes, taking a bank loan is one of the most common means of funding one’s foreign education. Students can apply for financial aid to pay the fees and living expenses associated with studying abroad. Most nationalized and multinational banks provide education loans to students. The processing time is quite rapid depending on the student’s eligibility and have highly affordable rates.
Most countries usually allow students to bring over their dependents when they are studying. The visa of their dependent or spouse will depend upon their credentials and the country you are going to.
