Study Abroad News & Alerts

As we know China has some of the best ranked universities in the world. It is famous for its tedious curriculum that offers high-quality education backed by powerful research. But lately a lot of Chinese students have been opting to study abroad rather than studying in their own countries. Despite having such good universities and top quality education, Chinese students still prefer to study abroad. The trend has been increasing post pandemic and more students are now opting to study in countries like the USA and UK. The reason behind this is that China has still not lifted its pandemic related rules till now.

 Although the fear of the Coronavirus is over in China, it is still taking extreme measures to make sure that the problem doesn't come back. Due to this the universities and colleges in China have not yet started functioning completely off-line. Students still have to face a lot of barriers and restrictions during their study period. This is why a lot of students are planning to study abroad to have a full experience of their college and university life. Also the pandemic has massively affected the employment scenario in China and jobs  are not enough to employ everyone. 

The UK has been paying a lot of attention towards Indian students. A lot of new scholarships and bursaries have now been announced specially for students coming from India to study in the UK. The main reason behind this decision from the UK government is the newly formed government. Rishi Sunak has been appointed as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom. For those of you who don't know, Rishi Sunak is ethnically an Indian who resides in the United Kingdom.

 People of India consider him one of their own. Upon his election as the prime minister of the UK, international students from India are hoping for some favorable outcomes. Visa process has been made a lot easier now and students do not have to wait for a longer period of time. With the establishment of this new government, everyone is hoping that there will be better relations between India and the UK in the coming years that will benefit the education sector as well.

Management and business is one discipline that is very expensive, especially in international universities. Universities around the world that offer courses in management and business often intrigue students because of their unique courses and curriculums. 

In the last couple of years, there has been a 44% increase in the MBA students going to Singapore, Australia and the UK.

It has been said that the reason why there is such a big increase in the number of international students going to these countries for management courses is the innovative courses that these universities are offering to students. Unique combinations attract students as they feel like they will get to learn a lot.

The problem is that there are a lot of colleges and universities where students can get enrolled in. But when it comes to placement and job opportunities there are not a lot of them. 

Around 70% of international students from India choose to study in France for courses that are in the field of management. During the academic year of 2021 to 2022, around 6000 international students from India went to study in France.

Currently the French government has established over 16 offices in India to guide students about studying in France and the legal process associated with it. This is an initiative by the French government to break down the process of immigrating to France to Indian students and make it simpler.

France is a country which is known for high-quality education. Around 32 educational institutes from France are ranked among the top universities of the world. Also the French government is quite peculiar about the health facility that it offers to its international students. So as an international student in France, you are likely to get a lot of added benefits.

While taking the decision to study abroad you will find out that Canada is the most affordable option out of all the other popular destinations such as Australia, the UK and USA. It offers a number of courses in different universities that you have the opportunity to choose from. Since 2015, there has been a 43% increase in the number of international students going to Canada for higher education. Here are the ways through which you can find the most affordable course for yourself and universities of Canada-

• Make sure that you choose an affordable University for yourself and not a university that is overly expensive.
• Conduct research about the different kinds of scholarships available.
• Apply for the scholarships that are offered by your university.

During the beginning of college, all students are advised to choose their major and minor subjects. Doing so helps in laying out a plan for the future. But according to recent data, almost 45% of students end up changing their majors in their third year. The question is, does it impact your future in any way? Well, it will be wrong if we say that it doesn't but there are a lot of ways through which you can reduce the damage.

Colleges and universities do not impose any restrictions on students regarding changing their majors and minors. This means that you have the liberty to change your majors and miners whenever you want to. But all the experts advise you to continue with the same majors throughout your university period. Changing your major frequently might impose certain complexities in completing your degree within four years.

Starting a brand-new subject without having any background knowledge can become difficult and assignments would seem hard to cope up with. Your degree should have a positive impact on you as an individual and should be able to add skills to your personality. Changing majors frequently means that you do not have the complete knowledge of any subject that you have studied throughout your degree. This can have a negative impact on your recruiters which is why it is advised to change your majors as many times as you want within the initial time period of your junior year only.

A lot of times you would have heard people telling you to learn money management before deciding to study abroad. Managing your money is a skill very much like coding, writing and data analysis. It can help you in numerous ways in life and you can end up saving a lot of money even with a small amount of earning. Financial literacy refers to the knowledge of things such as student loans, interest rates, accommodation prices, credit scores and budgeting.

Not being able to understand these concepts may have a negative impact on your future. After you decide to study abroad, you will be all by yourself. This means that you have to make decisions for yourself and also take the responsibility of choosing the right things. It is advised that all the schools must meet their students financially literate in order to promote finance understanding from an early age.

Some important financial concepts that students must be aware of are budgeting, tracking their spending, saving money and maintaining their accounts for a healthy credit score.

Chances are high that as an international student you end up getting confused between so many countries and their respective universities. So today to put an end to this confusion, we have bought a compiled list of the most famous study abroad destinations and their best universities respectively.

• Sweden

1. Karolinska Institutet
2. Lund University
3. Stockholm University

• United States

1. Harvard University
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Stanford University

• Canada

1. University of Toronto
2. University of British Columbia
3. McGill University

• Germany

1. University of Munich
2. Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg
3. Humboldt University of Berlin

The type of personal attention that you get in schools is not similar to that of college. Due to a large number of students and classes in colleges and universities, chances are high that your professor will not even remember your name. This is why you must have personal contact with your professor as it can help you a lot with your assignments and your degree in totality. Here's how you can establish a positive contact with their professors-

• Have a good way of communication so that we are able to stand out among other students.
• Try to have a conversation with your professors outside of your classes.
• Always have a positive and confident body language.
• Ask questions during your classes and become a regular student.
• Always be available for your teachers and professors.
• Try to study out of the course and connect it with your curriculum.

This year a record breaking number of international students have gone to study in Canada. According to data, the tuition fees in Canada are 48% cheaper than the tuition fees in the United States of America. This means that the reason why so many students are choosing Canada over other countries such as the US and the UK is the affordable tuition fees. Many students who do not have any idea about how to start their immigration process can have a look at the steps that you need to follow in order to study in Canada and budget-

• First of all list down all the documents but you may require for the immigration process. This may include your mark sheets, your passport and your English proficiency test scores.
• Next you need to select a university and a course for yourself.
• Find out the different scholarship options that might be available for international students.
• Before applying to the University of your choice, make sure that you are fulfilling the requirements to decrease the choice of rejection.
• Now apply to the universities where you want to study and also apply for the scholarships that you are eligible for.
• Once you get accepted make sure that you apply for your Visa timely.
• If your visa has been accepted then start looking for accommodation options. Make sure that you start this process early on so that you are able to look for budget friendly accommodations.
• Also reserve your flight tickets in advance as you might get them for cheap.

A lot of students have been showing their interest towards STEM related courses. Most of the Indian students who study abroad usually choose courses in the field of STEM. This is because all the jobs related to these fields are high-paying and offer employment security. Here is a list of the universities in Europe that offer the best courses in STEM and foster the development of female students-

• Queen Mary University of London

Currently more than 32,000 students from around 170 countries are studying in this University. It is known for its excellent research facilities along with high placement rights.

• Cardiff University

The school of engineering of this university sternly believes in the empowerment of women. It offers various courses in the field of STEM such as Architectural, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical and Medical Engineering.

• Queen’s University Belfast

Their school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering supports gender equality. This university has an excellent placement record 94% of the university students leave the university after getting a job.

• University of Glasgow

This university offers courses in both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to students who are interested in the field of STEM. The university is known for spending billions of dollars on research and infrastructural development.

The period from 2020- 2021 was quite tumultuous. All the students who were preparing hard to study abroad were left heartbroken because of the coronavirus pandemic as the borders were shut down for almost 2 years. Everyone had to stay at home and study online. By the end of 2021 things started getting better and everything came back to normal. 2022 was like a year of revival where all the students who had been waiting for almost 2 years got the opportunity to go abroad. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a lot of tension on a geo-political level.

The world is struck with inflation which is expected to increase with passing time. In unpredictable times like these, there is a big question if studying abroad is an advisable thing or not? The tuition fees will probably rise and the cost of accommodation will also increase. Now that the tuition fees will almost double, the question is, is studying abroad still worth the hype?

Well, the answer is it depends how you perceive studying abroad. It is very clear that even the most developed countries will go through a period of recession in 2023. But this doesn't mean that studying abroad should lose its validation. It's still going to offer you higher returns on investment and give you better paying jobs. If you have the required capital investment then you must go for it but if not then you must choose to study on a budget.

The government of Australia has made a lot of changes in its immigration rules and policies. This was done to attract more international students to Australia in order to overcome the losses that the economy had to incur during the pandemic. The Australian government is very much interested in making the international students stay back in the country after completing their education, but they aren't able to achieve it. Here are the reasons why students are not able to stay back in Australia after completing their higher education-

• Not all the students who study in Australia are able to secure themself a job.
• Most of the jobs that international students find in Australia are not high paying.
• Most of the recruiters in Australia look for people who have a good experience in the industry. This means that the chances of getting a job for freshers are less.
• Employers also have a prejudice for international students who are working on temporary visas in the country. they are hesitant in hiring these international students as they feel that some visa related issues might arrive in future

International schools have become extremely popular. They are a platform for students belonging to different countries of the world to come together and learn new things about the world and life. International schools help students to prepare for a better future and become responsible citizens of tomorrow. Here is a list of international schools in Asia that can help your child to become a better version of himself-

• Soka International Academy Malaysia Sdn Bhd

The school is situated 60 km away from the capital city of Malaysia. It believes in teaching students with a holistic approach and making them individuals happy and at peace with themselves. Different programmes such as the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International A Level and IGCSE exam are available in this school.

• Dulwich Beijing

The school in China doesn't focus on just textbook knowledge and improving the grades of students. It actually focuses on the development of core values and qualities in students. It believes that a student can become a successful individual only if he or she has qualities such as leadership,resilience, confidence, respect, integrity, responsibility, open-mindedness and kindness. Students from ages 3 to 18 study here.

• Bangkok Patana School

The school is featured among the top hundred private schools of the world. 2200 students from 65 different nationalities study here. The school in Bangkok believes in the concept of global citizenship which means that all of us are first citizens of earth and that should be our most important part of identity. This promotes a feeling of solidarity and brotherhood among students.

This year the United Kingdom has been able to achieve its target of six lakh international students. Students from around the world have come in the UK to study in different educational institutes. The performance of the universities in the UK has been quite exemplary in attracting international students. Now the government of the UK is focusing on attracting even more students to expand its international education market.

Before the pandemic the UK had been consistently attracting around 476,000 international students on an average every year. The number has immensely increased after the pandemic because students had been waiting to join universities off-line once the border restrictions were uplifted. Now the government of the UK has been focusing on making the Visa process easier so that the process of immigration takes less time. The government has also been thinking of introducing new scholarships and bursaries for international students to grab their attention. 

Distraction from social media is one of the main reasons why most of us are not able to complete our tasks on time. Initially social media was introduced as a part-time activity to reduce boredom and a two day life. But eventually it has gripped the world in a way that has started affecting daily work by reducing our productivity. Here are the ways through which you can avoid getting distracted from social media-

• First of all you must turn off the notifications of all social media apps. Getting notified again and again while doing your work can become extremely distracting. It creates an urge inside you to check what is happening and which friend of yours is posting what on their story.
• You can use a variety of productivity apps that can help you with blocking your social media applications for the period of time that you tell them to. This way you can do your work without being distracted by anything and even if you feel like opening one of the social media apps, you will not be able to do so because of the blocking of those apps.
• Make sure that you spend a fixed amount of time daily on social media and do not exceed that time period. 

The United Kingdom has changed the criteria to apply for a skilled worker visa. Now the students who are already studying in the UK can apply for a skilled worker visa while studying only. Now students no longer have to face restrictions of having an educational qualification before applying for a skilled worker visa. Having a job from an employer that is approved by the Home office is enough. After this students can switch to a skilled worker visa without any compliance.

This is a cheaper and simpler method of applying for a skilled worker visa. It saves a lot of time as well and most of the international students have been using this path since the time this new criteria has been imposed by the government. Earlier students had to spend a lot of money on tuition fees and accommodation before having the opportunity to enter the job market of the UK. Now there is no boundation at all.

Most people who immigrate to Canada have a dream of getting a PR. After getting your PR, you  no longer have to renew your visa after every two or three years. Getting a PR means you're a permanent resident of the country and you get to enjoy all the fundamental rights that any natural citizen of Canada does. Here are the ways through which you can get a PR in Canada

• Provincial nominee program

Through PNP a citizen of Canada has the authority of nominating a foreign citizen for a PR. The government will then check the credentials of the nominated foreign citizen after he has applied for a PR. Different provinces have requirements of their own and there is no generic set of rules that has to be followed.

• Express Entry 

Express entry is a way through which skilled laborers from different countries can enter Canada. They will not have to work and live in Canada under work visa but can directly immigrate to the country with a permanent residence. There are different kind of express entries such as-

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP)
• Family Sponsorship

This is a great way of uniting with your family. A person who has a PR in Canada can call his or her biological family from some different country on the basis of family sponsorship.

• Post graduate work permit

This is a way of getting a permanent residence after completing your higher education in Canada. Under this way of getting a PR you will have to work full time for some years before getting a permanent residence in Canada.

Procrastination is like a lethal disease which can build up on you if not treated at the right time. This is why one must take extreme care and precaution in fighting procrastination. Time management is extremely important for school and university students. It is time management which makes all the difference between good and excellent. Here are the ways through which you can avoid procrastination and become the best version of yourself-

• Always start with setting small goals for yourself. Begin with setting a target of reading 10 pages every day and then make progressions with time. Targets like these are more realistic and easy to achieve.
• Convince your brain that this is the moment and there is no better time to do it than now.
• Create a routine for yourself which is productive in all sorts of ways. Procrastination is just not related to studies but to simple daily tasks such as bathing and cooking food. Make sure that you do everything on time and by doing so, your studies will also get back on track.
• Always have a good company that keeps you grounded and motivates you to do the best for yourself.

Today technology has become very efficient. There is something for everyone out there. Irrespective of your problem, there always  is some sort of app or website that can help you solve your issue. Problem of lack of productivity is very rampant especially among students as their attention is fickle. Here are the apps that can help students in increasing their productivity-

• Forest

This app is based on human psychology and how it works. Vishu or someone who has a problem of checking their phone over and over again while studying this app is for you. It allows you to grow a tree when you open it. The more you leave it untouched the more trees will grow. It is very much psychological in the way that it works and plays with the Brain convincing it to not be destructive.

• Cold Turkey

Cold turkey blocks all the distracting applications for the amount of time that you have set. This means that if you have set cold turkey to block applications for two hours, you will not be able to open any of these apps for the span of two hours.

• Evernote

Evernote is the perfect app for organizing and keeping your PDFs and documents. It helps in maintaining clarity and you're able to access each of these documents easily.