With easy availability of educational loan and more foreign universities coming up with specialised courses that offer flexibility of term, many Indian students are queuing up for a visa now. The foreign university tag definitely reads well on a resume and could give a competitive edge too.
However its essential to try and make oneself familiar with the environment of the country where one plans to study. Not to mention being a foreign location, difference in culture, lifestyle, teaching and learning procedure are bound to be there. In such a situation, one should try and get in touch with someone from that particular country with a view to understand and appreciate their way of life and make the most of the foreign study experience.
Significantly, there is a difference between foreign and indian universities with regards to education and the teaching process. Abhijeet Dani, who is currently pursuing an MS course from Georgia Institute of Technology, says "As far as competitive exams are concerned, GRE and TOFEL are required for an MS course, while GNAT and TOFEL are required for an MBA course,"
However, creating a strong background in the chosen field of specialisation before you go abroad definitely helps. He adds, "Apart from exams, you can try and improve some of your technical skills. For example, if you are going for a Masters in Computer Science you can learn some programming languages such as C, C++, Java. You can give the Java programmer test conducted by Oracle and get a certification. It's all about making your background strong in your field. Also there are plenty of seniors who can be approached for advice."
In addition, there are a number of counsellors available in India who not only guide you select the right courses but also make arrangements for your luggage, accommodation and make you acquainted with the customs and laws of the foreign country.
Ashish Sachde, Study Abroad Counsellor, IFS, says, "Confirmed accommodation is the first thing that a student going abroad should check before leaving the country. Whether it is college, university or a friend and should also have somebody to pick up at the airport. After you are in the new place, be prepared for a cultural shock. Being a foreign location, the culture and the lifestyle of the people are totally different. Unlike in India, where you have strong support, you will have to be totally independent while abroad. From washing clothes, utensils to cooking your own food, one has to be prepared for all. It is better to adopt such a lifestyle two to three months before going abroad."
Foreign education today offers more than just an independent way of life. The quality of time that one spends learning abroad gives them a global approach as they get to interact with students from all over the world. On the flipside, there are a lot of cultural differences too as you meet with people from different part of the world. Abhijeet says, "It's important to set aside all your inhibitions and interact with all in a natural way. It may so happen that for a particular project you may be teamed up with students from different parts of the world. It gives you an opportunity to learn their way of doing work and also get to know about their cultures and way of life. Studying abroad widens your horizon and opens up a new world full of opportunities. People here too are very approachable. It's not uncommon for someone to ask you 'Hey! How you doing?' while walking past you. It's important to react to their gesture in a proper manner. Though the environment is new yo get used to once you experience it."
The foreign learning experience has been out of the world for Sambit satpathy, who is currently pursuing an MA in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield, UK. He says, "I would have never imagined myself getting out my house or country to study. But here I am and it has been nothing less than great. For me personally it wasn't too difficult to adjust to the new environment. Maybe it was because I had come expecting to face a great challenge and the reality was anything but. I guess a person should be prepared to face a barrage of information. There are just so many things to learn here. Best is to go abroad with a mind like a sponge and absorb as much as you can. I think it really depends upon the kind of person you are. For me, coming from mumbai made it so much easy to adapt to lifestyle here. Initially you might feel a bit odd with the attitude of the people in the new country, but it is just the way they are. In today's world when we have become a global village, it is no more the case of crossing the seven seas to discover an unknown world."
Learning abroad can be a rewarding experience, both personally as well as professionally.
With a few early preparations and an open-minded approach it can be a pleasent and fulfilling experience.
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