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Studying abroad is gaining popularity due to the positive impact it has on a students holistic development. Schools and colleges are encouraging their students to explore academic opportunities abroad. Many invite admission counsellors, education advisors to address senior classes to explain the various aspects and facets of an overseas education. However, the thought of children making this significant shift no doubt unsettles parents. Take it easy, not all that you hear or anticipate is true. It’s time to cure the concerns and break the myths. Here’s a list of 10 myths and the facts.

Myth #1: Study abroad is expensive
Fact: Since costs depends on several relative factors like the university, location, duration of the program etc. you can have your take accordingly. When finalising on the universities, do consider whether it suits your study abroad budget. If not, next look for the ROI. If you plan your finances well, it will not be a future burden. You can enjoy studying abroad without enduring financial stress by being cautious regarding redundant expenditures. Be discrete in your spending and try to cut costs by adopting a lifestyle which will allow you to save. Moreover, you can work part time to earn extra money as well as gain some work experience. How you choose to budget yourself during you study abroad stint will influence your overall expenses and ROI.

Myth #2: It’s difficult to find scholarships for international students
Fact: There are scholarships available for international students based on merit or other criteria. Governments of countries like USA, UK, Australia, Japan, and a few European countries are acknowledging exceptional performance of international students by granting funds, financial rewards and scholarships to develop and promote international education. There are also a few scholarships sponsored by global, national, regional organisations that would allow you to study in any country. In addition, one of the most common scholarships awarded by universities are in the form of full or partial waiver on tuition fees for outstanding international students.

Myth #3: Employers do not give importance to study abroad
Fact: Statistics say that around 59% employers consider a study abroad experience invaluable for any organisation. Here are some advantages that employers associate with study abroad candidates:

International exposure
Great social skills
Strong problem solving skills
Advanced communication skills and language proficiency
Self-reliance
Risk-taking
Understanding of cross-cultural dynamics
Flexibility and adaptability

With multinational companies preferring candidates with global exposure, a degree from a foreign university on your resume will distinguish you from the others in the job market.

Myth #4: Travelling alone gives you the same experience
Fact: One of the fascinating aspects of study abroad is the opportunity for cultural immersion. You gain a deep insight into the tradition and lifestyle of local communities. Furthermore, you are in a classroom with students from across the globe. It broadens your horizon as you interact with locals on campus and outside, hence understanding the various facets of other cultures. Moreover, educational excursions unlike tour companies earmark specific landmarks within the city and in the country side where students get to learn about the history, growth of a country, root of local customs and conventions.

Myth #5: I’ll have no friends and feel lonely
Fact: It is the best opportunity to advance your social skills, broaden your social network, make new acquaintances and friends. In fact, you will be ushered into your circle of peers through orientation programs and various team building activities. Even before you realise, you’ll be part of your clique. One of the conscious attempts of study abroad programs is to promote cultural exchange. And this experience will be instrumental in shaping your personality, and instilling you with greater understanding of people, appreciation for differences and diversity and harbouring a spirit of fellow-feeling towards all.

Myth #6: I’ll have language problems
Fact: English is the medium of instruction in most foreign universities. However, when you are applying, look for any language pre-requisites or criteria prescribed by your university. Apart from academic centric language issues, being exposed to a new language or different English in a foreign country is an immense opportunity to enhance your linguistic proficiency. The most effective and fastest way to language learning is to acquire it in a natural context. Furthermore, you will attain near native fluency in English that would enrich your communication skills.

Myth #7: Besides academics, there’s nothing else to do
Fact: The campus is a hive of activities. Education in foreign universities is not restricted to academia but to developing a well-rounded personality. There are a myriad of clubs and courses after regular classes on creative art, performance art, photography, music to name a few. You’ll be trained by world-class faculty who are renowned in their respective fields. Even if you do not have a specific hobby, you’ll be inspired to develop one.

Myth #8: International/Indian students get neglected
Fact: Professors are more like mentors than teachers, very approachable and eager to help students resolve issues related to academics or otherwise. The education culture in foreign universities is based on the ideology of unhindered learning and creating a conducive ambience to maximise students’ development. They believe that for effective learning in no way should students feel threatened; this philosophy holds true for everyone irrespective of their nationality, community or cultural preference. Moreover, you’ll be surprised at how wonderfully and spontaneously local students accept you and offer their assistance for just anything.

Myth #9: US Universities accept only those with outstanding academic performance
Fact: Universities abroad welcome students who have demonstrated versatile capabilities. Academic performance is only one of the many criteria for evaluation. While universities look for good grades, they are more interested in well-rounded individuals. Most college applications ask about the activities that you are involved in during your free time, as it shows traits that grades alone are not able to demonstrate. For example, what are you passionate about? Are you a leader? What you do after school, during weekends and over summers tells the college admission team a lot about the kind of person you are. For example, if you volunteered at a local NGO, it shows your dedication to helping people. If you interned at a bank, it shows you have an interest in finance and are passionate about getting more hands-on experience. Hence, besides academic calibre, the applicant’s versatility is also taken into consideration.

Myth #10: Studying abroad is no longer safe
Fact: Universities have an obligation towards the safety and security of their staff and students. To this purpose, they implement strict regulations to ensure safety on and off campus. According to the policy, staff/students must adhere to all safety norms and obligations. For negligence on the individual’s part, and depending on the gravity of the circumstance, the university will take strict disciplinarian action. However, just as anywhere in the world you need to keep your eyes and ears open, studying abroad will be no different. Be alert and cautious, follow rules and safety will not be an issue.
When the stakes are high, there are concerns; and concerns give way to misconceptions. Studying abroad indicates a significant change in your life and you’ll have to be thoroughly prepared for the challenges. In the process do not let wrong ideas mar your determination. Do your research and be ready to get, set and go.
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In What Ways Are Investments Enhancing The Indian Education Market

Education is the primary requirement for a nation to facilitate social mobility, create awareness and empower people. The Indian education system has been evolving with the introduction of new policies and ideologies. However, the gap between an increasing population of students and shortage of teachers, as well as infrastructure, was always a cause of concern. Of late, there is a consorted effort on the part of the Government and the private sector to revamp the education machinery by pooling investment. With industry leaders joining hands in this mission, the education market is indeed flourishing to offer more conducive, effective and inclusive learning alternatives. The following are ways investments are enhancing the Indian education industry:

Educational institutions: Schools, colleges and universities together form the foundation of a nation’s education matrix. These establishments are the makers of the future citizens of the country. They must deliver comprehensive education, nurture students’ interest and talent, cater to their learning needs and have teaching professionals who’ll mentor them in the most effective possible way. More funding will enable a range of possibilities like:
Number of institutions: Investments will catapult the opening of new educational institutions to meet the growing number of prospective students at all levels of education. It’s an opportunity to reach education to remote areas that harbour a huge segment of potential learners who cannot avail of formal education for various personal, situational and in some cases societal bindings. More private institutions in the likes of Amity, Manipal and Bits Pilani will have the scope to thrive in the educational space and offer a competitive edge to the market. This will not only boost their performance but provide greater learning options to students.
Infrastructure: We had been lacking in infrastructure, one of the core reasons being the vast disparity between supply and demand. Private players from related sectors and industries are collaborating with educational institutions to offer various field specific solutions in terms of technology, space and logistics. The requirement has also created many innovative start-ups like event management firms organizing activities from excursions to cultural events, dance/sports academy partnering with schools and colleges to train students etc.
Faculty: Quality education considerably rests on the shoulders of good teachers. To meet the learning needs, provide guidance and deliver subject knowledge, a small teacher student ratio is imperative. However, not too many aspire to take teaching as a profession in India. The dearth of experienced and qualified teaching stuff is detrimental for the education system. There is a great demand for teachers with relevant skills, subject mastery and experience. Teacher education is a sector that needs a fresh lease of life and can be a lucrative area for investment.

Education and technology: Edtech start-ups have created a positive stir in the Indian education setting. They are using technology to optimise learning. The edtech firms are offering unique, standardized and interactive solutions tailored to the learning needs of niche audience or learners. They have on their platter an array of educational items like learning apps, games, online courses, web-based learning, Instructor-led courses and many more that will enable users to self-learn and enjoy the learning. This new-age education industry is attracting foreign as well as leading investors for its potential growth and revenue generation. Byju has drawn a staggering $140 million investment for its innovative and highly popular offering. Edtech is currently one of the most promising fields of investments. It allows for a lot of diversity and experimentation since it can achieve educational objectives via sophisticated technology. From rendering solutions for adult learning, skill development courses to K-12 education, edtech firms can explore various alternatives and platforms like mobile learning, MOOC courses, customised webinars, interactive e-books to list a few.

Vocational training institutes: The ‘Skilled India’ campaign of the Government reinforces the significance of vocational education in our country. In the past, the emphasis was more on academic achievements than skill development. However, this mindset is changing with the proliferation of diverse specialised skill based job opportunities like Fashion Designing, Hotel Management, Hospitality etc. The area of vocational training and skill development in India has room for improvement and calls for investments. A greater number of well-equipped vocational and field specific institutions will be the wind beneath the wings for many talented students. Lovely Professional University (LPU), a private organisation, tends to blur the divide by offering both academic and vocational courses.
The education market openly welcomes offers to revolutionize how we learn and promises to make the learning enriching, engaging and fruitful. A steady flow of funds and investments will enable the education system of our country to enlighten and empower the whole nation.
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* Want to hear first-hand experiences from students at top schools? Keen to gain insights on life at the best global schools? Eager to know more about different campuses while you weigh your options and make a decision?
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7 Signs of Successful Study-Abroad Programs

We often have our own reasons to consider higher education abroad. It could be to broaden our horizons, to research at a world class facility, or a desire to follow in the footsteps of a role model or family member. However, choosing the right kind of program befitting our needs and interests is pivotal to our decision. The challenge lies in understanding the best fit from an overwhelming number of options. Here’s 7 signs of a successful study abroad program to help you with your choice:

1) Admission requirements: Do I have the profile to apply to my chosen program? What are the cut offs? Eminent institutions that offer cutting edge programs prescribe defined admission requirements. Stellar grades, high standardized/admission test scores, all round performance, outstanding talent etc. are criteria on which candidates are evaluated. Stringent and well-established admission policy is often an indicator of the reputation of an institution.

2) Acceptance rate & yield: Usually we assess the demand of an institution by a) how easy or difficult it is to secure a place there, b) what is the percentage of yield. Most world-class schools have a stringent take on the eligibility of the prospective candidates. Stanford’s 6%, Harvard’s 11% acceptance rates are proof of their meticulous screening procedure and high benchmarks. The yield in college admissions is the percent of students who choose to enrol in a particular university after having been offered admission. Programs with high yield can indicate the college’s popularity and desirability from a student’s prespective.

3) Placement statistics: The primary goal that we have in vying for a reputed institution is the career opportunities and good job prospects that come with the brand. Placement statistics is, therefore, a viable indicator to understand the success rate of the program. University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School has a record 98.3% of its 2016 class securing lucrative job offers within three months from graduation. The placement story is not different in the prestigious Yale School of Management with 93.3% of its 2016 batch receiving offers from employers across the world.

4) Alumni involvement: A strong community of successful alumni highlights the efficacy and productivity of an institution’s education system. The Ivy League colleges, acclaimed business schools and law schools, prestigious medical colleges across the globe boast of mentoring students who became pioneers in science and technology, head of organisations and States, ground-breaking entrepreneurs and the like. Their involvement in the growth of their alma mater acknowledges the school’s contribution in their success story.

5) Faculty: Imagine being taught by Nobel Laureates, world famous writers and distinguished scholars! When highly qualified professionals and subject experts form the faculty body of a university, they are an asset to the institution and incredibly add to the quality of education. Top colleges often constitute of such renowned faulty members. Learning from such stalwarts is an enriching journey. They’ll not only provide you with profound insights but inspire you to go beyond textbook knowledge. Students idolize great teachers and strive to follow in their footsteps.

6) Infrastructure: Whether the latest equipment to conduct path breaking research in stem cell therapy, or a well-appointed and sprawling technology lab to explore machine learning, we look for exclusive infrastructural facilities that will lend us scopes to advance our learning. Universities are also ranked on how much infrastructural support they can provide to realise students’ aspirations. Review this aspect of your chosen university and departmental facilities to gauge the breadth and depth of the program.

7) Outstanding learning environment: Academic rigour, dynamic lectures, vibrant campus culture, competitive peers, multitude of scholastic and non-scholastic opportunities make for a holistic educational journey. Here are some significant aspects to consider when choosing your program:
Student-centric curriculum: The curriculum including teaching style, syllabus, class activities etc. must be designed to optimise students’ learning and to enable successful application of the same. Check out for these vital ingredients:
Conceptual learning: a perfect blend of theory with hands on trials
Self-learning and research
Peer project and collaborative assignments
Field trips and excursions
Continuous and holistic evaluation process
Exchange programs: Consider this scenario, you are doing your Major in Archaeology in an eminent college in the US. Your department organises exchange programs in partnership with universities across the world. From the pre-historic remnants of the Stonehenge in the UK to the enigmatic Sphynx in Egypt, you’ll have a world to envisage beyond textbooks and class lectures. Acclaimed institutions offer exchange programs to:
Optimise specialisation studies by providing conducive learning opportunities
Widen periphery of subject knowledge
Introduce variation by offering diverse learning environments
Promote cultural exchange
Internships: Internships are crucial to understand how to transfer your skills and knowledge to real world situations. It consolidates your learning, provides insight about work strategies, makes you aware of the real problems and solutions, and allows you to interact with industry experts. Does your program allow for such an opportunity? Top-tier institutions offer a plethora of internship programs in collaboration with renowned firms and organisations all-round the year as well as during the summer breaks.
When selecting a study abroad program, it is essential that you thoroughly review the program on these criteria. Overseas education is extremely rewarding when you get to pursue your dream subject and are part of a competitive program promising great opportunities. Do your homework, prepare well and give your best shot. Good luck!
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* Want to hear first-hand experiences from students at top schools? Keen to gain insights on life at the best global schools? Eager to know more about different campuses while you weigh your options and make a decision?
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How Are Ed-Tech Start-Ups Revolutionising The Education Sector In India

Imagine understanding a complex math problem in a minute with a graphical illustration of all the steps, or visualizing how our heart functions. Learning has never been so much fun and engaging as it is now with all the digital apps, games and online tutorials at our disposal. Whether for school goers or working professional, education is now a click away. Thanks to the new-age learning made possible by the edtech industry. The growing technology frontier of India and its foray into the education sector promises to deliver great educational outcomes for the whole nation. Edtech is being embraced and promoted by private and government organisations to extend the reach of education beyond barriers. Here’s how edtech is revolutionising the field of education:

Online platform: The exploits of technology in the education domain can mostly be felt by the rise of online learning portals in India. Edtech firms are providing digital learning platforms via apps, mobile, tablets etc. to cater to a range of diverse learners. What makes it so in demand is the flexibility that it offers. With India’s increasing student population, technology enabled education system is an answer to make education inclusive. A large portion of prospective learners cannot access education due to various factors related to remote location, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of teachers, societal obligations, personal commitments etc. An online learning platform not only solves the issue but is a great way to connect with other participants and the instructor. Here are two bespoke aspects of an online platform:
New-age tutorial: India had a thriving culture of private tutorial/coaching centres. With the influx of technology most well established tutorials are going digital, joining hands to be part of the edtech community. The presence of renowned institutions in the virtual space will be a boon to candidates aspiring to crack competitive exams who couldn’t previously avail of focused training due to distance/location etc.
Flip Classroom: This is a unique take off technology enabled learning. The flip method works wonders to maximise student’s class performance especially with a heavy concentration of students per class. They get the resource online, prepare beforehand and use class time for discussions and application of the learning. It saves time, reduces distractions and increases learner engagement.
Edtech firms by their innovative learning approaches and suave tools are fulfilling many dreams and giving wings to aspirations.

Personalised learning: An online learning course curriculum is meticulously designed. Each topic is graded depending on the cognitive capacity of the learner. The courses are installed with self-assessment tools that let learners self-check their learning, apply the concepts and stay motivated. The assignments are designed from simple to complex and each level builds on the previous one. Furthermore, technology allows to optimise learning by tapping into the various learning styles namely visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. The entire learning package is catered to meet the specific learning need of a candidate. The Edtech set up carefully analyses the need of a group of learners and tailors a perfect solution to meet that need. The booming market of e-learning speaks volumes about the success of edtech in India. Byju’s Learning App, Khan Academy are some of the leaders of the field.

Standardized resources: Whether instructional materials, interactive lessons or tutor led classes, the digital medium offers you standardized quality of learning. In the Indian education market, quality service is often a concern due to a disparity between the demand and the availability of resources. Edtech start-ups are providing large pools of knowledge bank, developing MOOC modules and exclusive alternatives for accessing relevant, meaningful and learner centric tools. Firms are either serving an expansive client base comprising K-12 candidates, aspirants of higher studies/vocational education as well as professionals or are focussing on particular sectors. As an example, Byju’s, Meritnation cater to the K-12 arena, Imarticus provides learning solutions in the specific field of data analytics etc. The edtech industry promises to resolve the issue of resource crunch, hence catalysing the proliferation of education across the country.

Creating job opportunities: Teaching had never been a much sought-after career option in the past. The new learning medium has created a tremendous demand for subject matter experts of various fields and teachers to design courses and deliver them. Instructional designer, e-learning experts, curriculum developers, course designers are the latest positions offered to educators by both corporate houses as well as eminent organisations. On the job training, decent salary package, exciting projects have created lucrative job opportunities for professionals from various industries namely Education, IT, Analytics etc. Edtech enterprises are also consolidating their contribution in creating a niche job market.
Education is a necessity and comprehensive efforts to make it more effective and accessible at mass scale is all that we need. The edtech start-ups with their novel and range of solutions will definitely catapult our education system towards greater success.
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* Searching for online classes taught by experts? Wondering how to build your resume further? Have an interest that you are curious to learn more about?
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* Want to hear first-hand experiences from students at top schools? Keen to gain insights on life at the best global schools? Eager to know more about different campuses while you weigh your options and make a decision?
Check our campus vibe section to know more! Click here

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The Importance of Language Study While Studying Abroad

As Federico Fellini said, “A different language is a different vision of life”, study abroad brings your way a world of opportunities to learn different languages and gain new perspectives. Imagine the convenience of a polyglot (a person who speaks many languages) – no geography would look alien to him/her, no culture unfamiliar and no people unknown. In an age of IoT (Internet of things), where to go global is the norm, it is imperative that we speak more than the customary English and our regional language. When on study abroad, take advantage of interacting with diverse people, peers, professors and locals to learn their native languages. Language is best learnt in context, so go ahead and enjoy learning many tongues. Here’s some important reasons why you should study language during study abroad:

Communication skills: Communication is at the heart of all our transactions, from business to education, from interpersonal to professional. Though English has been ruling the roost for centuries as the most popular tool of communication, there are many nations, like China, Japan, France, Germany etc. that prefer their vernacular over English. When you are travelling to these countries for education, work or vacation, knowing their language will naturally make things much easier for you. Consider, you want to enquire about city transport or direction, you’ll instantly get your answer by communicating in their tongue. While studying abroad, you’ll meet students from various nationalities that can help you pick the basics. Decide which language will help your future endeavours and enrol yourself in a language study course.
Cultural awareness: When you are studying abroad, you’ll learn about different cultural practices, conventions, ethos and the like. Just as many Indian cultural and social constructs cannot be expressed in another language, similarly customs observed in other communities and cultures can only be understood and appreciated through their very words. From authentic food to festivals, you’ll enjoy knowing the culture inside out and can relate to its very essence. If you truly want to immerse in the local culture, begin your journey with language.

Networking: When you are on study abroad, you get this amazing opportunity to build a wide network with peers and professionals from across the globe. Consider how many people you are connected to and how many more you can have in your contacts if you speak their language. You can instantly hit it off with fellow classmates from around the world, easily collaborate with peers on exchange programs and acquire some great friends for life. How about having a coterie of a dozen buddies with whom you can converse in their native language! Furthermore, on your internship programs, you can learn a great deal from an industry expert from China if you know Mandarin. Hence, you’ll earn invaluable professional contacts with your foreign language proficiency. You can study more than one language on study abroad and gain expertise by applying them in real life.

Self-confidence: If you are fluent in many languages, you’ll naturally be more confident in your interactions with people, and make yourself comfortable in any corner of the world. Science says that language sharpens your intellect and makes you smarter. When you learn new language, your brain activity increases much more than in any other situation and makes you more astute at problem solving and tackling unforeseen circumstances. Universities abroad provide students with exceptional language labs to hone and develop greater linguistic skills.

Career opportunities: Learning new language opens many doors to great career prospects. As technology is shrinking the world, people across the globe are working on shared platforms via the internet. Here’s how knowing many languages works wonders for your career:
Enhances employability – Employers look for candidates with study abroad experience, and one of the predominant reasons is multi-lingual proficiency. If you are into sales and marketing and have a grasp over a number of languages, you’ll be an asset to any multi-national firm. Your superior linguistic skills on one hand will drive business growth, on the other, fetch you recognition in your workplace.

Allow for different career opportunities – Language is the pre-requisite tool for communication. If you are a language enthusiast, you can tap into many professions that demand language expertise. Whether in IT or Medical Science, you can work as a translator, interpreter, writer, editor. You can also venture into script writing for advertorials, films, campaigns and much more. Besides, there are umpteen scopes for multi-lingual professionals in fields like consultancy, counselling, banking etc.
Study abroad provides you with a diverse and enormous learning platform. Grab this opportunity to advance your language skills through dynamic lessons, fantastic teachers and encouraging peers.
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* Searching for online classes taught by experts? Wondering how to build your resume further? Have an interest that you are curious to learn more about?
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* Overwhelmed by the study abroad options available to you? Looking for reliable and accurate information to get you started? Have country and/or degree specific questions?
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* Want to hear first-hand experiences from students at top schools? Keen to gain insights on life at the best global schools? Eager to know more about different campuses while you weigh your options and make a decision?
Check our campus vibe section to know more! Click here

* Looking for top tips on how to get into an Ivy League School? Wondering how to create a stellar resume or select a college? Speculating the best way to spend your summer and expand your profile? All these and more questions cluttering your mind?
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Considering Going Abroad to Study? Here Are 6 Countries Where Quality Education Is Affordable Too!

Have you always been fascinated by the Great Wall of China or German history, or can you imagine yourself hiking on the beautiful terrains of Austria? You can experience all your dreams and more by opting to study abroad in your desired destination. As a student, you’ll get abundant opportunities to learn and explore the place as part of your educational journey. If you are in quest of something more, beyond your textbooks, it is study abroad for you. You’ll step into a world of adventure, fun and an immense amount of learning. If you are worried about the financial implications, do not worry – there are a host of affordable choices available to you. Here are the countries that are offering an excellent educational ambience, and great facilities within a very decent budget:

Germany: Germany is the fourth most popular international destination for higher education. What exactly draws students to study in Germany? You’ll be excited to know that the German educational department has a well-defined scholarship program for both local as well as international students that would allow them to stay, study and work on a huge waiver. Thus, higher education provided by public institutions including universities are either free or there is an extremely affordable tuition fee. Furthermore, your cost of living will be around 8,700 EUROS (INR 6-7 Lacs approx.) yearly.
Some options include: Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich, an MBA from Berlin School of Economics & Law, or Medicine from Heidelberg University.

Sweden: Sweden is emerging as a coveted study abroad destination. The 69% green cover, super clean environment, tranquil lifestyle and a reasonable living as well as educational cost are factors that make this beautiful country a lucrative study option for Indian students. You can acquire incredible knowledge about conserving the environment as Sweden tops in its effort of sustaining the natural resources and the surroundings. The cost of living comes to around INR 65,000 per month and tuition fees can be anywhere between INR 6-9 Lacs annually. Furthermore, you can apply for the Swedish Institute Study Scholarship grant.
The Uppsala University stands distinguished for its unique study programs and extensive research work. The Gotland Campus of Uppsala University offers 3 different undergraduate programs in Game Designing. KTH Royal Institute of Technology is also a rich ground for interdisciplinary pursuits as well as diverse technical research programs.

Finland: What would it be lik to experience life on the North Pole? Studying in Finland is your chance to experience nature at her best as well as be on an enriching learning expedition in some of the world-renowned institutions. The country is home to 14 universities and 24 poly-technique schools and is a paradise for those who want to learn architecture and design, environmental sciences as well as pursue technology programs. If you are wondering about the cost of education, you may rest assured. Public institutions charge no tuition fees for doctoral/Phd programs and offer full scholarships to talented international students in undergraduate studies and Masters. The tuition fees range from 4,000-20,000 EUROS (INR 2-14 Lacs) per year. The cost of living too is quite affordable at around 700-800 EUROS (INR 55,000-60,000, approx.) per month.
Centria University of Applied Sciences promises a dynamic and holistic learning experience with 6 subject areas taught in English in Business Management, Industrial Management, Environmental Chemistry etc.

Austria: Beautiful landscape, cultural diversity and peaceful ambience are the quintessential aspects of any place in Austria. It is one of the safest countries in the world, yet at the same time offers a colourful and vibrant life. Austrians love to indulge in intellectual and cultural pursuits. The land of legendary composers Mozart and Beethoven will make your study abroad experience memorable and enriching. Austria is a favoured study destination not only for its cultural heritage but also for its world class educational environment. On one hand, you’ll receive an excellent and competitive academic platform, on the other you’ll enjoy the benefits of inexpensive tuition fees at around 800 EUROS/INR 57,000 per semester. Furthermore, can also apply for international students scholarships.
University of Vienna is one of the top-ranking universities in the world allowing a range of diverse course options across subject domains.

Japan: Deep rooted traditions blend beautifully with an advanced and technology driven lifestyle. Japan is a unique experience by its amazing hospitality, strong values resembling our ethos and magnificent scenery. Japan’s superior technological feats, its ever-rising socio-economic status are areas that you can learn about during your study abroad in Japan. Students from all over the world flock to this little yet powerful nation to gain insight about its growth, development and indefatigable spirit. Unlike popular notion, neither studying nor staying in Japan is unaffordable. Tuition fees range from INR 7-11 Lacs per year and living expenses in a high-profile city like Tokyo is around INR 9 Lacs yearly. The good news is the Japanese Government has sanctioned new scholarships for Indian students to study in the undergraduate levels besides the existing awards for Research scholars, Young learners etc.
UTokyo (University of Tokyo) is one of the oldest and esteemed institutions in Japan and a highly acclaimed centre of study in the world. However, there are around 39 top notch universities offering courses on finance, business studies, technology and a plethora of subjects.

China: The Great Plain of China evokes the legends of history. If you want to feel the resplendent culture that’s a legacy of an exotic past, studying in China will make it happen. However, China is now a preferred destination for students across the world not only for a taste of its rich heritage and diversity but to avail of a great academic landscape. Its emerging economy reflects in the proliferation of educational institutions beyond Beijing and Shanghai. As many as 7 popular cities are providing superlative academic ambience and educational infrastructure. The Chinese Government is offering exclusive financial support to international students in the form of awards, grants and scholarships. The expenses of study abroad in China are remarkably affordable ranging between INR 2-6 Lacs (approx.) per year and the living cost can be anywhere between INR 15,000-50,000 per month depending upon the city and location.
The prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing offer competitive courses on new mineral and mining engineering, computer science, law, art design etc. You can also consider pursuing medical science from Peking University, Fudan University as China promises some of the best medical schools in the world.
While you choose your study abroad destination, prioritise your choice based on your own interests, potential, and goals. All these countries offer exclusive scholarships for international students. So, learn, explore and enjoy the rich educational trip in your dream locale. Best of luck!
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Why Should Parents Consider The Option Of Studying Abroad For Their Kids?

As a parent, you understand your child like nobody else. You hand hold your little one to know the world and to try out new things. When you are there, your child feels confident, fearless and enthusiastic. In every step of our life, we look up to our parents and their nod of approval boosts us with an extra dose of motivation. Study abroad is a crucial journey and your involvement would help your child stay positive and make the right decision. Here’s why exploring study abroad options for students should be considered by parents:

Your child will gain an holistic education: Study abroad offers great learning experiences through a holistic education system. Your child will get abundant opportunities to explore his/her academic interests through research, peer collaboration, interactive lectures, excursions, field trip and much more. Education abroad is not limited to text books alone or measured through academic achievements. Students are also evaluated on their talent, skills and desire to excel. Universities provide a host of extracurricular programs and have a large number of clubs to nurture students’ interests and hobbies. Your child will acquire a well-rounded personality, and in-depth knowledge to succeed in any field.

Your child will experience world class infrastructure and facilities: Universities abroad are highly equipped to pave way for extensive research work. Harvard, Stanford, MIT, for example, boast of their enormous contribution to the field of scientific research and advanced technological studies. Students from all levels are encouraged to participate in research programs. Your child will not only have the chance to explore specialised knowledge domains but also work side by side with scholars and industry experts. The multiple campuses, sprawling establishments and facilities allow students to pursue their studies from undergraduate to post doctorate levels.
Your child will be taught by renowned faculty: Your child will attend classes of eminent scientists and scholars, celebrity writers, entrepreneurs and the likes. They’ll not only enlighten him/her about the subject but share words of wisdom that they have gathered through experience. Their knowledge, charisma and down-to-earth personality will leave your child with food for thought and an innate desire to be like them. Besides their impactful presence, they are also expert instructors who’ve mastered the art of teaching and facilitating group activities. Just as their lectures would be transcending, the class activities would be a fun way to implement those concepts and try their usefulness. The stellar faculty is a definitive reason to consider study abroad for your child. He/she will learn from the best.

Your child will learn to be independent: As parent, you want your child to become a confident and matured individual who can tackle any situation and overcome any barrier, yet your protective instincts bar him/her from doing things his/her way. Study abroad is the perfect alternative to train your child to acquire independence, gain life skills and shape his/her personality. He/she will be surrounded by peers from across the world who’ll motivate him/her to be focused, decisive and outcome driven. Children, by being on their own, learn the skill to balance studies with household chores, and eventually develop great managerial qualities from planning to executing. Rest assured, your child will turn out like you’ve dreamt.

Your child will learn to appreciate diversity and respect his/her own identity: Only when we are away from home, we understand its importance. Your child on this educational journey will experience different cultures, and learn about new beliefs and practices. It’ll be an eye-opening experience for your child when he/she will understand the relevance of social conventions and customs. Not only he/she will start appreciating different viewpoints but also grow immense respect for and allegiance to his/her own traditions and values.

Your child will have cutting edge career prospects: Firstly, studying abroad will furnish your child with job specific skills like organisational abilities, time-management, collaborative skills, communications skills and much more. Secondly, universities provide exclusive internship opportunities to hone students’ concepts and understanding through real world problem solving. Moreover, your child will be interacting with industry professionals and gain a tremendous amount of experience through this exposure. If an intern’s performance is outstanding, firms offer them job positions or recommend them to other organisations. Thirdly, employers across the world are keen on absorbing candidates who have global exposure and know how to work in a multi-cultural team spread across all geography. Your child will have a resume to set him/her apart from others.

Your child will know people across the globe: People take years to build their professional identity, at home as well as internationally. By studying abroad, your child will have a wide international network. Study abroad encourages you to collaborate with peers, professors, go for field trips, converse with locals, gather authentic knowledge, be actively involved in clubs and extracurricular, go for exchange programs and an n-number of other engagements. These activities allow you to know people, work with them and sometimes make life-long friends. Study abroad will place your child in a larger world and render him the chance to connect with diverse individuals. His/her contacts are invaluable resources for career development as well as personal growth.
Study abroad must be considered as an amazing learning opportunity that most alumni and current students will vouch for. Be positive, and prepare your child to avail of the riches that study abroad has in store.

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Guidelines to International Scholarship for Indian Students

When you are considering higher studies abroad, financing your education may be one of the first concerns that come to your mind. The cost of an education at a top institute abroad can be a deterrent for students. However, with proper planning and information, hopefully no aspirant will face this predicament and have to compromise on their plans to study aboard. There are multiple types of scholarships available for international students based on different eligibility criteria. They can also be sponsored by a broad range of institutions from universities, government and private organisations. Here’s a few tips to guide you about scholarships for study abroad:
Start early: Applying for a scholarship needs a great deal of groundwork starting with researching the broad range of options, identifying the most appropriate choices, preparing a convincing application and much more! The sooner you start, the better you’ll manage the work load and avoid any last-minute panic situations. We recommend you start at least 3-4 years prior to applying.

Do your research: Every institution will have its own set of norms and conditions regarding grants and awards. They could be merit-based, need based, subject based, nationality based etc. Consider where you realistically fit in before finalizing your options. One of the best sources of financial aid can be the college you attend, so make sure you thoroughly explore the options they have available and how you can sign up for it.
Read the fine print: Have a clear understanding of what the scholarship guidelines entail. For example, if I win the scholarship do I need to maintain a minimum GPA. Or does the scholarship only fund tuition or will it cover all expenses associated with study abroad. Are you expected to return back to India after completing the program? Make sure you read the fine print!

Polish your writing skills: An exceptionally well written essay will convey the calibre of the writer. Aim to make your write-up near perfect so that you become a natural choice of the scholarship committee. Practice writing every day, focus on your content, argument, organization of ideas, structure and above all grammatical accuracy.

Merit-based: Are you exceptionally meritorious in studies or blessed with the voice of a nightingale? In either case, you are a strong competitor for the scholarship of excellence that recognises students with rare talent in academics as well as non-scholastic areas like music, sports, painting, leadership skills etc. A merit based scholarship not only helps you finance your education but also adds an incredible amount of value to your academic and career profile. Some distinguished scholarships under this category are:

The Rhodes Scholarship (UK): Under the program of the Rhodes Scholarship of India, the Rhodes authority offer 5 scholarships to high-calibre students from India chosen on the basis of “exceptional intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service” who would be eligible to pursue further education at the eminent University of Oxford. The grant includes tuition, personal stipend and airfare to Oxford at the beginning of the term and back to your home country at the end of the term.

Fullbright Foreign Student Program (USA):It’s one of the most prestigious scholarships in the field of higher education and research. Only superlative candidates are eligible to apply and enjoy the benefits. The scholarship is awarded to international applicants from various walks of life; you can be a graduate student, a working professional or an artist. The allowance would cover expenses related to tuition, books, travel etc. for the entire tenure of your study. The Fullbright-Nehru Awards are conferred to accomplished academics, professionals and talented students in India to study, research and teach in the US. If you are applying for this award, brace yourself for a rigorous application and interview process. Once you qualify the rounds and get selected, the organisation helps you through and through with visa application, obtaining health insurance and a pre-departure orientation.

Harvard has its financial aid program named the ‘Harvard Financial Aid Initiative’ which caters to the financial deficiency of low and middle income group of students. International students receive the same amount of aid as a US students. You have to apply for financial aid with your demonstrated need and family income details for the committee to review. Harvard assures students of a need blind admission procedure and financial support throughout the year.

Davis United World Colleges Scholars Program: All graduates of United World Colleges (UWC) schools who gain admission on their own merits to selected U.S. colleges or universities qualify for need-based scholarship support through the program. The program currently supports over 2,700 scholars at 94 partner colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Need based scholarships: It’s a boon for those in need of financial aid and there are a host of top universities that offer financial help to students, in the league are Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton to list a few. There are also several private organizations in collaboration with multinational companies that are providing financial support to students of any nationality aspiring for international education. To illustrate:

Stanford Graduate School of Business has the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program “to support Indian nationals living in India who need financial assistance in obtaining an MBA at Stanford.”
Eminent institutions abroad are taking major initiatives to democratize education by recognizing talented students irrespective of their financial status or nationality. However, students must demonstrate excellence to be considered for need based scholarships.

Government of India facilitated International scholarships: do you know many countries invite Indian students to study in their institutions by offering scholarships? Invitations are sent through the Indian government under Cultural/Educational Exchange programs. The Government advertises the scholarship offers through newspapers, the website of the department of higher education as well as notifies colleges, universities, UGC through circulars. So, keep a tab of the latest updates about the scholarships by checking out the relevant sources.

The Commonwealth Scholarship (UK): You’ll be excited to learn that it is fully government funded. The grant covers tuition, travel, living cost including spouse and children allowances. The scholarship is awarded in the fields of Engineering and Technology, Science, Agriculture, Humanities and Social Science. That covers almost every field!
Other countries that offer scholarships on this platform are Commonwealth scholarship by New Zealand, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico and the Presidential Scholarship offered by Sri Lanka.

Program/Subject specific scholarships: Students can also probe into options for their specific subject or degree of interest. For instance, if you are eying international law for study abroad, good news for you. The AVVO Scholarship program offers scholarships for JD Law students as well as pre-Law and undergraduate students. Science students be amped up about participating in the Global Science Course (GSC) Undergraduate Transfer Program. The School of Science Scholarship sponsored by Tokyo University is an attempt to bring young science lovers on one platform to harbour great interactions and exchange of ideas. Likewise, many more subject/program specific scholarships are available that help students to advance their education in the subject field.
The number of scholarships today for international students is baffling. Approach your selection process keeping in mind what your strengths are, which subject is your forte, and what goals you want to achieve. Review every detail from eligibility to the fund amount, and only after you’ve done your due diligence, apply for the scholarship.

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Pain Points In Admission Processes And How To Tackle Them

Parents who have recently got their child admitted in school will acknowledge that it’s no less than climbing Mount Everest. Though the process is complex and can be blurry with each institution stipulating its own criteria, the task becomes comparatively easy if you approach it like a challenging job assignment. Let’s begin by understanding the issues that could hinder smooth sail and find relevant solutions to overcome them. When it comes to children, we are always in the ‘get-set-go’ mode. Right? So, here’s a list of the common problems and our take on how to resolve them:

Selection of schools: If you are lucky to settle in your hometown, you will be well acquainted with the schools that have excelled over the years and you’ll surely have made your list of the top schools for your little one. If you happen to be an alumnus of one of the reputed schools, all the better, as you’ll have the advantage in your child’s admission. However, most of us wonder which school and board would be the right fit for our child. With the emergence of new private schools affiliated to international boards and offering unique and diverse opportunities, the choice becomes a difficult one. Those of us who have to relocate due to work, we are often left clueless about good schools in that area.

Solution – Here’s what you can do to get a clearer picture when deciding your child’s alma mater:
School visit: Plan a visit to your target schools to have a feel of the educational environment at least a year ahead of the admission cycle.
Scour the website: Keep checking out the school website for admission updates and other areas like board results, achievements, various academic and extra-curricular programs and most importantly the infrastructure and facilities.

Connect with other parents: Parents of current students would be your ideal resource to learn about the many facets of the school. You’ll actually be able to get a feedback besides relevant information.
Varying admission criteria: The admission criteria can be a baffling affair and often keep parents on tenterhooks. It is not uniform across states and are often region specific. So, if you are relocating to a different region, you might not be aware of the admission pre-requisites. Some of the determinants, concerns and their solutions are:


Point system: In some regions school admission is based on point system. For example, scores are ascribed on the basis of age, location/distance, alumni parents, siblings, girl child to list a few.
Solution– If you are planning to move to a new city, you can do your due diligence by a) choosing a nearby locality, b) specifying relocation grounds. For local residents as well as for everyone else, the best option is to a) do your homework in advance by thoroughly understanding the criteria, b) have valid documents ready, c) if possible to move closer to your target school, d) do not waste time and effort where your ward meets none of the criteria in terms of age, location etc. e) consider schools affiliated to all the boards.

Transfer student: It has become a common scenario where parents have to change their child’s school mid-session due to a sudden job change. Remember, there are hardly any vacancies available in the middle of the session. Unless you are extremely lucky, mid-session admission is a mid-summer’s dream; plus, you also have to factor in your child’s response to a sudden change of school.
Solution – a) wait it out till the end of the session, while you start researching on schools which would enable smooth transition for your child, b) Some schools have a policy of accepting transfer students. Meet with the management/Principal and discuss your situation, c) Do not forget to apply for and collect your child’s transfer certificate and other necessary documents from the last school before applying in a new school.
If you are seeking admission in schools affiliated to CBSE, ICSE or State board keep a tab on the latest announcements from the department of education regarding region specific admission norms.

Essential tips to beat the admission blues:

I’ve applied to 20 schools but still my child didn’t get admission in any: Ideally apply to 8-10 schools based on matching eligibility criteria. You’ll only be running from pillar to post in vain if you do not fulfil the required criteria.

Parent preparation: Be prepared to face interviews. Many schools have done away with student interview for admission in primary classes but designed one for parents. Do not be casual about it as your child’s future will depend on how you project yourself to the school. Learn about the school ethos, achievements and appreciate its performance. Furthermore, sound progressive and positive about your faith in the school system. Show that you are willing to volunteer for any educational cause. The main purpose of the interview is to review how much you’ll cooperate with the school in nurturing your child.

Preparing your child: Schools these days name it ‘interaction’. Though the tenor of the interaction is casual, your child will be evaluated based on confidence, linguistic skills and cognitive abilities. As you prepare your little one, do not force feed information but build on your child’s conversational skills and overall smartness. For primary classes, schools do not expect children to come with a treasure trove of knowledge but enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and the ability to respond well.

Getting into the right school relates to one’s mental and emotional well-being. Understand how your child learns and which environment draws out the best in him/her. Do not get stuck by conventional mindset regarding boards or school legacy. Admission is a tough call, but once your child finds the best fit school for him/her, it is worth all the hard work.

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How To Ensure Your Child Is Safe When Studying Overseas?

Your child is about to leave home and head for another country to fulfil his/her dreams of studying abroad. Even though you know that it’s an opportunity that would furnish him/her with a lifetime of learning and amazing prospects, you are worried. It’s natural to be so, as your child would be beyond your immediate reach should he/she need you (or vice versa!). However, today, with the internet and fast connectivity across the globe, staying in touch is not difficult. Hence rest assured, you can connect via various online sources, guide your child via devices and stay updated at all times. Also, adopt proper measures in advance to safeguard your child in any situation. Here are some safety tips for parents to ensure the child’s safety and security during their stint abroad:

Learn about the place: Gather information about every aspect of the geography your child will be moving to. From getting an overview of the place to characteristics specific to the location or culture and people – leave no stone unturned in your investigation. The things that you need to know are – law and regulation, climate, food habits, transportation, medical infrastructure and facilities, cost of living, cultural practices. Choose authentic sources to collect information, all websites are not reliable thus get your information from trusted sites.
Some sources that will help in your research:
• Approach friends/relatives staying there or who have visited the place;
• check on social networking sites if there are groups who are residents of the place and request them to share details about the locality;
• visit the location if possible
• get information from international student services
Discuss your learnings and findings with your child to familiarise them with their new environment.

Register with MADAD: As your child is all set to journey to his/her study destination, without delay get him/her registered with MADAD, the online Consular Services Management System. This is an attempt undertaken by the Indian Government to extend any kind of help to Indian students studying abroad. Students who are planning to go overseas or even those who stay abroad are required to open an account on this portal and create his/her profile. To get started, your child has to fill in an online registration form providing personal details, emergency contact number in India, and course details. On submission, registration will be confirmed. Hereafter, students can log in to update about courses as well as register grievances. It is reassuring to know that your child can reach out to the Indian Consular Services in an emergency.
Stay connected: All your child needs when abroad is the feeling that you are around. Go digital and install a few devices or apps on your phone and computer to be able to connect to your young one anytime and from anywhere. Also, you have at your disposal social networking sites to know your child’s whereabouts and latest activities. Travel and health insurance: The two most essential areas you need to have in place are your child’s travel and health insurances. First, check with the university regarding their insurance policy. Usually universities provide for basic travel and medical requirements. If you are buying health insurance, look for the ones that provide diverse medical coverage including emergency services. A travel insurance plan, on the other hand, will take care of issues related to lost stolen baggage, transportation and basic medical aid during travel. You’ll feel reassured if you get a comprehensive insurance safety net for your child.
Here’s a list of some anticipated issues and how to handle them.
• Provide a directory of important contact details namely – the nearest consulate, your embassy’s 24 hours’ hotline, insurance agent’s emergency number, and local contacts if any.
• If your child loses his/her passport: he/she needs go over to the consulate to apply for a temporary passport. Pack a passport sized photograph and copy of the first passport as he/she will require these for fresh application.
• If there is immediate medical requirement:he/she has to contact local emergency services; inform the international student services staff or help centres to get in touch with family or home campus; you need to contact your insurance providers at the earliest.
• If your child’s debit card gets lost or stolen: Immediately contact the bank to lock the card; if possible keep provision for back-up credit/debit card that he/she can carry along; wire money through a reliable transaction system.

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10 Personal, Academic & Career Benefits of Studying Abroad

You may wonder why so many covet an education abroad. Is an international degree worth the huge investment of time, money, and effort? We talked to over a 100 ReachIvy students who have graduated from reputed foreign institutions. Here are 10 personal, academic and career benefits they have gained from an international study program:

Personal Benefits:
Gain Independence, Self-Reliance, and Self-Confidence
Alone in a foreign land, you experience the rough and tumble of life. Your personal growth will take place because of living independently. Needless to say, you will also become more assured in your thought and expression. An independent thinker makes a self-reliant and confident individual.

Broaden Your Horizon
Why think small, when you can think big? As an international student, you get to understand a wide range of perspectives on even the smallest of issues. Breadth of thought, with depth of insight are some of the few personal benefits you are guaranteed to gain in an international program.
Gain Valuable Life Skills
Life, we know, is the best teacher. But in unfamiliar terrain, life can be a hard taskmaster. Pick up valuable life skills as you grapple with day-to-day issues. Whether it is traveling to remote places without an internet connection, or merely getting a flat tire fixed, you will face many hurdles. Overcoming challenges with creative solutions will be your greatest asset. You will never go back to saying, “It’s impossible!”

Enhance Your Communication Skills
One of the greatest benefits of studying abroad is improving your communication skills. You have to work hard to understand, and be understood. Once you stay abroad for some time, you get used to different speeches, accents, and gestures. You learn to appreciate diverse cultural and linguistic patterns. These skills develop you into a culturally suave and sensitive person.

Academic Benefits:
Seek Mentorship With Distinguished Professors
Many top level institutes have Nobel laureates, influential industry leaders on their faculty. With the world’s best minds within reach, you gain access to cutting edge knowledge. On rare occasions, you may get to work on confidential, high-value research projects that will accelerate your career graph.
Intern With Career Defining Companies
You may have started out as a financial analyst, but over the period of internship, you may discover that your talents lay in fund raising. As a part of overseas study program, you get to intern with different companies, even outside scope of your program. By building your portfolio of experiences beyond your area of specialization, you stand to gain tremendously in future career choices.

Choose From a Wide Range of Subjects
Select from a broad spectrum of electives that interests you. Students who enjoy what they study also perform well in academics. You can choose to go deeper within a field of specialization or cover a broad range of topics. You can also benefit by pursuing a super specialization, if you aspire to be a world leader in your field.

Career Benefits

Meet People From Across The Globe
A foreign studies program is your golden ticket to experience the world. Right from tasting exotic cuisines, to learning new languages, to participating in foreign cultural programs, you can have it all. Such experiences add to your profile. Not just do you learn to adapt to new geographies, you also become culturally sensitive. This can equip you to deal with challenges of overseas work.
Strengthen Your Leadership Skills

Be a change leader. Forge your own path. Become a guru of your own domain. Your experience at an international school will help you develop leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to lead, and create teams. As a student, you will be exposed to dynamic challenges. Your experience in an international setting will help you cope with any challenge you may face in your prospective job.

Increase Your Employability
In the fast paced world that we live in, there are many growth opportunities for employees with international exposure. Working overseas with a team of students and professors, you build various competencies such as multi-dimensional teamwork, critical analysis, flexibility, strategic thinking, time management, among others. Many companies actively seek out candidates with these competencies. Your future employers may want you to manage international projects, work with international clients, and resolve cross-border issues. If you have the backing of foreign education, you develop the dynamism that is expected of a global manager.
Apart from the personal, academic, and career benefits listed here, there are many other benefits you will reap. You will also build your social and professional network with international students and boost your soft skills. Your experience at an international college or university will make you a well-rounded, dynamic individual who is ready to step out of your comfort zone, and set sail on unchartered waters.

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10 Hacks for Study Abroad Application Filling Made Easy

The process of filling out application forms for international education can be quite overwhelming. Especially if you are new to the whole process. There is a host of documentation work that will need your attention. In addition, you may need to accomplish certain tasks or activities to boost your chances of getting an admission. If you have not planned your activities, you run the risk of missing important deadlines. Or, you may fail to put forth a stellar application. Since there is no scope to redeem yourself after dispatching your application form, it is crucial that you work systematically to maximize your output. Here is a 10 step foolproof plan to help you through the applications:

1. Start Your Preparations Early.
Heard the adage, ‘the early bird gets the worm’? Well, in this case, it is not so much about being the first one, but more about not being the last one. Though the real application form filling process may begin a year before the admissions date, you get good lead time if you are early in the game.
What’s a good time to start? Ideally, the application process should begin 3 to 4 years before the actual admission. For example, if you plan to pursue an MBA in an international school, start out when you reach 12th grade. Starting early has many advantages:
You get a chance to understand the teaching methodology, the international student fraternity, the course curriculum, and the college faculty.
You have all the time to research, analyze and shortlist the colleges you want to target.
If you need to plan your finances, you can avail of excellent educational loans if you plan early.

2. Prepare a Chart with Colleges and Their Application Requirements.
Different colleges have different deadlines. A simple tool like a spreadsheet or a large chart paper with the colleges and their deadlines could save you a missed deadline. Most colleges state their application deadlines in their form. Some colleges have a closed deadline, while others keep rolling deadlines. Create a grid structure with colleges listed on the rows, and the processes listed in columns.

3. Account for Delays in Procuring Your Documents.
When you have to collect your documents from others, you have no control over the time loss. You could miss deadlines, if you ask for the documents close to the deadline dates. I’d go so far as to create extra deadlines for special tasks such as procuring recommendation letters, work certificates, school and personal documents in the same sheet. Remember that documents that need official signatures, or approvals may sponge away all your valuable time.
For instance, a college professor you need a recommendation letter from may be out on vacation. Or your high school may be closed for Christmas holidays when you require copies of your transcripts. You have to account for all this extra time. A good idea would be to first work on the documents that other parties have to give you. As they send you the relevant documents, tick them off your list, and focus your energy in procuring the others. You may need to follow up constantly to expedite matters. Don’t slacken on the follow-up; maintain a calendar to ensure that you are on top of the situation.

4. Create a Checklist of Deadlines for Process and College Deadlines.
In addition to a chart or excel sheet, have a checklist of tasks or activities that are necessary to meet the deadline. Go through them every day; ensure that you have not missed anything. Prioritize your activities based on the deadline. Your planner should take into account all new activities you want to take up, and the old ones you have already done. Sort the checklist based on priority and keep a tab on your performance.

5. Plan Ahead to Take the Mandatory Tests.
You will be required to take some standardized tests for your college application. If you are going for an undergraduate study program, you may need to take the SAT and ACT tests. For an MBA you will need to appear for the GMAT exam. For any other course other than medical or management, you’d be required to do the GRE. All international students need to appear for TOEFL or IELTS, an English test to check your proficiency.

6. Prepare a To-Do List to Keep Track of All Activities.
There may be many other activities you want to take up to add weight to your application. We already discussed about standardized tests. So, make sure to include these exams on your to-do list. Schedule your time to incorporate study time for these tests. Look out for exam result dates to streamline it to your other deadlines. There is no point in receiving your exam results well past the college application deadline, right? If you plan to take up a summer job, an internship or a field project, incorporate these in your to-do list, along with their relevant deadlines. Keep focused on the application deadlines to ensure everything is working smoothly.

7. How to Fill Up the Application Form.
I can understand the nervousness you feel when filling out the application form. Here’s an idea. Always write a rough draft on a photocopy, to avoid scratching out details accidentally filled into the original form. Practice how to write neatly, in the restricted space, without making the application form look untidy. Focus on legibility rather than styling.
Before filling out the application form, be clear on what the college wants to know. If you are unsure, refer to their brochure or the college website for more information. In case of doubt, it is best to consult your family, friends, or alumni members. You don’t want to be rejected for lack of clarity!

8. College Essays Are Very Important for College Application Process.
I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of writing a good essay. Your essay mirrors you. A statement of purpose (essay) is your best pitch letter to tell the admissions council, why you are suitable for admission. Essay writing requires many iterations, careful deliberation, and proofreading. Hence, write the first draft of your essay early on. Having written an essay about yourself, have this read by your close family members or friends. They may be able to offer you insights you never thought of! Use simple, easy to understand language, that offers the best view of your profile. Be direct, in your language. Don’t beat around the bush or write wishy-washy terms. Express your clarity of thought, and creative problem solving. Keep working on the drafts, until you can no longer improve on it. Proofread the essay or have it proofread by some English teacher or expert.

9. Pursue Hobbies or Activities to Add Color to Your Profile.
Always wanted to learn photography? Or want to do a course in web designing? Join courses that may significantly boost your chances abroad. Stay tuned in to the latest developments in the industry or education sector. Admissions councils love students who are well informed. If you decide to pursue a hobby, make sure to mention it in your essay, as well as your resume.

10. Keep Improvising the Plan as Your Priorities Change.
It is always possible that you will have changed your priorities, preferences of universities, or even destination of your study abroad program. For instance, you may want to modify the list of colleges you want to apply to. That’s okay! A plan has to accommodate for alterations. Once you have frozen your altered plan, make sure to incorporate the changes in your planner. Look for opportunities to improve your application process, even as you make the alterations. You may be able to juggle a few items, to save you the trouble of starting from scratch.
To sum it up, application form filling is not as tedious as it may look. With proper planning and time management, you will be able to send out a winning application form that is worthy of the admission officers’ attention.

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RJ Salil and RJ Archana Talk to ReachIvy on How to Plan Your Child’s Study Abroad

August is the busy month for foreign college applications. Foreign universities have two main admission terms: The Fall and the Spring. If your child is applying for higher studies in the fall term (that runs from mid-August to mid-December), you will need to begin the college application process a year in advance.

Radio City 91.1 FM invited Vibha Kagzi, founder and CEO of ReachIvy, to their studio for a talk show on how parents can help their children make the right choices. As a parent, you want to ensure that your child gets the best education, while maintaining the delicate balance of managing finances. Also, there is an information overload in the internet that often leaves students and parents confused. Vibha Kagzi attempts to dispel doubts, and shows the way forward. Here is the excerpt of the radio talk:
RJ Salil and RJ Archana presents the show titled, “Kasa Kai, Mumbai!”:

RJ Salil: What’s the right time for a child to prepare for higher studies abroad?
Vibha: Actually, when it comes to studies, Indian parents are a paranoid lot. We easily get worked up while planning for our children’s education. There is so much information out there, that it is easy to get carried away. At ReachIvy, we advise parents not to get worked up about their child’s education. The ideal time to start preparing your child for higher education is 8th grade, if your child plans to study abroad for undergraduate studies. To be on the safe side, start planning about 4 years from the time you wish to apply. For instance, if your child wants to study abroad after graduation, you can start planning when your child is in 12th grade. By this time, your child has formed the ability to think independently, understand the challenges that go with foreign studies, and is capable of taking on responsibilities.

RJ Salil: Does education in a boarding school system prepare kids for living alone abroad?
Vibha: Boarding schools are great. They help kids develop individuality and an ability to live responsibly. Personally, I am not a big fan of boarding schools. I prefer that students get the grounding at home, while living with siblings, parents, grandparents, and relatives. Our Indian family system inculcates strong family values, and builds lifelong bonds. It also helps students find their bearings when they feel marooned in an unknown country.
Every student is different. Some students learn to live independently when they are 14; others may not develop that degree of independence even after 18.

RJ Salil and RJ Archana invited a parent to share her views and queries on Radio City. Vibha Kagzi gets to the nitty gritty of the study abroad process:
Parent: My daughter is in grade 10. She is 15, and currently studying in an IB program. My query is that even if my daughter has selected a college based on her liking, should she still consider other options? How should she boost her options?
Vibha: Actually, today we have a plethora of options when it comes to overseas education. While your child may have fallen in love with an international course or college, it is necessary to evaluate your choice based on scientific measures. You must consider psychometric testing tools to help you understand whether your profile is the best match for your choice of college, and to understand whether it aligns with your future plans. To boost your chances in some of the top ranking schools, it is a good idea to take up internship with a company. Your child can shadow someone at the workplace, whether it is your friend, family or a close relative. Your child can pick up important lessons about working in a professional setup, and hone her work skills. These skills will boost her chances in a good college abroad.
If possible, send your child for a short term course abroad. Think of it as a test-drive for the full time long term course. If your child enjoys the short term course, she can ease into the education system without having to adjust to the new setting. Also, a short term course gives both the parent and a child, a mock run to help prepare for the real study abroad experience.
Vibha: As a parting note, I urge parents not to superimpose their dreams, desires, and aspirations on their children. This can be detrimental for all. Allow your child room to recognize their capabilities and chalk out their own path. Be a partner in their success, and help them achieve their own dreams.
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How Your Study Abroad College Application Form Should Not Look Like?

Nothing can be as stressful as a blank application form with a myriad instructions, details, and documentation. Add to that the stress of creating a winner application makes the whole process look daunting. By now, you may already be familiar with all that’s expected of you in filling out your application form. But do you know what a completed application form should NOT look like? Here are 10 red flags to keep in mind.

1. Complete to the Last Detail Without Errors or Missing Info.
From the mundane information such as your name, address, and other details to the more intricate details such as your academic objectives, the application form needs a volley of information about you. You are expected to fill out all the information as accurately and neatly as possible. Whatever information you provide has to be correct, valid, and uncontestable. Dont give ambiguous or incomplete information. To ensure neatness of work, do a dry-run on a dummy application form. If you dont understand the instructions, or need clarity, it is better to approach the college authorities for further assistance.

2. Don’t Skip the Application Fees or Any Other Ancillary Payments
Colleges dont like to receive application forms that have missing elements. There is no gainsaying that your application form without the fee or fee waiver documents are a turn-off for any admissions department. You dont want to project yourself as a careless, poorly organized student. If you are using the Common Application system, you will be alerted before you hit Send. But dont wait for automation to take care of your mistakes. It is a good idea to keep a checklist handy. Double check to ensure that you have taken care of all the aspects including sending out your application fees.

3. The Tricky Part of Sending Tests Scores and Transcripts
Some colleges have a separate standardized test submission deadline, which may be different to the application deadline. If that is the case, dont miss out on sending your test scores on time. For the GMAT, you have the option to preview your GMAT scores before deciding whether to accept or cancel your scores. Your test fee usually includes five free score reports. Make sure to send in the correct scores of the relevant tests. Most colleges may ask you to provide official grade certificates for the course you studied at undergraduate or graduate level. Ensure that there have been no discrepancies in reporting your marks. Check the reports for errors, and inform your school authorities immediately if you notice an error in transcripts. These transcripts form the backbone of your application, as they are official documents from your school authorities.

4. What Your Essays and Recommendation Letters Should Not Look Like
Your essays and recommendation letters communicate who you really are. Missing out on important details is suicidal. Make sure that your essays and recommendation letters speak of the real you, and not some fictitious person. Reflect on what makes you a unique individual, with a unique skill set and learning abilities. Dont sound run-of-the-mill in your attempt to buff your essay to sound like a wannabe. Remember that admissions officers receive tons of essays that sound worldly wise. You dont want to sound self-absorbed and detached from the real world. Recommendation letters are viewpoints of another person about you. These letters hold more weightage, as the person who recommended you adds a new dimension to your personality. Be selective in whom you choose to get your recommendation letters from. In particular, your mentors should have worked in close contact with you to be able to provide a fair evaluation. Dont forget to follow up on your recommenders to ensure that they upload their evaluation before the deadline. If they are unable to meet your requirements, consider looking for another recommender, who can do so.

5. All Documentation Should Meet the University Standards.
Universities give specific and detailed guidelines on how they need the documentation work done. Whether it is your resume, financial aid, bank statements, income tax documents, visa, or others, you have to follow the prescribed format. Are the bank details complete? Do your financial statements adhere to international format? Are your financial records satisfactory? Do you see any potential loopholes in your documents? If you are not sure about the documents, get an expert to review the documents. You can ask your bank manager to ensure that all financial documents meet the standards of the international school.

6. The Importance of Clarity and Brevity.
If filling up an application form for a university seems rigorous, imagine how the process is for the admissions department, who have to sift through tons of material coming from different parts of the world. You can make their job easier by sticking to the details asked with complete clarity. Dont get verbose, running into unwarranted details about your life. Focus on showcasing the strongest part of your profile, and leave negative comments out. Answer the questions without being ambiguous. Nobody likes a fence-sitter, so dont be one.

7. Make Your Application Stand Out from the Crowd.
One of the biggest red flags for your application form is the lack of consistency. If your recommendation letters showcase you as an incisive, research-oriented student, your essays, transcripts, and other achievements should also reflect the same. You cant paint two contradicting pictures of yourself. Hence, look out for potential pitfalls in your application profile. Always proofread your application before sending them out. Look out for wrong university name, misspellings, misinterpretation of questions, and unwanted information. Ask a friend or family member to proofread too. If you feel that you are ready to hit Send, save the application, and revisit after a break. Sometimes, you catch an error that escaped your scrutiny earlier.
To protect your application from pitfalls, it is a good idea to create a checklist of important points. Throughout the application form filling stage, keep an eye out for red flags that may affect your chances of getting admission to a good college abroad.
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5 Trends That will Shape the Future Workplace

ReachIvy founder Vibha Kagzi had the honor of paneling a discussion in the India HR Summit 3rd Edition, in Mumbai in September 2017. The topic for the discussion was “Trends that will Shape the Future Workplace.”

What came out of the session left everyone in the room charged. The esteemed panelists, who came from different sectors including conglomerates, startups, and SMEs, had some brilliant thoughts. Each one brought insight into the topic from their perspective, thereby yielding a rich blend of ideas. The speakers also engaged with the audience by inviting questions, and what came through was a real exchange of ideas. Based on the discussions and learnings, I present this article to you on the 5 key tends that will shape the workplace of the future.

The Future Workplace
When you think of the future workplace, you probably think of an office built with smart technology, psychedelic colors, offbeat workspaces, complete with hover-boards and dartboards. Many HR think tanks are coming up ways to keep their millennial employees creatively engaged. We are already seeing a growing trend of virtual workplace formats, where most of the team work in far flung corners of the world, connected only by Internet and telecom.
While these are exciting times to live in, with technology permeating in each corner of our life, I’d like to believe that these trends will shape not just the way we work, but also the way we think about work. So here are the 5 trends that will shape the future of workplaces.

1. Rise of the Millennials
A lot has been spoken and written about the millennials. In most places, I have read about how millennials, the young guns, who were born with a smartphone in their hand, don’t know how life existed before the invention of phones. These gadget-dependent generation rely on Google for information, ecommerce for their daily needs, and smartphone apps for solutions to their everyday problems. The millennials who have now joined the workforce are young, dynamic, energetic, but at the same time, they are impatient. They want instant gratification. They need solutions on their fingertips. They don’t know the virtues of patience; the art of taking it slow, the power of long-term relationships, or the meaning of job satisfaction.

How Does This Affect the Future Workplace and What You Can Do:

Gone are the days when employers could retain their workforce with perks like provident fund, housing rent, holidays, and others. The new age employer has to keep up with the needs of the workplace. Here’s what employers need to do:
Create workspaces where they have room to innovate. Allow them to explore their entrepreneurial mindset. Open offices where energy can flow is the future. So, that’s where your cool offices with beanbags instead of executive chairs, gadgets and computer systems, and open office culture without silos that create unnecessary divides.
Allow flexible work conditions. It’s time to accept the fact we all have to find the work-life balance. According to one of the panelists, Mr. Ganesh Natarajan, “Employees are not just workers, they are mothers, husbands, children, sisters, and friends. They have a life beyond the workplace, and you need to give them the ability to create a healthy work-life balance to enable their personal priorities along with their work priorities.” A working woman is also a mother who has to attend her child’s PTA meetings. A man might need to take his pregnant wife to the hospital every now and then. When working conditions synergize to allow people to accommodate work along with their office jobs, that’s when companies can grow.
Treat each employee with unique needs and preferences. Instead of managing a workforce with a one-size-fits-all approach, customize the job to suit the changing needs of the millennial worker.
Embrace diversity. Merely hiring millennials in the company just because you want young blood is not the solution to face the future challenges. Balance is very critical. Hire people across age groups, and across genders. Don’t hire only the under 25s.

2. Technological and Tools Become Better and Cheaper!
Yes, you heard that right. Technology is getting cheaper. As newer tech disruptions change the tech landscape they make way for cheaper for open source technologies that are available to startups and companies looking to cut costs. New tools and SaaS products are hitting the market daily.
How Does This Affect the Future Workplace and What You Can Do:
Startups who are bootstrapping their way through business couldn’t have had it easier. With limited resources, technology now allows one to drastically lower operational cost and increase efficiency. If you are a startup, you should depend heavily on leveraging tools for automation.
Instead of going for clunky, customized software systems, opt for technologies such as Box, Hootsuite, Mailerlite, HubSpot, and the like. These technologies help to keep your costs low, and allow you to maintain a lean but efficient team.

3. Creativity Will Be a Game Changer for the Future Workplace.
Post the Industrial Revolution, there was a large scale mushrooming of gigantic factories, industrial units, and large plants. These occupied acres of precious land, hired thousands if not tens of thousands of people. Departments grew around them to ensure the smooth flow of business, quality control, marketing, and sales. In the beginning of the new millennial, things began to change. The billion dollar plus industries gave way to the rise of the startup ecosystem.
The young entrepreneur of this generation chose not to open a plant, factory or an industrial unit. Instead he chose to walk the path paved with technology and systems. So, scalability of business did not need tons of money for investment. With investment capital down, the only focus was marketing and information systems. Brick and mortar stores gave way to ecommerce. Thus the need for flashy, gigantic offices in cool places of the world was no longer the norm. The CEO’s garage would do. Many big names we know today such as Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Google were once known as garage startups.
How Does This Affect the Future Workplace and What You Can Do:
Invest in creative people. They hold the key to your company’s future. They are the ones with the out-of-the-box solutions. Encourage a healthy flow of ideas without stifling them with processes and schedules. The world is increasingly following the trend of wall-free offices, and creative workspaces.
Also, your office is no longer the interface with your client, but your website is. More people come through websites for business than through the office door. Hence it is important to invest in your digital team. Bring on board the best designers, developers and UI experts – they can really change your business.
Recognize the power of smartphones. Earlier we talked of how smartphones have invaded into our lives. Right from small calculations to reading on the Kindle app to connecting with the world through Facebook or LinkedIn, the smartphone is your answer to every problem. Also, more than desktop, consumers are increasingly moving towards smartphones to access information. That’s why it is necessary to deploy a mobile-first strategy.

4. Social media Reigns Supreme.
Nobody needs to tell us how social media is now the place to be. Marketing and sales have moved online, where you get greater traction through email marketing, digital marketing, and content marketing. Facebook, Google, Instagram are where your clients are. And that’s where you need to be if you want to hire talent or get business.
How Does This Affect the Future Workplace and What You Can Do:
If your business has not yet recognized the power of social media, then you are already outdated. From politicians to social workers to artistes who want the attention of the public eye, everyone is riding this bandwagon. The winners will only be those who know how to engage their audience on social media without being intrusive or annoying.
Brings the market to the end user. Potential candidates and customers are all out there. Reach out to them. Engage with them, strike a conversation, build a relationship, and earn their trust. The best way to get organic traffic to your site, and eventually develop your business is through social media. If you are looking for talented people, who are also tech savvy, you will find them on their favorite social networking sites. If that’s where the creative bunch is, that’s where you want to be.

5. The Spread of Online Education
One of the biggest game-changers was the spurting of the online education industry. Nearly a decade ago, industry pundits wrote this trend off saying that students need the ‘personal touch’ that online education cannot offer. But with broadband connections getting better, virtual classrooms, hi-tech and real-time video conferencing technology systems began to offer smooth and continuous in-class sessions with teachers and pupils in different parts of the world. Now AI technology has promised to disrupt the existing systems and take it a step further. Many companies are working on modules where, through virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, students can ‘experience’ sitting in a classroom along with other students from various parts of the world in real-time. 3D technology such as Hologram is also rapidly gathering speed.
How Does This Affect the Future Workplace and What You Can Do:
First things first. Understand that the future of education is changing. Professors who would once teach a class of 50 at one time, can now leverage to teach a thousand students in the same time. If we are talking about MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), the opportunities are tremendous. MOOC players redefining education and the way it is consumed. TED, YouTube, and thousands of other educational resources are now available online.
Harness free and open online education to train your employees. Earlier, to employ high quality training, we would need to pump in huge amounts of money into training facilities, and teaching staff. Now world class training programs are just a button click away. And the best part is that they are quite cheap, if not free. Leverage the free and high quality training.
Employees can skill up for cheap. An employee who wants to improve his or her career prospects does not need to look far for high quality education. Employees can also upskill by leveraging easily available training courses.

Final Words:
Employers of the Future Workplace
Identify the pain points in the company. If you face attrition, don’t shy away from going back to the drawing board and rethinking your HR policies from scratch.
Employees for Future Careers
Skill up. Use technology to access the best of education and stay up to date with changing technologies.
Startups and SMEs of the Future
Leverage cheap technology to improve business processes. Keep innovating, don’t shy away from change. The world around you is moving fast. Dothings differently, instead of doing different things.
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Why Foreign Collaborations With Indian Institutes Are Benefiting Students

Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students. However, not many Indian students can afford the education. To match this need gap, in 2016, the Ministry of HRD, Government of India made amendments to the UGC program to respond to the aspirational needs of students. The program aims to engage with Foreign Educational Institutions of repute, study in part in these institutions and acquire a formal recognition of this in the form of a degree.
With this guidelines, the floodgates opened. Indian universities now looked to partner with foreign institutions. Many universities found this opportunity to synergize their curriculum with leading institutions abroad.

Why do students want to join an institute that has a foreign collaboration? Many Indian students who were looking for a global experience, but could not afford the expensive fees of study abroad programs could now get the best of both worlds. Stay in India, while develop a global perspective with foreign collaborations.
So What is a Twinning Program?

The UGC guidelines stipulate that only top level institutes will be granted permission to look for foreign collaborations. The education ministry wants to put checks and balances to ensure that world class institutes join for collaboration, and create a perfect blend of international educational curriculum for local students.
The guidelines also state that students who sign up for this program should be provided the opportunity to study abroad for at least one semester for post-graduate degrees and two semesters for under-graduate degrees. This clause ensures that students benefit from global exposure.
Who Should Consider a Foreign Collaboration Program?

1. Any student who cannot afford to study or live abroad for a long term course.
2. Students who want to get global exposure without leaving the shores.
3. Students who have personal responsibilities, and family compulsions that don’t allow them the leeway to study abroad.
The foreign collaboration offers them an opportunity to view the world, and experience the cultural and academic diversity that exist abroad.

How Will Students Benefit From the Foreign Collaboration?
Till recently, foreign education was for the upper sections of the economy. The big band of middle class India was left out, because of prohibitive costs. The government took cognizance of the matter, and how education plays a big role in the development of the economy. In a bid to bridge the class divide, the government has opened the door for foreign investment in Indian education. A gamut of opportunities has opened out to the lower sections of the society. While keeping with the standards of international education, the foreign collaborations help Indian students access global education at half the price. With a twinning program, students get to develop a global personality. They get to participate in student exchange programs, learn about other cultures while still being home, and gain an enriching academic experience.
Why Local Institutes Should Tie Up With Foreign Institutes
Local universities benefit from foreign tie-ups with reputed foreign universities.

1. The Exchange of Intellectual Ideas
The healthy exchange of knowledge, insight and information brings a wealth of know-how into the local institute. This creates a breeding ground for new ideas and research. Raises the bar for their internal faculty, and provides them an opportunity to interact with the brightest minds of the world.

2. Faculty interaction, and academic activities
Indian universities can help upgrade their training program for the faculty with the interaction with international faculty and administration. Also the academic activities help Indian universities design effective academic tools and activities to improve the curriculum.

3. Lucrative for Indian Students
More Indian students are looking forward to enrolling into such programs. However, it is necessary for universities to find an equal collaborator, where the local universities can gain the exchange. Partnering with foreign institutes also leverages the Indian institutes and they can charge a higher fee for the value-addition they bring to the table.

4. Access to a Richer and Diverse Breed of Students.
The exchange program attracts a targeted group of students who understand and value foreign education. This brings together a richer network of students, who in turn become brand ambassadors for the institute and create a rich and diverse student profile.

5. Better Campus Placement Results
Companies looking for students with a global education profile are happy to visit colleges offering collaborative courses for foreign education. Companies that are looking for candidates with global exposure prefer to go to institutes that offer foreign collaborated programs.

Why Foreign Universities Prefer to Liaison With Indian Institutes
So what brings the world’s best universities to India? Why would they want to be a part of a collaboration? More and more universities have begun to recognize the benefits of a foreign collaboration.
1. A Cross Cultural Exchange for Foreign Universities
It is a form of cross-cultural exchange that enriches both universities. Foreign institutes get to learn and understand about Indian cultures, ethos, environment and business. It offers them a perspective on how things are done in other parts of the world.

2. Access to Local Talent
Some of the best minds don’t have the monetary support to explore study abroad options. They get left behind in an education system that is already skewed towards the richer class. Also, the students learning abroad get to experience life in a different cultural setting.
The teachers have the opportunity to impart knowledge across their geographical boundaries. It is the mingling of minds and talent that enhances unique learning experiences.

How Does This Foreign Collaboration Benefit the Industry?
Of all the parties involved, the industry is really the litmus test of the foreign collaboration. Multinationals looking for local talent with a global perspective prefer students who have been educated in twinning programs. The enriching student exchange program also ensures that candidates have a real-life experience living abroad. At the same time, companies have to pay considerably less than their global counterparts, who recruit on foreign campuses. While paying in local currency, companies can hire global managers at half the cost.

Universities that don’t match up to the accreditation guidelines set up by the Ministry of HRD, they don’t get to enjoy the benefits of a foreign collaboration. As more universities improve their facilities and infrastructure to suitably impress the accreditation board, the education in India will see an uptick in its growth.
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