Overseas Education: Is It Really Worth It?

Over the course of 16 years of guiding students for international education, our boardroom discussions have inadvertently discussed this topic. As life progresses with time and the scale of economies evolves, we want to ensure that we keep adding value to careers of young aspirants. The biggest achievement of our jobs is to be part of  the positive transformation of lives.

When I started working 9 years ago – I was always consumed with thoughts of – Aren’t we promoting brain drain? Don’t we have best institutions in India?

9 years down the line – I am the biggest advocate of international education as I have witnessed lives transformed. So what makes it special? It’s the LIFE SKILLS learnt that add value at the most critical juncture of life. TOP QUALITY EDUCATION is a bonus.  Sharing what our students have shared with us over the years:

• EXPOSURE: It opens up a new world while studying; the cultural and ethnic mix opens up new vistas and stimulates learning from different perspectives.

• ‘INDEPENDENCE’: From an Indian environment of being dependent on parents; dependent for food, clothing and careers to; having to take independent decisions is a fair distance. It is tough in the beginning but then that strengthens you as a person, for life.

• TIME MANAGEMENT: When you juggle studies, work, laundry, cooking & partying all together – learning how to do manage time better happens automatically. Independence pushes one to start thinking of not only short time goals but long term goals as well. One stops drifting, instead takes control of one’s life.

• ‘MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LEARNING:Best practices in learning and teaching make one understand theories not through ‘Cramming’ but practical application simultaneously. The latest in curriculum and application method makes one more valuable in any work culture. The multi-cultural and international exposure transforms one into a ‘GLOBAL CITIZEN’

• INTELLECTUAL QUOTIENT: Studying at top quality institutions across the globe, learning from professors who are not only MASTERS in their own domain but work strongly with the industry. The courses are designed after thorough intellectual exchanges with the industry honchos ascertaining future needs. It continues to raise the bar.

• ‘RESPECT & ACCEPTANCE’: With so much to do and a short time in hand– our tempers flare and we just have no tolerance levels these days- but when one studies and lives in groups – you learn to accept things, respect and value your own parents, friends and acquaintances better – helping you become a well rounded and a sensitive human being.

• EXCELLENT COOKING SKILLS: Without a choice, experimenting with food when you don’t have your mom to cook for you – this is one skill that you start to flourish at!

These could be few of the numerous things one will gain wisdom on besides study advantages, academic boost and skills learning. See more about this on a beautiful infographic here.

These life skills you gain make it worth the entire effort and money spent as you become a global citizen for jobs and world becomes your playing field. If resources, parents support and circumstances allow- Do try it once in life!!!

All you need to know about Study Abroad

Know how studying abroad is advantageous for your career, Analyze the numbers on how it will boost you CV, the outlook you will have, the skills you can develop.
– Courtesy of Daily Infographic

Attitude Check: Before You Plan For Your Overseas Education

Getting a visa for any country is not a big deal, if you can understand what is the right way to proceed with your application. And all these years I haven’t seen any problems for genuine students and were not allowed into the study destinations of their choice.

What’s difficult is coping with the new environment. It is of utmost importance to be mentally prepared before you take the step and to understand what lies in ahead so in order to be fully prepared.

Ask the following questions & if your answers are ‘YES’ – bravo you are in the game:

1. Ready to face a hard life: As my MD Ms. Sonya Singh always tell students-

Your life as a student is going to be a tough, trying to juggle different things all at once. In order to build a great global career – one has to be prepared to go through the grind.

In India most of the parents provide a cushioned environment while bringing up the children. How many of us help our moms at home in doing household chores? How many of us study along with juggling part time work? How many of us walk or use public transport these days to get ourselves from one place to another? And many such liberties around us are taken for granted.

During our study years overseas, one has to study, work part time, cook, clean and do everything else without any help. One need to be prepared mentally and to not get bogged down by all that is thrown at you together.

Remember it’ll be first few months that will be tough but once you get used to managing time – it’ll become easier and you’d actually feel pretty happy about yourself being able to handle so much.

2. Focus Right:

You’ll have to prepare yourself for tough situations and FOCUS on the outcome for the hard work and long term goals. Right focus will help you get through all the hardships. Tackle things in steps, one at a time instead to trying to it all together.

3. Mindset for part time jobs:

We understand the importance of earning living expenses while you are studying overseas but what goes wrong is if your primary motive becomes work and studies become secondary.

You’ll meet a lot of people who will have different mind set and will give you all sorts of advice but before loosing your focus – think about your investments and your future.

I have come across students who loose focus and not only loose the opportunity to learn but end up being nowhere. As not studying and attending lectures might lead to failing in the exams or passing with below average marks. The result is either you end up repeating exams or paying more fees or would end up with mediocre jobs.
So the ball is in your court on how you want to shape up your future!

Nidhi Vij

Marketing Head

SIEC Education Pvt Ltd.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE HOTTEST PLACE AND THE HOTTEST COURSE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO STUDY ABROAD?

How to choose a abroad destination, how to opt a great course?

A timeless question asked year after year by prospective students and their parents over the last 2 decade, ever since  I founded SIEC Education Pvt  Ltd. in 1995.  There was no simple answer then, as there is no simple answer now. What has changed over the years is the number of graduates with International Degrees has gone up exponentially, not to mention graduates with vocational skills. So the exclusivity of a foreign degree or diploma no longer exists.

The question then is after spending thousands of dollars, what value are you getting out of studying abroad?

My answer to that question is , a set of questions that you must ask yourself before choosing a course or a university.

• The first one is the crucial one. What do I hope to achieve in the short term and in the long term , if I choose to study in a particular country for a particular course?

• Second one is, have I done enough research about both, to enable me to create a roadmap for my success?

• The last one is , am I willing to get out of my comfort zone and willing to work hard to achieve those goals?

The reality is that most of the students choose courses and countries for all the wrong reasons.

Either a friends recommendation, a relatives presence, the countries work policies or immigration policies become the deciding factors. I agree that these may be attractive options, but the fact is all of the above are changeable factors and you cannot base your future on these.

Studying abroad in any country is a great opportunity to expand your horizons, your thought process and your goals. Leaving home and getting out in the world is an experience in itself, which sets you on the path of becoming an adult. As an adult you have to take your own decisions, choose your own battles and win them every single day and that is the real challenge. Going abroad and living and studying abroad gives you life skills that are yours forever. You cannot acquire them by mixing with the same friends, going to the same social functions and sitting in front of cable television.

The bottom line is if you want to succeed in another country , you have to  understand its culture , its people , its economic and social environment and you have to do it quickly , in the 2 or 3 years you have to finish your degree. You have to create meaningful networks among other local and international students , which become reference points for your future success and this takes effort and hard work.

 A number of you assume that only acquiring a degree will be the key to your success and get a shock when it does not work that way. Then the country is blamed, the university is blamed and the course is certified useless. The search for the hot course and the hot country starts again.

You have to understand one fact and that is, No Country, No Course is hot in itself. You have to become so hot yourself, that opportunities in any country with your chosen qualifications open up for you through your own network that you have created and through your own self confidence you have acquired. This is something that will never change with time or circumstances and you carry this empowerment with you for the rest of your life. What can be  HOTTER than this?

Sonya Singh

MD and Founder

SIEC Education Pvt Ltd