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Why Study Abroad

Have you considered studying abroad, but are not sure whether it’s worth your time? If you ask anybody who has studied abroad, he or she will most certainly tell you that it is a life-changing experience and one of the most rewarding things he or she has ever done. Perhaps you’re not certain what benefits you can reap from an extended stay in a foreign country. Here are 10 very excellent reasons why you should take the plunge:

Study abroad is the optimal way to learn a language. There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning. You’re surrounded by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context. Language learning happens most quickly under these circumstances.
Study abroad provides the opportunity to travel. Weekends and academic breaks allow you to venture out and explore your surroundings – both your immediate and more distant surroundings. Since studying abroad often puts you on a completely different continent, you are much closer to places you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit. Some more structured study abroad programs even have field trips planned in or around the curriculum.
Study abroad allows you get to know another culture first-hand. Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and personal habits. A person’s culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence his or her way of life and the way that s/he views the world. Students who experience cultural differences personally can come to truly understand where other cultures are coming from.
Study abroad will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide. Being immersed in an entirely new cultural setting is scary at first, but it’s also exciting. It’s an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. You will encounter situations that are wholly unfamiliar to you and will learn to adapt and respond in effective ways.
Study abroad affords you the opportunity to make friends around the world. While abroad, you will meet not only natives to the culture in which you are studying, but also other international students who are as far from home as yourself.
Study abroad helps you to learn about yourself. Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture. The experience abroad often challenges them to reconsider their own beliefs and values. The experience may perhaps strengthen those values or it may cause students to alter or abandon them and embrace new concepts and perceptions. The encounter with other cultures enables students to see their own culture through new eyes.
Study abroad expands your worldview. In comparison with citizens of most other countries, Americans tend to be uninformed about the world beyond the nation’s boundaries. Students who study abroad return home with an informed and much less biased perspective toward other cultures and peoples.
Study abroad gives you the opportunity to break out of your academic routine. Study abroad is likely to be much unlike what you are used to doing as a student. You may become familiar with an entirely new academic system and you will have the chance to take courses not offered on your home campus. It’s also a great opportunity to break out the monotony of the routine you follow semester after semester.
Study abroad enhances employment opportunities. Did you know that only 4% of U.S. undergraduates ever study abroad? Yet, the world continues to become more globalize, American countries are increasingly investing dollars abroad, and companies from countries around the world continue to invest in the international market. Through an employer’s eyes, a student who has studied abroad is self-motivated, independent, willing to embrace challenges, and able to cope with diverse problems and situations. Your experience living and studying in a foreign country, negotiating another culture, and acquiring another language will all set you apart from the majority of other job applicants.
Study abroad can enhance the value of your degree. While abroad, you can take courses you would never have had the opportunity to take on your home campus. In addition, study abroad gives your language skills such a boost that it is normally quite easy to add a minor in a language or even a second major without having to take many more additional courses after the return to your home campus.

Massachusetts

Institute of Technology

California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles

California

Institute of Technology

Institute of Technology

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

North Carolina at Chapel Hill

There are mainly three categories of student visas:

F-1 (Student Visa): The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic program plus 60 days. These students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form. You should apply for a multiple entry F-1 student visa. With a multiple entry visa you can travel between US and India during the duration of your stay in the Unites States.
M Visa (Non-Academic or Vocational Studies): This visa is appropriate f or people who want to study or train at a non-academic institution in the U.S.
J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa): The J-1 visa is issued to students needing practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to their academic program. The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.

PERMISSION TO WORK IN USA

Acceptance by University: This is the foremost condition for applying for a student visa. The university sends you form I-20 (certification of eligibility) that needs to be filled and submitted at the time of the interview.
Knowledge of English Language: Proof of the required scholastic preparation is usually established by form I-20 from the institution involved and the entries on the form. To establish their knowledge of English, applicants are encouraged to take the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL). This is available in many Indian cities.
Financial Resources: Since a student visa is a non immigrant type of a visa, you will have to provide proof that you have sufficient funds to cover the total cost of education and stay in the U.S. This implies evidence of readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year and of the availability of funds for the following years from reliable financial resources. To satisfy this requirement, applicants may show that funds are available from the educational institution, from their personal resources or from sponsors (normally a very close relative), who have agreed to pay for their education. If the support is from the educational institution, in the form of a scholarship, assistant ship, on-campus employment, etc., it is usually noted on the I-20 form.
Non-Immigrant Intent: It is difficult to prove that you intend to return to India after your studies are complete even though you sincerely intend to. This is because by law, all non-immigrants are viewed as “intending immigrants.” This means that the visa officer is under the assumption that you will be coming to the US and will remain in the US permanently. You should carry with you documents that demonstrate ties to India and would help convince the consul of your intent to return.

PROCESSING OF VISA APPLICATION FOR USA

After the 9/11 attack, security concerns have risen. If, however, you keep all the required documents at hand and follow the process diligently you can hasten the process. It is advisable to apply for a student’s visa at the earliest possible, immediately after receiving form I-20. The interview can be arranged up to 120 days prior to the beginning of the course and the student can enter the US 30 days prior to the commencement of the classes.

Step 1 (Pay the fee): You must pay the application fee (currently $100 or INR4, 600) and VFS service’ charge at a designated branch of HDFC bank before applying for a visa.
Step 2 (I-20 and SEVIS charges): You must have received from the school a document called I-20. This document also requires a payment to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) registration system. If the school has made this payment on behalf of the applicant, the confirmation information must be produced at the time of interview.
Step 3 (Schedule an interview): Log on to the website http://www.vfs-usa.co.in and click on the ‘Apply for a Non-immigrant Visa’ link once the fees are paid. You will need to use the barcode number from your HDFC bank fee receipt in order to schedule an appointment. You will be required to fill the forms DS-156 and DS-157 and DS-158 (if applicable) at that time. You will have to wait 48 hours after paying the fee before you can book an appointment.
Step 4 (Report for the interview): Report to the US Embassy or Consulate where your appointment for a visa interview is scheduled.

VISA INTERVIEW

Having written many essays and SOPs, you should not find the interview process stressful. The American consulate has introduced a system of prior appointments for visa interviews. On the given date, you will have to appear for a personal interview. You should convince the visa officer that you have the necessary funds to cover the cost of education. You should prove that you hold strong ties with India and also that are not an intending immigrant. While answering the questions, one should be brief and to the point. Most importantly, consular officials want to hear from the applicant. At no time, is it recommended that the applicants bring family members with them to the interview.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS

Passport having validity of at least six months
Original HDFC Bank Fee Receipt with its two barcode stickers
Interview appointment letter
Form I-20 and the admission letter from the University/College mentioning the total cost of education in the USA (If you have received admission letters/rejection letters from more than one university, carry all of them).
Evidence of scholarship/aid/grant, if any
Sponsorship letter
Educational certificates, degrees, diplomas & mark sheets
Score reports of TOEFL and GRE/GMAT/SAT
Work experience certificate/reference letter from employer, if employed
Bank statements/pass books of the sponsors for the last three years
Summary statement of assets and total income of family members
Income tax papers of the sponsor and his family for the last 3 years
Proof of all movable and immovable assets.

Toronto - St. George Campus

Halifax Regional Municipality

University of Newfoundland

VISA POLICIES

In Canada, student visas are called study permits. All overseas students are required to obtain a study permit before going to Canada. Students must also meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations. If, however, your course duration is of six months or less you do not need a study permit.

On January 1st, 2016, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a new policy for international students in post-secondary studies. These students can now transfer between programs of study and institutions without applying for a change in the conditions of their study permit. They can also transfer between public and private institutions. This policy applies to students who have a valid study permit for training or studying at the post-secondary level, such as a university, community college, CEGEP, private university, Career College, academy, school or a training institution.

SALIENT/ADVANTAGEOUS FEATURES

There are benefits to having a study permit. A valid study permit allows you to:

Work part-time on the campus at which you are registered as a full-time student
Apply to renew your study permit from within Canada, if you decide to continue studying in Canada.

CONDITIONS FOR APPLYING FOR A VISA

Acceptance by University: This is the foremost condition for applying for a student visa. You need to prove that there is a university that has accepted you and you are going to join it.

Proof of Funds: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources available to pay tuition fees, maintain yourself and dependants, and to pay return transportation costs without engaging in employment in Canada . For example, students without accompanying dependants must demonstrate that they have at least 10,000 Canadian dollars plus the cost of tuition for a twelve-month period, plus the cost of transportation to and fro from Canada. This amount ($10,000) is the base amount considered adequate to cover all costs, other than tuition, for one person for a twelve-month period. Some educational institutions require that more funds be available. If the local cost of living is higher than average more money is required.

Non-Immigrant Intent: Satisfy the visa officer that you will return home at the end of the studies. For example you could show them p roof of land ownership.

PERMISSION TO WORK IN CANADA

If you are going to a private institution your study permit may have different conditions. One such condition states that unless authorized, you are prohibited from engaging in employment in Canada. If you later transfer to a public university or college, you would become eligible for on-campus employment or any other employment provisions available to students at those institutions. You do not need to change your study permit to become eligible for on-campus employment, your registration at an eligible institution is sufficient.

PROCESSING OF VISA APPLICATION

Step 1: First of all, you need a letter of acceptance from the school. Keep this letter to apply for your study permit at the visa office. Get your application kit ready. An application kit includes a guide an application form and a document checklist .
Step 2: Besides a study permit, you will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) as well. A separate application or fee is not needed for this. It is recommended that you request a multiple-entry TRV which allows you to leave (e.g. for visits home, academic conferences, etc.) and re-enter Canada many times.
Step 3: Submit your application, your fees, and the required documents to a Canadian visa office.
Step 4: An interview with a Canadian Visa Officer may be required. If this is the case, you will be told in writing of the time and place for the interview.
Step 5: Once the study permit application is approved, the Canadian visa office will issue you a letter of introduction confirming the approval. This letter is not your study permit.
Step 6: Make sure to bring this letter with you to show to immigration officials when you enter Canada . You will then be issued a study permit.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS

The following documents are required (make 2 sets of photocopies for each on A4-size paper):

Studies permit application form with three photographs
Educational certificates/diplomas/degrees (including mark sheets)
Completed supplementary questionnaire for students and postdoctoral researchers
Official letter of acceptance from a Canadian university, college or technical Institute
Certificate of acceptance from the province of Quebec (this is only for those of you who plan to study in the province of Quebec)

TOEFL/IELTS scores if applicable

Passport, valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry to Canada, plus valid passports of any accompanying dependents
Bank draft for the applicable visa processing fees
Proof of funds

CANADIAN EMBASSY DETAILS IN INDIA

New Delhi
Canadian High Commission
7/8, Shantipath
Chanakyapuri

New Delhi – 110 021 All individuals who need to appear at the embassy for visa matters should report to gate 6 (visa gate) which is located on Nyaya Marg.

University At St Petersburg

Institute of Technology Lausanne

University of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Alma Mater

Studiorum - Università di Bologna

Bologna

London

School of Economics and Political Science

Europe is a romantic mélange of past and present. Every pocket and corner boasts its own distinct culture. You would think it would be a region that we are all at least peripherally familiar with, given our historical ‘ties’. However, much of European education remains an undiscovered domain for many of us. You may be familiar with some of the top institutions. These have an excellent quality.

The problem is that many Indians feel daunted by several uncertainties that surround the possibility of studying in Europe. More often than not, most of these uncertainties tend to be only partially true. Here are some common myths that you should be aware of:

You have to know multiple languages: A little knowledge about other languages will definitely prove beneficial. A lack of working knowledge of these, however, will not prove to be an impediment. English is widely spoken in many European countries and this is the language you need.
Getting Work Permits is difficult: This is not true for those who are educated and qualified. Usually, educated and qualified labor will find it as easy to obtain a work permit.
Cost of Living is pricey: This is true of the metropolises, but then, it is an important characteristic of any metro city in the world. However, in certain countries in Europe there are high taxes. It is a fact that day-to-day expenditure can be more expensive in these than in any other part of the world. You should be aware of these facts and make your decision accordingly.

Finding Employment is tough: The savvy, enterprising professional who is one step ahead will usually find what he’s looking for. Someone who waits for an opportunity to knock at the door might lose the race. This holds true for a person in any part of the world. Employment opportunities do tend to vary from sector to sector and you should make yourself aware of the facts.

The Bologna Accord

One of the traditional and substantive difficulties for international students in Europe was the lack of uniformity in its education. Undergraduate education and post-graduate education varied in duration depending on the country. As a result they varied in recognition as well. This proved to be a big problem for international students. The Bologna Accord was signed in 1999. It has set standards for uniformity across European education to mirror the Bachelors-Masters system. The Bologna Accord seeks to:

Create a system of comparable and understandable degrees throughout the European Union
Establish a clear and standard division between undergraduate and graduate studies
Promote student mobility among different fields of study, institutions, and nations
Develop a quality-assurance process and governing body to ensure standard qualifications and quality throughout participating countries
Define a European focus for higher education

So now don’t limit yourself. If you want to be educated in Europe go for it. You can ward off your worries and attend any course, undergraduate or post-graduate in any part of Europe . It is important to research on the destination that you are interested in before you make your decision.