10 Essential Tips for Indian Students Embarking on Their Study Abroad Journey

Planning to study abroad and venture into unfamiliar territories, know about 10 essential study abroad tips to help you go through the entire process in a more prepared and informed way.

Every year scores of Indian students choose to study abroad. The experience becomes transformative to them as they get the opportunity to grow better by gaining a global perspective and getting exposure to different cultures. If one is planning to study abroad, it is highly important to be prepared otherwise the whole process can be a daunting experience. 

To make the whole experience more exciting be prepared for what to expect next and plan according. The aspirant needs to be mentally prepared as they will not only need to adjust to a diverse culture but also need to fulfil the academic requirements in an unfamiliar and new territory.

Though the pandemic created a lot of challenges for study abroad aspirants in the recent past as soon as the situations have improved worldwide, there has been an increase in the Indian students venturing abroad for higher education. Some of the top countries on the list of preferred locations of study abroad for Indian students are - Australia, Canada and the USA.

Following are some of the tips which Indian students must follow to make the whole experience joyful and comfortable:

Research

Before leaving the country to study abroad, the first thing required is proper planning which can only be done if you have researched about the possible options. Research about the countries in which you are interested in studying, research about its lifestyle, universities, academic programs, campus faculties and other related things. Try to research about the culture to avoid any kind of cultural shock.

Visa and Documentation

To go to other countries to study requires a Visa and documentation. Once you decide on the destination, start soon with the visa and documentation process.

Financial planning

Studying in international colleges can be financially highly demanding, so plan your budget for accommodation, living expenses, and tuition fees. Explore options of scholarships offered at the university you have chosen to study and also about grants, and part-time work opportunities that can help you in easing your financial burden. There are also student loan and international banking solutions to help you with financial planning.

Test Preparation

One should prepare for the standardised test required by their chosen institutes. Many universities abroad mandate standardised test scores for admission. These tests include GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, and other English language proficiency tests including IELTS or TOEFL. Securing high in these tests will ensure that you will get admission to your preferred college.

Bag packing

This is crucial to not face any unexpected problems later on. One needs to make a list of what all they will need in their bags from prescribed medicines, documents, laptops, chargers, and clothes as per the weather of their destination country. To know in detail about bag packing planning, read here - Ultimate Packing List for Indian Students Studying Overseas 

Time Management

It is a skill that helps you everywhere in life. If you are going to study away from your country, effective time management helps you to learn more, make your stay in another country more productive and reduce your stress while balancing your personal life with academics and extracurricular activities.

Stay Resilient

No matter how much you prepare, you are likely to face a few unexpected circumstances, where you need to tackle things with the right mindset. You need to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and stay flexible and resilient during challenging times.

Seek Support Services

Universities abroad also offer support services for international students such as counselling services, academic advisors, and international student offices. The students must approach them for proper assistance and guidance.

Develop soft skills

Again this skill is going to help you everywhere, the same applies to foreign universities. It is better to develop soft skills including adaptability, problem solving and communication. This will help you create better networking at the university, will increase your popularity and is also highly valued by employers.

Be in touch with family

While you are away from home it is very important to stay connected with family and discuss your experiences with them. This will help you keep mentally healthy and will make you more comfortable. Technology has made it much easier to be connected through social media platforms and video calls.

Follow these tips to make your study abroad journey more useful and productive while exploring new things.

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