Top 10 Myths about Studying Abroad that Indians Believe

There are several myths about studying abroad that prevail among study abroad aspirants and even among their parents and guardians. These myths, to a much bigger extent, affect their decision-making and may even alter their chance of getting on to this life-transforming journey. Hence, in this article, Vibha Kagzi has cleared the air by tackling common myths surrounding foreign education.

By Vibha Kagzi

When it comes to foreign education, a lot of false information reaches potential students. This misinformation projects an alternate reality and causes the students to make uninformed life-altering decisions. Instead of listening to heresy or rumours, it is best to get information from an official or authentic source. In this article, we will bust the top 10 myths about studying abroad, lay emphasis on whether the given myth is true or not and present the reality, if not true.

1. Myth #1: Studying Abroad is only for the Rich

Fact: Not True

Reality: The cost of studying abroad is typically higher than education in India, no doubt. The cost will vary depending on factors like the university, location, and duration of the program. For this reason, it is important to select universities that suit your budget. Another way to look at finances is not from the expense point of view, but from the long-term return on investment point of view.

If you plan your finances well, your education will not seem like a burden. Play cautiously and avoid redundant expenses by being minimalistic and practical. In addition, you can take on-campus jobs, teaching assistance, research assistance, or other work to supplement your income. The icing here is that by working part-time, you also gain valuable work experience. After completing your education, you get an opportunity to work abroad with some high-profile, leading companies. In most cases, students manage to pay off their EMI or education loans in the first few years of joining their new job.

2. Myth #2: It’s Difficult to Get a Scholarship for Indian Students

Fact: Not True

Reality: There are two kinds of scholarships available for international students. Merit-based and Need-based. Now, the governments of countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Japan, and a few European countries acknowledge the exceptional performance of international students by granting funds, financial rewards, and scholarships to develop and promote international education. Usually, need-based scholarships are for UG students. Whereas, graduate students can get assistantships. You can benefit from these funds. Also, you can avail of scholarships sponsored by a few global, national, regional organisations, and financial institutions. In addition, one of the most common scholarships awarded by universities is in the form of a full or partial waiver on tuition fees for outstanding international students. You can contact the international students' community or the financial aid office at your target universities to gain a better understanding of your specific options and eligibility criteria.

Related Links:

• Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants
• What are the chances of receiving a Scholarship?
• Common Expenses Covered in Scholarship

3. Myth #3: Employers Do Not Give Importance to Study Abroad.

Fact: Not true

Reality: Here are the numbers. According to the 2021 Corporate Recruiters Survey Report conducted by GMAC, a non-profit educational body, in 2021, companies continued to express high levels of hiring demand for business school graduates. The actual hiring of MBA graduates in 2020 was 80%, which was expected to rebound to 91% in 2021. Globally, a majority of employers have reported that their companies will be focused on growth and expansion in 2021. By region, the majority of the employers have projected an increase in hiring, with Asia-Pacific at 73%, Europe at 86%, and the US at 94%.

Employers associate study abroad candidates with the following skills:

1. International Exposure
2. Great social skills
3. Strong problem-solving skills
4. Advanced communication skills and language proficiency
5. Self-reliance
6. Risk-taking
7. Understanding cross-cultural dynamics
8. Flexibility and adaptability
9. Global network

As more and more companies work across borders and cultures, a degree from a foreign university on your resume will keep you a step ahead of the competition in the job market.

4. Myth #4: Travelling Alone Gives You the Same Experience.

Fact: Not True

Reality: One of the most exciting aspects of studying abroad is the opportunity for cultural immersion. You gain an insight into the traditions and lifestyles of other communities. Also, in a classroom with students from across the globe, you broaden your horizon as you interact in this multi-diverse environment.

Educational excursions, unlike tour companies, earmark specific landmarks within the city and in the countryside where students get to learn about the history, growth of a country, and roots of local customs and conventions.

5. Myth #5: I’ll Have No Friends and Feel Lonely.

Fact: Not True

Reality: The world is your playground, and you have to choose what you want to do. Outside your restricted set of local interactions, here is an opportunity to advance your social skills, broaden your social network, and 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 it, you’ll be part of your clique. Universities abroad recognise the need to make their international students feel at home. Schools make conscious attempts to promote healthy cultural exchange. This experience will be the cornerstone of your education, by influencing your personality and instilling in you a greater understanding of people outside your boundaries. You begin to appreciate the differences and diversity while harbouring a spirit of camaraderie.

6. Myth #6: I Will Have Problems Communicating With Foreigners.

Fact: Not True

Reality: In most foreign colleges, English is the spoken language and also the medium of instruction. However, before applying, take a look at the language prerequisites or criteria prescribed by your university. If you are not attuned to listening to foreign accents, you may find it initially difficult to comprehend what’s being said. But this is an easy problem to overcome. Before commencing your course, you can expose yourself to audio that helps you understand foreign language accents, speech modulation, and foreign tongues. Take this as an opportunity for a new language or to learn 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, which would enrich your communication skills.

7. Myth #7: Indian Students Get Neglected

Fact: Not True at All

Reality: To a great extent, the media is responsible for creating a misunderstanding about Indians. What the media portrays is a distorted picture of reality. While Indians in many television sitcoms are caricatured to resemble their ethnicity, that is not the general view of the international community about Indians.

At colleges, 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 educational environment. They believe that for effective learning in no way should students feel threatened. You must know that hundreds, if not thousands, of Indians have gone abroad much before your time, and have gained immensely. The school is familiar with our cultural uniqueness, and they are more than welcome. You will be surprised at how wonderfully and spontaneously local students accept you and offer their assistance.

8. Myth #8: Studying Abroad is No Longer Safe.

Fact: Not True

Reality: Reputed foreign universities recognise the need to provide a safe environment for their students. Colleges have a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment of international students. They take their job of providing a safe environment very seriously. To this end, they implement strict regulations to ensure safety on and off campus. According to the policy, staff, as well as students, must adhere to all safety norms and obligations. Any deviation from the norm, depending on the gravity of the circumstance, will attract strict disciplinary action. However, just as anywhere in the world, safety measures while studying abroad will be no different. Before leaving for your new college, study the school’s campus safety measures. Find out whom to consult in case of a situation of campus bullying. Approach the school authorities or the local police for issues related to racial abuse or terrorism. MADAD, an Indian government initiative for Indians living abroad, takes care of the safety and security of Indian students abroad. You can approach MADAD too, in case you run into trouble.

9. Myth #9: Studying Abroad More or Less Gives the Same Experience as Travelling Abroad for Vacation Does

Fact: Not True 

Reality: Many students think that a studying abroad experience will be pretty much the same as their last vacation abroad travel experience. However, this is not a true case. Studying abroad takes a lot more involvement than a vacation abroad. To start with, studying abroad comes with a residency of 4-5 years, which means you will have to get settled and adapt to the culture of the foreign land, immerse yourself in the culture and learn the local language. While all this may not be necessary for a vacation abroad. With studying abroad, students gain global exposure, knowledge from the top faculties in their fields, networking, self-realisation, and relational interdependence, which may not be possible while studying in one's own country.

10. Myth #10: Too Late to Start Studying Abroad

Fsct: False

Reality: Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that one should definitely experience if they can. The experience is a memorable and fulfilling one, which can even help you determine your life's goal. However, some students who get their initial education in their home country, like a UG or diploma course or some who even start working after completing their UG/PG degrees in their home country, start to think that it's too late for them to start a study abroad journey. However, that is not true. The right time for you to start studying abroad is when you are ready for it.  

With high stakes, concerns give way to misconceptions. Studying abroad is not without challenges. However, it is important to be prepared and not fall prey to rumours. Don’t let wrong ideas mar your determination.

Now let's see some myths that are true.

Not Just Myths: Myths that are True

Some myths or perceptions about studying abroad may seem like exaggerations or common beliefs among aspirants. However, many of them hold a significant amount of truth. So, here in this section, we will uncover some myths about studying abroad that are true.

1. "It will be a huge culture shock, especially with food and social norms."

Yes, this is not just a myth; it's a fact. The cultural shock is a truth. More than you realise, the cultural shock, change of place, and food habits hit you first and the hardest when you reach abroad. These facts that often look like overstatements would make you think twice and re-adjust your body's clock with the change of meal timings, food ingredients, sleeping habits, to social etiquette.

2. "You will become very independent and self-reliant."

Even if you hire a study abroad consultancy to get you to your dream university, you will still have to do many things on your own to shape your study abroad dream. Self-reliance and independence then just come out as the undeniable outcomes of studying abroad. This starts with tasks like managing finances, cooking, cleaning, doing your laundry, paying those bills, making a budget and sticking to it every month without a fail, navigating public transport, dealing with landlords, and solving everyday problems – often without immediate family support. 

3. "It's going to be expensive, even with scholarships and part-time jobs."

Life seems to be easy when you get successful in securing a scholarship to study abroad at your dream university. However, the reality hits hard when you realise that your scholarship, and let alone your part-time job, are not enough to deal with your monthly expenses. Many students feel a cash crunch in the beginning, as they may be new to budgeting and are not ready for what might come ahead in a foreign country. 

About the Author:

	Vibha Kagzi is Founder and Chief Education Officer, Reachivy.com. She has done her MBA from Harvard Business School and BSc from Carnegie Mellon University.

This was all about the top 10 myths about studying abroad. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.