Studying Abroad vs Locally - Which is a Better Choice?

The quality of higher education is a key player in shaping a student's future. Most Indian students move to study abroad after the 12th to get a top-notch education. However, the decision to study abroad or in India depends on several factors such as financial performance, academic reports of students, and more.

When it comes to studying abroad, students need compelling reasons before deciding on a country, an academic institution, and a course. When it comes to studying locally, students are more aware of the academic institution where they wish to study. There is no doubt that there are some pros and cons of studying in India vs abroad. It is a smart decision to compare both options before selecting one. In this article, we will cover all the aspects of studying abroad vs studying locally.

Studying Abroad vs Studying Locally

Studying abroad will give you an amazing experience and may positively impact your career trajectory. On the other hand, you'll be away from your home, arranging a huge amount, and settling at a new place are some challenges. So, should I consider studying in India? There are multiple elite universities and colleges at home. There you'll get high-quality and subsidized education. The biggest challenge is the opportunities are limited in India. 

The following table will provide an overview of various factors that a student must consider before making a decision to study abroad or studying locally:

Benefits of Studying Abroad

There are multiple benefits of studying abroad. Some of the advantages of studying abroad include good career opportunities, international exposure, independence, development of confidence, better command of foreign languages, etc. In addition, if you get selected by a top-ranking university, you will have access to excellent work opportunities. Here are some points that will mention the benefits of studying abroad:

1) Career Opportunities Abroad

If you get selected by a top-ranking university, you will gain access to brilliant career opportunities and can work in big companies such as Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Amazon, Google, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Apple, etc. As an example, the median base salary for MIT graduates was $165,000. Similarly, in the case of the University of Cambridge in the UK, the average salary of an MBA graduate was £96,429.

2) Networking Opportunities Abroad

Most foreign universities provide facilities of career centres that help students in finding their desired employment. Most of the placements and recruitments happen with the help of networking. This process will help you build excellent professional networks that will help you in finding good internships, sandwich placements, and full-time jobs.

3) Exposure to New Cultures Abroad

Another benefit of studying abroad for Indian students includes exposure to different cultures. It helps you build lasting bonds with your peers, gain knowledge about different cultures, and improve your communication skills. It is a life-changing opportunity to study abroad.

Benefits of Studying Locally

Now that you are aware of the various advantages of studying abroad, you must understand the various benefits of studying locally as well. Some of the advantages of studying in your own country include your familiarity with the economy and job market, familiarity with the culture, ease of communication, etc. It will be easier for you to adapt in you will not have to adjust to a new culture. In addition, the cost of studying in your own country will be less compared to the cost of studying abroad.

The choice of studying abroad or studying in India is influenced by many variables, including one's personal preferences, career objectives, financial situation, and academic requirements. Studying abroad will give you access to study in top-ranked universities in the world, improve your self-confidence and help you to learn how to live independently. On the other side, you will get limited exposure while studying in India, high competition but much affordable than studying abroad. In the end, each student should consider the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad vs at home and then make a choice based on their own tastes and ambitions.

For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.