How to pick the right international university?

What to consider while selecting your University?

Yes, finding the right university matters, but before you get too attached to a program, consider where in the world you’ll be! How far away from home do you want to be? Are you ready to deal with visa application processes? Have you ever visited the country you’re going to? What is the weather like there? 

It’s important to ask yourself these questions because ultimately, you will be able to thrive academically only if you are comfortable physically. Everything from culture, weather, proximity to loved ones, food, and even future job opportunities is important to consider. Also note that paying for college tuition, and pricing can be vastly different from country to country, especially for local versus international students. It’s important to take this into consideration as well.

There are great schools all over the world — narrowing down your list of the most suitable international universities is an important first filter to apply. 

What program are you interested in?

I so often see students aiming for international universities instead of programs. Yes, some schools have great ratings and awesome professors, but it doesn’t make sense to go to a great computer science university if you’re interested in drama (unless they have a great drama school too). It is very much worth looking into departmental reputations, research opportunities, curricula, and more when looking at a school. You should also consider what sorts of interdisciplinary opportunities there are if you want to explore things beyond your field of study.

Furthermore, to select your university, checking its ranking is important. It is a combination of lot of factors – but many universities have great facilities, faculty, and resources. Look beyond the facade of the university homepage and dig deeper into what you want to study. You might find something unique!

Scholarship Opportunities

Some schools offer scholarships, but many have conditions tacked on. Some of these are merit-based, some are need-based, and many are limited to students from certain demographics (e.g. local students, women, etc.). There are also some organizations and government bodies that offer special internships depending on the program an applicant is applying for or an applicant’s background. It’s worth looking for these scholarship opportunities to find the best country for study for Indian students. Check in your home country, the country your university is in, organizations connected to programs you’re interested in, and within universities themselves for scholarship programs. Scholarship money is money for your future and may open up other opportunities for you.

On-campus jobs

Another way to earn while in college is by applying for an on-campus job! Lots of universities have work-study programs, or at least offer paid jobs to students. There are often also employment opportunities in the area that you can take advantage of during the school year. See if your school has any of these opportunities and get in touch with alumni or advisors to see how students have taken them up in the past.

Extracurricular activities

Are you interested in sports? Are you a passionate debater? Do you like volunteering in the community? If extracurricular activities were a big part of your high school career (or if you’re even interested in trying new things in college), you should definitely look into what sorts of clubs, teams, and outreach programs your university has. 

In terms of sports and other competitive activities, some colleges have a larger sports culture than others – if that’s important or interesting to you, then look into that as well! This applies to things like music and theatre as well – schools with strong performing and visual arts programs will often have discounted or free tickets for students to attend and support their peers. It’s a great way to build new interests.

Consider the campus and surrounding area of the university you select for studying

Some universities are in more remote parts of the country but have big, beautiful, historic campuses. Some universities are in the middle of cities but have less spacious amenities. Colleges come in all shapes and sizes and are placed in all sorts of settings. It is important to manage your expectations and ensure that you are taking your needs into account. The setting will, after all, determine everything from what you do on the weekends, to internship opportunities. 

On that same note, some colleges have a few hundred students total, and others have thousands. Depending on the college, classes can be as small as 3 students or as large as 500 or more. If you are the kind of student that needs more 1-on-1 time, and a close-knit community, maybe a smaller school would be a better fit. If you like to be a part of a big community, with larger events and more diversity and energy, then maybe a bigger school works for you. Not sure? Lots of alumni and current students post about their experiences on online college forums, which are definitely worth looking into.

Application Fees and Essays

Studying out of India comes with its own set of perks and challenges, and managing finances abroad while studying at the top universities abroad is exhausting. After entering one of the best affordable countries to study, the first concern that Indian students still face is planning the expenses of living, their cost of education and balancing work and life. 

While it’s ambitious and exciting to try your luck at a lot of schools, you will most likely be subject to a decent application fee for each of them. This is the first of many places where you’ll have to make a payment overseas from India; tuition and other expenses will come after you commit to a university. I highly recommend looking into zero forex mark-up cards to make these payments – remember, finances can get tricky, and it’s good to set yourself up for practical spending and saving opportunities as early as possible. Equip yourself with important information about do’s & don’ts while carrying money abroad.

However, this shall not bother you, as we have gathered the following tips on money management:

1. TIPS ON PART-TIME JOBS

   • Seek part-time jobs that not only give you money but also related valuable experiences.
   • Do not dwell too much on earning money, as this can distract you from the primary objective,i.e. to study.

2. TIPS ON EDUCATION:

   • Focus on your studies and save yourself from failing any examination. Otherwise, you might have to pay additional tuition fees, which will disturb your financial estimation.
   • Try to borrow books from the library.
   • Look for scholarships offered by these universities or your own country and avail of them. This helps big time in reducing the overall cost of education.

3. TIPS ON DAILY LIFE:

   • Try to share accommodation with friends or other students.
   • Keep a close eye on your account balance, and track the expenses.
   • Cook at home more often to avoid falling prey to big fat food bills.
   • Set your monthly expenses and look for discounts and offers in the supermarkets.