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Studying overseas gives you a chance to experience a new culture, get a quality education, and improve your career options.
If you’re thinking about it, you won’t be alone. In 2024, over 750,000 students from India went abroad to study, according to the Ministry of Education (PDF) and Bureau of Immigration. Of these:
If you or your child are wondering why or how to go abroad for studies, here are some helpful tips.
Start by thinking about what you want from an overseas education. What do you want to achieve?
Your goals could be a specific course, school, career path, cultural experience, or keeping your costs down.
Explore: 5 reasons to study abroad
What country do you want to study in? Think about the following to help you decide:
Find out more: Overseas education destinations
First, decide on your field of study. Then look for universities or colleges in your chosen country offering that course. Check their rankings, facilities, admission policies, and think about campus life too.
Find out about tuition fees for foreign students. Explore scholarship and financial aid options. Don’t forget to budget for things like accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs.
Many universities have a student liaison office to answer your questions. Share your career goals with them so they can guide you through the process.
Follow these steps:
If you’re lucky enough to be accepted, you’ll receive a letter of offer and an acceptance form. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions before accepting.
Here are some steps to navigate this process:
If your university doesn’t offer student housing, you’ll need to find a place to live.
You can use online platforms or local listing websites to search. Think about the cost of living and how close to campus you’ll be. Factor in transport, food, bills, as well as entertainment and sporting activities.
Adjusting to life in a new country far from home can be challenging. Here are some tips on how to cope:
Join online groups or forums for new students so you can make friends and share experiences.
Find out about the local culture, customs, laws, language, and social etiquette.
Open a local bank account and create a budget to track your spending.
Find out about healthcare services and what your insurance covers. Look for gyms and sports clubs to stay active.
Get to school a bit early for orientation week. It’s a great way to meet people, get to know the surroundings, and register for clubs and activities.
The international student office is there to help you with any questions or problems.
For more tips, read How to get ready for student life abroad.
Explore: Study abroad
By following these tips and doing your research, you can make your study abroad experience a rewarding one. Good luck!
While you are juggling to do it all, explore HSBC services that support your overseas education journey – from planning in India to settling in your choice of university overseas and more.
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