Challenges Faced by Indian Students Studying Abroad

There are numerous benefits of studying abroad, however, along with advantages, there are several challenges faced by Indian students abroad. Studying abroad opens the gateways to numerous opportunities including the quality of education, diversity of academic programmes, global exposure, scholarships, job opportunities and a better student life. According to the media reports of Indian mobility, approximately 13 lakh Indian students moved to study abroad in 2023. The top countries to study abroad chosen by students include US followed by UK, Canada, and Australia.

This Story also Contains

1. Challenges of studying abroad
2. Challenges of Studying Abroad Cost of Living
3. How to Overcome Challenges of Studying Abroad?
4. Problems Faced by Indian Students in USA
5. Is US Safe for Indian Students?
6. Problems Faced by Indian Students in Australia
7. Problems Faced by Indian Students in Germany
8. Problems Faced by Indian Students in Canada
9. Problems Faced by Indian Students in UK
10. Benefits and Challenges of Studying Abroad

What challenges do international students face while studying abroad? Every year Indian students dream of pursuing higher education abroad, however, they face several difficulties in studying abroad including language barriers, financial constraints, climatic changes, problems in finding suitable accommodation, academic challenges and more.

This article provides an insight on challenges faced by Indian students abroad, along with problems faced by Indian students in different countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany and more. Read on to learn more about the challenges of studying abroad and how to overcome them.

Challenges of studying abroad

Some of the common difficulties of studying abroad faced by Indian students are:

Language barriers: Even if English is the medium of teaching at some universities, students may find it challenging to engage with students from countries where English is not the official language. Hence, students are advised to make themselves familiar with the local language to better understand the country, its people and their culture.

Cultural differences: One of the most difficult challenges is adapting to a new culture. Differences in norms of society, preferences for food, and means of communication might cause students to feel alone or homesick. However, Indian students have developed friendships with both local and international students by attending cultural events, joining clubs and societies.

Limited job opportunities: It can be difficult to find part-time work or internships if students cannot communicate in the local language fluently. This impacts both financial stability and practical experience of their career.

Academic adjustments: The academic structure and expectations of international universities could vary extremely from what Indian educational system. Understanding these academic changes, from teaching styles and testing methodologies to research requirements, can be challenging for Indian students. Foreign universities offer support systems to help students, which includes academic counselling, mentorship programs, and courses on learning techniques and time management.

Visa complications: Changes in visa requirements have a great impact on Indian students planning to study abroad. The new criteria require additional academic documentation, verification approaches, and more strict financial and educational requirements.

Discrimination: Some students may face discrimination or harassment because of their race or nationality. Forming a social network and fitting into the local community can be difficult for such students.

Financial challenges: Many Indian students and their families face major financial challenges when pursuing an education abroad. Tuition fees, living expenses, and currency exchange rates can create financial problems for Indian students. However, students can look for a variety of scholarships, grants, and part-time job to reduce their financial burden.

Housing and accommodation: Indian students studying abroad often have difficulty in finding affordable accommodation due to high rental fees and demand. Securing housing that suits the requirements and budget takes extensive research and early planning to get a comfortable living environment while studying.

Challenges of Studying Abroad Cost of Living

The cost of living is one of the important challenges faced by Indian students abroad. This includes living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, utilities and other personal expenditures, which vary by the country chosen by an individual. High living expenses in popular study destinations require careful financial planning. Students might need to search for part-time jobs, scholarships, or financial aid to help them manage their living expenses. Hence, students are advised to properly research and make a budget before moving to study abroad.

Cost of living in Abroad vs India 2024

How to Overcome Challenges of Studying Abroad?

To overcome the difficulties of studying abroad, students must consider the following points:

1. Indian students must mentally prepare themselves for a new culture and environment, that will be quite different from that of India.

2. Students should have a valid score on IELTS or TOEFL exam to meet the language requirements for English-speaking countries. For Germany, students having a knowledge of German language will have an edge over other students.

3. Make a plan and budget your funds accordingly. Students must also try to earn a scholarship in their university while studying abroad.

4. Students should try to make themselves comfortable to new learning environment and teaching methodologies to obtain a good academic score.

5. Indian students should actively engage in campus activities such as clubs, competitions, and other events to build connections and make friends.

6. Be in touch with your friends and family to get emotional support during periods of homesickness or when facing challenges of studying abroad.

Problems Faced by Indian Students in USA

The US Embassy has notified that applicants for F, M, and J student visas must use their own passport information when creating profiles and scheduling visa appointments. Applicants for F or M US student visas must be enrolled in a school or programme approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to study in USA. Applicants for J visas must be sponsored by a US State Department-approved organisation.

Is US Safe for Indian Students?

In general, Indian students are considered to be safe in the United States. However, racial discrimination and rare college crimes can happen, hence, it is important for students to be aware of their surroundings, observe campus safety requirements, and seek assistance from university support services when required.

Problems Faced by Indian Students in Australia

The Australian government recently made changes, including increasing the required English proficiency test results. The IELTS score for the Temporary Graduate visa has been increased from 6.0 to 6.5, and for the Australia student visa, it has been raised from 5.5 to 6.0. Apart from this, financially, students must now provide proof of USD 29,710 to qualify for a student visa, which is an increase of 17% from previous levels. Furthermore, the Genuine Student Test has taken over the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement to study in Australia.

Problems Faced by Indian Students in Germany

To study in Germany, Indian students face numerous kinds of difficulties, some of the challenges of studying abroad in the country are mentioned below:

• One of the significant difficulty faced by students in Germany include the language barrier, even though the courses are taught in English.

• Even though tuition fees are less, the cost of living in Germany is 193.7% higher than in India, and finding accommodation can be challenging and expensive.

• Finding employment might be hard, especially if students are not fluent in the German language.

• Requests for Germany student visas and documentation can be complicated and time-consuming for applicants.

Problems Faced by Indian Students in Canada

To study in Canada, the Canadian government has reduced its student visa allotment to 360,000, which is a decline of 35 percent from the previous year. Open work permits are currently only available to spouses of international students enrolled in Master's or doctorate programmes. Additionally, Canada student visa applications must include a letter from a Canadian province confirming its ability to accommodate the applicant.

Problems Faced by Indian Students in UK

There has been a rise in the UK student visa expenses have from GBP 363 to GBP 490, showing an increase of 35%, Additionally, the Immigration Health Surcharge has been raised from GBP 675 to GBP 1,035. Starting in 2024, certain rules have been applied that ban international students from bringing dependant family members while studying in UK. Also, there has been a gradual decline of more than 21,800 students seeking admission to UK universities in 2024.

Benefits and Challenges of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad has numerous advantages, including the opportunity to explore other cultures, make international friends, and gain a global perspective that can improve job opportunities. However, along with advantages, there are some challenges, such as homesickness, adjusting to a new educational system, and cultural differences. The cost of living and finding suitable accommodation can be hard. Despite these challenges of studying abroad, Indian students can get an exposure to an enriching experience that promotes personal development and enhances future opportunities.