4 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Choose Your Undergrad Study Destination

In today’s day and age, with a globalised education environment and an abundance of opportunities pertaining to higher education abroad- the decision on continuing to study in India or going abroad has become quite complex. Here is why:-

• Foreign education has become more accessible – universities have recognised the value of the Indian market and have invested significant resources in improving their visibility to Indian students.
• In India too, there is a positive sentiment surrounding not just education but also earning livelihood abroad.

This has created synergy within the market – leading to higher demand and supply. A decade ago, Indian students had only three to four countries, and about 50 universities to aim for. But over the years, the dream of a foreign degree has pushed students to consider diverse countries and niche universities to pursue their undergraduate qualifications

Studying Abroad: A Snapshot

There are good arguments to be made for studying abroad as well. Be it the interdisciplinary approach to education, a research-driven pedagogical model, the focus on experiential learning, and the possibility of engaging with individuals from diverse nationalities and cultures. But these come with apprehensions surrounding financial investment, cultural shocks, and the general apprehension surrounding sending high school graduates to unfamiliar environments.

Questions You Must Ask Yourself

Here is a list of factors that students and families must consider as they make their decisions on their destination of undergraduate education. It must be noted that these factors should not be considered in isolation but together- since they tend to influence each other dynamically.

Where Do You Want To Settle?

Where would you want to settle down and spend the rest of your life? This is one of the most important questions that individuals need to answer up till a particular point in their academic and professional journeys. It is completely okay for families to not be sure about this settlement question at the time of high school graduation, as their motives and thoughts may change over time. However, some families do plan this out way in advance. If you are one of those families that is keen on settling or immigrating outside India over the next few years, it is best to complete undergraduate education in that host country. Here is why:-

Exposure To Job Market
This would not only streamline visa processes for the student but would also position them strongly in front of that country’s local job market.

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Adjustment To Culture
Moreover, completing 3-4 years of education in any environment allows someone to ease into the culture and society there, and if one is planning to do that eventually in the long run, a university campus environment is a good place to start.

So, if you are very sure about settling abroad, studies abroad are the way to go. If you lie on the other end of the spectrum- that is you want to settle in India but are considering studying abroad for the experience, you can evaluate the other factors we shall discuss further. The same goes for those who are unsure about this decision completely.

Can You Afford It?

Considering and evaluating financial outcomes is an important factor in making any decision, especially one surrounding education abroad. Generally, undergraduate education abroad is much more expensive in India. Exceptions have emerged to this, of course, private universities in India charge a decent fee and students studying abroad can earn significant scholarships to reduce the cost of education. But this is still not the norm. Leading universities in India continue to be far cheaper than those abroad. The cost disparity exists even for ‘safety’ schools.

High Cost Of Living
Moreover, studying abroad involves a high cost of living as well, which in itself is higher than the total cost of education in most Indian universities. It is true that studying abroad yields higher returns in terms of salaries but there are two issues with that:-

• First, it is not a guaranteed return. Though realistic and possible, a good return on investment requires significant hard work and initiative from the student’s end.
• Second, the initial investment might still be too high for some families. Taking a considerable student loan might not be a very prudent financial decision. A postgraduate degree is in fact better than an undergraduate one from a financial return on investment perspective.

Hence, a careful evaluation of one’s financial capacity is an essential factor that should be considered when deciding to study abroad.

What Do You Want To Study?

This is a very important nuance that often goes ignored. Your decision to study abroad is also defined by what academic field and career path you select. Again, this might not be something that one is sure about right in high school (and that is completely okay), in which case the other factors may be considered. However, if you are sure, then this is a very important determinant. Consider these examples:-

• Medicine cannot be pursued at the undergraduate level in the United States of America or Canada. So if that is the aspiration, choosing other countries or staying in India might be the best solution.

• Clinical Psychology is also a complex discipline to navigate. To work as a clinical psychologist in any country, certifications need to be earned from that country. Studying Psychology at the undergraduate level in those countries significantly eases the process of getting those certifications. So if you want to be a practicing clinical psychologist abroad, it is almost imperative for you to do an undergraduate degree in your country of choice.

Evaluate Job Market | Countries may be chosen based on how good the job market there is for any academic specialisation. Ireland, for example, is a hub of accounting and data analytics. Engineering and technology, similarly, continue to be dominant in the United States of America, especially for Asian immigrants.

Also Read | Studying Abroad After Class 10: Things To Keep In Mind

Are You Emotionally Ready?

Living abroad is nothing short of a challenge for students who are fresh out of high school. The cultural shock, increased responsibility, and the prospect of staying away from families and friends could be challenging. It requires a certain level of maturity and independence on part of students to be able to do this in a way that produces desired results instead of adverse outcomes.

Families should carefully assess the student’s ability to live alone and take care of themselves before deciding to send them abroad. Only when you are sure about your ability and competence should you decide to go abroad after high school. Even if everything else is decided, this should be a make-or-break factor for students, since they would still have the scope for studying abroad at the postgraduate.

Other Influential Factors

Other factors that may influence one’s decision of studying abroad include the presence of family/relatives abroad, availability of scholarships, or a high level of familiarity with a particular destination country. It is important to consider each unique factor that may influence a specific student carefully as each of them adds a layer of nuance and complexity.

The decision surrounding studying in India or studying abroad is a complex one and has far-reaching implications. Hence, students should evaluate these factors carefully before taking this call. However, do not stress too much. The door to study abroad continues to be wide open to students even after their undergraduate degrees, and even if you decide against this for now, there will be ample opportunities for you to pursue your dream later in life.

Vijeeth Srinivas is a development consultant with extensive experience in the foreign education industry. With the Centre for Career Development and Essai Education he has helped hundreds of students secure positions in leading universities abroad. He is keen to make novel developments in education and skill development more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.