Want to study abroadIJ Pre-departure meetings can help you shed inhibitions and groom you into knowing what to expect and how to deal with the situation. Natasha Chopra, a consultant for studies abroad, apprises RAMA DWIVEDI
With more and more students wanting to study study abroad, it is important that one knows what studying in a foreign country means. It is not just about going to another country but adjusting to their culture and living away from home, it is also about doing everything on your own. Here is a list of things that one must take into consideration before applying for a foreign university or college.
Getting insured is a must as you plan to go abroad. A good insurance scheme that covers medical and education both is required. In any case, you must have a cover since medical costs abroad, especially in the US since the costs in the country are relatively high.
Students’ safety is one of the most important things that need to be dealt with. There is need to follow safety measures even if one is just going for studies. Students should generally avoid roaming alone off the campus. If they need to venture out on their own, they should not carry too much cash and behave properly.
As parents feel isolated after sending their children abroad. It’s essential for them to keep up and stay in touch with their children. It helps the child from getting homesick and the parents get a feedback on what their child is doing.
Networking is quintessential for the students. We are living in the era of social networking sites. Students are suggested not to confine their interactions only with the Indian students but to interact with local students and those from the other countries.
It’s necessary to leave behind inhibitions. Indian students are generally hesitant to talk and open up. In a foreign land it’s important to socialise and be confident.
Cultivating curiosity is vital. In India, teachers play a very important role in a student’s life. Whatever the teacher says is taken for granted. But teaching style is very different abroad. So a student must understand this and get his concepts absolutely cleared in the classroom itself.
Students should be proud of their own native culture. Going to a distant land, especially a developed nation can demoralise you and might trigger a sense of inferiority. It is important to not get bogged down by all the glitz and glamour that is around.
Everybody should keep in mind that peer pressure is a good thing if you are absorbing the positive qualities. But there are negative effects as well which can be detrimental. So if you do not want to drink alcohol just say no. There are cultural differences in every nation.
The most common concern amongst students going abroad is related to local culture and accommodation. it is advisable to rely only on the credible service providers. Hence, a student must have the right information and get all doubts cleared pertaining to the city where he is going.
It is important to attend pre-departure briefing sessions as these help answer many questions that bother an aspirant as well as the parents. One also gets to meet other students who are in a similar situation which means that he is not the only one with apprehensions.