Effective Ways to Make your Study Abroad a More Affordable Endeavour

It is not uncommon for people to write off the idea of studying abroad simply because it is just too expensive. However, with a little bit of research and planning you can make your time abroad as a student rather affordable and worth the investment.

Make Studying Abroad More Affordable

How Much Will it Cost me to Study Abroad?

The cost of moving abroad for higher studies varies on the basis of the type and location of the program you choose. It also depends on the length of your stay and whether or not the program in question is administered by a university versus a third-party organization. To encourage more students to travel and study, universities around the world try to maintain a parity when it comes to costs.

By finding out how you can fund you studies, by let’s say, applying for scholarships for study abroad for instance, you will be able to make your international education a financially viable option.

Are you Eligible to Apply for Financial Aid?

When you are applying for a program abroad, check with your counselors if you are eligible to apply for any financial aid. If you already have some aid from your existing university or even employer, check if it can be transferred to a university abroad. The amount of the aid you receive may depend on the type of program you intend to pursue.

Apply for Scholarships

Most colleges offer a rather transparent framework for those who intend to apply for scholarships for study abroad opportunities. Visit the website of the universities you are applying to and get help from your counsellors to identify the different potential amounts available under various scholarship programs. Also make a note of the process and the application deadlines along with the terms, conditions and restrictions if any. You will be able to apply for general scholarships as well as special scholarships targeting diversity, first-generation immigrants and students in need of financial help.

Your Guide to Making a Scholarship Application

Choosing to Go Off the Beaten Track

This may prove to be an effective option for you especially if you are looking at pursuing a specialized course that is offered in less popular destinations around the way. This way, you will be able to keep your cost of living under check and enjoy the opportunity of living in an exotic location that isn’t popular among many other students. Ask your counselor to help you assess the exchange rates along with the cost of living statistics of various countries around the world offering the program you are interested in. Pick a country that offers a favorable trade-off between good quality teaching infrastructure and cost-efficiency.

Finally, if your objective behind moving abroad for higher education is to get a few months of independence and a chance to get some global exposure, a short course too can help you achieve these things. Short courses can last anywhere between 2 weeks to 3 months depending on what it is that you are doing. These courses tend to be less expensive and provide the benefit of a global student life.

Summary

This blog talks about the different ways in which you can make your study abroad experience an affordable one.

How to Write an Effective SOP While Applying to Universities Abroad

Probably one of the most difficult tasks an Indian student faces is that of writing a great Statement of Purpose (SOP) while applying to grad schools abroad. Our education system is more marks-oriented than application-based and even some of our best educational institutes admit students merely on their test results. However, a contradictory system prevails abroad, where you are expected to send in an application essay (popularly known as the SOP) and based on this, along with other aspects like grades and work experience, students are awarded coveted spots in the finest colleges.

Why you need an outstanding SOP?

While you’re applying to the world’s topmost programmes alongside thousands of other global applicants, standing out to the selectors and being chosen on the basis of an SOP is really tricky. Unless you make a lasting impression, your application will quickly be forgotten. Therefore, to get admission into the college of your dreams, wowing the faculty is imperative. The art of drafting a good SOP requires knowledge, time and patience. Overseas Education Consultants in Chennai are well-known for sharing expert tit-bits for drafting SOPs, and if you’re taking guidance from them, chances are that you’ll be one of the first selections.
Here are a few tips on how to be noticed on the basis of your SOP – 

1.    First Impressions Matter – Make sure that the opening paragraph is concise. It should ideally contain a summary of your application and be interesting enough for the reader to want to read further. It’s a good idea to incorporate a hook that talks about what motivated you to enter this field, and showcases your passion.

2.    Clarity is Key – It is an essential ingredient of every SOP to be clear and precisely to the point. However, at certain places, you may need to go in depth, especially if you’re talking about prospective research ideas.

3.    Don’t Boast – Often, students talk about how great they are and how much they have achieved. Give it a rest – you don’t want to come across as pompous. Humility is well-respected and speaks louder than empty phrases depicting your excellence or intelligence. Being honest and consistent is important. Let your passion for the course stand out without being overly vocal about it.

4.    Be different – Most applications read the same, with eager students talking about how it is their dream to get into that particular institution and how much they’ll learn from it. However, go further than that and provide some short stories and antecedents that keep them engrossed by your writing and thus, you will stand out. By this you can not only highlight your strengths without showing off, but also you can intrigue the reader and make them vouch for you, as against the monotonous SOPs. Dig deep within yourself and be introspective as to why you are looking forward to the course and to join the university.

5.    Stick to the Rules – Make sure that you adhere to all the regulations listed on the university’s website for applications, especially the word count. A really short SOP can be detrimental, but so can one that stretches beyond the accepted limit.

6.    Proofread – Pay absolute attention to detail and make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors at all – whether silly or otherwise.

7.    Ask for Help – Don’t be afraid to take expert help. As mentioned above, Overseas Education Consultants in Chennai are known to assist aspiring students to draft fabulous statements of purpose. Their faculty comes with years of experience in this field, helping you every step of the way, from exam preparation to visa formalities, so you have ample time to prepare yourself.

These tips come handy when it comes to writing a powerful SOP.

Summary
 
While many Indians wish to pursue higher studies abroad and are capable of studying at the best Universities, they often lack the guidance to write perfect SOPs which is an integral element of selection. This write up will help them draft effective SOPs for better chances of selection.