Tuesday, August 30, 2016

The Consequences of Leaving your Study Abroad Program Early

A number of students aspire to study in a foreign location where they can go on to make it a memorable phase of life along with developing essential skills such as a global outlook. With the sheer number of opportunities and ease of financing, such dreams are becoming a reality for many. However, every once in a blue moon a student may realise that he has been craving the comforts of his own home, suggests an overseas education consultant in Ahmedabad. They may decide to leave the entire program itself without completing it. 


Why Leave the Program?

When faced with elements beyond their control such as a sickness or injury, or even a mentally disturbing experience can push students towards quitting. Often, it may not even be the student themselves but a family member facing tough situations that makes a student want to go back. This decision is not an easy one and hence must take into consideration the following before actually finalising on their decision:

Gauge the Homesickness

Before you cut this wonderful experience short, try and understand the cause behind your sudden withdrawal. Feelings stem from another thought or problem, and taking care of that situation may cause you to feel differently about leaving. If you miss home and cannot adjust to the new lifestyle, give yourself some time. Finding food similar to that you get back home or learning the local language may help you feel more involved in your new environment. While missing home is not a forbidden thing, you need to take into account the resources you would be wasting by not completing your program.

Academic Consequences

Before you actually up and quit the program, find out the academic consequences of such a decision. You may have to give up your credits if you wish to leave for a long time which will only add to your debt and delay your graduation date. Instead of actually quitting the program, find some alternatives such as an online course that can help you complete your course or transferring credits. This can help you get through without having a large scale impact on your academic scores. For those who have to reconsider staying abroad due to medical reasons may be able to obtain a way in which they can pursue the degree through digital modes as well.

The Financial Consideration

Make sure you are completely aware of the financial consequences of leaving the program early. Not only will you have to forgo the amount you pay in terms of tuition and fees, but even the financial aid package and such gets affected. You do not want to find yourself without a degree as well as debt.

Reaching Out for Help

There are a number of ways you can deal with situations without quitting the program. If you find yourself feeling depressed or lonely, join a self-help group, organisation or association where people in similar situations help each other out. You can also put your free time to use by volunteering or finding other opportunities. This will help you feel less lonely instead of leaving you with time to feel sad. Even after trying out all these methods, if you feel as If you cannot handle the pressure or must go back home, you could always take a class at a community college or look for local opportunities. Do not think of it as a failure as long as you gave it your best. 

Summary 

Studying away from home can be a tough and challenging decision. If you are feeling homesick or must go back home, here are some guiding tips to get you through these times.

Monday, August 1, 2016

How to Choose the Best Overseas Education Consultant?

If you are planning to study overseas and have decided to take the help of an overseas education consultant, then there are certain points to be considered. It is important that you capitalize on a suitable travel abroad program. To avail the benefit of such programs; it is necessary that you sensibly pick and choose Overseas education consultants in Coimbatore that can help you reach the targeted goal. Apart from helping students out with informative guidance; the overseas educational guide is supposed to take care of your travelling needs, the issues related to fees transfer and helping you get students visa. Following are the points that should be followed while choosing the overseas education consultant.



Know the credential of the consultant you are engaging

With endless number of consultants around, confirming the credibility of the consultancy is paramount. A bit of research on the net can be a great way to verify the experience of the consultant, back ground of its key personnel’s, recognition by international education bodies, awards received, offer letter and visa success rates etc. which all can indicate, how good a consultant is.

Expertise counts

One should not take any risks in the matter of overseas education. It is advisable to work with agencies with an excellent track record of placing students in countries and institutions, one is looking for. Familiarity with the country’s education system, grasp over institutions and program etc. Their competence, starting from admission processing to pre departure guidance etc. are highly crucial factors, one should consider while selecting a consultancy.

Look for variety

A full-fledged consultancy is sure to have associations with a minimum number of reputable universities and colleges and would display the document of association at their premises. The caliber of a Overseas facilitator is evident when they suggest programs most apt for a student in terms of budget, attitude, aptitude etc., rather than going out of the way to sell a particular institution, which is a sure sign that the consultancy is only interested in meeting their recruitment target and not securing your career.

Check if the consultant can generate alternative options

  • Find out if the scope of options regarding country and choice of programs are comprehensive enough to help you generate alternatives.
  • For instance, in case you're TOEFL or GRE score sheet is not good enough to ensure admission in some of the leading institutions; your consultant should be competent enough in helping you generate other options.
  • Find out the relevance of courses from the point of view of global scenario.
  • The assessment can be made if the concerned agency includes in its all-embracing fold the options for variety. For instance in case, your GPA score is not able to ensure admission to MBA course; a good educational consultant should be able to help you locate another course option

Transparency is the key

A reliable consultancy would be fair in its dealings. The information provided by them whether related to their associations, credibility of the institutions they represent, fees, refund policy etc. would be passed on to you. Look for warning signals like guarantee of offer letters/ admission, assurance regarding scholarships, internships etc. as these are purely based on your academic credentials. So stay clear of such agencies that are only here to rob you giving false promises.

Clients say it all

Clients bear testimony to how good a consultancy is. A satisfied student or parent is likely to speak highly of an agency and can recommend them to others. Look for such study abroad reviews, testimonials and recommendation, more the number of happy clients, stronger is their credibility . While choosing a consultant, make sure the consultancy fits into your budgetary needs. And last but not the least, it is important to assess if the educational consultant's fee structure falls within your means. Thus, a good overseas educational consultant not only guides you with admission; but also helps in respect of scholarship and placements as well. He or she should be a trusted source of information.
Summary:
Before putting in money and efforts into overseas education and hiring a consultant, one should choose the best consultant to guide for admissions. With the best consultant by your side, the work will get much easier.