Studying abroad is a transformative experience for every student. It broadens one’s academic horizons, builds independence, and is a gateway to the global job market. In India, the interest in studying abroad has gained tremendous momentum among students in recent years. As per the data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2024, there were over 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad, with Canada one of the leading study abroad destinations amongst Indian students, with 427,000 Indian students, followed by the USA with 337,630 students, the UK with 185,000 students, and Australia with 122,202 students. With overseas education becoming more accessible, this trend is set to grow even further.
The journey of studying overseas starts long before one board the flight. The journey involves selecting the right destination and course, adjusting to a new culture, budgeting, the visa application process, and arranging accommodations, among others. For some students, the sheer amount of preparation can be daunting. However, planning well in advance can lead to a hassle-free experience, providing students the right environment to concentrate on their academic and personal development. It is always better to have an expert study-abroad consultant to guide through the entire process so that one gets the best possible solution to their study-abroad needs and also successfully manoeuvres through the information and lack of clarity.
There are multiple things one needs to keep in mind for studying abroad.
Choosing the right destination and course
Choosing the right destination and course is important to shape students’ academic and future professional development. They must ensure that the course they choose fits in with the career they want to pursue later. While researching universities, students should consider factors such as accreditation, global rankings, faculty expertise, industry partnerships, and the institution’s reputation in their chosen field. For instance, the US continues to be a favoured destination for Indian students, particularly in fields like Science, Engineering, Business, and Technology, and the in-demand courses in the UK include Artificial intelligence and Robotics, Data Science and Data Analytics, Environmental Law, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Science.
Some of the popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Each of these nations has something special to offer—be it the USA’s focus on hands-on learning, the UK’s world-renowned universities, Canada’s affordability and post-graduation work opportunities, or Australia’s quality education system accompanied with great Post-study work rights.
IDP offers free counselling services, education fairs, and access to expert advisors to assist students in making the right choices. It has 77 offices in 63 cities across India to assist students with the decision-making process.
Understanding the visa process
Obtaining a student visa is one of the most important processes in studying abroad. Every country has certain requirements and knowing them beforehand can avoid delays.
The most important documents usually needed are a valid passport, university acceptance letter, financial proof, language proficiency test scores, and academic transcripts. Most students face issues like incomplete documentation, delays in processing, meeting country-specific requirements, and the submission of incorrect forms. To avoid these issues, students should start the process early and seek expert guidance. IDP assists students with the visa application process by offering correct guidance, and professional support.
Financial planning and scholarship
Financial planning is a big step towards wanting to study abroad. From tuition fees to rent, food, transportation, and hidden expenditures such as health insurance are some of the expenses that must be taken into consideration.
Budgeting is important to prevent unwanted financial burdens and to have savings for emergencies. To ensure this, students can use the numerous budget calculators available online, such as IDP’s cost of living calculator, which can be useful for getting an idea of living costs in various countries. Additionally, to offset the living expenses, students can work part-time.
For instance, during term time, students in the USA and the UK are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during university breaks and holidays. In Australia, students are allowed to work part-time for 48 hours per fortnight. Similarly, students in Canada are permitted to work part-time for up to 24 hours a week. Importantly, it is crucial to strike a balance between academics and part-time employment to avoid compromising your studies.
Scholarships and grants are another way which help in managing finances, with countries such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia providing billions in scholarships annually. Scholarships such as the US’s Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship and the UK’s GREAT scholarship are a game-changer.
Logistics and planning
Outside of finances, students must plan for accommodations, healthcare needs, etc. months in advance.
On-campus accommodation involves living in campus dormitories, hostels, etc. Living on campus is convenient and offers lots of social opportunities, but off-campus dwelling could prove less expensive. IDP assists in exploring reasonable off-campus options depending on preferences.
Health insurance is a compulsory prerequisite in many destinations. For example, as a part of the visa application fee, students have to pay an immigration health surcharge for studying in the UK for health coverage under the National Health Service (NHS), and it is a must in Australia for students to enroll for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students are required to investigate and obtain the needed insurance before arrival.
Adapting to a new culture
Adapting to a different culture is an integral part of the study abroad experience. Multicultural student communities in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada ensure that finding support is simpler. Engaging with local culture, getting involved with student clubs, and socialising with fellow students from varied backgrounds enhances the whole study-abroad experience.
IDP conducts pre-departure briefings for students to smoothly acclimate, necessary assistance on cultural adjustment, practical insights on banking and foreign exchange, and working while studying and internship advice.
Conclusion
Studying abroad is a thrilling but challenging experience. From choosing the correct country and programme to financing the journey and adapting to a new culture, each step involves precise planning. Yet with proper guidance, students can make their dreams a reality. IDP is dedicated to guiding students through every step of this process—from counselling and visa assistance to financial preparation and pre-departure consultation.