Category Archives: Abroad study

Your consultant in overseas education- why professional guidance is necessary…

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If you have decided to study abroad, it is very important to be completely aware of the programs that you are pursuing. There are many factors to be looked upon as you try to get an admission. Yes, studying abroad involves a lot of steps and detailed procedures. It differs from country to country and college to college. This is where your overseas consultant can be of good help.

 

Nowadays many universities abroad have stopped taking direct student applications. A classical example is Canada, one of the most sought after destination for overseas studies. These days most of the universities and colleges in Canada are accepting applications only through their authorised consultants. The reasons are many.

 

Unfortunately, there are lots of cases of fraudulent documentation reported in the market and in order to prevent applications foolproof, colleges have appointed authorised consultants through which an aspirant can forward his / her application.  Overseas education just doesn’t mean getting an admission alone. Students are often not clear about the benefits and outcomes of international education. They have many questions and queries related to the factors involved- like, accommodation, lifestyle, finance, etc. Overseas consultants have the required know-how to help aspiring students in these situations.

 

Finding the best university that offers the preferred course/ program, preparing the documentation for Visa process as well as following up the Visa process with the embassy might sound simple but most of the students tend to fail in the process as they lack the proper guidance, preparation and experience.

 

Role of an education consultant is important as they guide the student in several aspects related with the admission process -right from understanding a student’s profile to guiding an aspirant with program possibilities and communicating the requirements and career prospects after completing the course.

 

A consultant also provides professional help in documentation.  It is important to know the right way to prepare the Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, Resume, Essay, etc. Education consultancy agency has a team that tailors or edits context wherever needed. They interfere. They help you out when you are about to make a mistake.

 

Education loans – Consultants offers practical guidance & information regarding bank loans and financial planning.

Visa counselling is another area where a student needs proper guidance. The consultants will give detailed information about the visa process and help students prepare for the interview well. Even though a student can proceed with the applicants independently, it is only practical to take advice from a seasoned consultant. Moving or migrating to another country on the basis of student visa has many sets of regulations that have to be meticulously followed. Even a minor error will end up in Visa rejections and delays.

 

An experienced consultancy will brief & prepare a student well before he or she leaves his/her homeland. They even provide post landing support and helps in the official joining formalities. An experienced consultant will be able to find accommodation in advance or as soon as a student obtains visa. Which is very important as a wrong decision can be financially taxing otherwise.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

How to select a course while opting for higher education in Canada?

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Since parents are more concerned about the possibilities of their wards getting a job in Canada and are always in search of a curriculum that secures immediate placement for their kids, this is one of the “most asked” questions related to studying abroad. But in reality, for a parent who is planning a future for his child in Canada, this concern is practically irrelevant.

 

Since Canada’s education system is regulated by the Canadian government, their curriculum is designed in tune with the needs of the economy.  This means Universities only run those courses that cater to the need of the market. For those who want to pursue research in a subject, they have the facility to do so in Universities irrespective of their subject.  University curriculum is designed in such a way that if a particular course has come to a saturation point (in providing jobs), that course will be discontinued with immediate effect. This is because in Canada courses are designed for the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.

 

Another thing the parents & students have to keep in their mind is that in Canada the Universities offer many unconventional courses.  These courses may seem irrelevant now because of our limited knowledge and exposure. One example of this is the courses related to Environment and Forestry. They even have courses on emerging future technologies which we are not familiar with and is yet to be introduced in our Indian curriculum. In a nutshell, the main advantage of studying in Canada is that a student can pursue a course/career of his or her interest without worrying about the placement possibilities.

 

Which brings us to the obvious question, what will be the approximate course fee/expense for pursuing higher education in Canada?

 

A student opting for education have a choice of studying either in a Government community college or a University. In colleges, for almost all courses costs average between Rs 8 to 9  lakhs per annum which varies depending on the location of choice.

 

That is, the cost differs depending on the location and university/college ranking. University fees come on an average of Rs 10 to 18 lakhs depending on the ranking of that particular University. Then again there are certain provinces where University education is available on a subsidised cost of just 7 lakhs per annum. On top of these government subsidies, Universities normally grant scholarships and other grants as financial assistance for the deserving International students- this, in turn, further reduces the expenses.

 

In addition to this, students can plan their expense by choosing a modest living along with working part-time. Facility to work on summer holidays can be utilised effectively. This way students can make enough money to meet their overall expenses.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

Why students from Kerala perform well in foreign countries/universities?

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Our students are hardworking & dedicated

 

Last 10 years have seen tremendous growth in students seeking international education. Students from Kerala is now studying in almost all countries that allow foreign student intake. When we consider all these countries, Canada, New Zealand, Australia & Germany turn out to be very popular among our students.

 

For example, consider Canada. We at Santamonica Study Abroad have seen students preferring Canada for many reasons. Their high-quality education, immigrant-friendly policies, job opportunities, quality of life etc. attract students from across the globe. But while considering all the foreign students enrolled in various universities and colleges in Canada, it can be seen that our students are performing well.  Colleges and Universities prefer Malayali students because our students are academically brilliant, hard-working and result-oriented.

 

If we probe deep, this brilliance can be attributed to our culture. We give utmost importance to education and we prioritize learning to anything else. Academic excellence is something that our children push for, it is the aim of our education per se. So be it IT, Business, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Humanities or any other faculty or school; students from Kerala do well, naturally.  It is evident in the statistics published by the colleges.

 

If we take Canada as an example, even from South India, most of the students are Malayalees. Many colleges even associate South India to Kerala, thanks to our students who are performing well consistently.

 

Due to these factors, Universities & Colleges in Canada prefer to attract students from Kerala. Their feedback about our students are very encouraging so far and that’s something we all should be proud of as a state.

 

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

What are the important things a parent or a student has to consider while pondering overseas education?

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There is one major thing that both the parents and students should do while pondering overseas education- that is, they have to do a thorough search about the course the student wants to study, the college or university he wants to join and the job prospects of the course he wants to pursue.

It is true that it’s the duty of an overseas consultant to evaluate the student for his potential and suggest him a course and a college that will suit his taste and needs, but it is also very important for the student to research and find all the things that are important to him. Like the campus he is going to join, the city he is going to live in, part-time job prospects in that city, its climate or in other words everything that will affect the quality of his life in the new country.

Often it happens in such a way that a student wants to join a course that’s suggested to him by his friends or his family. While their suggestions have value, it should be noted that a student should follow his own ambitions and skills while deciding on a course. Normally the student can find all about the course and what all is expected from him as a student while studying for that course from the college/university website. Research the website thoroughly. Know everything that’s there to know.

It’s really necessary to have an understanding of these things beforehand

  1. Accreditations of the course

  2. Professional licensing that the course enables after completion

  3. Mandatory or optional internship

  4. Required grades to get into internship programs

  5. Learning outcomes

  6. Credits divided among semesters

  7. Courses covered in each semester

  8. Flexibility in selecting majors/minors

  9. Career outcome

He has to learn about the job market and the possibilities that are offered. He should develop an understanding of the political, social and economical scenarios so that it’s easier for him to blend in.

While asking for information from relatives and friends regarding the course and the college he is contemplating his admission is okay, never take their words as final. They may not be in a position to advise him as they are not career or education professionals. Practice caution.

Also, know that overseas education is not a vacation trip to a foreign land where you go to leisure. A decision to study abroad is a serious decision involving a large amount of money and personal time- so respect that. Do the necessary research regarding the course and the country so that one is prepared beforehand.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad

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With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

Positive changes in students that come with overseas education

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Overseas education- studying with students from across the globe in a foreign country, is an unparalleled experience. It’s venturing into the unknown-the thrill, the culture, the campus, the student life, everything is new to a student who has just enrolled in the program. His new way of life and his experiences will influence him and will affect him profoundly, he will assimilate the best his international exposure has to offer and begin to look at life and himself with a new viewpoint and eyes.

Let’s look into some of the important positive changes that happen to him and his way of life due to his foreign education and exposure.

Unmatched Confidence

To live independently in a foreign country is not a small thing by any measure. He is his own boss and he decides what is good and bad for him. The confidence that develops in him when he mingles with students from far away countries and listen to teachers with international exposure is something truly special. His personality starts to exude that confidence. He has changed for the rest of his life.

Character Development

Next is his character development. His exposure to new cultures, people and possibilities leave a deep impact on the way he thinks, his attitude and tastes. He becomes more matured and refined. As he faces his day to day challenges alone by himself, he knows how to tackle his daily hurdles and troubles. He is more responsible and professional now as his part-time job demands that. He is doing jobs that he may not even think about doing in his home country. That grounds him. It makes him into a global citizen.

Finance & Money Management

Home is where he is pampered. He is less responsible there as he knows his parents or relatives will take care of him. But in this foreign land, he has to be careful enough to save money. He should learn how to spend wisely and take care of his finances. This makes him realize the importance of knowing one’s self and thus he becomes more humble and grounded. He starts to respect people and other ways of life that are different from one that he is used to.

Respect for Fellow Human Beings

He ultimately understands that the world is a big stage and everybody has their own ways of existence and living. He learns to collaborate and tolerate and finds that the only way to address his concerns is by carrying out rational dialogues and not by creating a ruckus. He values the system and respects its underlying mechanisms.

Cross-Cultural Skills

Interacting with different individuals with different cultural backgrounds teaches him to broaden his horizons. He is more understanding now and has better cross-cultural understanding & skills. This later even helps him to jump-start an international career by positively enhancing his employability.

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About Ms. Nicy Binu, Director, Santamonica Study Abroad
——————————————————————————–
With over a decade’s experience in international education, Ms. Nicy Binu is the brain behind Santamonica’s overseas student program and has steered the organization to a position where it figures today among the prominent overseas education facilitators in India. You may contact her at +91 6282 903 703 for overseas education queries and doubts.

 

Study Abroad -Explore a world of infinite career possibilities

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study-abroad

Image courtesy-Google

The appeal of studying in a foreign university/ institution is increasing every year.  According to industry estimates, around 3 Lakh students opt to enroll for various programs ranging from certificates to Diplomas’ to Graduate, Post graduate and Doctoral studies in international universities/institutions every year.

There are several reasons that draw students to universities / institutions abroad, the primary being the excellent quality of the courses they offer. The flexibility of choosing a subject of one’s desire is another reason, which unfortunately is very much limited in India. The limited number of seats at prestigious Indian institutions of International repute is well beyond the reach of many bright students. Apart from the systemic deficiencies in the education system, the sheer quality of foreign universities/ institutions with regard to state of the art infrastructure, International faculties, curriculum etc and the opportunity to gain international exposure makes overseas education highly appealing. Moreover owing to the sheer superiority and the highly industry centric course content, a student on completion of studies can rest be assured of a flourishing career there itself or in case he / she intends to return to India, shall enjoy a clear edge in the Indian job market.

Preferred overseas study destination by students

Though Indian students embark on overseas studies around the world, some destinations are highly preferred by them.  USA stands tall in this list, followed by Canada, Australia, U.K, New Zealand, Germany and Sweden. Countries like U.SA Australia, New Zealand, and Germany are highly considered for their science and technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs (known as stem subjects) whereas USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore remains hot destination for MBA and business related programs. For quality Medicine studies Philippines, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia and China are highly valued, considering the comparatively low cost of study without compromising on the quality front.

Applications and admissions

Universities/ institutions intake schedule vary from country to country and institutions.  Application process are mostly done online, wherein one will have to fill application form, attach academic records and submit a statement of purpose depending on the type of course he /she intend to take up.  Depending on the country and choice of course one will have to take English language proficiency tests and score as per the requirement which may vary from institution to institution. Common English language proficiency tests include IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL etc. For management/ business programs GMAT scores are required.  GRE are meant for graduate school and research institutes. Make sure you seek service of only credible overseas education consultants for your overseas admissions.

Funding and scholarships

Studying abroad is not cheap by any means; the main expense includes tuition fees and living expense, apart from travel costs, books stationeries, clothing etc. Thankfully several scholarships are offered by universities, governments or academic bodies to students who have exhibited outstanding academic or extracurricular talent.  Both public and private sector bank offer these loans to the eligible. Make sure to contact your nearest bank well in advance to start the process at the earliest.

An overseas educational qualification can be a shot in the arm as far as a high flying career abroad in India is concerned.  So what are you waiting for, get in touch with Santa Monica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd., your trusted overseas education consultant, who can help you select the course and University of choice across the globe that fits your aptitude, interest and budget. Please do not forget to visit the Overseas Education Expo September 2016 organized by Santa Monica study Abroad Pvt. Ltd in association with Malayala Manorama co Ltd on 23 rd and 24th September 2016 from 10 am -6pm at Taj Gateway, Kochi and  explore various study options abroad, offered by 80 + top class universities/ institutions from 10+ countries. You will have the opportunity to have one on one session with admission officers and clear queries regarding institutions, courses offered the admissions process, entry requirements etc. Kindly register using  the dedicated expo website www.overseaseducation expo.com and view full list of exhibitors, which would give them a fair idea about the participating universities/institutions .For more information call today on 0484-4140999 or visit your nearest office of Santa Monica.