Category Archives: Overseas education

Why Santamonica Study Abroad is your overseas education consultant?

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It’s been a great journey, indeed.

 

Since 2002  Santamonica Study Abroad is helping students realize their overseas education dreams.  Our relentless pursuit of quality education has taken us places, made us one of the most trusted overseas education consultants in Kerala. We are proud to acknowledge the fact that today we are the authorised representative for over 500 universities consisting of 30 countries. Santa Monica’s staff are regularly trained by the universities to offer guidance to the students properly & professionally.

 

How we offer our services is our USP and gives us our competitive advantage. Every student/aspirant is considered and treated for the person he/she is, his/her skill sets and ambitions.  So when a student comes to us, our initial step is to analyse the profile of a student , their previous academic records, passion, ambition & their subject of interest. Most of the students will be aware of only about some conventional courses. It is the duty of our career counsellors to provide the students with the required details of various courses offered overseas.

 

Most of the time a student will be unsure and confused about what program to take or which course to pursue. In such cases, we enlighten them with courses of their interest after studying and analysing their interests and passion. There are many career-oriented unconventional courses offered in the developed countries which our students are not aware of. Course selection is done only after enlightening the students with the career prospects of each and every course.

 

Once the course selection is done, we encourage the students and their parents to do some research on their own. They are advised to investigate courses, universities and their locations. They are encouraged to look into the teaching modules, research opportunities, campus life and employment prospects before they narrow down to their choice. Candidates can ask friends and family or reach out to the alumni of universities they are interested in for a wider perspective.

 

Next step is to register the student for the admission process. We forward the application and help them with the admission process. Once the admission procedure is over, we will pass onto their Visa application.  Our visa documentation team helps the student with the necessary documentation.

 

Next step is to guide and prepare students for visa interviews and guide them in preparing a statement of purpose. We discourage students to go into any fabricated details as a fabricated document will lead to a ban or visa rejection which many are not aware of. If there is a gap in their academic records, we help them to write an effective explanation with all the necessary documents.

 

 Once the visa is obtained and the student gets an offer letter, then the question of procuring a student education loan emerges. We assist students in procuring a loan. As we have tie-ups with many of the leading banks in India, loan approvals get easy. This service has fetched Santamonica lots of excellent reviews and many students & their parents are grateful for guiding them properly.

 

Travel is the next important thing to be sorted out. We have a fully equipped travel desk to arrange your travel and accommodation at the destination according to the student’s choice. This may include Airport pick up and assistance. These facilities are arranged by Santamonica and payment should be made there directly. If a student, after joining a college wants a  relocation either from the college or from the province, Santamonica can assist in that case also.

 

Another attractive service that we offer is our travel agency- a sister concern of Santamonica Study Abroad consultancy. We book tickets for our clients at a very subsidised rate especially for students as we are aware of the additional expenses.  Not only that we assist in the travel plans of parents or family members who want to travel later on to meet their ward/relative, but we also make sure that our client’s travel is smooth and hassle-free.

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Team Santamonica owes its success to their unwavering dedication, ethics, professional practices, continuous investment on staff training, use of state of the art technology and above all to its ‘’client first’’ policy”.

 

Yes. It has been an amazing journey!

 

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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.

 

Which country to choose for overseas education- New Zealand or Canada ?

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When it comes to overseas education, there is always the question of choosing the right destination. Where to go to and how to choose by considering all the pros and cons. With Canadian and New Zealand universities scoring high in overseas education, both offering bright career choices & migration possibilities,  it’s always confusing for a student to decide on one. Practically, a direct comparison between these two countries is impossible as both are unique in their own ways. They are two nations with their own great features and are truly worlds apart.

 

If you look into the climate alone, New Zealand wins! No doubt about it.  Canada is a country with harsh weather conditions. One cannot imagine Canada without thinking about its cold winters. Geographically,  one cannot compare between these two nations as New Zealand is a small country whereas Canada is the world’s second-largest country. New Zealand’s offers good career possibilities while Canada offers better possibilities due to its sheer market size.

 

Canada’s economy is much larger (10th in the world) when compared with New Zealand.  Canada as a nation is rich with natural resources and their dependence on these resources gifted them with a stable economy. Thus Canada offers great potential to all kinds of engineers while in New Zealand, this may not be the case. We have to bear in our mind that Canada has mining as a major industry supporting and driving its economy.

 

The manufacturing industry is yet another sector where engineers are in demand. Apart from basic engineering branches, there are disciplines/specializations that are in high demand.  Aerospace, Biomedical, Environmental, Oil and Gas, Robotics, Computers, Automobile, etc. make Canada an Engineer’s Paradise when it comes to placements. Even a diploma holder in any stream can find his dream job in Canada if he is willing to push hard and thrive.

 

Canada is an immigrant-friendly country. Their flexible immigration policies make it the first choice for thousands of migrants across the world. Even a low skilled or unskilled person can apply for PR in some provinces of Canada. Wages and facilities are also great in Canada. However, the climate of the country can be a challenge for many migrants who come from drastically different climatic regions.

 

New Zealand is blessed with stunning and diverse natural beauty. It has a moderate climate. Immigration policies are not as flexible as that in Canada. Job opportunities are less due to different factors. New Zealand does have a relatively small population, so it may not always be easy to find a job. These pose some limitations in pursuing a career in manufacturing, mining, infrastructure development, technology etc.

 

As said earlier, a direct comparison between these two nations is inappropriate as they stand apart in many ways. A choice between these two nations purely depends on the person, the course he/she wants to study,  and the career he/she wants to pursue.

 

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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.

 

 

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.

 

Your life as a student in a foreign country, what to expect!

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Academics VS Holistic Development

If we really look into the factors that make student life different in India compared with that of other countries, one major factor that stands out is that we Indians give lots of importance to academic success. Our courses prioritize learning a subject and getting high scores on exams, while in western universities it’s often about the overall performance of the student where academics plays only a part, though an important one.

So a student who is performing well in academics in India has to undergo a subtle transformation in recognizing the importance of holistic development in his curriculum and act accordingly. He is not directly placed on a high pedestal just because he is very good in his subject. He has to earn his grades and success by transforming into a better student by actively involving in many social & cultural activities that are directly and indirectly related to his course.

This emphasis on holistic development is evident when we look at the possibilities that are offered to a student. There are student unions and clubs in which he can be a member whereby he can explore various interests and engage in events & activities. It’s an ideal place to learn about cultures and network with students from various countries. For example, he can join a music club or pursue his passion for modern art or cookery by joining and following the corresponding clubs or associations. The possibilities are vast and the benefits are immense. Often one can even start a club by himself if he has five subscribers to that activity or program. So you have an interest in stamp collecting? No problem, gather round people who share the same interest and you are done.

In a nutshell, academics do not sum up your entire education. It’s an active & important part of your education for sure, but it’s through engaging with people and following your passion that you become a better student. A right balance between academics & the socio-cultural activities is of prime importance. This helps in building character and awareness. Often our students rediscover themselves and find their latent hidden potentials when they get these types of opportunities while studying abroad.

Ultimately when you mingle with people from various cultures and backgrounds, you develop a sense of self-fulfilment because of your increased exposure and understanding. You learn to get along well even with differences. You become more tolerant and empathetic. You evolve into a better person and then into an amazing student with international exposure.
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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.

 

 

 

 

Possibilities of studying biotechnology in Canada

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When we talk about biotechnology courses, it can be seen that in India these courses have a bad reputation among the kids and parents. There are many reasons for this attitude, major deterrent being the non-availability of jobs in the same field after the course completion. So the majority of the students choose to pursue research after completing MSc and BSc. Getting into an industry that offers possibilities in Biotechnology is practically impossible in India.

But this scenario is quite different in Canada. Canada is a global leader when it comes to biotech research and boasts many reputed research laboratories and hospitals. There are huge industries with big investments and high interest in biopharmaceutical R&D. To tackle this ever-growing demand, colleges offer various biotech courses- from diploma to masters to PhD, enabling a pool of talented professionals to meet the market needs.

The diversified biotech industries in Canada, like food & agriculture industry, also offer substantial job opportunities. The health industry is also a related major field where biotech students can diversify. Many of our students even after completing their masters in India, go to Canada to study special courses like forensic biotechnology, which is emerging as a prospective course to pursue. Plus two students can opt for diploma courses in biotechnology while students with degrees and diplomas can select niche courses that offer great job prospects.

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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.

 

Which are the Countries Keralites prefer while pondering overseas education?

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Canada

These days, it has become a trend to send kids for higher studies in foreign countries due to many factors. Canada is the most popular study destination among students from Kerala. Assured placements, affordable higher education, and immigrant-friendly permanent residency policies are some of the major attractions favouring Canada.

When we compare education in Canada with other countries, it is evident that the studies are more affordable there. The Canadian government is granting huge subsidies to the education sector which is beneficial to the student community. In certain provinces where the population is less, a student can do a diploma course, a Bachelor’s degree or a Postgraduate specialisation in Universities with only 6 /7 lakhs Indian rupees per annum. This is a very pocket-friendly budget for the students seeking a foreign degree. Even a middle-class family can opt to send their ward to study in Canada with some sponsorships and student loans (or both) due to these affordable fee structure.

New Zealand

New Zealand has emerged as the most sought after destination for overseas education after Canada. Certain policies that were enacted recently by their government are in general favourable for students aiming the overseas education. Even Visa policies support spouses of expats to continue education. Part-time work facility with three-year open work permit and PR possibilities make New Zealand a popular destination.

Australia

Australia is another popular destination for higher studies. Being a big country with good PR prospects Australia is favoured by many. Students doing Bachelors and Masters have a two-year open work permit which gives them ample time to find a decent job. Australia also has immigrant-friendly policies that promote long term stay and citizenship.

Ireland

Ireland is also attracting students with good policies. Affordable education with a two-year work permit is what the government is offering currently. Ireland is the second-best investor-friendly country in the world attracting a lot of investments which are beneficial to the students pursuing higher education.

Sweden & Germany

Among other European countries, Sweden & Germany are also preferred by Malayali students. Career opportunities are mostly for engineering stream and applied sciences.

France

France is famous for business courses as it hosts a few of the world’s best business schools.
A challenge students face in these countries is the native language. Students have to be thorough in the native language as often that language will be the main medium of communication. Also if a student wants to make a career in these countries, it is necessary that they have to be proficient in native languages.

Holland/ Netherlands

Yet another attractive destination is Holland/ Netherlands. Students mostly prefer Bachelor’s degree and the government is providing very affordable education with good subsidies. With 8 to 9 lakhs, an aspirant can get admission in high ranking universities. For a four-year course, students will get a 1-year stay back and they can find a good placement during this period. Another advantage is that once a person completes 5 years in that country they can apply for permanent residency.

UK & US

For years the UK and the US had been the only known destinations for foreign education but
Currently, the USA is relatively less preferred among Malayali students due to the cost factor. Students who seek admission in the US are normally highly ambitious students who are aiming for higher studies at tier 1 universities or the elite community who have relatives residing there.

As far as foreign education is concerned the UK provides cost-effective quality education in many prestigious institutions. The current scenario is favourable to India as more visas are granted for Indians. Recently the maximum number of Job Visas granted by the UK for foreign nationals were for Indians. This in turn, inspires many students to study abroad.

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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.

Choosing the right course – what’s important and what’s not!

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A decision to study abroad is an important decision with multiple consequences. This decision alone will change the course of a students career and his life in many ways. Other related factors that have a huge impact on his foreign education are the course that he selects to pursue, the country of his choice and the University/ College he is planning to join in. So a student has to be careful and well informed while making these decisions.

Yet it can be seen that often the parents and students are undecided and confused when it comes to selecting the right course. They are simply unable to focus and decide on a course. Most often this confusion prevails among the plus two completed students. It’s understandable as they are often naive and inexperienced.  But it is quite shocking to see that even our graduate students are dazed and perplexed. Many of these children are quite bright academically and they are good in many subjects. But somehow they seem to be undecided when it comes to what to pursue further.

So, what to be done? How can a student select a course that suits him? How can his parents guide him on one of the most important decisions in his life? Well, there are certain things a student can do as he contemplates his future course of interest

Analyze themselves

Yes, the first thing a student should do is to take a look at himself. He has to be himself, for the course he is going to pursue, is that career that he is going to build. For the rest of his life, he will be doing things that are connected to what he is going to study now. Simply put, he has to do what he really wants to do and study.

Do be driven by fancy ideas. Don’t get carried away because your friends choose one subject or you think one course is cool. Being hip is different from being successful. Your course is not a status-quo you have to maintain or a symbol of prestige. It’s your life. So follow your own path. Follow your potential and passion.

Marks are not everything

You may be good in many subjects. But doing good alone does not make one subject special, you should feel driven by that subject. Often parents will suggest their children pursue a course/subject on which he has good marks. But that’s not always ideal as the student has more potential in another subject as his personality and tastes suit something better. So choose wisely.

Nature of the job after the course

Another thing the student has to contemplate is the nature of the job that he will be following after completing the course. Is he satisfied with the requirements and demands that career brings? Does he know the personal commitment and career involvement that’s required for that career? If the student wants to pursue law as a subject, he has to think about the nature of a lawyer’s job, its professional demands & commitments and so forth. Decide wisely.

Because ultimately a student is going to live the outcome of his course. He has to give serious thoughts about his choices by connecting his ambition, personality, skills and love for the subject before making a decision.
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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

——————————————————————————–

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
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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.