Issues Faced by Students Applying for Studying Abroad

ARCHIVES

Search 12^th February 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx

TOPIC:General Studies 1

• Effects of globalization on Indian society

It has been a matter of routine that now many young people in India aspire to get a degree from foreign universities. The majority of the young generation feels that a foreign degree really helps them in shaping their career, personal life and other areas. However, there are many issues faced by them while pursuing admissions in foreign universities. The highlighted amongst them recently is the protectionist measures taken by western countries, especially USA.

The attraction of foreign universities

Indian students prefer countries such as USA, UK, Australia, NZ and France for further studies, especially for post-graduation. It is so because at the graduate level, the cost is very high in all good universities which comes to around Rs. 80 lakhs per annum. This is beyond the means of a normal medium class Indian family. The finance is a huge part of process of studying abroad. In order to achieve their dreams, most students often take course of educational loan. The top US universities, Ivy league colleges have fee structure spanning to 200,000 dollars. And thus to support the parents/guardians to pay back the loans, the students prefer to work part time which is contradictory to the purpose why they study in a foreign university.

So when the students go abroad to study, they always search for possibilities to do part time work to pay their educational loans. The rules for whether a student can work while on a student visa or whether they can stay back for one year varies from country to country.

For students who really wish to and can afford finances for a foreign universities, it is important to find about institutions abroad as there are chances of they being just of paper or not with necessary recognition of courses offered. The students should take bonafide of the institutions where they are planning to go andwhere they are applying. As lot of money and time is being spent while looking after these universities, registration, visa application, tuition fees, lodging, boarding, travel etc., students should enquire about accreditation, authenticity, reputation and status of the educational institution they wish to study. The internet now has whole lot of information about the universities. Even the consular services can be visited to seek advice for the universities in the country.

Till recently, the government of India did not have any data of how many Indian students were studying abroad. Recently, MEA started a mechanism to keep the track of students going abroad. A registration module is launched for Indians studying abroad so that they can be reached in case of emergency. Also, students are one of the means of foreign exchanges and thus RBI should also be taking note of the students going abroad for higher education purpose.

The mood of changing world

The political situation across the world is changing. The rise of conservative forces is experience and reverse of globalisation is there. And the students have not been left behind in facing its impact. People go there not only for education but also to get professionally absorbed over there. When the local people see Asian students doing part time job, they are deprived of their employment opportunities. Thus, the new administration is very hesitant about the same and is making its immigration laws very strict so that only the brightest and the best people can be part of their country.The rise of protectionism, anti-immigrant feeling may not be directly only against students but those who look visibly different.Issues of attacks on students have also been recorded but it is not known if it is racial attack or law and order problem. The students in foreign countries look forward to change their life for better after spending a bomb on the education. Theylook forward to living peacefully without any racial security threat.

Another option for students is to try to gain education in Indian universities, especially graduation. The government is increasing the quantity and quality of top universities such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMs throughout the nation. The students should explore various possibilities in the country to gain education and generate employment.

Can the course be reversed?

In last 15 years, the economic situation is deteriorating everywhere.If Indian students do not go to American, British, Australian and NZ universities, they will start closing down because most of the high listed universities in these countries have more than 50% students and 30% teachers from India and China.

There is a possibility of reverse brain drain as with increasing protectionist measures across countries. Those teachers and students should be attracted to India and create a brand of the institution in education sector. USA now has a good system of education which India had in ancient times with world universities of Nalanda and Takshashila. India should strive to increase its standards of education so that students from other countries come to India more frequently to pursue higher education.

Connecting the dots:

• The Indian students are the future of India’s growth but they are lost to foreign universities for lack of quality and quantity of educational opportunities. Do you agree? Discuss.