STUDY ABROAD
The lure of Down Under: Australia, NZ the hotspots
Usha Albuquerque

IT is time again for the annual migration, when young people pack their bags and their qualifications and head for more lucrative climes. In today's fiercely competitive environment, it is not so much the lure of foreign degrees, as it is the limited access to higher education that is the driving force behind this yearly phenomenon.

In the past, most students went to the USA for postgraduate studies. Today, a large number of students are going overseas for undergraduate studies and the USA is not necessarily their first choice. Several countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, France and Germany, among others, are offering exciting educational opportunities and emerging as popular student destinations.

However, though many students wish to go abroad, most are ignorant of the procedure. As the choice is wide and the options many, preparatory work must begin at least 18 months in advance. The first decision to be made is, of course, the course of study and the choice of country.

For undergraduate study in the USA, besides a good academic record, you are required to appear for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Test for English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), a compulsory requirement for all university admissions. All postgraduate programmes (termed graduate studies in the USA) except for MBA and related management degrees require scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), while graduates applying for management studies need to clear the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

While admission to some of the top universities in the UK requires a basic "A" level academic qualification, most universities now accept the CBSE and ICSE board results. They also test fluency in the English language, through the British Council and the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. Institutions in Australia and New Zealand also have similar requirements.

Unlike the USA, UK and Canada, where the academic year begins in September, the scholastic term in Australia and New Zealand runs from February to November.

Another important criterion in your decision to study abroad is cost. In most foreign countries higher education is expensive, even in the state colleges. Students who protest vociferously when college fees in India are raised are quite willing to pay $10,000 or more for a foreign education. Costs begin to mount when application fees range from $20 - $ 80 for each institution, entrance exams fee vary from $10 - $ 30. Then there are postage costs for mailing applications, besides the actual tuition fees that can range from $5,000 - $30,000 a year, depending on the country, course and institution, while books, study material and living costs could add up to another $6,000 - $8000. So, there would be a total outlay of anything between Rs 5,00,000 and Rs 40,00,000 a year.

Higher education costs are possibly highest in England, where foreign students may have to pay almost 6,000 - 8000 pounds for tuition and a similar amount for living costs. These costs are possibly the lowest in Australia and New Zealand.

Once the decision regarding costs is taken it is wise to start applying to at least 20 universities and colleges in the country of choice, of which only 5-6 should be prestigious institutions, where the chances of selection are limited. The application form is the most important passport to selection, and should be filled in with much care and attention. In addition to scholastic qualifications, the prospective university would be looking for good all-round personality development. Much store is also laid by the personal recommendations of your teachers or employers, and the tone and content of the personal statement.

The writer has authored The Penguin India Career Guide and The Essential Career Guide and is the Director, Careers Smart Pvt. Ltd.