Indian Students Studying Abroad

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), there were 2.5 million students worldwide studying in a country other than their own in 2004 compared to 1.68 million just five years earlier in 1999. There is a growing interest in education abroad among Indian students also. The annual outflow of Indian students to the US alone has almost doubled from about 17,000 in 2004 to 33,000 in 2007. There are close to 84,000 Indian students enrolled in the US colleges in 2006-2007. Why did these students decide to study abroad? Were they lured by the glamour of a foreign land or did they make an educated decision after looking at both the pros and cons?

It is common knowledge that study in home country is economically cheaper, grants greater security due to familiar ground, offers higher probability of success due to familiarity with the system, and provides easy access to local professional networks-a very important factor in professions such as law and medicine. On the other hand, education abroad exposes individuals to diverse cultures.

It offers familiarisation with different learning styles and environments and helps gain skills to survive and succeed in a challenging global environment. It promotes a sense of independence and confidence in individuals giving them the ability to understand the outside world and its people.

As far as study in the US is concerned, the positive admissions review process at US institutions seems an additional draw. Admission to Indian institutions is often through a process of elimination and performance in examinations, and is considered the sole indicator of one's ability. The cut-off score in the qualifying or entrance examinations becomes the decide-all factor and students not good at test-taking get left out in the admissions race.

The US institutions do not assess individuals solely on the basis of their test scores or grades in examinations but consider the applicant's overall achievements in different spheres. Often students branded as mediocre at home become achievers in the US educational system.

So if one decides to study in the US, it is important to understand the application and admission processes, eligibility requirements and timelines. The main requirements for admission to colleges in the US are:

* Strong academic background

* English proficiency demonstrated through a good Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score;

* Desirable scores on one or more standardised admissions tests such as SAT, GRE or GMAT and

* Adequate financial resources to cover the costs of studying in the US

It is recommended to start the application process at least 12 to 18 months in advance of the proposed enrollment date.