How do I choose the right course?

A lot of people opt for courses for various reasons, i.e.,family is in the same profession, it is
prestigious to have a degree in a particular vocation, it is more popular in the job market etc. But are these the right reasons to choose your career? Once the actual course is over, then you have to work on the same lines as the course you opted for. I f this is not something you really like or want to do, you will still need to continue to do it, sometimes throughout your life. The only way to change this is to either go back to studying which means double the effort for single result. Hence the basis for choosing the right course depends on your particular interest, acumen or skill in a particular field. Once you know what you want to do, then you can identify the course which expands on your strength and finally you can identify the right university which offers your particular choice of course.
Then comes the next important factor to be considered when choosing your course – what is the market value for the course and how much are people skilled in a particular field paid. Is this field often affected by economic conditions? A study of these factors will help you to determine the remuneration you could earn from your chosen field of education. In case, the course you choose is not one which is highly paid, studying abroad opens up various options for you. You can choose to study in more than one subject and take more than one course. This essentially means that you can pursue two options – one based on your interests and one which will provide you with viable career options.
Therefore, the choice should be based on what your natural flair in life is and that is the only way that you will be a success in your professional life and also be happy.

How should one choose a country for higher education

A person who suffers from asthma cannot live in Alaska and someone with acute skin allergies should think twicebefore choosing a country which has too much sunlight. Having said that, the choice is purely personal and isdependent on the individual’s choice, options and background.We suggest that the choice should only be based on one factor, i.e., which is the course the student wants to studyand in which university is this offered. If there are multiple universities offering the same course, the second line of choice should be based on optional courses, i.e, which university offers the optional courses that thestudent likes to study.Once this decision, is made, there needs to be an alignment between the student’s academic background and the selection processes of the short listed universities. If this is on par, the student should evaluate the course material as well as the university’s facilities and campus to see how comfortable he or she will feel there.Another way to choose could be based on the presence of friends or relatives as (a) these people could do some preliminary research on the university and (b) help the student to settle down. Also these people will be a point of contact for the student. This can be a comfort factor for parents who are worried that their child abroad has no one to contact in case of an emergency.Once the course and the universities are decided, the budget factor will now play a role to ensure that thestudent’s budget matches the universities fees. If this is also okayed, then the student can begin the actualprocess of seeking admission. Thus, the parameter for choosing a university should be purely on the strength of theeducation system and the course offered.“Life in USA is not different from that in India and one should not forget that life as a student is challenging since the education system here is different and it is important to not losing focus in the comforts and luxury of USA.” – Student feedback on studying abroad

Other than academics, what else can a student learn in UK

Independence comes with responsibility. Indian students who live with their parents are accustomed to having theirparents take care of daily activities and chores. Meals are normally cooked, home cleaned, clothes washed to helpstudents to only focus on studies. Living abroad, along with independence, suddenly opens up the world of responsibilities. From buying a loaf of bread to washing clothes, students now need to take care of themselves. In UK, there is the additional complication of mind boggling choices. Even something as simple as a loaf of bread has a bunch of options. Choosing the right one, based on quality, price, provide students with an invaluable, practical lesson in life, i.e., negotiation skills. Negotiation skills are extremely important for people and students learn this naturally in UK. Living in a place like London, can sometimes seem overwhelming – myriad images,people,options, culture, history and atmosphere can leave a person wondering what his or her role in this country really is. It is a place where you establish your own identity and carve a niche for yourself. If you are able to do this with enjoyment, you have mastered the art of perfect living where as a human being you can survive on your own and that is by far the most important lesson you learn from living abroad, on your own.
Transport: Investing in a second hand bike is better than spending money on public transport which can be expensive. However, if you are a student and a regular user of public transport you could invest in a Oyster card which gets you discounted transport rates. Travelling by bus, you become a silent spectator, absorbing the culture, people and the atmosphere around you. London has a great night life and students can make friends and entertain themselves really well here. Shopping in food markets and looking for bargains and discounts to buy clothes will help in terms of money utilized prudently. Life in UK is about learning – not just academics but learning to live life the right way!