USA, Canada, Australia and UK—called as THE BIG FOUR among students, have recently seen the policies for international students becoming stricter leading to lesser chance of their applications being accepted by the universities, so Europe is emerging as a viable alternative for aspirants says Chintan Modi, Managing Director, EduGo Abroad
Immigration has always been a big motivator for students wanting to study abroad. Most of them prefer getting a job once their education is complete and then getting permanent residency after they complete the number of requisite years. Getting into a university in the US has always been challenging, majorly due to lack of clarity on visa acceptance and prospects after completing a course.
Of late, the chances for international students to remain in the United States after graduation have also decreased. Most people can only work in their area for a year (three years for STEM majors), after which it gets progressively difficult to advance. Obtaining a work visa is extremely tough; many must apply for the H1B lottery, with an only 18% chance of being chosen. Every year, all noncitizens seeking employment in the United States are eligible to enter the lottery. There is no other option for international students seeking a visa; they must enter the lottery and compete against everyone else seeking a work permit in the United States.
On the other hand, Canada, another popular option amongst Indians is going through a rough patch in every parameter, so they are lessening the number of student intakes and this year, the number of visas granted has dipped. It is surprising to see that a whopping 35% less student permits were issued this year. Canada was considered a haven for students, but due to increased scrutiny students are looking for different options.
Australia too is scrutinising admissions from India, particularly the students coming from Haryana and Punjab. Thus, in general this means they’ve gotten very strict with international intakes. The United Kingdom also has grown hostile in this sense, as it is coping with the crisis of BREXIT. This has forced students to look for alternatives where they can get world class education and later build a career.
Europe as an Alternative
European universities have emerged as a preferred option amongst students who aspire to study abroad. And European countries like Germany, France and Ireland are attracting South Asian students. Even as the tuition fees are lower, parents and students are happy that they get better value for their money. Moreover, Europe offers better visa acceptance, better and clearer rules about landing work and settling down after education. Thus, Europe offers a better lifestyle, which is the biggest reason why more students are inclined to study and work in Europe. With less emphasis on IELTS, many universities in Europe have a legacy and robust reputation of providing world-class education, giving the students one more reason to apply to them. Featuring heavily within Top 500 universities in any global ranking, these universities are the right option for an aspiring student.
Besides, scholarships like the Erasmus program assist students in funding their tuition. Indian students are among the top 3 nationalities in this category because they have often won this prize. Not to mention, the Schengen visa provides entry to numerous European nations, which is really helpful in the current environment. They can travel and take advantage of additional chances around Europe thanks to it. Infact there are countries that provide funds for basic living till a student gets a job, sustaining their cost of living for a year, thus showcasing the country’s commitment to provide employment to all the students.
When it comes to course selection, Europe has some amazing opportunities. It offers courses in not just for STEM or tech background, but for those seeking an MBA or branding. When it comes to accessing world-class technical education at very affordable fees, nobody does it better than Germany given their heritage and culture for innovation. For example, a lot of students opt for an MBA in fashion, branding and luxury and tend to choose colleges in and around Paris which is basically the fashion and luxury capital of the world. Italy too offers many opportunities for such students. Scandinavian countries in Denmark are also a great option if a student truly plans their academic and career prospects in detail.
Immersing in the culture of the country presents an amazing opportunity to build a career and even a life there if the student intends to settle there. The happy go lucky approach to life of Europeans is inviting to the foreign students who are hoping to build a life and home in a country away from their own home. While it offers peaceful environment, aspiring students can live safely here, while immersing and indulging in rich European culture.
All this is a good opportunity for students from India wanting to study abroad.
