It’s preparation time - Study Abroad

Going abroad for higher studies is more common today, with growing opportunities and a shrinking world. Here is what students says about their preparation for a study abroad.

Karthikeyan Vijayaraj, France

I am heading to Toulouse, France, to join the MS programme in Aeronautical and Space Systems, at Institut Superieur de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE). I started preparing for my overseas education even during my days as an undergraduate. I have been doing R&D in the field I am planning to pursue in master’s for the past three years.

I had already learnt French in high school, yet, to help me adapt to French culture, I have taken A1 level at Alliance Francaise of Madras (AFM) and currently am in A2 level. At AFM, along with French language, students learn a lot about the French culture. Attending the pre-departure meetings organised by Campus France was immensely useful.

Officials from the French Embassy provided orientation and guidance. I am also in touch with my seniors who are at ISAE via Facebook. The website, www.indiansintoulouse.com was another source of information for me.

Ashwin Kumar, Germany

I have got admission to master’s programme in Environmental and Resource Management at the Brandenburg Technical University, Cottbus, Germany.

The language barrier that students faced until some years ago is gradually breaking down. However, students going to Germany could learn the basic German language as it will be helpful. Basics can be learnt in three-to-six months at Goethe Institut. My first challenge was to find accommodation. I made use of Facebook groups to find apartment on a sharing basis as it reduces the rent burden substantially.

I applied for my visa and booked air tickets soon after I received my admission confirmation from the university. As I booked my ticket earlier I got a good deal. I had to take travel health insurance and also had a blocked account in Deutsche Bank in India for the visa interview.

Opening of blocked account at DB takes 15 to 30 days, so I would suggest that one does this much in advance. The Facebook group MS in Germany was a great source of information for me. Through this I connected with Indians in the university who helped me in choosing the right study modules. It is best to learn A1 and A2 levels in German before leaving for Germany. It would help one survive outside of campus and when taking up part-time job.

Finally, I have a standard checklist for Indian students prepared by the Indian student community in Germany and am going by that.

Srinivas Subramanian, The Netherlands

I have now secured admission at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands. I will be pursuing M.S. in Automotive Technology. Students in India have absolutely no guidance and it is through word of mouth that we gather information from our seniors and friends who study abroad.

The pre-departure briefing sessions organised by Nuffic Neso brings in alumni and the focus is purely on understanding the academic culture of the Netherlands and not on trivial aspects.

My course will be offered in English, but if I intend to work part-time (which is tough to get and involves a lot of paper work) I have to learn Dutch. One can learn the basics online or approach Nuffic Neso India to find a Dutch language trainer.

Subhasree Rajaram, Ireland

I had the advantage of visiting Cork, Ireland, some time ago, and so booked my accommodation much in advance. Regarding food, the spices of India are the best, and I exactly know what is available in Cork and what is exactly required for me to take.

This will help me reduce my baggage weight. To manage the weather, which is generally rainy and windy, a sturdy umbrella is required. This is available in India at a much cheaper price, and I bought it immediately. Finally, having got my visa to Ireland once before, I knew the procedure and what documents to have ready. This saved me a lot of time.