What is the best country to study abroad?
It is a difficult question: What is the best country to study abroad? Should I apply for study in US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, China, Malaysia or somewhere else? What factors should I take into account to determine whatvcountry that is best for me? How do I select the one college or university that is right for me from the best colleges in the world?
Once upon a time this was an easy and obvious choice. It was the US or UK. Today, many countries around the world are investing heavily in education. Governments today understand the importance and value of higher education. Students who wish to study abroad have a wide range of choices including US, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Malaysia, Middle East and other parts of the world.
This article discusses top five things that a student must take into account while making this decision:
1. Which country offers the highest quality program in my degree (Bachelors or Masters or PhD) and my major or discipline?
Not all programs are of the same quality. For example, the top programs in the US for MS are world-renowned. In other words, they have earned a reputation as the best among the best. Without a doubt, top universities in the US achieve top rankings in the world followed closely by universities in UK. Whether you apply for study in the USA or UK or any other part of the world, quality should be your number one consideration.
2. What does it cost?
Cost is an important consideration for most students who want to study abroad and their parents. Top universities in the US are some of the most expensive in the world. But the benefits of attending top colleges and universities in the world are also enormous. Students get placement quickly and in some of the top companies in the world, making study abroad at a good university well worth it. If some university is offering programs that are extremely cheap, be careful. Low cost can sometimes mean low quality. The faculty may not be good, the labs may be old and outdated, the classrooms may not be good, and many of the services available to students studying in good colleges and universities may not be available. So when you are comparing costs of universities in different countries, make sure that you are also comparing the quality of the programs. A low quality program will be cheap compared to a high quality program, but is that what you want?
3. What is the job placement rate?
The reason why students study abroad is to increase their chances of finding a good job and ensuring a successful career. Almost all top colleges in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia make sure that students get good internships and network with the companies. Make sure that there is very good placement services at the university where you plan to study. Some countries have very strict visa rules that may not allow you to work after you graduate. If working in the study abroad country is important for you, then you should take this into account. Most countries now allow students who are studying abroad to work in their country and gain some work experience.
4. What do employers think about degrees from this country?
It is important to understand what employers think about degrees from a certain institution in a certain country. For example, if employers in your country or around the world do not think highly of the education in a given country, that should tell you something. Top universities in the US, for example, conduct many surveys of potential employers to make sure that company leaders value the education that their graduates are receiving.
5. What is the culture of this country?
The reason for study abroad is to expand your thinking and horizons. Don’t study in a country where the culture is similar to yours. This is one of the reasons top US colleges require many of their students, both domestic and international, to study abroad. When you go to study in a country that is very different from your own culture, you learn a lot even though it may be difficult in the beginning. It expands your horizons. You try new foods, meet new people, understand new traditions and customs, may learn a new language, meet new employers, and make friends from all over the world. It is also important not to select a country to study abroad simply because your friend went to that country. Think carefully about what YOU like.
There are no perfect or right answers. Whether you apply for study in USA, UK, Canada, or Australia you must do your homework and understand the country and the college or university where you plan to study. Good study abroad consultants will be able to help you select not only the right university but also the right country. This is not an easy choice for many students who want to study abroad. But if you take the time to do your research, you will be glad you did!
About Dr. Uma Gupta
Dr. Uma G. Gupta brings more than two decades of distinguished experience in higher education as President of the State University of New York at Alfred, New York and Senior Advisor to the SUNY Chancellor for Women in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), Dean of the College of Technology at the University of Houston, Texas, and Endowed Chair of Information Technology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She earned her MBA and PhD from the University of Central Florida and is a sought after consultant and speaker. She has authored two text books and more than sixty refereed publications. She is the CEO of PlanetGPA.com and the executive director of STEM-SMART, a non-profit company to help students pursue careers in Science and Technology. She was awarded the top 10 most influential women in technology in Houston, Texas and was nominated for the same award in Rochester, New York.
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