Guide for Studying Abroad After 12th for Indian Students [2024]

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“How to go abroad for studies after 12th from India for free?” We get that a lot! Going abroad for higher education has become a trend these days due to the increased awareness of the exposure and career options that are open for students with an advanced skill set. However, lack of awareness has its own consequences, which often lead to students being misguided. This blog is a detailed guide for studying abroad after the 12th for Indian students and all they should know before taking the steps that will change their lives.

In this blog:

1. Decide the course and country
2. Assess your financials
3. Research, research and research!
4. Prepare for tests and documents
5. Standardised & language proficiency tests
6. How to get scholarships to study abroad after 12th
7. Student visa
8. Accommodation
9. Cultural change and adjustment

Decide the Course and Country

Before anything, it is necessary to have clarity about what your interest is because the course you do will determine the path of your career. It is important to survey and find out about the countries of your interest, their climatic conditions, suitability of the course in terms of the time duration, etc. At the same time, finding out about the job prospects and income levels after completing the course is also important.

Many times, students make the wrong decisions of course or country and end up having an unhappy experience. They are also swayed by the choices their friends make and end up making the wrong decisions. It is advisable to take the guidance of your parents in this decision, as no one else can guide you better than them.

Assess Your Financials

Quora is brimming with questions like ‘How to study abroad for free after 12th’ but the first step to getting here is through planning! Education anywhere is not possible without financial planning. In view of your welfare in a foreign land, it is wise to assess your finances, know the affordability and make the necessary calculations to have everything measured in numbers.

If your parents are sponsoring your education, sit with them and discuss the possible financial requirements and find out how much they will be able to comfortably afford. Stay updated with the current polices that have a direct impact on your financing plan.

For example, as per the new Union Budget tax collection at source for foreign remittances or transfers, overseas education without a loan sits at a whopping 5 per cent. This is compared to 0.5 per cent in the case of an education loan.

For students and parents, this news means that the tax at source on self-funding is now going to be at least ten times more expensive than taking an education loan.

It is also necessary to keep some additional funds for emergencies. Being prepared for the future always pays off in the long run.

Research, Research and Research

Going to a foreign land can be a life-changing experience, but preparing well for this experience can make sure you do not miss out on anything. Researching the course, its contents, requirements, and assessment of it with your calibre and capstone projects can help you be prepared for the challenges that will follow.

Researching on other aspects is also a necessity since the time you will have will be limited. Whether it is finding out about the extracurricular activities in the university or the must see sights of the city, knowing more can give a good experience and memories that you can cherish on your return.

Prepare for Tests and Documents

Most university sites have accurate information about their requirements, the tests they consider and the documents they will require for admission. Spare some time to arrange everything in an organised manner and schedule your tests and exams accordingly. Since many students start applying when they’re completing their earlier courses, it becomes more necessary to follow a balanced approach and ensure that there is the right balance for present and future plans.

Standardised Tests & Language Proficiency Tests

It is important to find out about the language proficiency tests accepted by your target university or college. Exams like IELTS and TOEFL require thorough preparation and consistent months of effort.

Therefore, knowing about your target university and the language proficiency test it accepts is significantly important. Missing out on this can send you to the list of candidates who are out of consideration, and your dream to study at the university of your interest may never materialise.

Suggested Read: Is it possible to get into US universities without a SAT score?

How to get scholarships to study abroad after 12th

Based on merit and potential, universities also give out promising scholarships to students. As an Indian student, the scholarships can make a huge difference in lightening the financial burden. So to finally answer your ‘how to go abroad for studies after 12th from India for free’ question – Full ride scholarship.

As you might have already sensed, it’s not that easy! Full-ride or fully funded scholarships that cover everything from tuition fees to living and travel expenses are naturally very competitive, with often a limit on the number of awardees.

Building your profile in such a manner and meeting the set criteria becomes crucial in this effort. The guidelines to make a profile eligible for scholarship as well as the process to avail it are generally available on the university sites. Sometimes, there are also virtual tours that can guide you in finding the answers to your questions.

Suggested Read: Realistic Ways to Find Fully Funded Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Student Visa

After you accept your application, a crucial step is to submit your visa application. A student visa is the last step in ensuring that you will go to your dream university and accomplish your plan of completing your education abroad. Getting this done in the right manner as per procedure is also necessary. Otherwise, all the effort done earlier goes to waste. Prior research for the process, deadlines, and time taken for application processing will additionally help you later, as there are a lot of things to do at that stage.

Accommodation

Even though most universities offer accommodation facilities for their undergrad students, it is advisable to have another option for accommodation in case things don’t work out the way they were planned. You can connect with landlords through brokers online.

Since large number of students come for international education from various corners of the world, the countries have a well-developed infrastructure to facilitate the accommodation issues of students and ensure that they do not face any problems.

Cultural Change and Adjustment

Going to a different country can be a cultural challenge due to being used to the ways followed in India. For many students, it also comes as a cultural shock and they are not prepared for it. On the other hand, the idea about living alone without families does not come to the minds of students and they forget to consider this, only to realise it later when they reach their target countries. Before making this decision, it is necessary to consider this factor, the fact that you will be on your own and will have to manage everything on your own. It may sound intimidating, but it is also a significant step in your development into a better and independent person.

Studying abroad sounds like a fascinating experience for students. It has its own set of benefits and challenges. But seeing the increasing popularity among students, it would not be wrong to infer that higher education from abroad is a good investment of time. So go ahead, decide what you want to do, and do it. All the best!

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