Study Abroad; Indian Students are Preferring to apply in European universities this year

Study Abroad in Europe- Picking a country for higher education is like picking a film star as your favourite. Action, romance, or a mix of both, something will be missing in every pick. Some countries are less expensive than others, in some there will be language issues, while others will be more culturally liberal. So, let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect our decision to choose between Europe and traditional countries like the USA, Canada, or Australia as your study destination.

As of now, we put all the options in one basket, as which is better depends solely on the personal requirements and objectives of the student.

English being the most widely spoken language

This factor comes at number one as everything depends on it. English is the primary and only language of communication in traditional countries, every communication from academic instructions to purchasing groceries in the market will be done in this language.

Those well-versed in English should tick traditional countries on this factor. In India where the majority of the population has a fair enough understanding of English, makes it easy for students to move to these countries. Most European countries including Italy and Germany impart courses in English plus they train students in their local language.

Also read: 5 Ways to Find Your Ideal Higher Education Institution

Cost of Living

This factor includes both the tuition fees and the cost of living in a different country. As per the news report, it has been found that European countries fare better in this factor. Tuition fees in most European countries, including Germany, France, Italy Ireland, and The Netherlands, are considerably lower than in traditional countries. The same goes for the cost of living, traditional countries are comparatively more expensive than European countries.

It must be mentioned here that the standard of education and reputation of educational institutions in European countries are at par with that in traditional countries. This means, cheaper alternatives should not be misunderstood as inferior quality, some of them are top-ranked as per QS World University Rankings.

What Do European Countries Offer

Italy provides free education to selected international students, whereas Germany offers both free and fee-paying education.
Students who have a minimum of 60% marks in Class 12 or Graduation and have scored 5.5 in IELTS can easily come to Italy.
Italy also pays a stipend of up to 5 lakhs plus free coaching to learn Italian.
Students have access to 26 other countries while studying in Italy.

Also read: Planning to study abroad? Know how to successfully receive a scholarship

Campus Life

Yes, there will be differences in campus life and as we juggle to decide, in European countries, most of the students live outside the campus, which means that they get more opportunities to integrate with city life. It is not just the students, but many departments of educational institutions can be located in different parts of the city.

Here Are Some Points Worth Noting

Students in Italy can work for 20 hrs/week during regular classes and 40 hours/week during holidays.
The minimum wage of students is 7 to 10 Euros per hour, and it is quite easy to get part-time jobs.
Dependents can join the main applicant after getting a work permit.

Moving across the Atlantic, this phenomenon is in sharp contrast as almost every college and university in traditional countries has a robust campus life. Educational institutions here encourage students to develop a strong campus community and enjoy most of their social life on campus. Now, it depends on the students if they prefer to stay on the campus or off it, and consequently, their choice of country will vary.

It is pertinent to know that on-campus students will come across like-minded people, usually students from their own or other countries who are also looking for new friends and it will not take long to meld with them. Living off campus can be beneficial in other ways as it trains students to be more adaptable and sensitive to the new environment. This becomes beneficial when students apply to work and want to reside there permanently.

Also read: Study Abroad: The Do’s and Don’ts of Student Visa Application

Types of Schools and Programmes

Most of the universities and colleges in traditional countries offer a great amount of flexibility and freedom. New students, often, go through general subjects in the first year and are given the time to explore different fields. This liberty helps students prepare their mindset, explore different fields, and ultimately, commit to a field.

When it comes to European universities, students have to be more specific about the field they want to be in from the very beginning. Educational institutions both in European and traditional countries have a long history of providing top-quality higher education, and it is needless to say that they are masters in what they are offering.

By Rohit Sethi, Director, ESS Global