To Study Abroad or Not?

Recent Media Headlines :

Canadian dream turning into nightmare for Indian students
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/no-house-no-jobs-canadian-dream-turns-nightmare-for-indian-students-canada-india-news-immigration-2440331-2023-09-26

“Lack of Jobs & High Rents: How Indian Students Are Finding It Hard to Survive in UK, Canada, Australia”
https://www.news18.com/education-career/lack-of-jobs-high-rents-how-indian-students-are-finding-it-hard-to-survive-in-uk-canada-australia-8561789.html

“Surviving on bread, fighting for refunds’: Indian students in Canada struggle to find housing, food, jobs”
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/study-abroad/surviving-on-bread-fighting-for-refunds-indian-students-in-canada-struggle-to-find-housing-food-jobs-8943839/lite

‘Selling a false dream’: Indian students abroad open up about mental health issues
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/study-abroad/selling-a-false-dream-indian-students-abroad-open-up-about-mental-health-issues-8903780

‘They started crying:’ Ontario international students finding it difficult to land work
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/international-students-hard-to-find-work-1.6972622

Study abroad? The grass isn’t so green on foreign shores!
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/jun/19/study-abroad-the-grass-isnt-so-green-on-foreign-shores-2586366.html

The recent media reports once again brings back the conversation about who is to be blamed for these headlines ?

1. Young FOMO based Instagram generation who expects quick success
2. Parents who believe study abroad is a quick fix scheme to settle their children
3. Few study abroad agents who can sell any program in greed for hefty commission
4. Economy post Covid-19 Pandemic , Russia Ukraine War and its global impact
5. The new world order and politics behind it

Reminds me of a parable of “the blind men and elephant” as every stake holder is equally responsible and not.

While studying abroad can offer numerous benefits, including exposure to different cultures, access to high-quality education, and opportunities for personal growth, it’s important to consider various factors when deciding to study abroad. Here are some reasons why immigration should not be the primary factor when making this decision:

1. Educational Quality: The quality of education should be the primary consideration when choosing a university. Assess factors like the program’s reputation, faculty expertise, available resources, and the curriculum’s alignment with your academic and career goals. Making a decision based solely on immigration prospects may lead to choosing a lower-quality educational institution.
2. Career Goals: Your educational and career objectives should guide your decision. Consider whether the program you’re interested in aligns with your career goals and aspirations. Focusing on immigration might distract from this crucial consideration.
3. Financial Considerations: Studying abroad can be expensive, and immigration processes can add to the financial burden. It’s important to evaluate the cost of tuition, living expenses, and any potential immigration-related expenses. Scholarships, financial aid, and affordability should be priorities.
4. Cultural Fit: Consider whether you’ll adapt well to the culture and environment of the host country. Studying abroad involves significant cultural adjustments, and choosing a university solely for immigration purposes may lead to discomfort or dissatisfaction.
5. Visa Regulations: Immigration policies can change, and relying solely on the possibility of obtaining a work visa or permanent residency through studying can be risky. Visa regulations can become more stringent or change unexpectedly, potentially affecting your long-term plans.
6. Alternative Paths to Immigration: Many countries offer various immigration pathways, such as skilled worker programs, family reunification, or entrepreneurship visas. Exploring these options may provide more stability and flexibility for immigration than relying solely on a student visa.
7. Temporary vs. Permanent Goals: Studying abroad is often a temporary endeavor, typically lasting a few years. If your primary goal is long-term immigration or permanent residency, it’s important to research and prioritize immigration pathways that align with that goal directly.

Personal Growth and Education: Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, providing opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and international perspectives. These aspects should not be overshadowed by immigration considerations.

Conclusion: In this social media age while there is a thin line between reality and marketing influence I always advice students to speak to current students and alumni’s to realize quality of education and career outcomes. Also in many cases students who lack basic employable skills in India need to set right expectations as study abroad is not a magic wand which will fix everything unless those skills are acquired and also right networking is done during the journey. Lastly take ownership of your own career and understand the difference between a mentor and study abroad agent. Outsourcing your career decision on an agent thriving on university commissions is always going to biased. Despite all the information freely available online ignoring the red flags in one’s CV and blindly building an imaginary dream life on the other side of shore is also one of the biggest reason of disappointment. So in conclusion whether to study abroad or not is an up to an individual’s aspirations and long term career goal. However remember

“We are free to choose our paths, but we can’t choose the consequences that come with them.”