Study Abroad Essentials

Vaccinations

Most US universities require applicants to have taken MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) at least once during their life. Even if you have taken MMR as a child, it is recommended to take the MMR before you leave for the US. UK universities generally do not require applicants to have taken prior vaccinations. If you are student going to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand you need to clear medical requirements before you are granted a student visa. This includes a chest X- ray and often blood test as well. No matter which country you are going to study in, it is highly recommended that you actually take MMR, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and other useful vaccinations.
You can take these vaccinations from any registered doctor or hospital. However it is best to take the vaccinations from doctor who understands overseas student’s medical requirements.

Health Insurance

Students studying in US and Canada can buy health insurance from the university they are studying in or from an independent insurance provider ( provided the university permits) How ever all international students in the US must be covered under insurance policy. The UK on other hand has one of the best insurance systems in the world and international students in the UK, whose courses are longer than six months in duration, qualify to receive subsidized treatment and hence do not need to pursue chase any additional insurance. And if you are studying in Scotland, you not even need to pursue a course longer than six months to avail of the insurance benefits.
When you apply for student visa to Australia, one of the requirements is that you register for the Overseas Student Health Cover Programme before you actually arrive in Australia. So there is no question about trying and testing new insurance policies. Even
Universities in New Zealand require applicants to have a comprehensive travel and medical policy. Which is generally purchased from the university? In rare circumstances, this policy can be bought from an external company and the university evaluates the external insurance policy.

Foreign Exchange

The RBI allows you to take up to $100000 abroad for you education and incase your I-20 or admission letter states a higher amount , RBI may allow that as well ( please check the latest foreign exchange rules directly with RBI) In short, you can easily obtain foreign exchange for your education abroad. Always carry your money in sensible denominations: travelers Cheque, cash , demand drafts (Check allowed cash limits with RBI) You can also wire transfer your money to your university’s account even before you get there. Wire transfer is safe, cheap and fast and many Indian banks charge as little as Rs250 for a wire transfer. If you prefer you can use it as a debit or ATM card.

Ticketing

Some airlines such as Air India British Airways allow extra baggage allowance for students. Remember to fly reputed airlines, which will not unnecessarily delay in flights or cancel your bookings. Remember to reconfirm your reservations at least three days before you fly and leave early for the airport. This is a very busy season and you do not want to miss your flight because you did not turn off your TV in time to leave for the airport. Make sure you check baggage specifications because before you choose your airline. Earlier if you were flying to the US you were allowed two bags of 32 kilos a total of 64 kilos. This has now been reduced by most airlines to 23 kilos per bag and totaling 46 kilos.

Indian Immigration & Customs

If you are traveling to the US, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand you do not need to have ECNR or Emigration Check Not Required in your passport. If you get an immigration officer who insists on you having an ECNR, call the manager of the airport because you do not need ECNR while traveling to developed countries (such as the ones mentioned above) If asked at customs , honestly state the amount of foreign exchange that you are carrying. As a student you are allowed to carry the amount mentioned on your I-20 or admission letter.

When you reach your destination country make sure that you have your passport and I- 20 or admission letter with you when you land. Do not make the rookie mistake of putting your I –20 or admission letter in your checked baggage. Remember, when you land you first encounter immigration and only after that are you allowed to collect your checked in baggage.

At the foreign immigration counter you may be asked the reason for your visit, how long you plan to stay in the country and how you plan to fund your education. Make sure that you answer all the questions asked honestly and to the point. In some countries you may also be fingerprinted at the immigration counter. Do not worry, as this is a routine procedure.

Special note for customs when you land and clear immigration and collect your bags, you will encounter customs just before you leave the airport. The customs officer may ask you about the contents of your bag and if you are carrying fresh food with you. Again make sure that you answer the questions honestly. Remember, all customs officers are aware that food can always be found in any Indian students bag.

Scholarships!!!

A scholarship is an academic gift given to a student from the University or any other institute or trust. They are given by different organization and sponsors based on things like academic and other talents. Scholarships can help the students for college, books, and living expenses. If a student gets a scholarship he/she doesn’t have to spend much from their end. Scholarship becomes important because student doesn’t have to repay it.

Scholarships are a direct link between student ambition and student success. It is an important factor to consider for students applying abroad. Careful planning is both necessary and wise. Foreign nationals are required to show proof of sufficient funds to cover at least the first year of their college education to apply for a student visa. The burden of securing necessary funding can be challenging, and sometimes frustrating. Family/personal Savings may be the only reliable source of funding when anyone plans begins any program of studies abroad. It is at this time that a scholarship helps.

University funding is easier to get in the United States than in U.K., Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Most students who go to Australia and U.K. are self funded students. Assistance of funds is more likely in Graduate studies and less in Undergraduate courses. Also funds are more likely to be available in fields like Engineering, Physical Sciences and Biological sciences, rather than in courses like Humanities, Social Sciences and Management.

Students are required to submit a financial aid application if they intend to seek financial assistance for studies abroad. The policies regarding financial aid vary considerably. The profile of a college usually indicates the type of financial aid it offers. For aid, students have to submit the institution’s own financial aid forms, as well as the Foreign Student’s Financial Aid Form, which is provided by the college and administered by the College Scholarship Service of the College Board. A bank statement will also often be required. Some details, usually asked in these forms are :

1. Your total personal annual income
2. Total annual income of your Parents
3. Your average annual living expenses
4. Some details of your and your parents' assets
5. Sources of funding for your education other than from the University

Even if no assistantship is available at the time of admission, most Indian students manage to get some kind of financial aid from the university after one or two semesters. So it makes sense to go to the US for education if you can manage one year’s expenses on your own.

Postgraduate students have to indicate their requirement for financial aid at the time of filling in the application form. The different types of financial help are:

Merit based assistance is awarded in many forms, from tuition waivers, various types of assistantships, to fellowships. The most common are listed here :

Tuition Waiver: This means that the student does not have to pay the tuition fees at the university. However, general fees (for the use of university facilities like the library, computers, and sports and health services) usually have to be borne by the student. A tuition waiver is frequently awarded in conjunction with a scholarship or teaching/research assistantship.

Scholarship / Fellowship: This is usually an outright grant based on the student’s academic ability and performance. Hence, only a truly outstanding student may be considered for this type of award, before enrolling at the university. A full scholarship would pay for a student’s entire living expenses at that university, whereas a partial scholarship would require additional funds from the student.

Assistantship : Most students who receive assistance usually do so in the form of an assistantship, i.e. a cash stipend sufficient for their living expenses, and/or tuition waiver. To get this, they have to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. This work normally consists of teaching and research activities. These are usually for graduate courses. Teaching assistantships are more likely to be in universities, which have large undergraduate classes whereas research assistantships tend to be more common in those fields and universities in which considerable research is in progress. Information brochures of most universities give this information. Often, teaching and research abilities must be proved before assistantship is granted. Hence, many universities grant this only after the first semester. You may also be required to take TSE (Test of Spoken English) to qualify for a teaching assistantship.

Students have a greater chance of getting financial aid if they:

1. Show evidence of a high level of academic achievement
2. Achieve high Standardized Examination scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL etc.)
3. Demonstrate financial need but have private funding to cover some of the cost. Financial need is not crucial for some awards.
4. Enroll in a field or have teaching experience in a subject offered at the undergraduate level (to increase opportunities for a teaching assistantship)
5. Specialize in a field or have a research interest which parallels that of the department and faculty or private funding source (which increases opportunities for research assistantships and grants)
6. Have outstanding letter(s) of recommendation and an impressive statement of purpose.
7. Send a sample of professional writing, published or otherwise.

Why an EXECUTIVE MBA?

If you have about 8-10 years of work experience and doing well in your field and if you feel the need to upgrade or enhance your knowledge and employ-ability then Executive MBA could be a good option for you. An Executive MBA (EMBA) program is typically open only to applicants with at least eight years of professional experience. Executive MBA education meets the needs of the organization to build managerial talent in the most effective and efficient manner available today.

If the idea of getting into EMBA seems interesting to you then here’s what you need to know:

An Executive MBA (EMBA) program provides the experienced, working professional with the opportunity to earn a Master's degree in Business Administration without significant disruption to his or her current pursuits. While EMBA students complete their degrees within two years, same as their traditional two-year MBA counterparts, they do it on a different schedule. Part time programs, on the other hand, typically take three years to complete.

EMBA programs are structured around individual cohort classes that begin throughout the year. All members of a class begin the program at the same time, progress through the program in sync with each other, and graduate as a group. Because EMBA students are continuing to work while in the program, they have the unique opportunity to put the new skills they learn in the classroom to use immediately. This combination of coursework and day-to-day experience also exists in part time MBA programs, but EMBA programs have an added advantage—the collective professional experience of cohort members. While the EMBA curriculum is traditionally the same as the MBA curriculum, it is influenced and enriched by the breadth and depth of each class's professional knowledge.

EMBA programs generally run for two years. Between work and school obligations, EMBA programs are extremely time-consuming; prepare to forfeit nearly all free time if you pursue this option. Part-time programs generally require three to four years to complete, although students with undergraduate degrees in business can sometimes place out of a number of courses, thereby shortening the process.

Executive MBA programs attract a diverse group of professionals, but all share a desire to expand their knowledge and skills. Professional experience and performance, academic records, GMAT scores, and professional recommendations all play a part in the admission decision. Most students will have at least 10 years of professional experience under their belts by the time they enter a program, with a significant portion of this experience at the managerial level. On the other hand, two-year MBA students usually average three to five years of work experience.

While the structure of an EMBA program can vary from program to program, most are fairly similar, in that they are designed to accommodate to a full-time work schedule. For example, classes at some EMBA program meet one full day per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays for the length of the program. Some meet on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays every other week. Some EMBA programs are divided into four terms, each of which begins with a week in residence at the concerned University. After that, students meet every other weekend for classes Saturday and Sunday. Some other programs offer weeknight options as well.

Generally the majority of EMBA program participants are sponsored, either fully or in part, by their employers. Recently, however, this has changed, as more students have been asked to foot a portion of the bill themselves. The number of students paying the full cost of their own tuition has also grown considerably.

Participants who are not sponsored by their employers usually qualify for loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid. It is important to view the cost of any graduate program as an investment, with benefits reaped over the life of a professional career. In addition, because participants continue working during the program, the opportunity cost of attending an EMBA program is less than for a traditional two-year, full-time MBA program.

Some Universities offering EMBA are:

USA:
1. Columbia Business School
2. Cornell University
3. Northwestern University: Kellogg
4. Ohio University
5. UC Irvine
6. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton

UK:
1. City University: Cass
2. Henley Management College
3. Imperial College London: Tanaka
4. London Business School
5. University of Bath School of Management
6. Warwick Business School

Australia:
1. Australian Graduate School of Management
2. Bond University
3. Curtin University
4. Queensland University of Technology
5. University of Melbourne

Singapore:
1. National University of Singapore, Singapore

Pursing an EMBA gives you the unique opportunity to instantly implement the knowledge you gain as a student into your professional life. In fact, much of the coursework is designed around combining what you study with your day-to-day professional experiences.

IELTS - in a nutshell!

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System; it tests the complete range of English language skills. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions. American academic institutions are increasingly accepting IELTS for admissions purposes. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. IELTS is jointly managed by The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), The British Council and IDP Education Australia. IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout the world.

There are two different Modules:
1 Academic
2 General

The Academic test is used for University entrance. Academic is suitable for candidates planning to undertake education at undergraduate and graduate levels study. General Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes.

IELTS is not a test in which a student can pass or fail. The assessment is reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. Band one indicates that candidate has virtually no English skill at all. Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities typically require a band score of between 6 and 7 and more depending on the course and the ranking of the University. The scores are valid for two years.

The IELTS test has four components –
a) Reading
b) Writing

c) Listening
d) Speaking.

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and in this same order on the same day. The Speaking tests is generally conducted a day prior or later to the exam date. IELTS exam is conducted generally three to four times a month. Students need to register for the IELTS exam at least ten to fifteen days prior to the test date. Duration of the IELTS exam is approximately two and half hour test. Reading – 60 mins, writing- 60 mins, speaking – 11 – 14 mins, listening – 30 mins.

Things to take care during the test:

a) Know the date, time and place of your test and arrive before the scheduled starting time.
b) If you arrive late for any of the papers, report to the supervisor or invigilator. You may not be allowed to take the test.
c) Take into the test room only the pencils and erasers which you need for the examination.
d) You may not lend anything to, or borrow anything from, another candidate during the test.
e) Listen to the supervisor and do what you are asked to do.
f) Tell the supervisor or invigilator at once if you think you have not been given the right question paper, or if the question paper is incomplete or illegible.
g) Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and on the answer sheet.
h) Fill in the details required on the front of your question paper and on your answer sheet before the start of the test.
i) You may not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.
j) You may not leave the test room without the permission of the supervisor or invigilator.
h) You can not leave your seat until all papers have been collected and you have been told you can leave.
k) When you leave the examination room you must leave behind the question paper, your answer paper, any paper used for rough work clearly crossed through and any other materials provided for the test.
l) Do not make any noise near the examination room.

Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their Test Report Forms approximately two weeks after they complete their test.

Scoring pattern:
IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English. Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9. A score is reported for each module of the test. The individual module scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score according to the band score conversion table.

The IELTS score plays vital role in getting admission in Universities abroad. Getting a good score in IELTS will always help international students in receiving Financial Aid, or Assistantships. Some European and Australian universities may accept a lower IELTS score with the condition that the student takes English courses before they start working on their actual degree.

How to develop skills that will help you get into B-School.

The magic of MBA does not seem to end. Every year an increasing number of students are desirous of pursuing this degree. Though there can be hundreds of reasons as to why students find this option the most lucrative one, what one needs to focus on is what does it take to be an MBA? The answer may be as simple as “clearing the entrance exam, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview”. Though this will ensure a seat in a reputed college; but pursuing the course successfully is an entirely different aspect.

After the initial enthusiasm of being one of the few privileged and the deserving ones to pursue the course, reality starts sinking in. Quite a few students find it difficult to cope with the demands, the competition, the rigorous study, the long college hours, the projects, placements and so on. Though most of the students decide on a career path quite early, very few take the pains of working towards developing on the areas that need improvement. This may happen as apart from concentrating on the admission procedure many students happen to overlook on the impact of personality attributes that play an important role while pursuing the course.

To ensure that a student is able to cope and successfully complete the course, some of the qualities required are communication skills, creative thinking, logical reasoning, leadership, team spirit, confidence, ability to handle pressure, decision making, problem solving abilities, initiative, presentation skills, competitiveness, being accountable, emotional stability, being proactive, adaptability and social sensitivity. Though this may not be an exhaustive list of skills, but definitely encompasses the most essential ones. Though a requirement in all the courses, in case of an MBA degree these qualities become inevitable.

While in Degree College, a student has ample time to prepare for the dream degree. Apart from the academic development, a student can concentrate on the extra-curricular activities that will add value. There are various occasions available during a student life to develop these areas.

Inter /Intra college competitions, being a member of various committees/councils, events /days, and College festivals – all these activities are full of opportunities of development. Sounds odd; but definitely true! A closer look at each event of the college broadens the perspective.

Inter /Intra college competitions: Various competitions, right from Antakshri to Sports to quizzes to debates, all these events not only give us an opportunity to portray our talents, but also hone skills. Participation in such event is very essential, as it not only gives us a chance to evaluate our self, but also to enhance our strengths and work on the improvement areas. The belongingness to ones college and the competitiveness with the guest college/s certainly raises the accountability level, thus improving the performance. Self-confidence, the ability to face crowd, perform well under pressure, sportsman spirit, presentation skills, competitiveness are definitely polished.

College Committee Members: Every college has their in-house committees /councils. Being a part of these councils – which may range from cultural committees to sports to literacy circles to being the class representative, everything is a value adding activity. These are all the positions of responsibility. With every chair of responsibility, and these responsibilities definitely sharpen qualities like decision making, organizing skills, leadership, problem solving, creative thinking, initiative, communication skills, ability to motivate the team, accountability.

Events /days: Whether it is organizing or participation, though many intellectuals feel, that it is a waste of time, being a part of the event is also worthwhile. This not only shows your team spirit but also improves creative thinking. College day, Traditional day, rose day or any other day, gives an ample opportunity also portray the initiative that you have. Social sensitivity and the ability to appreciate and participate are certainly enhanced.

College Festivals: Now-a-days, college events have become like any other mega event. Sponsorship, media awareness, advertising, budgeting and so on, all have become a part of the new, changing face of the college festival. Students are expected to ideate, plan and implement the entire event, find sponsors, negotiate and delegate and also complete the project. So being a part of these activities will sharpen skill sets like handling pressures, decision making, problem-solving, communication and negotiating skills, confidence, adaptability and time management.

These are some of the aspects of a college life which give a student an opportunity to brush up their skills. Apart from these, Reading, is one of the most important aspect which a lot students forget. Reading not only increases knowledge, but also proves beneficial to our overall development. So, students go ahead and enjoy & make the most of the college life with full zest and participation, but without overlooking the academics, as that is one of the most crucial aspects of you entering your dream degree – MBA.