Study Abroad Tips & Advice

13. February 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: General

It’s difficult to compare the rewards of studying abroad with anything else. It can change your perspective from being local to global and your attitudes to international. Not only that but you will likely gain memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

Interestingly though, one of the biggest falsehoods for people deciding not to study abroad, is that they believe it would be too expensive and difficult. Overseas students who do decide to study abroad however are often very surprised at how easy it was to organize with the assistance of an education agent and how affordable it can be.

The following information should be used only as a guideline only but will likely provide some good tips and advice of prospective overseas students looking to study abroad. It is recommended however that students see a qualified education agent to ensure they receive up-to-date advice tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

Why study abroad?

• Language acquisition – The world market place is shrinking and many companies now look for or require staff that can speak a second language. For students in Thailand or Asia where English is a second language being able to speak English can be a significant advantage in the competitive labor market. Not only is being able to speak a second language such as English important from a career perspective, but it is also invaluable from a real world perspective.

• Practical experience – Study coupled can be an ideal way to gain some real world experience. Many students are surprised to find out that in many countries such as Australia they are free to work and gain an income while studying (currently 20 hours per week with a student visa). When this is factored into the cost of studying abroad it can significantly reduce the expense and studying and working overseas can be very affordable.

• Career Advancement- As mentioned above international experience is much sort after by many employers as a critical asset for prospective employees. Study abroad shows that you are resourceful, adventurous, internationally minded, and diverse. In addition, in many countries such as Thailand it is extremely competitive and expensive to gain selection to a highly respected university. By not gaining selection to a top university however you are limiting your career potential. Study abroad is another option however which will allow you to studying overseas in a country such as Australia and gain English language skills and once completed will see you just as attractive or more so to potential employers not only in Thailand but around the world.

• Experience of a lifetime – In a couple years you may forget a lot of what you have studied in high school and university but if you study abroad you will never forget the friends you made or the incredible experiences you shared.

How do I find the right Education Agent for me?

The first step is organizing study abroad is to find a professional Education Agent you can trust. There are many education agents and this task is not as easy as it sounds, however here are a few tips that will help you select the right agent for you.

1) Look for an education agent that are members of peak body organizations in not only your home country but also the country you intend to study. By doing this you can be more confident the agent you have selected is professional and trustworthy. For example, students from Thailand wishing to study in Australia should select an agent registered with the Thai International Education Consultants Association (TIECA) in Thailand and the Qualified Education Agent Counsellor Database (QEACP) in the destination country Australia.

2) Prospective international students should also look for education agents which have registered business’ and offices in both their home country and the destination country. In the example used above this would require the agent to have a fixed business address and offices in both Thailand and Australia. By having an office in your home country it will be far easier to organise the necessary paperwork including visas and school enrolment. And by having an office in the country you intend to study, for example Australia, it will be easier for you to access study support services if you have any problems or require assistance while studying abroad. Such student assistance should be provided to students free of charge by education agents.

3) When looking for a good education agent students should also ensure that the agent they select provides accurate advice regarding educational institutions and does not simply refer you to schools or universities which they receive the largest commission from. Education agents should work with you the student and discuss your specific study needs before tailoring a study program to your needs.

For students from Thailand The Oak International Education meets all the above criteria and is a trusted organization helping students study abroad. We have offices in Bangkok and Ayutthaya Thailand, as well as in Sydney Australia. We are members of TIECA and QEACP and can organise all your study needs, including visa applications, health insurance, school enrolments and ongoing free student support in Australia. Contact The Oak International Education and Training Services today for a free no obligation discussion about study abroad options available to you.

Nathan Jones is a Director of The Oak International Education and Training Services. The Oak has office in Thailand and Australia and is the first choice for Thai students wishing to study abroad in Australia and overseas. They are members of TIECA and QEACP and can organize all your study needs, including visa applications, health insurance, school enrolments and ongoing free student support in Australia. Contact The Oak International Education and Training Services today for a free no obligation discussion about study abroad options available to you.

Aother – Nathan G Jones

Studying Abroad, Brain Drain

13. February 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Education

Some students prefer to continue their education in another country for different reasons. They may want to learn the host country’s language, learn their major from the first hand resources, or they may have political and social problems in their country that make them to go another country to study (brain drain). Or the reason may be acquaintance with other countries culture; in fact, in the era of globalization this cross-culture impulse has been reinforced. People become aware of other countries facilities or strong points in special scientific field and depart to gain that knowledge.

In some countries, there are study abroad consultants that have communication with different universities in some countries and give the students required information about the course, payment, scholarship and provide help in doing application procurers and guiding about visa process. Therefore, the trend of finding suitable university has been easier.

In the United States, the first study abroad program started in 1923. Prof. Raymond W. Kirkbride who was an instructor in the Modern Languages Department in the University of Delaware offered his plan to the university president. His plan, Delaware Foreign Study, was accepted and in a time that America liked to keep isolated, eight students were sent to France to study.

From then on, dispatching students has continued in different ways. One way is Winterim or winter session, in which student takes part the education program in a short period between fall and spring semesters. Length of study can range from one week, to a whole academic year. Today United States students prefer the United Kingdom for studying to other countries and then Italy and Spain.

On the other hand, unites states is the major host for the students from abroad. It”has the world’s largest international student population, with nearly 600,000 students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States. Nearly 4% of all students enrolled in higher-level education are international students, and the numbers are growing.” However, the rate of accepting students from the United States has been changing through time and has not always been in a steady growing way.

For instance after September 11 attack on Union Trade Center, the restrictions and limitations imposed on issuing student’s visas especially on Arab Muslim countries, declined the number of the students. In the area of treating students from suspecting countries, mostly Muslim and Arab countries of course, a proposal was introduced in congress that “would restrict eligibility for students’ visas.

Moreover, those who were studying there were faced problems returning the universities, even some of them forced to quit their study. These restrictions were implemented while by and large, student visa make up a small percentage of people entering the United States every ear. Therefore, the tough measures against students seem somehow unreasonable.

Paving the road of education in the United States may have some other reasons aside from interests. Many students and scientists from other developing countries prefer to stay in America and continue their scientific works because of social and political problems in their countries. This increasing trend has been known as Brain-drain. “The term originated about 1960, when many British scientists and intellectuals emigrated to the United States for a better working climate.”

It “can be simply defined as the mass emigration of technically skilled people from one country to another country. Brain-drain can have many reasons, for example political instability of a nation, lack of opportunities, health risks, personal conflicts etc. Brain-drain can also be named as “human capital flight” because it resembles the case of capital flight, in which mass migration of financial capital is involved.”

Examining the reason of brain drain in different areas has led to different causes. For example In Middle East “lack of some basic facilities and services are the reasons for the mass migration from these areas. Dictatorship, terrorism, orthodox attitude are basic hurdles of development of this region.

In Asia Unemployment, population explosion and corrupt political systems are main reasons for migration of skilled workers from this area.

In countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc graduates, post graduates, experienced and skilled professionals are not getting enough opportunities to develop and succeed. So with dreams of development these professionals leave their native country in search of better future. This brain-drain is a great loss to these developing countries.” Like the continent of Africa that “according to a survey Ethiopia lost its 75 % of skilled workers in the years 1980-1991.”

Studying in another country can be a good way to be acquitted with other cultures aside from learning specific knowledge. So, if every country facilitate job opportunities for these graduated people, and grantee their welfare, then they will benefit by sending their students instead of loss. Graduated people with a wide attitude, knowing other nations experiences, and other experiences like self-sufficiency an outcome of living apart from family, could probably think, manage and handle the job in a better way.