Do you want to study abroad? Top 5 factors to consider when selecting a foreign university
Study abroad is a life-changing experience for many students, opening their eyes to different ways of life and promoting understanding and tolerance. The beauty of studying abroad is gaining a broader understanding of other cultures. Having access to other people and building relationships with those people on their home turf enables one to think more creatively and flexibly, necessary skills in today’s competitive work environment. If a student can bring that understanding and knowledge back to Sri Lanka, the sky’s the limit!
According to the Sri Lankan Education System, only a limited number of students get the eligibility to enter Sri Lankan State Universities and others do not have any option rather than giving up of studying at a private university. The majority thinks that it is quite expensive to study abroad by do you know that you can study in a foreign university with the same cost? Most of the parents are in a dilemma when thinking of choosing the correct pathway and most of them do not have a clear understanding about the factors to be considered before selecting a university and here we discuss those significant factors anyone should consider if the best foreign education opportunities are needed.
Recognition
Verification of the recognition of the foreign university and the degree programme is the first step when selecting a foreign university. There are many institutes in Sri Lanka, representing foreign universities for a very low cost but most of them are not recognised. According to the stream of the Advanced Level examination, many study fields are available such as Medicine, Engineering, Management, Aviation, Computer Science Marine and Maritime.
If a student wants to study Medicine abroad, the foreign medical university should be recognised by Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and meet their minimum criteria of 2 credit passes and 1 simple pass in the Bio Science stream. Likewise, there are educational bodies to evaluate the recognition of the university and the degree programme.
Job opportunities
Students are dreaming of becoming professionals after completion of the education but do not have an understanding whether there will be job opportunities after studies. Before applying a study programme evaluation of the future career opportunities is an essential step and the other remarkable factor is the demand for the degree in a particular university. There are some occasions where employers do not recognise certain universities and those students hardly get a prominent job so therefore, doing a self-survey regarding job opportunities is very important.
Foreign degree holders significantly gain the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and they have the willingness to learn through experience and most of the employers agree that an overseas study experience is positive on a resume and also that knowing a second language adds to the appeal of a prospective employee. Moreover, students found the exchange experience as useful with regard to their future career plans.
Affordability
This is another characteristic to be considered and the majority gets misled by many profit oriented educational institutes in the country because of the high amount of hidden cost. Foreign education has become more expensive due to some hidden charges so parents should find a trustful partner with a long period of excellent service and records. The payment scheme should be transparent as parents get a better understanding of the total cost with a proper break down.
Parents should receive the best service and recognised education from a foreign university for what they spend.
Security and continuous assistance
Furthermore, Security is the other important ailment that parents should consider before sending their child. The university should consist of high tech CCTV cameras in hostels to safeguard the students to avoid disputes. The foreign education provider should take the responsibility of the child till he/she completes studies and returns the mother country. It is good if they have a representative in the foreign country to take care of the students but most of the profit oriented educational institutes in Sri Lanka only send students abroad but do not take the responsibility after the students’ departure.
But there are few educational providers who take care of the students well and their assistance during the pandemic and the lockdown was highly appreciable. Students are their responsibility till they return to Sri Lanka and start their career as professionals.
Past track of records
Finally, another important factor is the past records of the agent and the university. The visa success rate, recommendations and testimonials of the other students play a key role in getting a better and clear understanding whether the parents are in the correct pathway. Parents should talk to the other past students who chose the educational provider and get real facts and figures to compare what they have been saying and clarify the real scenario.
REC Campus has organised an online awareness programme via ZOOM platform for the Sri Lankan students who wish to pursue foreign education.
Webinar for Engineering, Management and other foreign education opportunities is on 24th of February,2022 at 6.30PM
Webinar for Foreign Medical Education is on 26th of February,2022 at 10.30AM
Webinar for Australian Higher Education is on 03rd of March,2022 at 6.30PM
To register the webinars and for more information – 0711 – 10 10 10 Email – info@reccampus.com Web – www.reccampus.com Visit – REC Campus, No:181, High Level Road, Nugegoda