Admission to universities in India is a dilemma. And there's a huge difference between aspiring students and available seats. The affluent ones, if failed to get a seat in India, they head abroad, and many would either go for a gap year and even more would end up changing their stream in college and get settled in courses which are not even to their liking. They don't even explore the opportunities abroad and suffer from different myths related to it. So today I am going to discuss that is studying abroad worth it? Is it just about going for higher education or is it much more? So if you are ready to know and note it down, please bring in your pen and paper. Until then, I shall wait for you. Hello all, I'm Kapil Gupta, founder of Study Abroad Academy. I'm on a mission to coach and mentor 100,000 high school students and help them realize their dream of studying in the best universities of the world and build happy careers for themselves. Today I am going to discuss the worthiness of studying abroad as it's increasingly becoming an attractive option for students when planning their education or deciding on a career path. And according to a report, students enrolling outside India is growing steadily. But have you ever wondered why so many students choose to look internationally instead of their own country? The benefits can be limitless, but I've compiled a list of the top four reasons. So let's get started. So reason one, that is taking advantage of scholarships, lower tuition fee, financial aid, and cheaper cost of living. For most potential students who want to study abroad, cost is their top concern. And according to a survey, about 35% of prospective students indicated that tuition fee and living expenses were their top concern when considering studying abroad. And many students neither want to be dependent on their parents nor do they want to take loans that they will have to repay. And this ranks as one of the top reasons a lot of students do not pursue graduate studies at home or abroad. But if you decided to study abroad, you can take advantage of many available scholarships, grants, and financial aid specifically for international students to earn their graduate degrees overseas. A wide range of scholarships are available to students regardless of their nationality. And if you want to know more, you can contact MIT. The survey has also shown that whenever prospective students decide where to study abroad, living expenses in that country is the most important factor they take into account. And there are many countries that allow graduate students to study for free or at a low cost. And European students are especially lucky as they are able to study at many more European universities for free compared to students coming from outside Europe. In Germany, for example, the majority of public universities offer free tuition for all students regardless of nationality, making it a very popular study abroad destination for international students. In addition, Germany has numerous English instructed courses for students to choose from, as well as relatively low living expenses. Then coming to reason two, that is increase career prospects. Now by studying abroad, you can also enhance your resume and increase your career opportunities going forward. Now students who excel in their programs often benefit from partnerships the universities or institutes of higher education have with internationally renowned businesses. Now, if you fall in love with your host country, you may even be able to secure a job to stay permanently. However, whether you decide to go back home or stay abroad and work, you will surely see the positive effects your experience has on how employers view you and your CV. And the skills you gain from studying abroad and the exposure to a new market will differentiate your resuming. Then reason number three, that is immersing yourself in new cultures. Now doing your studies abroad will give you the opportunity to experience a new culture and lifestyle. It's normal to experience culture shock when studying abroad. So when you challenge your perceptions and step outside your comfort zone, you have the chance to explore new lifestyles and be comfortable making friends with people from different backgrounds. However, now studying abroad can introduce you to subjects you may have not been exposed to in your host country or in your native country, in fact. So if you have an interest in a particular subject, turn it into a passion by studying it firsthand. Different cultures will cultivate different social environments and lifestyles. While doing your studies abroad, you have ample time to fully immerse yourself in your host country to experience new things and develop yourself personally. So, coming to the reason number four, try something new and increase your self-confidence. So, did you do your school education or bachelor's degree in your home country? It may be time for you to take the next step and pursue a higher degree abroad. Don't limit yourself. At first, you might have a fear of living alone in a foreign country, but prove to yourself that you are strong and there is nothing to be afraid of. By doing your degree abroad, you have a chance to broaden your horizons. You learn to socialize with many international students from various countries and backgrounds, creating long-lasting friends and professional contacts. You'll also learn to communicate better across cultural and language barriers. Doing your studies abroad will increase your confidence because not only will you conquer your fears, but you'll also acquire lots of knowledge and experience. So study abroad offers a lifetime of benefits. You'll have so much fun and you'll get back home with lots of unforgettable memories. So I hope you find this podcast useful. If yes, please subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Google Podcasts to get notified. All my podcasts are around 10 to 15 minutes, so they are short and crisp. Please share a 5 star review. And if you are part of my community, please share learnings below. If you wish to reach out to me, I'm Kapel Gupta, your study abroad expert, and join my career advisor hub on Facebook and Instagram channel BrainX Edit and get lots more and useful information. Until the next episode, cheers, bird bless, keep inspiring.