As appealing as the prospect of studying abroad sounds, it comes with its own challenges. When you embark on your exciting journey of studying abroad, as an Indian student you aren’t fully prepared about what’s in store for you, the good bits and the tricky bits.
So if you wonder what it’s like for Indian students to study abroad, it may not be as easy as it seems, at least initially. But all good things come at a price and it’ll just take some getting used to.
Read on to find out about the common challenges that many Indian students come across while studying abroad:
1. Different Time Zones:
Having to navigate two vastly different time zones on extreme ends of the earth can be maddening. You constantly have to check every now and then which time is appropriate for India’s time zone and get used to planning your phone calls early in the morning or during the evenings.
Then comes the homesickness of being miles apart from family and friends. Even students who are extroverted feel isolated during the first few months of shifting abroad. So you’ll have to used to enjoying your own company and regulate your emotions before you make friends or companions.
2. Household Self-Reliance:
Indian students struggle with handling day-to-day tasks such as cooking, cleaning, etc because they are not used to doing it all by themselves. Managing these household tasks parallelly with your studies can be particularly tough.
It is very costly and tough to hire someone to do these jobs which is not the case in India, where getting house help is fairly easy and economical. In countries like the UK and the US, domestic helpers charge on an hourly basis which most Indian students find very expensive.
This is why Indian students have to be self-reliant and manage these tasks along with their studies. That said, eventually, all students adapt to the circumstances and learn to manage everything on their own.
3. Financial Issues:
As you may have already heard moving abroad for higher education is quite expensive. Many Indian students may have to deal with monetary issues at some point. When you estimate the total cost attributed to studying abroad, keep in mind you’ll have to bear tuition fees, accommodation costs, living costs, course books, cost of commuting, etc.
You may also need to buy a PC or a laptop, etc for your studies. You may even face financial emergencies, and arranging the necessary funds in cases like these can be nerve-wracking.
4. Language Barriers:
Indian students moving to countries such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, etc. where English is the first language, may find language to be a barrier. Indian Students may face difficulty in speaking fluent English and may even find it tough to make complete sense of what the locals are saying.
The English words and phrases and their usage may also change from country to country. Even though there are examinations like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT that a student has to qualify for before getting accepted into a foreign college or university, keeping up with the accent, pace, and tone of the language in a different country can be challenging before you start getting used to it.
5. Difficulty Finding Appropriate Accommodation:
Another thing that Indian students frequently find tough is searching for suitable accommodation abroad while pursuing their education. It may also be tough to search for a good living space that is in proximity to their university campus, has a proper infrastructure, and fits within their budget.
BUT IS IT WORTH IT?
Yes, without a doubt, yes. Nothing worth having (or pursuing) comes easy and the challenges will only shape you into an independent adult, capable of adjusting to dynamic situations.
Plus, the challenges don’t bother you too much once you start adapting to your new life and get acquainted with other students. Leaving your home is never easy but with time you can find your home away from home!
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