Wednesday 30 March 2016

Advantages & Challenges of Studying Abroad

March 2016

For many students, going away to college is the first time that they will live away from their parents or hometown. University life affords freedom, independence, and an opportunity to gain life skills that will be used your day to day life while this certainly is a major event, getting the most out of your college experience may involve going beyond your university’s campus.
Study Abroad
Off-campus volunteer and work opportunities may be the farthest you’ll want to venture from your college campus. But you may want to consider studying abroad.

Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally while going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. There are a number of other benefits to studying abroad; however, there are also numerous challenges. Consider the pros and cons, and decide if studying abroad may be right for you.

Advantages of Studying Abroad

Experience a Foreign Culture

Visiting foreign lands in person, however, is an entirely different experience. When you study abroad, you participate in the day-to-day life of a new locale, gaining first-hand understanding and new appreciation of the culture.

Improve Your Second Language Skills

You may already be fluent in a second language, or you might study abroad in one of the many countries where English is spoken as a first language. However, studying abroad can provide you with a perfect opportunity to learn a new foreign language.

Being surrounded by native speakers affords you the chance to immerse yourself in the language, which can expedite your retention and fluency. Furthermore, if you travel to a country in which the primary language is one you’ve studied in school, you can add to your vocabulary colloquial words and phrases that may not appear in the textbooks.

Explore Your Own Heritage

Students whose familial heritage stems from abroad will often choose to explore their ethnicity and ancestry. In fact, reports show that minority students benefit both personally and academically when they have studied abroad in the country of their family’s origin.

Pursue an Activity You Wouldn’t at Home

Studying abroad is a chance for you to be adventurous, explore the unknown, and try your hand at activities that may not be offered in your home state. For example, if you’re studying abroad in Argentina, you can try numerous adventure sports, from zip-lining, to rafting, to mountain biking. If you enjoy heights, you can try paragliding. No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Learn How to Communicate Across Cultures

In today's increasingly global society, it’s important to possess the skills to communicate across cultures – and this means understanding more than just a different language. Studying abroad helps you become familiar with the customs and traditions of the country in which you are studying, in addition to the language. By interacting with locals, you can develop an appreciation for the culture and its differences from your own.

Become More Independent

Studying abroad removes you from the normal support network that you are accustomed to back home. While on the one hand, being away from friends and family can seem daunting, it is also a chance for you to hone your own skills and gain some independence.
Whether it’s washing your laundry or buying groceries, you will learn to take responsibility for your actions. When you return home, your increased independence will be very useful – it can help you in your job search, at home, or in your day-to-day routines.

Manage Your Own Finances

One major aspect of being an independent adult is having the ability to manage your own finances. Regardless of whether your study abroad program is financed by a scholarship, grant, or another source of income, chances are that it will be your responsibility to pay the bills.
Furthermore, living in a new country will help you learn and understand a new form of currency, and familiarize yourself with the various living expenses. Understanding how to manage your expenses will especially be beneficial when you no longer rely on the support of your family.

Increase Your Employment Prospects

Employers value prospective candidates with international experience, foreign language skills, and the ability to communicate across cultures. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in international relations, diplomacy, or government, these skills will be especially useful.
Use your experience studying abroad to expand your set of abilities, and make these a determining factor that will separate you from the others in a pool of applicants.

Form New and Rewarding Relationships

Without your regular support group of friends and family, you will be confronted with new situations on a daily basis. However, studying abroad offers you the chance to meet new people and form friendships that may last a lifetime.
Whether you’re living with a host family or in a student residence, make an effort to form relationships with those around you. Not only will you have someone around to console you when you are homesick, you will also know people that you can have fun with. Recreation is an important part of the studying abroad experience, and you will likely enjoy sharing your experiences much more than spending your time alone.

Network for Your Future

In addition to making friends, you can also form professional contacts while abroad. Generally speaking, course loads tend to be comparatively lighter while studying abroad, so this can be an ideal occasion to intern, work part-time or volunteer while you’re studying.
Consult your college or university to see whether they help you find internships or work placements abroad. Sometimes, you can even get credit from your home institution. When you’re finished working abroad, be sure to ask for a recommendation letter to testify that you worked abroad, and to share with future prospective employers.

Challenges to Consider

Though there are a myriad of benefits to foreign study, consider some of the drawbacks before you decide whether it’s right for you:

Homesickness Can Occur Frequently.

If you have never spent much time far from home, this could be a serious issue. You may find yourself missing the people you left back home, and the less outgoing you are the more of a problem this can become.

Academic Programs Abroad May Be Less Rigorous

Of course, this comes down to where you currently study and the program in question. Ask other students who have participated in the program you’re interested in, to see if it will be worthwhile from an academic standpoint.

It May Be Difficult to Get to Know Locals.

In some countries, the locals will be warm and inviting, while in others, it might take a little more effort to make friends. If you’re concerned, find out in advance how Americans are typically received and treated in the area.

You May Experience Culture Shock – When You Return Home.

Once you become used to a foreign environment, your home might actually seem foreign to you. This effect will be most notable when returning from countries where cultural differences from your home are numerous.

Programs Can Be Expensive

While there are study abroad scholarships opportunities specifically designed for students who wish to study abroad, you may not be eligible. Is it worth racking up more student loan debt? If you don’t qualify for a scholarship, weigh the pros and cons to make the best decision, and be sure to expand your search – consult government-sponsored initiatives for further grants, if possible.

Credits May Not Transfer

If you’re planning to conduct research abroad, be sure to mention it to your college or university, as you may be able to transfer credits to your home institution. However, credits may not always transfer. This may not matter to some students, but to others it could be vital – especially when you consider the financial costs.

For complete information & enrolment on Studying Abroad, Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333.
March 2016

GRE Vs GMAT

1. Who can opt for giving the GRE and GMAT?

Students who wish to pursue their MS or MBA can give the GRE. However, only some colleges accept GRE for MBA. The GMAT on the other hand, can be given by students who want to pursue a career in management.

2. Does the GRE and the GMAT have the same sections?

Yes, both the GRE and the GMAT have Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing sections, however the GMAT does have an Integrated Reasoning section, which is not included in the GRE

3. What type of questions does the GRE and GMAT have?

The Verbal part of the GRE consists of Reading Comprehension, Discrete questions and AWA. This AWA consists of two types of essays, one issue essay and one argument essay, while the Quantitative section consists of Problem Solving The Verbal section of the GMAT includes Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning and AWA. Quantitative includes Problem Solving and Data sufficiency

4. How many questions appear on the GRE and GMAT exam?

The GRE has a total of 100 questions, which is inclusive of the experimental section, however only 80 questions out of the given 100 are graded. The Verbal and Quantitative section both consist of 40 questions each. The GMAT has a total of 78 questions, verbal has 41 questions with a total of 75 minutes allotted for this section, while quantitative has 37questions with a similar time frame.

5. How is the GRE and GMAT scored?

The GRE is scored out of a total of 340, and is broken down into Verbal (170) and Quant (170) Essays are not included in this score, each essay is graded out of 6, but an average of both essays are taken.
The GMAT is scored between a range of 200-800 overall; each section is further sub-scored on a scale of 0-60. Here the Analytical Writing is scored on a total of 6.

6. How is the GRE and GMAT different?

GRE is a section adaptive test. It means if you have solved a section correctly, the next section will have a higher difficulty level. The GMAT in turn is a question adaptive test. A correct answer increases the level of difficulty for the next question, and an incorrect answer will lead to a less difficult question.

For complete information & enrolment on GRE and GMAT, Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333.

March 2016

The Next step you take Matters!

The world is filled with various career choices ranging from Medicine to Mass Communications, Engineering to Event Management, Marine Biology to Information Technology. The confusion that students face over which career to pick is understandable.

Are you unsure about your career path?

A large number of students continue to choose a career based merely on the fact that their friends are doing the same thing or because their parents told them to do so. This, however, may not be the best way to go about it.
We at Edwise understand the dilemma of the students while choosing the pathways for higher education. To cater to such needs, Edwise has designed the Academic Pathway Planning Program.

Academic Pathway Planning (APP)

Academic pathway planning is the process of helping individuals know their strengths and weakness, their interests and their abilities in the world of work in order to reach a mature career decision.

It involves assessment in 3 areas:

Aptitude: It is the ability to do well in a given field.
Interest: It defines your likes and dislikes for certain kind of activities and the kind of work you would like to do.
Personality: Our Personality is who we truly are, our character traits, qualities and shortcomings. Awareness of our personality helps us make a career choice.

APP can be undertaken by:

  • Students of class X, class XII to decide which stream to select
  • Under graduates
  • Graduates and above
  • For any adult who is planning a career
  • For anyone who is uncertain about future academic direction

Advantages of APP:

  • Right information in a structured way. It provides the student with the right information in a structured way, so that the student can use the information promptly, enabling them to choose the best career course.
  • Open up Choices. APP will open up choices about which the student may not be aware of.
  • Gives Confidence. APP gives confidence to the students while making a decision on their future career course.
  • Helps understand personality. APP helps students to understand their individual personality that influence their academic decisions.
  • Self improvement plan. APP is a self improvement plan for personal development and growth.

What Edwise Students say…

“Prior to the APP test, the only interest I had was Aviation. After undergoing the APP test, I realized, I was not fit for Aviation. The tests showed me that my aptitude, interest and personality was leaning more towards Business Management. I liked the option and in consultation with Edwise, I am pursuing Bachelors in Business Management from LIBT, UK.”
- Shweta Hanspal

“After my graduation, hundreds of emerging career options and different criteria’s admission by different institutions came as a nightmare to me. But after the APP test from Edwise I got a clear view about my career goals. The test helped me decide to go for a designing course which best suited my personality. So after consultation with a counselor from Edwise I am applying for Post Graduate Diploma in Designing in UTS Insearch, Australia.”
- Yazhad Gheesta

“After passing my 10th grade, I found it extremely difficult deciding my future aspirations. The Academic Pathway Planning Program test proved to be an excellent ‘guide’ in leading me to the right direction. Using the information the test provide, I was able to choose subjects in the International Baccalaureate program. I would recommend the APP test for all those who are uncertain about their future interests."
- Yash Somani

“I was in my last year of graduation and was confused between choosing MS in Computers or a MBA for my higher studies. Then I underwent the Academic Pathway Planning Program test and my results showed me that my aptitude and interest is more inclined towards MBA. So now I am applying for MBA in Northeastern University, USA. APP test really cleared all my confusion and showed me the right path.”
- Sonam Jain

Overseas Education Consultant

We at Edwise streamline and personalize the process for each student irrespective of the destination, institution, course or any level of study. Our team of experienced professionals will provide you individual attention and exceptional guidance throughout your process of application. We provide assistance related to course selections, admission, visa, bank-loan and scholarships. We also host University delegates for direct student interaction and all these services are provided free of cost. We have established since 1991 and have been maintaining strong networks with over 575 universities in 16 countries, hence giving us a unique insight into the finest educational establishments worldwide.

Start your education in Canada with valuable information on everything you need to know about studying abroad from study permits, temporary resident visas and how much it costs, to finding a program. 

Do visit your nearest Edwise branch & choose your university carefully under our expert guidance and ensure that you have all your paperwork in order. Once you apply, and the wait is over, you can really begin to look forward to not only studying in a beautiful and vibrant country, but also to a life experience quite like no other.

For complete information & enrolment on Overseas Education process, Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333.
March 2016

TOEFL Training at Edwise

TOEFL Training at Edwise


The Test of English as a foreign language is used to measure the English language proficiency. Edwise offers intensive and comprehensive training services to candidates aspiring to obtain a desirable score in TOEFL.

TOEFL Test Format

The TOEFL consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. All sections are conducted on the same day, and the entire test lasts for a period of four hours. Instructions for answering questions are given within each section.

Reading (60-80 minutes)

3-4 passages with 12-14 questions

Listening (60-90 minutes)

  • 2-3 conversations with 5 questions each
  • 2-3 lectures with 6 questions each
  • 2-3 discussions with 6 questions each

Break (5-10 minutes)

Speaking (20 minutes)

  • 2 independent tasks
  • 4 integrated tasks

Writing (20-30 minutes)

  • 1 integrated task
  • 1 independent task

How we train our students

A mock is conducted on the first day of training itself, to determine where the candidate stands in terms of English language skills. The candidate is given the scores, once the test is over. The classroom training then begins; we use Barron's TOEFL Book, a standard book for TOEFL to conduct these classroom sessions.

For Reading, our faculty staffs provide details about the various types of questions, passages are assigned and students are asked to solve the passages. Towards the end of each test, difficulties are discussed and answers are explained. In Listening, the test is played nonstop and students answer the questions as they listen.

For Writing, both the types of essays are explained, along with guidelines for writing the essays. These essays are then assessed, and students are advised on how to improve on their essays.
The Speaking section is conducted on a one on one basis, and is conducted on the lines of the test. Answers are discussed once the session is complete. Scores are then given and guidelines are provided to improve the scores. In this way seven practice tests are completed with the students. Once the classroom sessions are complete, mock tests are conducted.

Salient features of training for the at Edwise

  • 30 hours of in depth and complete training
  • Teaching method involves enhancing student performance in each section of the test
  • Guidance with approaching different question types and providing enough practice in every section
  • Personalized batch sessions.
  • 5 full length mock tests.
  • Availability of weekdays and weekend batches (Tuesday to Friday, 2 hours per day OR Saturday and Sunday, 4 hours a day).
  • Availability of fast track mode (Tuesday to Sunday, 4 hours everyday)
  • Facility of shifting to any branch throughout India
  • Barron's TOEFL, a standard book for TOEFL, issued as courseware
  •  

    Student Testimonials

    “I clearly remember the day I started my TOEFL coaching, after seeing the different sections of TOEFL I was sure I won't pass the test. But my faculty's support and personalized attention helped me. TOEFL being an internet based test, practice was very important. Edwise provided me with number of mock tests which boosted my confidence. I thank the entire Edwise team for the same.”
    Shabbir Khambati - TOEFL Coaching

    “My TOEFL class here at Edwise has been started great. I have experienced good changes in my performance. Good attention is given on individual students and the students weakest points are worked upon really well. Totally satisfied! My faculty is awesome teacher and a guide. Learned a lot of things and would surely look forward to my bright future. Thank you Edwise.”
    Reshmi Bhaduri – TOEFL Coaching

    Overseas Education Consultant

    We at Edwise streamline and personalize the process for each student irrespective of the destination, institution, course or any level of study. Our team of experienced professionals will provide you individual attention and exceptional guidance throughout your process of application. We provide assistance related to course selections, admission, visa, bank-loan and scholarships. We also host University delegates for direct student interaction and all these services are provided free of cost. We have established since 1991 and have been maintaining strong networks with over 575 universities in 16 countries, hence giving us a unique insight into the finest educational establishments worldwide.

    Start your education abroad with valuable information on everything you need to know about studying abroad from study permits, temporary resident visas and how much it costs, to finding a program. 
    Do visit your nearest Edwise branch & choose your university carefully under our expert guidance and ensure that you have all your paperwork in order. Once you apply, and the wait is over, you can really begin to look forward to not only studying in a beautiful and vibrant country, but also to a life experience quite like no other.

    For complete information & enrolment for TOEFL Training process in Edwise, Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333.


    Ed-Mission Canada Fair - interact with representatives of Canadian institutes

    Ed-Mission Canada Fair


    Edwise, India's Leading Overseas Education Consultants is organising the Ed-Mission Canada Fair at select cities from 11am to 5pm. Attend Free Seminar on “PR after studies in Canada.

    Visitors will get an opportunity to interact with representatives of Canadian institutes.

    University delegates will be available to answer queries on admissions, courses, visa, scholarships, loans, etc. Some institutes also offer application fee waivers and scholarships. In addition to this, aspirants can find out about more than 70 Canadian universities and colleges which Edwise directly represents.
    The country has one of the largest systems of higher education in the world. International students graduating from Canadian universities and colleges are allowed to work in the country for upto three years after receiving their degree or postgraduate diploma. Those who study a one year PG diploma programme are eligible for a work permit for up to a year. They can apply for permanent residency as well. While studying, students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and during vacation for 40 hours per week.

    Ed-Mission Canada Fair from 30th March to 17th April 2016

    Chandigarh

    Date: 30th March, Wednesday 
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Lords Plaza, Ring Road, Near Delhi Gate

    Surat

    Date: 1st April, Friday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Aroma Hotel, Aroma Twin Hotel Complex, Himalaya Marg, 22C, Sector 22

    Vadodara

    Date: 2nd April, Saturday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Surya Palace Hotel, Sayajigunj, Opp. Parsi Agiary

    Ahmedabad

    Date: 3rd April, Sunday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Ahmedabad Management Association, Opp. IIM, Atira Campus

    Delhi

    Date: 4th April, Monday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Edwise Delhi, N-13, Opp. South Extension Flyover, Above Punjab National Bank, South Extension Part-1

    Chennai

    Date: 9th April, Saturday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Edwise Chennai, 1st Floor, Pioneer Sudarshan Plaza, 9 Mohan Kumaramangalam Street, Nungambakkam High Road

    Mumbai

    Date: 11th April, Monday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu

    Hyderabad

    Date: 12th April, Tuesday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - 4th Floor, Babukhan Mall, Somajiguda Circle, Opp. Kala Niketan

    Bangalore

    Date: 13th April, Wednesday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Edwise Bangalore, N-601, 6th Floor, North Block, Front Wing, Manipal Centre, 47, Dickenson Road, Off. M.G Road

    Pune

    Date: 15th April, Friday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - Edwise Pune FC, 2nd Floor, Mayur Centre, Opp. Hotel Roopali, F. C. Road, Deccan Gymkhana

    Jaipur

    Date: 17th April, Sunday
    Time: 11am to 5pm 
    Venue: - 605, 6th Flr, Kailash Tower, Tonk Rd, Lalkothi Corner, Next to Apex Mall

    For complete information & Free Registration for Ed-Mission Canada, visit www.ed-missioncanada.com Canada helpline: 1-800-200-3678 / 08600911333
    March 2016