Know Before You Go: Points for Students and Parents

Colleges in the US will start within next month and students are already starting their educational journeys beyond India’s borders. If you or someone in your family is headed off to college abroad this month, here are some helpful tips for a smooth transition.

Students

1. Be realistic. You may be so excited about your admission to college abroad that your expectations could overshadow the reality once you arrive. No matter how much you have basked in the glory of achieving admission, hitting the ground is a different story and the reality of making new friends and finding your way around new surroundings may not be what you imagined you’d be dealing with in your initial days. The experience can feel a bit lonely and isolating so prepare yourself for this possibility.
2. Make a plan to organize communication, money and other logistics before you arrive. Will you open a bank account? What’s your plan for a cell phone. And don’t forget to figure out how to change your What’sApp number!
3. Check on medical clearances and inoculations before you leave. You do not want any surprises once you arrive at the student health center to submit medical paperwork. Taking care of this in India will be far less expensive and familiar for you.

Parents

1. Don’t’ hang around. Usually students, especially undergraduates are quickly swept up in orientation activities when they arrive on campus, so as parents you should not expect your child to spend free time or meals with you. If you anticipate a difficult separation from your child, then try to arrive in the city a bit early so that you can spend time together before the orientation begins. Once it starts, your relevance will be limited so make sure you have something else to do and don’t book your return tickets too late. Also realize that it may be stressful for your child to have to worry about spending time with you while he/she is surrounded by continuous new experiences.
2. Take care of legal matters. Especially in the US, privacy laws are such that it can be difficult for you to find out information about your child in case of emergency or hospitalization. Also, you may not be able to access bank accounts if they are in your child’s name only. Make sure that you have signed consent forms for medical record release and financial arrangements.

Both

1. Visit the career and counseling services department during orientation. This is the place where you can find out about internships for the summer, get help preparing a resume and even find jobs to pursue a few hours a week during the school year (visa allowing). Getting familiar with this office early is your best plan for making the most of your college experience.
2. My colleague tells a funny story of when she arrived at college the first thing her parents did was pick up the telephone directory and randomly dialed a “Shah” to make sure they could establish a local contact for her in case of emergency. Another friend told me her parents went straight to the nearest Gurudwara to spread the word that a girl from the community was settling in the college. Similarly, make sure you take care of things that are important to your family’s comfort and safety in a new area.

It is wonderful to approach this new phase in life with lots of excitement and a positive attitude. Just keep in mind that leaving home for a foreign country is a huge life event and is likely to be peppered with mixed emotions. Be realistic about the stress and sadness that might occur so that your whole family is well prepared to manage the change.

Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333. 

10 Things International Students Need to Know Before Studying in UK

1. Research

Firstly, if you know anyone already in UK or have studied abroad before, then speak to them. The next step is to tap into resources and information on the internet.

Visit your nearest Edwise branch for free counseling on studying in UK. Don’t be afraid to ask about the course or other arrangements.

In terms of funding your studies, it’s important to plan and manage a budget for the UK. There’s a useful international student calculator by UNAID. This is a good tool to help you figure out a reasonable budget for studying and living abroad.

 

2. Visas and paperwork

Ensure that you have all the relevant documentation and visas to allow you to study in UK. Ask your counselor on what paperwork is necessary for your study abroad. They will be happy to help you!

If you’re from Europe, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card. This will entitle you to free or reduced health care under the National Health Service while you are here. 

3. Prepare for Britain

Before you move to Britain it is important to keep a few things in mind.

Culturally, the UK is very diverse and welcoming of people from around the world. You should be able to find many like-minded students that share a similar background and beliefs.

In terms of clothing, the UK is well-known for its cold and wet weather! Pack lots of warm and waterproof outfits for the winter months, and don’t expect summer to be very hot!

Most student budgets won’t be able to afford having the heating on all the time, so warm clothes are essential.

4. Student accommodation

A good idea is to live in university accommodation for the first year then make some friends to live within your final years of university. University accommodation is a great place to meet new people and although coming from another country may be daunting everyone will be welcoming. Just remember that everyone is in the same boat.

5. Bank accounts

If you are staying in UK for a period longer than a few months, it’s recommended to get a bank account. This will allow you to pay bills and keep your money safe.

The UK banks are relatively strict about the requirements for opening an account. This is because credit products are usually attached and thus they need to verify your details thoroughly. You will need the following:

Identification – a passport is usually required

Proof of address – both from back home and within this country, documents such as statements are acceptable

Proof of income – this may mean a credit check and interview to establish that you will be able to maintain the account

Additionally, to obtain a student account you will need proof of your student status which is usually the confirmation letter from your University. Student accounts are highly advised, as they offer numerous benefits including an interest fee overdraft of up to £2,000. See the best student bank accounts this year.

This should be a starting point for opening an account. Remember to always check with the bank on what specific requirements they have so you can be prepared with the relevant documents.

6. Cheap international calls

One of the first questions you may ask is if your current phone will work in the UK. The answer is most likely yes! The UK operates on the GSM band, which is the standard for most of the world.

However, the worst thing you can do is keep your current SIM card in your phone while studying in the UK. You will pay extremely high call charges for calling back home as well as on local numbers. Here are our top tips for cheap ways of being connected.

For calling local numbers:

• If you already have a phone then you will need a new SIM card. Pay As You Go (PAYG) means that you top up the phone when your credit runs out and this is good for keeping an eye on your spending. Monthly contracts are usually better value as you will get free minutes and texts but you will have to pay out every month, coming with added long-term responsibility. If you’re likely to make international calls, see below.
• If you would like a new phone, check out our comparison tool to get a great deal that will have minutes, text and data bundled together for a low monthly price. You can even keep the phone when then contract finishes.

For calling back home:

• Recently there have been a host of low-cost international call providers, such as Lebara, LycaMobile and RebTel. However in our experience newcomer RebTel offer the best value, with some calls under 1p a minute and your first call is free.
• Alternatively, use Skype on your computer to call another Skype computer back home for free – this includes video chat!

7. Travel

Going around in UK can be daunting at first as there are many options. We are here to help you by simplifying your choices. If you are traveling locally then look into getting a student bus pass or consider biking.

Stage coach is a bus company within UK that offer a year pass called a UniRider. This is a cheap and easy way to travel around the city and can save you a lot of money throughout the year.

If you are within London then the tube is often the fastest way to get around. Also, for travel in London, take a look at the Oyster card. It is by far the cheapest option.

The two main options for national travel across UK are by coach or train.

Trains are often the quickest and most comfortable way to get around the UK. Tickets should be booked as early as possible to save money (as much as 80% off) on advance fares. The cheapest train fares are available at First Transpennine Express as there are no booking fees.

Coaches are a cheaper alternative to trains, but they can take double the travel time to arrive. Our top pick for saving money is  Megabus, with journeys starting at £1 between the major cities. If you cannot find a suitable arrival and departure point, then try National Express as they offer the largest coach network in the UK.

If you are travelling home to somewhere outside of the UK then you will need to look at the best and cheapest options for travel. In most cases flying will be the transport of choice. Air travel can be quite expensive but if you take a look at price comparison sites such as Momondo you can cut the cost of travelling home.

8. Shipping and storage

Often students will need to move their stuff from abroad to UK and back.

Additionally, your accommodation may not provide storage in between term times. However, there are options available to safely store your goods until you need them. The main considerations for a storage unit should be location of the unit and the price.

9. Working in the UK

If you want some extra cash or valuable experience then you may be wondering what your rights and options are. The short answer is you will be able to work while studying and possibly after the completion of your studies. Also, as a rule, the EU is more flexible for allowing working than outside of it. For more information see the official guidelines at UK Council for International Student Affairs.

10. Bursaries for international students

Make sure you speak to your respective counselor regarding any finances which may be made available to support your studies. There are also some external charities that offer bursaries for international students studying in UK.

For complete details on Study in UK Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 / 08600911333 

Understanding UG & PG Structure in Singapore

Singapore is a modern, vibrant nation with an excellent educational system, providing numerous opportunities for internationals who wish to study abroad. Education is a priority in Singapore and the nation is recognized as a ‘global schoolhouse’. A strong emphasis on education started when the British-based education system was introduced by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (founder of the Singapore Institution, now known as the Raffles Institution) in 1823. Today Singapore is one of the leaders in higher education both in Asia and Worldwide.

Singapore prides itself in maintaining high standards of teaching and learning, as well as scientific research. Another great thing that makes Singaporean higher education stand out is the strong links with industry; as a student you will be able to gain practical experience and find employment more easily in your chosen field. 

Singapore is a modern city state with excellent opportunities for education and work. Many global reports show that Singapore is one of the world’s leaders in innovation and research, which in turn makes its institutions of higher education attractive locations for all prospective international students.
 

Why Study in Singapore?

• Singapore is ranked first worldwide for the ease of doing business by the World Bank for 2012, consecutively for 7 years.
• Provides quality education
• Multicultural and a bi-lingual society.
• Easy assimilation into Singapore Culture – EAST and WEST.
• A safe society – world’s lowest crime rate at Multi-cultural Society.
• Economy is growing, about 5 – 7% for the next 5 years generating 450,000 jobs.
• Singapore government, open door policy in attracting foreign talent.
• Singapore ranked 2nd out of 144 countries in the Global Information Technology Report 2014 by the World Economic Forum.
• Global business hub: Singapore is consistently acknowledged to be a global business hub with its developed infrastructure, political stability and open business policy. More than 7000 MNC alongside 100000 small and medium enterprises have set up their base in Singapore with many choosing Singapore as their regional hub and launch pad to dynamic market of Asia.
• Singapore is well connected via sea, air and telecommunication to all parts of the world.

  Intake

• The major intake month for the government university in Singapore is August and few courses have February intake.
• The polytechnics have April and September intake.
• Private education organization have multiple intake (January, February, July, August, September, October, and many more).

 Entrance Exam

     Undergraduates

• The Public University require SAT at under graduate level.
• The Private University require 1^st class in 10^th & 12^th with IELTS of 6.0 is mandatory if the medium of instructions is not in English in 11th &12th standard.

      Postgraduates:

• Public University MBA or other Masters course would require GMAT or GRE depending upon the course.
• Private University good bachelor’s degree with IELTS of 6.0 is mandatory if medium of instruction is not in English for their bachelor’s degree and GMAT is required depending on the shortlist Universities.

Top 5 UG Courses in Singapore:

• Engineering
• Business Programs (Business Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Economics, etc).
• Interior design
• Fine Art
• Tourism and Hospitality

Top 5 PG Courses in Singapore:

• Masters in Business Administration
• Masters in Finance
• Masters in Hospitality and tourism
• Masters in Information technology.
• Master of Global Business

Top 6 Universities for UG & PG Courses in Singapore

1. Singapore Management University 

SMU is home to about 7,000 students and comprises six schools: the School of Accountancy; Lee Kong Chian School of Business; School of Economics; School of Information Systems; School of Law; and School of Social Sciences. SMU offers six bachelor's degree programmes in Accountancy, Business Management, Economics, Information Systems Management, Law, and Social Sciences.

2. LASALLE College of the Arts 

   Founded in 1984 by De La Salle educator, Brother Joseph McNally, LASALLE College of the Arts is a specialist tertiary institution leading contemporary arts education in fine art, design, media and performing arts in the Asia Pacific LASALLE offers the most comprehensive range of 26 diploma and degree awards in design, fine arts, film, media arts, fashion, dance, music, theatre, art history, art therapy and arts management in the region. As an accredited institution of The Open University, the United Kingdom’s largest university, the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by LASALLE are benchmarked against the best universities in the UK, making them internationally recognised and equivalent to UK MA, BA (Hons) and DipHE qualifications. 

        

3. German Institute of Science & Technology

TUM Asia - Pioneering the globalization of German university education, in 2001, TUM chose the Republic of Singapore as its strategic partner to initiate the first German academic venture abroad. German Institute of Science and Technology - TUM Asia ("TUM Asia") was established as a 100 % subsidiary of TUM, offering various joint master degree programmes in close collaboration with Singapore´s leading universities the National University of Singapore ("NUS"), the Nanyang Technological University ("NTU") hence supported by numerous industry partners e.g. Infineon, Texas Instruments , Siemens. GIST-TUM Asia runs selective TUM Master and /or Bachelor of Science programmes.

4.  S P Jain School of Global Management 

    S P Jain School of Global Management is an Australian business school with campuses in Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore and Dubai. The school offers undergraduate and graduate/postgraduate business courses. 

    For the last 5 of its 11 years history, S P Jain has been ranked among the world’s top schools. In 2015, the School has been ranked #10 in the Best International Business School by Forbes for its one-year MBA program. In 2013 – 14, it was ranked in the Top 20 Best International Business Schools by Forbes. And in 2011 and 2012, UK’s Financial Times ranked the Global MBA in its Top 100 Global MBA rankings. S P Jain is the youngest business school to be in these prestigious rankings and attributes its success to its innovative education model.

 

5.  National University of Singapore

The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university     in the country in terms of student enrolment and curriculum offered. The National University of Singapore was formed with the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University in 1980

 6. Nanyang Technological University

 Nanyang Technological University is an internationally reputed research-intensive tertiary institution. Its broad-based education covers science and technology, business and the arts, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to prepare students for the global working world. bNanyang Technological Institute (NTI) was established on the same campus in 1981 with government funding to educate practice-oriented engineers for the burgeoning Singapore economy. In 1991, NTI became Nanyang Technological University with the absorption of the National Institute of Education. The alumni rolls of the former Nanyang University were transferred to NTU in 1996.

Visa Process

• The visa process of Singapore doesn’t involve any interviews or going to visa officers.
• The visa application form is to be filled by the student and given to the university; the university applies for the student visas.
• In this process, the student needs to fill visa form 16A and form 36.
• All Singapore universities provide visa form to the student after the student accepts the offer letter and the makes the 1st instalment payment.

Scholarship

Usually the scholarship is provided to the students with exceptional academic records. There are private universities in Singapore who would conduct scholarship test in different parts of the world to offer scholarship to potential and deserving students, based on their capabilities and skill.
 

Educational 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 Singapore 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 details on courses in Singapore, Contact us on 1-800-200-3678 / 08600911333.