Dreams you can dare to dream

Walking into the sylvan surroundings of Loyola school on 21^st September 2015 brought back a gush of memories.  I was immediately transported into a time machine of the early sixties.  It was 1961. A young student of class four, walking up the hillock every afternoon, small satchel on my back, mostly filled with a snack box and water bottle, eagerly waiting for what school had to offer. I was enrolled to the brand new St. Joseph’s School, Pashan, who, for want of a building, shared the premises of the Loyola school, to run the first year of classes. The hillock itself had shady trees on its base, a flat clearing half way up and a bare top. In this clearing, we celebrated our Sports Day, in the best looking sports dress I have ever seen…. coloured skirts, white shirt with the colored logo – canary yellow, emerald green post office red and sky blue.

That day, standing before two batches of alert and enthusiastic Class 11 students, that feeling of belonging, and their connection with me was evident.  The next hour was one of impressions….of well disciplined students, with big ambitions, focused radars, not afraid of hard work. I dream of their futures as having all the ingredients of success. As Senior Manager, Edwise International, I spoke of the possibilities of going abroad to study in Universities across the seas.  The possibilities through Edwise led to USA (the land of dreams), United Kingdom  and Ireland ( experienced and classy), Canada (The best place in the world to live… according to the UN), Dubai and Singapore ( a choice nearer home), Australia and new Zealand (with stay back options).  

Today’s world offers a stunning variety of options in subject choices. Students want to go abroad for better quality, state-of-the-art –facilities in workshops, labs and studios, for a more modern syllabus with breadth and depth, or to combine subjects that are not traditionally offered together. Some even succumb to the strict reservations that Indian Colleges adhere to. The student centric approach of foreign universities makes the syllabus relatively flexible. Networking with students from a variety of countries, offers great international exposure.

The main trend at present seems to be towards specializations. No more do students look for a generic Computer Science. They look for Cloud Computing, Human Interaction, Big Data, Network security and the like. So with Pharmacy students wanting Drug discovery, Drug delivery, Pharmacokinetics or Biotechnology students choosing Marine Biotech, Industrial Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or combinations with Molecular Biology, Immunology, Pharmacy, Management etc. Growing favourites with job opportunities in the modern world include Art Fashion and Design, Legal studies, Pharmaceutical studies, Healthcare and Biological Sciences. Who said the IT bubble has burst?! IT, Engineering and Finance, Accounting and Management will remain constant attractions. Most courses judge the applicant on academics, English skills and a statement of purpose, so extracurricular activities, entrepreneurial and leadership skills, as well as the command of English always contribute to a strong application. Not all Universities require a GMAT or GRE, SAT or LNAT.

With the help of merit scholarships, and bursaries, the cost gets reduced and Indians today are investing on education to beat the fierce competition in the job market.  Plan today on approximately fourteen to twenty lac rupees a year and you should have most destinations and a majority of Universities covered. Banks are keen to offer education loans, and students can work almost everywhere on part time jobs on and off campus.

Well into its silver jubilee year, Edwise International has helped students gain admission into Universities all over the English speaking world. Trained Counselors commit themselves wholeheartedly to counseling, short listing Universities, making and tracking applications, gaining admission for students who seek their help. Over and above, they are trained to assist with visa applications and interview skills. For the less focused, they offer Aptitude tests, English language classes and coaching for admission tests. The Company hosts Education Fairs at more than ten cities, three times a year and even prepares students to take on the journey they are taking to an unfamiliar country. Edwise, a pioneer in the field of global education offers most services absolutely free of cost. As India’s premier Education consultant, they have twenty-four branches scattered all over India. So head towards the closest one today!

Meera Subramanyam

Senior Manager

Pune

Edwise International

Tips & Strategies You Need to Know for the TOEFL Test

The TOEFL -Test of English as a foreign language is a standardized English proficiency test that assesses English Language skills in the areas of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The total test is graded out of 120 and each module is scored out of 30. The TOEFL test is administered in more than 180 countries, making it the most accepted test in the world. This score is valid for a period of 2 years. Students can use this test to study in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the United States and Canada.

If your first or native language is not English, it is likely that the College or University you are applying to will require you to take the test.

Brief on each section

Reading

The Reading section tests candidates' ability to read and comprehend the passages, while answering questions based on the same. It consists of 3 – 4 passages, each passage consisting of 13 – 15 questions. This section lasts for approximately 60 – 80 minutes.

Listening

The Listening section tests candidates' ability to understand spoken English that deals with interactions in an academic environment. It comprises of talks and lectures of American speakers. Listening has two formats i.e. Short Listening (SL) and Long Listening (LL), one of which appears in the test. SL comprises of 6 talks of which three are conversations and three are lectures. LL has 9 talks of which three are conversations and 6 are lectures. SL will last for approximately 45 – 55 minutes, whereas LL will last for approximately 70 – 80 minutes.

Writing

Writing tests a candidates' ability to be expressive through written text. It comprises of 2 tasks. In Task 1 i.e. Integrated Writing, candidates are required to read a passage, listen to a lecture and compose a technical essay based on the passage and the lecture. The time allotted is 20 minutes. In Task 2 i.e. Independent Essay, students are given a general topic to write an essay on, students have 30 minutes for this task.

Speaking

Speaking tests a candidates' ability to converse in English. Speaking has 6 question prompts which include independent speaking questions, as well as integrated speaking questions. Candidates are given a few seconds to think and the time allotted to speak differs in accordance to the question format. The time limit per question in speaking is approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute. Overall the test lasts for 20 minutes.

Tips and Strategies for the TOEFL Test

Reading

• For inference questions, do not choose an answer just because it seems important or true. The correct answer is usually inferred from the passage

• Scan the passages to find and highlight key facts (dates, numbers, terms) and information

• You should be able to clearly point to the stated information in the passage that leads to the inference you have selected

• For reference type of questions, if the question is about a pronoun, make sure your answer is in the same number as the highlighted pronoun

• Substitute your choice for the highlighted word/words in the sentence. Be sure that it does not violate any grammar rules

• For insert text questions, try the sentence in each of the places indicated by the squares. You can replace the sentence as many times as you want

• Look at the structure of the sentence you are inserting and the logic. Logical connecting words can provide important information about where the sentence should be placed

• The inserted sentence should connect logically to the sentence before and after it

Listening

• Stay active

• Take down notes while you listen, do not try to write down every detail

• While listening to a lecture, pay careful attention to new words/concepts introduced by the professor

• Listening questions MUST be answered in order. You cannot go back to the question and change your answer

• Focus on the content and flow of material

Speaking

• Do not begin speaking  until you are told to do so

• Be loud and clear when you begin speaking, you need to be audible when you begin to  give your response

• Do NOT be in a hurry to speak, maintain a constant pace

• Answer each question thoroughly within the time allotted

  

Writing

Integrated Writing Task

• Look for the main idea of the reading passage, do not worry about forgetting the reading passage you will be able to access it while writing the essay

• As you listen to the audio, be sure to take down notes. Listen for information, examples or explanations that make points in the reading passage seem less convincing or even untrue

• Remember that you are not being asked for your opinion. You are being asked to list the points of opposition between the reading and the lecture

Independent Writing Task

• There is no maximum word limit, be sure to respond to the topic at hand

• Your essay will be graded on how efficiently you pen down your ideas

• Keep track of your time; try to finish writing your essay 4 to 5 minutes prior. Use the remaining time to check your work and make any final changes

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.” ShabbirKhambati - 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.” ReshmiBhaduri – TOEFL Coaching

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 with 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.

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 will also be introduced to a life experience quite like no other. 

For more details on TOEFL, Contact Edwise on 1-800-200-3678 (Toll Free) / 08600911333.

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.