Should I Study abroad in India?
Should you study abroad in India? The answer to this question depends on your interests, goals, and level of experience. If you want to immerse yourself in a different culture and learn about a different way of life, then studying in India would be a great choice.
Japan is an ancient country with many historical sites and contemporary cities that are worth exploring. You can also find opportunities to volunteer or take part in cultural activities while you’re there.
Studying in a foreign country as a foreigner comes with many perks and possible pitfalls. Every country has its peculiarities- a distinguishing factor that should be considered by foreigners looking to study in these countries before making a move.
India is not left out. It is a lively society with a growing internal vitality and a growing global influence, both directly and indirectly. Its importance stems not only from its size but also from the dilemmas generated by Indian internal and international policy choices.
Almost anything said about India may be applied to some portion of the country. India is both a place of poor and a place of plenty. It is a powerful and weak nation with climatically striking variations.
Considering the poverty status and the population ratio, one might write off the idea of studying in India. However, judging from a different perspective- For instance, the poverty rate is more prominent in rural areas outside the two major cities (Mumbai and the capital New Delhi).
In fact, India is growing continually and is known to have implemented various policies to curb the poverty challenges.
On the other hand, the population ratio is also meaningful when viewed from a better angle, especially for international students seeking to establish themselves entrepreneurially.
India is one of the world’s fastest-developing nations, with a rapidly expanding technological infrastructure. There are many start-ups to choose from, and job opportunities in technology have risen in recent years.
Studying abroad as an international student is an immense opportunity to immerse yourself in the wealth of cultural discrepancies pertinent to this nation. Your decision to study in India
depends on your priority, and in this article, I will open you up to things you should know to solidify your decision-making.
Things I Should Know Before Choosing to Study in India.
Cultural Diversity
When considering India, the first thing that comes to mind is its diversity. There are 15 main languages, over 300 auxiliary languages, and over 3,000 dialects in this country. Each of the 24 languages has more than 1 million speakers. The most widely spoken language is Hindi. However, only over 40% of the population speaks it as their first language.
Because Indians cannot communicate with one another more frequently, English serves as a link or official language. Language is not the only source of diversity there are four major social groups referred to as castes and many other sub-categories within the castes.
India is home to all of the world’s main religions, despite being mainly Hindu. Although some people are making efforts to render these social groups impotent, however, till today, they are very much active.
There are ethnic differences in India which also has a unique cultural significance. These ethnic differences are the source of division in a country where loyalties hold on spiritual and physical significance. Given its diversity, it is astonishing that India has persisted and continues to thrive as a single country.
As an international student, you are not just visiting the place but living there, and you have to put these cultural diversities into perspective. Ask yourself, will I cope with these things? If yes, then that is one of the greenlight you need.
Educational System
In India, the higher education system has ranked second in terms of word network size, becoming one of the world’s largest educational systems. Central universities, private universities, state universities, and religious minority institutions are the four primary types of Indian universities.
In general, government-run institutions are the best for overseas students. These schools provide scholarships and provide high-quality education.
Indian educational institutions have cutting-edge infrastructures, quality libraries, and comfortable classrooms. These high-quality tools enable students to engage in active and 360-degree studying.
Five (5) Indian universities, namely the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), have been included in world top-ranking institutions lists as a result of these distinguishing characteristics.
The above point backs the notion that India is rapidly becoming an educational hub for international and domestic students.
Some interested scholars have also registered their dissatisfaction with the Indian academic structure, opining that it has been politicized and questioning the quality of education there.
Their judgment because of what they observed in the disposition of one of the top-college professors, which they concluded to be below standard, and the management was still allowed to oversee the top position at the institution. For them, Indian institutions have the quantity, but the educational quality is a question.
That is why it is vital to apply to institutions regulated by the University Grant Commission (UGC), which regulates university education. Although Indian universities have a high acceptance rate, you must provide proficiency proof in English (either with IELTS or TOEFL).
The population in India calls for competition. However, Indian institutions are committed to helping with your Job placement by helping you build a solid CV. It is also vital to know that Indian institutions do not allow work and study, should that be the academic path you want.
Regardless of the degree of study, most Indian colleges charge from $3,300 to $7,800 every academic year. Degrees that involve high use of facilities, such as medicine or engineering, tend to be on the higher end of this scale.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in India is not as relatively high as in the US and other European countries. Most of these institutions have dormitories for students, and if you can secure a residential space herein, your payment will cover all other utilities and expenses.
However, you have to be careful in deciding if you are staying in a dorm because being in a dorm means you will eat what you are served, and these may be the food you are not comfortable
with, and some other challenges. But through it all, it will offer you the best experience ever, since you get to mix with different people.
Depending on the style of room and locality, dorms typically cost around 51,300INR ($700) to 146,600INR ($2000) every academic year.
Most international students find themselves in either o these two cities; Mumbai and New Delhi. The cost of living in these areas is higher than in other rural areas, and you will spend 18,200INR ($245) monthly for a one-bedroom flat, 5100INR ($70) on average for utilities, 300INR ($4) for meals in a cheap restaurant, and an average of 1000INR (£13.50) for a transport pass.
In general, the cost of living in India is relatively dependent on the lifestyle you choose. And if these figures don’t correlate with your budget, maybe you can reconsider your plan to school in India.
The Pros of Studying in India
India remains a fast developing country, with so much progress made, spanning through the educational system. Let us consider some of the benefits of studying in this gigantic nation.
Its Higher Institutions are well Ranked and Fast Developing
If you want to study engineering or technology, India’s offerings in these fields are truly remarkable, as the country is known for its endless pursuit of excellence in teaching and border-breaking research.
However, India’s offers extend far beyond these subjects of study. From politics to philosophy, biology to business, India’s vast higher education system has something for everyone.
It is Affordable
India’s inexpensive education costs are a bargain compared to several of the world’s best institutions. Scholarships, loans, and other financial aid options are also available to help defray costs. However, it isn’t simply the lower tuition prices that make studying in English a wise financial decision.
India also has a low cost of living. To what extent? Rents in the United States and the United Kingdom are 509% and 456% higher than in India, according to Numbeo.
Various Cultural Diversity
If you want to see the world, a trip to India is a great place to start. From the Himalayan mountains to the spectacular gorgeous — and sometimes unknown — beaches of Goa, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman Islands, this vast country has many things that you can see and do.
The Cons of Studying in India
Everything on the face of the earth with advantages also has pitfalls. More terrible is it when we are ignorant of these challenges. Some of the disadvantages of studying in India are seen below.
Culture shock
You will be amazed to find out there is more to what you think you know about the culture of people there. Most students adjust to a different culture easily, but some find it extremely hard to adjust, especially in a country with many cultural peculiarities.
High Competition
Due to the large population, getting into a top university in India is relatively complex compared to getting into a non-premier university. The few slots available are lucrative, and you may have to consider a low-class school with a low quality of education.
Studying in India has to do with your choice considering the above factors. Indians value education, and for that reason, they have put in any effort to develop the educational quality, improve on every side and push the higher education there to the global limelight.
