Indian vs Foreign Colleges for undergraduate studies
Indian education system is not very well recognized especially when it comes to higher education at an undergraduate or graduate level. So, a lot of parents and students are confused whether to study in India or abroad at an undergraduate level. This, of course, depends on a lot of factors, the availability of financial resources being the biggest one. Also, for undergraduate studies, neither the parents nor some students are very confident about going abroad given the change in lifestyle, the ability to adapt among other reasons. Contrary to this belief, even for those who find it exciting to study abroad, doing the same can turn out to be challenging sometimes. However, the decision to study in India or abroad is a very crucial one as it involves a lot of time and resources in it’s making and execution.
Hence, it becomes important to consider the pros and cons of both studying in India as well as abroad before coming to a concrete decision.
Advantages of studying in India
Home Advantage: You remain closer to home and thus aren’t at a lack of needed resources.
Economical: If finance is an issue, studying in India is the best option for you. Some public universities like the University of Delhi provide quality education at minimal costs.
Campus Placements: Most Indian universities offer guaranteed campus placements with top recruiters.
Disadvantages of studying in India
Too much competition: Institutes that provide quality education in India are very limited and the competition to get into those is too high. Moreover, at an undergraduate level, admissions in most Tier 1 Universities are merit-based.
Relatively low quality of education: As compared to most foreign universities, Indian institutes do not provide a very high quality of education. Their major emphasis is on theoretical knowledge even for the courses that demand practical exposure.
Lack of Exposure: While college years open a whole new world of opportunities for you, the kind of exposure you get remains limited since you are not too far from home.
Advantages of studying abroad
Quality education: Most foreign universities adopt a practical approach in imparting education which makes the learning process fun, interesting and better.
Greater exposure: When you live away from your family, you learn to take charge and become more responsible. Sometimes, to manage costs, students often work part time along with studies, which help them learn time management skills and they learn to balance life at a younger age.
Flexibility: It is difficult for most 17-18 year olds to know the exact course they want to pursue. Unlike most Indian universities, foreign universities, especially in US, UK, provide them with the flexibility to choose what they really want to study in later semesters.
Disadvantages of studying abroad
Too expensive: A lot of people say that foreign education isn’t that expensive when considered the ROI. However, a lot of trouble goes into arranging for finance, which is not possible for everyone alike. Moreover, scholarship and financial aid opportunities are also very limited.
Choosing the right university: Almost every other foreign university is considered to be a good option. However, except a few good ones, people choose foreign universities not on the basis of their quality but because of the mere fact that they are outside India. Moreover, the top tier 1 universities like Harvard, Yale, Stanford are much more expensive than other universities.
No job guarantee: Studying in a foreign university does not necessarily guarantee any jobs. In such a case, it can become very difficult to pay back any loans one might have taken.
Time to adjust: In some cases, students, especially at the age of 17-18 may find it hard to fit in and adjust to the culture of the foreign land. They may lack the required resources or may feel homesick, a lot more than usual.
On the basis of various pros and cons of both studying in India as well as abroad, one can decide if they can and want to pursue undergraduation abroad or if India suits them better.