Ashish started his career as a Software Engineer with Thomson Reuters Inc., building their flagship investment research solution – Thomson One. He then went on to take multiple executive roles in Program Management and AI before managing the Data Science and Engineering business in the Insurance vertical. Ashish is a university gold medalist in Biotechnology and later went on to study Bentley University’s flagship MBA in 2014 with a 100% scholarship. Ashish founded iSchoolConnect in 2017 to solve the pain point of many parents and children: getting unbiased, hassle-free admission in foreign colleges.
Many Indian students wish to study overseas. A dream nurtured by their parents’ unflinching support. Data from the pre-COVID times corroborates the uprising of dreams of Indian parents to see their children study abroad. A 2017 HSBC report, ‘Value of Education, Higher and Higher,’ showed that 55% of Indian parents wanted their children to study overseas. The rising middle class and upward economic mobility of Indian households have significantly increased the number.
The desire among parents to send their children to top global schools is so strong that even the ravaging pandemic couldn’t dampen their spirits. According to a recent study, around 70% of Indian millionaires want their children to study abroad.
The profound advantages of studying abroad catalyze the desire to send their children overseas for higher education. Parents acknowledge the experiences that overseas education provides and how it prepares a person to become a global citizen with better employment opportunities in the international job market.
Why do parents want their children to study abroad?
- Gain new skills- Settling down in a new country might be difficult at first, but it teaches students a lot. They learn to face problems head-on by adapting to diverse situations. It helps them become independent and confident to take on challenges in their personal and professional journey.
- Explore new cultures- Studying abroad enables students to broaden their horizons as they meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. This helps them appreciate and accept people and look at issues from a global perspective. Interacting with these people can also be fruitful for their overseas careers.
- Exposure to a foreign language- Learning a new language always gives an edge, and language proficiency can only be possible with total immersion. Students studying overseas get exposed to a foreign language while interacting with the locals, which can open doors of opportunities in the global market.
- Adds to the CV- According to the University of California, Merced, 97% of students studying abroad found jobs within 12 months of graduation. Employers value the experiences students go through while competing for scholarships and the course of their choice. They believe such experiences prepare them for the challenges in the workspace. Besides, universities abroad focus on giving students a practical learning experience, preparing them for working in multinational companies.
How can parents support their children?
When students think of embarking on this new journey, the support of their parents makes it a bit easy for them. Here’s what parents can do to be involved in their children’s dreams.
- Talk about goals- It is essential that students have someone to talk to about their goals and life in this crucial phase. Parents can be that companion and talk about why their child aspires to study abroad, their long-term goals, and how they envision their future. It will help students know that they are not alone while making this important life decision.
- Research thoroughly- Parents can be involved in their child’s study abroad dreams by researching the courses and universities they are interested in. They can also help them find suitable accommodation options, discuss the right path, etc. It’s imperative to stay updated about every step in the process of studying overseas.
- Plan things out- Once parents know about the courses and universities, they can begin making a detailed plan. This includes making estimates about tuition costs and cost of living, travel expenses, important dates, visa requirements, etc. This will help reduce the burden and avoid any last-minute hiccups.
Overall, we can safely say parents’ perspectives have changed concerning overseas studies. They value the experiences that can help their children explore diverse cultures, education styles, etc. As per a survey by WorldStrides and HarrisPoll, 79% of parents and students emphasize immersive education travel experiences after the pandemic. One of the ways students can get these experiences is through overseas studies.