Publication: India Se, pp 25-26 Date: July 2008 Headline: Studying abroad

EDUCATION > SPECIAL

B urning the midnight oil away from the comfort of near and dear ones in an ali* land - it's never an easy proposition studying

abroad.Yet thousands of Indian students do it each year and the numbers are only getting bigger.

In recent years Singapore has become a popular study destination for these students and hordes of them are soaking up the education options, public and private, offered here.

It's getting the edge - the alternate, overseas exposure and qualification - that they say lures them to foreign campuses, and Singapore offers this at a lower cost than destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom. It's also much closer to home, with a short time difference - factors that ease the pain of separation from family and the comforts of home.Although, with a centrally-located Little India and Indian faces almost everywhere, Singapore also offers the familiarity that a place like the US may not.

A combination of these reasons brought students Rezmi Ravindran, Poornima Rao, Sarnyuktha Dega,Aditi Mathur and Manisha Joshi to Singapore. Rezmi and Poornirna, who are both

Studying abroad Students away from home face the dual challenge of keeping up with their studies as well as coping with life on their own. MEGHA GUPTA finds out how some of them manage.

pursuing MBAs at MDIS, say that the institution provides them a Masters from the University of Wales in the UK at a much lower cost than actually studying on campus and this cost advantage made them choose Singapore over the UK. Perhaps studying on campus would have provided them a richer experience, but the girls are satisfied with the quality of the staff and the education they are getting.

INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Samyuktha, a recent business management graduate from SIM, added that besides the qualification, an overseas stint also brings with it the invaluable experience of living on your own. "Earlier all my decisions were made by my family, even small things like what to order for dinner were left to them. But living alone, I've learnt to make my own decisions. I like the freedom and have realised that

Publication: lndia Se, pp 25-26 Date: July 2008 Headline: Studying abroad

EDUCATION > SPECIAL

Away from their sheltered life, students become more independent and responsible. Learning to embrace diversity is another benefit.

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Arvind (left) and Poornima (above), who came from lndia and have not only adjusted, but now fit in comfortably in Singapore.

it's my life and I need to take responsibility for it:'

Nearly every student who heads overseas perhaps agrees to that statement. Sheltered by one's family and friends, the danger of complacency does tend to seep in. But taken away from that sheltered life, most students become more independent and responsible.

Poornima feels that her stay in Singapore has made her more conIident."Earlier I didn't know how to face people on ' - my own. I was inhibited and felt conscious about the way I spoke and carried myself. But now I have developed the courage to face people on my own."

MANAGING ON THEIR OWN Managing expenses is a vital financial skill that students studying abroad pick up. "Even though it's cheaper than other study locations, it's still expensive.You can't be eating out every day," said Poornima who currently calls an oven her kitchen and is

even experimenting with making Indian curries in it!

Learning to embrace diversity is another benefit of studying overseas, as Poornima added:"I have classmates from various Asian countries like Taiwan, Korea and China.The way they dress, speak, their lifestyle and looks, everything is different from what I was used to. Initially it was challenging, but I overcame it and found them to be very friendly and helpful."

MELTING POT Arvind Rajendran, a final year business student at SMU, says that Singapore being a melting pot of so many different cultures offers a rich cultural experience "You socialize with people from different backgrounds, countries and ethnicities, it's an interesting learning experience."

But despite all its international flavour, its safety, cleanliness and green environment, what the students find endearing is the relative comfort of familiarity offered by Singapore.

As Aditi Mathur, who recently completed her Masters in Law from NUS and joined the workforce, puts it "We may be away from India, but seeing the Indian faces on the street, at work and in school makes it easier.% k