Piyush Bhartiya, CEO & Co-Founder, AdmitKard

Piyush Bhartiya is the Co-Founder and CEO of AdmitKard- Ed-tech that simplifies the application process for higher education opportunities. He takes care of the overall growth strategy at the brand and also manages the operations. He ensures that the brand is firmly marching towards the larger aim of providing quality guidance to the students and helping them achieve their career goals.

 

In today’s work environment, graduates are expected to have the skills and abilities that employers seek in order to fulfil job requirements. At the same time, employers understand which characteristics are required for their organisation to function properly. In this context, study abroad experience is regarded as a competitive advantage in labour markets.

More than 580 million Indians are between the ages of 5 and 24, and many of these students aspire higher education at colleges and universities internationally, a figure that has been constantly growing in recent years. Indian students typically choose to study abroad since the system of education overseas is more sophisticated than in India. Also, there are many courses/programmes that are not available in India but are offered by foreign countries which attract interested candidates. As per the report, the count of Indian students who wish to receive higher education abroad accelerated from 440,000 in 2016 to 770,000 in 2019 and is expected to rise to approximately 1.8 million by 2024, resulting in higher spending on higher education abroad. Other than the years 2020-21 due to the COVID 19 repercussions and immigration restrictions, the number of Indian students studying abroad is growing at a rate of 15% year on year.

Studying abroad allows students to acquire and develop a wide range of employability skills and competencies. Studies in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East provide students with improved intercultural communication skills as well as the formation of relationships and networks. Students also become acquainted with enhanced theoretical and specialised knowledge of other countries, as well as learning/teaching characteristics and working professional styles. Here are four reasons why higher education abroad adds value to a professional:

Opportunities to learn holistically

Even though the standard of education in India is rising and adapting, the courses available back home take a theoretical approach to the course material and lack practical application of the syllabus. Students graduating lack the necessary skills due to the lack of pragmatism, which hinders their professional life. In contrast, universities and colleges in foreign universities vigorously encourage the learners with a balance of theory and practice to establish them as expertise in the subject.

Studying abroad allows students to gain experience with various pedagogical methods. Students will discover that the system of education of their host country offers a new perspective on life and helps them better understand the people, traditions, and culture of their host country. Similarly, one will have the opportunity to travel the world and be adventurous. Time spent exploring new places, new lifestyles, and new cultures holistically develop a person and adds value that no education can provide.

Enhances your network

Creating a network is the first step toward finding work. Studying overseas is not only an excellent opportunity to pursue academic studies, but also a great chance to establish a network of diversified connections and advisors that can help one to launch their professional career. Students from various backgrounds and cultures form invaluable bonds and make lifelong friends. In the long run, these links open up a wider range of career opportunities, including internships, job offers, and business partners. Also, participating in relevant clubs and societies, as well as attending on-campus career fairs and networking events, may provide relevant career advice and even job prospects. Similarly, in addition to friends, one can form strong bonds with world-class professors, mentors, and alumni of the university who can provide valuable learning and life lessons. 

Opportunity to learn a foreign language

While studying abroad and communicating with people from other countries, one gets the opportunity to learn new languages. Studying in a foreign country allows for immersion which is the most efficient way to learn a language quickly. This is an added benefit since companies seek employees who can communicate in multiple languages. According to one study, the demand for bilingual workers has more than doubled in the last five years and is expected to rise further. It is estimated that learning a foreign language will fetch candidates a 2% “language bonus” on their salary over their lifetime; however, some more in-demand languages can earn twice that amount. Other than the monetary value, a foreign language allows students to understand a culture on a deeper level. 

Makes you more employable

Studying overseas gives an edge to a candidate’s CV and supports them in launching their professional careers and increasing their efficiency in the labour market. Knowing the prospect, hiring managers are eager to recruit graduates who have studied abroad. According to a QS Global employer survey of 10,000 hiring professionals and CEOs from 116 countries, 60% of respondents “value international study experience.”

Pursuing a degree abroad solidifies the belief that the candidate is daring, flexible and culturally aware. The exposure and experience of studying abroad allow the candidate to demonstrate their potential to employers and enable one to have the open mind, critical thinking, resourcefulness, and the push required to adapt to a new environment. When it comes to job applications, these experiences definitely tends to put candidates ahead of the competition.

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that is well worth investing in if one aims to ensure employment in today’s competitive labour markets. International study experience indicates graduates’ superior specialised knowledge and ability, relative to their peers who did not study abroad and can persuade employers to consider this in hiring decisions.

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