In a recent survey conducted by HSBC, more than 85 per cent of Indian parents are willing to send their kids for higher studies abroad. As lifestyle and economic conditions change, people seek a global education for their children, as they perceive a higher value in the education available on international campuses. Changes in social pattern, availability of educational loans, and greater exposure to international cultures have been the enabling factors for international study.
If your child has been showing a keen interest in studying abroad, don’t fret. Your child has obviously picked up signals from school or workplace, and has decided to boost his/her chances for a higher career growth. These five signs which will give you important cues to help you decide whether your child is ready to pursue higher studies in an international destination.
Responsible behaviour
Some people are quick learners. They pick up social cues, and learn to reorient their behaviour accordingly. Does your child manage his/her own tasks or do you have to constantly push your child to perform everyday chores? Living alone in a foreign country is exciting, but not without challenges. Look out for signs that tell you whether your child is equipped to plan and prepare in advance to ensure safety, punctuality, and organised living. Can he/she follow safe practices, even while having fun? These are important cues to figure out your child’s readiness for an international programme.
Passion to explore
Children demonstrate curiosity in the world they live in. A few want to explore beyond their horizon. Does your child go the extra mile to gather in-depth knowledge about a field of interest? Do project based activities excite your child? Perhaps you have found your child pondering about the architecture of the Egyptian pyramids or the Machu Picchu citadel. If you find that your child is inclined to go beyond the books, you know that he/she has great academic interest and will do well abroad. Children who are passionate about academics and love to pursue their field of interest through research and self-learning thrive on an international platform.
Keen to self-finance through jobs
Studying abroad can be an expensive affair without financial aid. Does your child show an inclination to help you with the finances? Working on campus has many benefits. Apart from funding education, your child will pick up important work ethics and emphasises the importance of learning on the job. You can pick up signals about your child’s willingness to be self-sufficient when you express your views.
Coping with VARIED teaching styles
Education abroad follows a different pedagogy compared to most institutes in India. Students have to work through interactive classes, assignments, projects, and group study. Do you feel that your child is prepared to accept new teaching methodologies? Have you noticed a keen interest in your child to experiment and go beyond scholastic learning? Speak to your child to understand his/her awareness and areas of interest. You will pick up telling signs that indicate your child’s capacity to learn in unstructured format.
Interest in more than one stream
As your child grows to understand and becomes aware of the plethora of academic choices available, you might find him/her in a dilemma over what to choose. If your youngster consistently achieves outstanding grades in more than one subject, besides their passion for those domains, study abroad will help them realise their dreams of discovering the desired areas. For example, US universities allow students to explore their academic interests in the first two years of undergraduate studies, and then choose to double major or major in one subject and minor in another, if that fits their need.
Look out for these five signs to measure your child’s aptitude and preparedness for higher learning abroad. Observe your child’s behaviour and performance in school and activity classes, especially the factors that relate to your child’s learning and social behaviour.
