What To Consider If You Are Planning Your Bachelor of Engineering Degree Abroad

What To Consider If You Are Planning Your Bachelor of Engineering Degree Abroad

In an increasingly globalised world, studying abroad can be an opportunity to expand professional and personal horizons and prove to be a life-changing experience for students. Studying in a foreign university with other international students would add to your experience as an individual in terms of learning about culture and developing one’s personality. Adding to that, you are given a chance to travel to new places while also taking on new responsibilities as an adult. Studying abroad is also an excellent way to expand your network, meeting people from different walks of life and learning from their experiences.

Aside from the merits of studying abroad, there is also confusion and uncertainty involved while deciding on the right college and country. Students who are venturing out of their home countries for the first time face confusion and skepticism about the admissions process, visa process, etc. Selecting the right university and the country for your degree can be a herculean task, which requires thorough research. One must examine all the pros and cons of the host country and university before making a decision.

As we proceed, we will explore various points that one must consider before deciding where to study abroad. One of the most important factors that dictates your decision is the course you want to pursue. Some countries’ educational infrastructure facilitates a better learning experience in certain fields due to the country’s expertise. Hence, you must identify those provisions as per your academic goals before selecting your destination. When it comes to selecting a university for your Bachelor of Engineering degree, you are confronted with a plethora of options including colleges and various specializations of the degree program. It is easy to get lost in the maze of research when you are unsure of the steps involved.

Hence, to help you in your decision-making process, we have identified two key areas for your consideration.

1. Selecting The Right Country

Moving to a new country all by yourself can be daunting if you are unaware of the local culture, and lifestyle. Not doing your research may also lead to financial costs incurred and untold personal struggles. Thus, you must evaluate certain key aspects to ensure that the country and city you are moving to fits your budget and meets your future goals. Here are some things to be considered while evaluating your destination:

• Cost of Living: While evaluating tuition fees, college students must also keep in mind that the costs of living may vary according to different cities. Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of lifestyle,which includes apartment rent, food and groceries, personal expenses, etc.
• Culture: Cultural shock is a real thing, often faced by students moving to a new country for the first time. Regardless of your origin, there will always be moments of cultural shock. Just remember that it is normal and everyone experiences it. The silver lining in such difficult moments is that you will learn to appreciate the good moments.
• Distance from home country: For those who are venturing out of their home countries for the first time, you might want to consider the distance between your home country and the destination. Apart from considering the flight ticket costs, it will help you to subconsciously think “I’m not that far away from home” while also extending the peace of mind for your family members as they will be able to travel relatively easily for visits.

• Educational Structure: Different countries have varied structures of educational systems, depending on the degree you opt for. These education structures determine your future path as an international student in the particular country. For example, Engineering is considered a STEM course in the United States (US), which facilitates an additional extension on your student visa for 24 months after the completion of your degree. During this period, you may apply for a job or further training to enhance your work profile.

• Visa Process: Different countries have different requirements for attaining a student visa. Thus, before applying to a particular country, you must extensively research the requirements and ensure that you are eligible for the criteria. It is also essential that you prepare a few months in advance so that you have a buffer period in case the process takes longer than expected. For example, countries like Singapore handle the visa process typically within two weeks of application. Still, in cases where there is an interview scheduled by the Embassy, it may take up to 4 months. Hence, you must plan your visa application well in advance from the commencement date of your academic year.

• Return on Investment of Your Degree: Studying abroad is a huge investment, considering the tuition fees, costs of living and travel expenses which are all in a different currency. The investment is often measured by comparing the amount of money invested in the college degree (i.e. the tuition fees, travel expenses, etc.) to the package that the student might be offered after graduation. Here, you must also consider the possibility of returning to your home country if the situation calls for it. In such cases, it is advisable to research the value of your degree in your home country as well as the job prospects for your particular skill set.

Apart from the commonly sought after destinations like the US and United Kingdom (UK), there are some up and coming educational hubs with more opportunities and better prospects such as Canada, Netherlands and Singapore, among others. Since the academic and professional opportunities tend to be saturated in the US and UK, it is safe to say that these newer destinations have more to offer not just in terms of the volume of the opportunity but also an elevated lifestyle.

Singapore, in particular, has been increasingly popular for students to pursue engineering and aeronautics degrees. The country is also known for its diverse culture and high standards of life which is an added advantage for someone who is looking to settle there. Singapore is also home to some of the most renowned universities in the world, attracting international students from all around the world. As a student, you would not have to worry about any language barrier since the language of instruction in Singapore is English. Adding to that, Singapore also houses major multinational companies who are always looking to expand their horizons and hire new talent.

2. Selecting The Right University For Your Desired Degree

After you have identified the country of your choice, it is time to review the universities located in the country and narrow down to one as per your requirements. It is essential that you dedicate your time for this step so that you go through the options and make an informed decision. Selecting the right college for your desired degree program can make or break your future career. The environment you study in, the college reputation and their offerings will play an important role even after you graduate and start seeking work experience.

Here are some things to consider when choosing the right university:

• Be proactive: Generally, universities host online forums and webinars to encourage students to apply. In these webinars, they provide you with essential information about the university and the courses offered, which is a great way to learn more about your key takeaways.
• Talk to alumni: Finding the alumni over the internet can be beneficial so that you can know more about the campus lifestyle from a person who has had first-hand experience.
• Do your homework: Before making any concrete decisions, you must visit the college website and read about the admissions process, financials and other formalities which are compulsory for international students.
• Reach out to the admissions committee: There are committees established to guide you through the process, answer any questions and also provide you with specific information to clear your doubts. You can generally find their contact details on the university website and reach out to them via email or phone call, and they will be more than happy to help you.

Singapore is a world leader in the realms of research and innovation where emphasis is placed on practical skill sets along with theoretical foundations. It is no surprise that some of the top-ranking universities are located in Singapore and they offer high-class education in various fields with an innovative curriculum. Among other universities, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University tops the chart for Engineering and Aeronautical courses. Here is the list of courses available at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Asia Campus:

• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics

If you are seeking an Engineering degree in particular, here are the courses offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Asia Campus:

• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is known for its quality of education which is delivered by the world-class faculty employed on their campuses. Furthermore, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduates are highly sought after by top companies, landing jobs quickly and becoming leaders of the industry. Employers of past Embry-Riddle graduates include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, DNATA ExecuJet Asia and more.

For more information on the courses and admissions, you may visit the following pages:

• Degrees and Programs: https://asia.erau.edu/degrees-programs
• Admissions:https://asia.erau.edu/admissions

You may also contact the team at asia@erau.edu for more information.