Carefully review entry requirements and immigration pathways before choosing your study abroad destination.

A foreign education not only improves career prospects but also opens immigration avenues for students. However, to reap the full benefits, students need to carefully consider a variety of factors, from selecting the right program to monitoring ever-changing immigration policies, experts said during a panel discussion on the impact on Careers – How Education Abroad Improves Job Prospects and Professional Growth on the last day of Gulf News Edufair 2024.

“When it comes to choosing an education abroad, there are some basic things to keep in mind,” said Tejas Labhshetwar, founder of Gyanberry, which specializes in admissions to medical schools around the world. entire. “First and foremost there are the entry requirements for a specific program at a particular university, as the requirements differ between universities. Next comes the infrastructure of the educational institution and accreditation, followed by the cost of education and post-study work permit options in the destination country.

Although the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland remain popular study abroad destinations, not everyone can gain admission to universities of these countries. “Even if you get admitted, it costs a lot of money,” says Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Qadri, CEO of Qadri International Educational Consultancy. “The best alternatives are therefore European countries such as Hungary, Italy and Spain. Even though their universities are ranked in the top 200-500, they are quite affordable. Entry requirements are easier to meet as they have more seats than the UK and US. So these are better options for people who are looking for value for money and quality education.

However, your choice of study abroad destination also depends on your goal.

“If immigration is your end goal, then you should begin your search for an international education with that goal in mind,” said Ruchi Shukla, founder of study abroad consultancy Horizon Scholar. “Find universities or foreign countries open to offshoring. The United States is a great place to go to study, but the chances of getting permanent residency are lower. So do your research and find out if your university will be able to help you find a job after you graduate, because sometimes immigration depends on your ability to find a job after you finish your studies.

Zoya Siddiqui, Middle East Associate for StudentRoomStay, which provides on-site and hosted accommodation to international students around the world, was of the opinion that everyone, before deciding on an educational program, should carry out a SWOT analysis.

“Try to find out what you are really passionate about. Usually, students copy what others do. But we really need to discover where our passion lies in order to avoid burnout in the long run.

She also highlighted the importance of nurturing varied interests in order to develop and showcase various soft skills in order to stand out in international university applications.