What to consider before sending your child to study abroad

With so many courses and universities to choose from, deciding where and what to study abroad can be a daunting task. Each course is a unique mix of many different ingredients — from the subjects covered, to the campus location, to the career it leads to. Therefore, it is important to find the right course that will best suit your child’s interest and career goals. 

Read more: How to choose a course 

Once your child has decided which course to go for, it’s important to guide them on how to find the right country to study in. It is crucial to weigh all the pros and cons of a country where your child plans to further their higher education. You’ll have to think about the universities, lifestyle, culture, job opportunities and so much more. 

We’ll recommend that you look at a minimum of 4-6 universities or colleges based on your budget and institution’s location for proper evaluation. Consider the qualifications of faculty, graduate employment record of the institution and also the student-teacher ratio. This can be a little tricky to do all by yourself with a lot of details involved. You can always come to us for a free guidance session and we will be more than happy to guide your child in selecting the right institution. 

Every institution abroad has its own admission criteria and application process. With intakes too differing from one country to another, it can be quite a hassle to stay on top of it. Ideally, you should start the process of making an application at least 6-9 months in advance to have considerable time to research, find and apply. If this seems too daunting, our international education specialists can guide you at every step of your child’s admission process.  

As a parent, do remember that the cost of the program varies by institution. To get a fair estimate, it’s always good to contact the university’s international office which can give the exact cost breakup of the program so you can manage your funds accordingly. 

You need a properly drafted financial budget to send your child abroad. We know this is a costly affair, but if you plan in advance, you can bring down the cost of studying considerably down. There are ample scholarship opportunities, funding options and other financial aids available at government and university levels that can help your child study internationally without a hassle. 

It’s natural to be concerned about your child’s safety in a foreign country, but don’t worry. Every government and institution has a system in place to safeguard the safety and rights of all international students. You can always reach out to them in case of any emergency.

Since it’s a lifelong decision for your child, we understand that there might be other questions or worries that may pop up in your mind like the type of accommodation your child should select, healthcare facilities of the chosen city or country, the average cost of living, etc.

Sending your child abroad is an overwhelming decision. If you have any queries at all, we are just a call away. Reach out to IDP’s international education specialists and resolve your concerns over a free guidance session. We’ll be more than happy to assist your child throughout the planning and application process.