IN Malaysia, students are spoilt for choice when it comes to higher education. Yet, even with so many options at home, many Malaysians are still keen to go abroad to gain experience as an overseas student.
As this is likely to be a major financial commitment, it is best to prepare well before taking the big step, so that there will be no costly hiccups ahead.
These days, with twinning and transfer programmes, more students tend to do the first part of their degree at a local college before going abroad to complete the programme.
Getting the right type of visa is of utmost importance. This will determine the length of stay for the student, which will be for the duration of the course.
With the acceptance letter from the university, the student can proceed to prepare the necessary financial and personal documents required for the visa.
Accommodation also needs to be planned ahead. As on-campus housing may be limited, an early reservation will help to ensure a room is available upon arrival so that the student can settle in with ease.
Living on campus is recommended especially for newly-arrived students.
The advantages of being on campus is the convenience of not having to travel far to attend classes, having amenities at your doorstep and also being able to mingle with fellow students at all hours.
INTI International University & Colleges chief executive officer Rohit Sharma said that his university’s placement staff will review the documents, criteria and checklists required by the students before they submit their applications, as well as before their departure, to ensure they have all the necessary materials needed.
Even before planning for all that, however, students must first have a sense of who they are, their future goals, the ability to take initiative and get the assistance they need for good decision-making, the choices available for their study plans and career path, and have access to reliable information.
On the latter, Sunway University’s Centre for American Education head Dr Sim Tze Ying said students should be aware of the opportunities that are available to them, familiar with the educational system in other countries, the cost of studying and living overseas, the process of choosing universities to apply to, the university application requirements and deadlines, the student visa process and arrival information as well as availability of internships and job experience in their chosen field of study.
“Doing a self-assessment will help students find a good match for their field of study and select appropriate universities,” said Sim.
“This self-assessment includes thinking individually about the talents, interests, goals, skills, personality, budget, etc of the student.
“It is wise for students to discuss their plans with others and perhaps take a career test to make a suitable choice for their area of study, especially if they are undecided about their future.
“For example, some may not know that the Bachelor’s degree programme in the US allows students to embark on their studies even if they are undecided about their field of study and future career plans.
“They can also change their major or do more than one major if they have more than one area of interest, or want to make themselves competitive in the job market by having expertise in more than one area.”
Sim said that her department conducts workshops that prepare students before they go overseas.
These workshops cover such topics as Getting to know the US and Canadian Educational Systems, University Selection and Application Processes, The Student Visa Application, and a Pre-Departure Orientation for students before they transfer overseas.
At INTI, representatives from partner universities will be on hand during campus education fairs, university placement visits, workshops and seminars that provide students with practical guidance on how they can apply to their chosen universities, obtain their visa and study permits, and the Pre-Departure Protocols they need to follow.
Similar assistance is granted at Taylor’s College to its students who will be proceeding to Australia, New Zealand and the UK for their studies in those countries.
KDU College has a programme that eases the transition to college life, creates an open communication platform to engage students with college life, faculty and peers and develop a strong sense of belonging.
The WOW-College Success Series runs for eight weeks and includes the College Experience, Self-Discovery, Working in Teams, Student Success, First Semester Advising and University Selection and Transfer Processes.
“I love that my lecturers not only encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, they also went out of their way to help me prepare for my scholarship interview with a university,” said KDU College student Danial Imran.
Now that degree transfer programmes are widely available, the option to do part of the degree locally and then continue overseas will help make tertiary education more affordable to many.
“At the same time, such programmes give students the opportunity to adjust to the educational system of another country while still living in Malaysia,” said Sim.
Universities like Sunway have instituted systems that assist students preparing to study abroad.
Vital information is readily available to help students plan and obtain the necessary documents, including referrals and letters of recommendation, and various travel needs before their departure.
Advisers from the programme as well as offices handling international placement are also on hand to provide guidance and assistance as and when necessary.
At Sunway University, such advisers would themselves have studied overseas and also visited campuses in various countries.
Students will be assisted in their completion of the university application process including guidance on required personal statements, any scholarship applications and credit transfer information.
Where applicable, students will be advised on the subjects to be taken based on the requirements of the transferring universities.
At INTI, students are guided to take the initiative in preparing their own applications and accommodation plans.
“This is a necessary learning process for these students as they may be required to renew their applications, especially for their visas and permits, while abroad,” said Sharma.
“Selecting their own accommodation also enables them to choose the best location and fit depending on their financial means and preferences.
“Should our students require any assistance, however, the university placement staff will review the challenges they are facing in their applications and walk them through the process as well as propose alternative solutions.”
Once they enter college, students should involve themselves in co-curricular activities as these not only help them develop holistically but also serve to strengthen their application to overseas universities, especially those where applicants are competitive academically and so the deciding factor for awarding a place may be to whoever is more well-rounded.
Sim added that Sunway University’s American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) enables students to transfer their credits to universities both locally and worldwide.
Students at Sunway University about to embark on overseas studies will also have access to platforms like private groups on Facebook where they can network with their peers already abroad as well as alumni who have gone through the experience.
Common topics of discussion among such groups’ members include sourcing of used textbooks, budget tips and queries on campus activities.
Watch out for next week’s article on Funding for Studies