Student travelogues

The desischolar's quest for knowledge has left him pursuing study destinations that offer easy budget options.
The Indian student diaspora has crossed another milestone, after having adapted myriad routes that lead to not-so-popular nations in the pursuit for knowledge. Unlike the past, where US, UK and the Down Under featured high on every applicant's list, today the desi scholar is lured to many off-beat destinations, which offer easy budget options, and diverse cultural exposure.
Countries such as China, Cyprus, Finland, France, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Switzerland and Ukraine have vaulted in as popular hot spots. The exodus, which has reached its highest ebb truly adds more meaning to the term 'university', which connotes unity in diversity.
The techie culture that embraces the Hyderabadi student pool seems to be giving way, as more and more adopt for career options from the arts and commerce fields. Nasheed Mehmood, who decided to pursue a management course, worked out his options to study in Switzerland. "Most US universities have set up adjunct branches around the globe. And Switzerland was my best bet. Europe offers better work opportunities and I am not even compromising on the quality of education as
I will still be studying at a US university," explains Nasheed. The visa and application processes too are hassle-free. Plus an admission to a US university on foreign land saves the trouble of having to learn the native language. "And with internship and job prospects that definitely promise rewarding experience in the field, what more can a student ask for? Plus, with the European economy doing well, I can't think of a better place to study management in," he states.
Apart from pursuing a course, and working towards a fine career – embracing new cultures, learning to adapt to a new environment and communicating with distinct people serves as an added attraction. That's an important feature that Sarita Mishra, an architecture student, has listed as a priority for her study-tour abroad. "I think we are fairly comfortable with the US culture, and we've had an exposure to that. We have even taken a liking to their food, fashion, music, and movies. Most of us also have American friends here.
But places like Italy, South America, or Cyprus are still unknown to us. It would be a life-changing experience to study there and adapt to their lifestyle," she says, and adds, "I can't fathom the experience I would gain by studying the architecture of the Pyramids, for instance. So I am sure I will come back, if I choose to do so, with a lot more wisdom, to develop my unique style, and market niche designs," she explains.
Custom-designed educational courses, though expensive, give countless options to span the globe. But for those, particularly interested in medicine, but have cost as a deciding factor, China, Ukraine and Russia come as easy options. The tiresome admission process, and steep tuition fees that most Indians struggle with on the home turf, has led many to move to China. "There's a misconception that China doesn't offer a good education package, as many consider it a developing country. But it's surprising that they have better facilities, and the degree is also recognised by the WHO and the Indian Medical Council.
And the expenses that include bed, board and books, work out to nearly half the expenses here in India. My friends there tell me that the use of advanced technology makes a big difference as well. I don't think India promises that. And I am closer home studying there," says Saima Khan, who's been accepted to study at a medical school in China.
Mohmamud Haseebullah, founder of a corporate training organisation here, seconds that. "China is ranked 4th by the WHO for its medical courses, whereas India is ranked 38. It is the new destination for most medical students. Even conservative families are open to sending their children to study there," he explains.
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