Graduate Studies Abroad

The Student Who Took a ₹60 Lakh Loan for a Foreign Degree and Regretted It In 2022, a middle-class student from India took an education loan of ₹60 lakhs to pursue a master’s degree in the US… Everyone around him said it was a great investment. “Once you graduate, you’ll earn in dollars,” they said… Two years later, reality hit hard. The job market had slowed down, and visa restrictions made it tough to find high-paying employment. The only jobs available paid just enough to cover rent and food. His monthly loan EMI in India was ₹80,000, but he was barely saving ₹20,000 a month abroad… Now, he’s stuck - returning to India means lower salaries, making loan repayment even harder. Staying in the US means living paycheck to paycheck for years… The lesson? A number of students blindly assume that any foreign degree guarantees high earnings. But the reality is that job markets fluctuate, visa rules change, and not every degree has an equal return on investment. That’s why I recommend the following: 1/ Carefully calculate the ROI (Return on Investment) of your degree before taking a massive loan. A high-cost degree doesn’t always mean high earnings. 2/ Consider alternative paths - scholarships, assistantships, or even lower-cost universities with strong placement records. 3/ Don’t fall for the “foreign degree = automatic success” myth. Research job prospects, industry demand, and visa policies before making a decision. A degree is an investment - make sure it’s one that actually pays off

$𝟕𝟎 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 - 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Yet 1 in 3 return home with crushing debt and minimal savings to show for it. I just read about a 27-year-old who returned to India from the US with a ₹40 lakh loan. His ₹75,000 monthly salary in India sounds decent until you realize ₹66,000 goes to EMI payments. That leaves just ₹9,000 to survive each month. In a major Indian city. At 27. This isn't an isolated case. The foreign education debt trap is claiming more victims every year as visa restrictions tighten and global job markets prioritize local talent. 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧: ✅ 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐎𝐈: Factor in opportunity cost of 2+ years without income and realistic post-graduation salary. ✅ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: Many now offer world-class education at a fraction of the cost. ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 "𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞": Exchange programs or 1-year international masters can provide global exposure without six-figure debt. ✅ 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥: Never commit more than 30% of projected income to education loan repayments. (This isn't easy to analyse) ✅ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬: Focus on capabilities that command premium salaries regardless of location. The right international degree can absolutely transform careers—but the wrong financial decision can derail lives. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: What alternative paths have you found to gain global education without the crushing debt?  Education counselors, what advice would you add? #ForeignEducation #StudentDebtCrisis #FinancialLiteracy #CareerPlanning

Given the job market in the United States, I know many people that are hurting. Some find themselves in new roles with 70% of their former income, and some find themselves with no role at all. People often ask me how to use the time between jobs to improve their marketability. This often turns into a 'chicken and the egg' exercise since improving your marketability in a verifiable and drastic way usually requires money to begin with. If you find yourself in this situation, I encourage you to look outside the United States for education. Studying in Europe, even for non-EU citizens, can be incredibly cheap, and given the availability of online learning, distance is no longer as much of an issue. The cost of online degrees in the EU - the entire 2-year degree - can often be below $5000. If you look at this from an EU citizen's perspective, who often expects to study for free, that can be considered much money. If you look at it from a United States perspective, studying anything considered 'world-leading' for less than $40,000 per semester is a deal. Depending on your living arrangements, even on-site degrees might be an option, though. For example, my first university in Germany, the University of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, is fully accredited and highly ranked. It charges no tuition for its Master's in Autonomous Systems, even for international students. There is a $300 semester fee. Most of this fee is for a ticket that covers all forms of public transportation in Germany, which, given the vast transportation network, you would not need a car. Student housing is also available for between $300 and $600 a month. This means you are looking at around $16,000 for this two-year degree, including housing. Depending on your living arrangements back home, the savings from not having to pay rent in the United States will cover that cost alone. If this is a rough time for you, you need to think out of the box and go for creative solutions.

Studying abroad in the US is a dream for many, but the reality comes with challenges that few talk about. We chose this path knowing it wouldn’t be easy. But that doesn’t make the struggles any less real. It comes with challenges - visa stress, financial pressure, cultural adjustments, and the toughest one: job hunting. I remember sending out 100s of applications, facing constant rejections, and refreshing my inbox daily, hoping for a breakthrough. The uncertainty was overwhelming. Seeing others succeed while I was still struggling made it even harder.  Looking back, the journey wasn’t easy. But every challenge taught me valuable lessons that helped me grow into the professional I am today. But through this journey, I’ve learned a few truths that I hope will help: 1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. The biggest mistake? Waiting too long to start the job search. If you’re an international student, start early. Networking, building skills, and preparing applications take time - don’t wait until the last semester. 2️⃣ 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. Your connections will open more doors than your resume. Reach out to alumni, professionals, and peers who’ve walked this path. Informational interviews, LinkedIn outreach, and networking events can make all the difference. 3️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬. The job market has completely changed from how it was back in 2021. Not every company sponsors international students - but that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It means you need to be strategic about targeting the right companies, those who see the value of global talent. 4️⃣ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. There’s no room for hesitation. Cold-email professionals, connect with recruiters and ask questions. Many people are willing to help, but you have to take the first step. 5️⃣ 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝. The job market is evolving, and so should your approach. It’s not just about working hard - it’s about working smart. Show impact, highlight your skills, and demonstrate results. To every international student feeling lost, frustrated, or overwhelmed—you are not alone. The journey is tough, but it’s worth it. Every rejection, every challenge, every late-night struggle is shaping you into someone stronger. If you’re still in the process, keep pushing forward. Your breakthrough is coming.  If you found this helpful, feel free to ♻️ repost it with others who might benefit. Follow Mohammed Wasim for more job search tips, resources, and advice tailored to international students! #jobsearch #internationalstudents

What are the requirements for international students applying to graduate school program in the United States? What are the key steps? I get these questions constantly and wanted to provide my insights in order to help future food scientists and graduate students. Here is what you need to know: Academic Qualifications: - A completed undergraduate degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. - Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. - Some programs require translations of the original transcripts if they are not in English. Standardized Tests: - GRE or GMAT scores, depending on the program. - Some programs may waive this requirement or not require it at all. - English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) Application Materials: - Completed online application form for the specific graduate program. - Payment of the application fee, which varies by institution. - A personal statement. - 2-3 letters of recommendation. - A detailed resume or CV. Financial Documentation: - Documentation demonstrating the ability to cover tuition and living expenses (e.g. bank statements, scholarship awards, or sponsor letters). - If applying for financial aid, you may need to submit additional forms like the CSS Profile or institutional financial aid applications. Visa Requirements: - After admission, you will need to apply for a student visa. This requires a Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) issued by the university, proof of financial support, and payment of the SEVIS fee. Additional Requirements: - Some programs may require an interview as part of the application process, either in-person or via video conferencing. - For certain fields such as art, design, or architecture, a portfolio of your work may be required. Each graduate program and university may have specific additional requirements or variations in the application process, so it’s important to carefully review the admissions guidelines for each institution to which you are applying. I hope this list is helpful! If there is anything that I missed, or if you have additional questions, please comment below so we can all help each other with this complex process. Please tag anyone who will find this information useful :) #graduateschool #internationalstudents #graduateschoolapplication #applicationprocess #gradschool

He invested ₹40 lakhs in a foreign degree… and now he can’t afford rent. A Reddit post is going viral—and it’s a wake-up call for every aspiring international student. An Indian student took a ₹40 lakh education loan to study abroad, hoping for a high-paying job. But after graduation, He was not able to get an overseas job. Now back in India, he earns ₹75,000/month—but pays ₹66,000/month in EMIs. That leaves just ₹9,000/month to survive. This isn’t a one-off case. It’s a growing pattern. Even with STEM degrees, many international graduates are struggling. Why? -Tighter visa norms -Companies preferring local hires -Global slowdown in tech hiring - Skyrocketing cost of international education A foreign degree no longer guarantees a foreign job. And without a job abroad, repaying a foreign loan from Indian salaries becomes financially unsustainable. Now he has to face: -Delayed life goals—no savings, no investments, no home planning -Constant mental stress—every month is a financial balancing act -Years lost in recovery—when peers are investing, he's just surviving So, before investing ₹40–50 lakhs in education, students and parents must analyse: -What is the post-study work visa landscape? -What is the average placement rate and salary in that country? -Is the degree aligned with high-demand skills? -What is the break-even period for ROI? Higher education should be a calculated decision, not a blind leap of faith. #studyabroad #educationloan

“Confused About Where to Start Your Study Abroad Journey? Read This First.” 📍 Studying abroad isn't about finding the best country. It’s about building the right strategy from Day 1. Every week, I talk to students who feel stuck. They’re asking: ❌ “Which country is cheapest? ” ❌ “Which university is ranked highest?” ❌ “Should I just go where my cousin went?” These are the wrong starting points. Here’s how I guide students instead: 🎯 Start with Clarity, Not Country. ✅ The 5-Part Framework We Use at D-Vivid: Goal Alignment What career do you want after graduation? Which countries support that industry? Profile Strengthening Do you need to upskill, improve your SOP, or build projects? Budget & Scholarship Mapping What’s affordable? Where can you get funded? Test Preparation IELTS, PTE, GRE prep smart, not long. Visa + Compliance Strategy Start documentation early. Avoid rejections later. This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about building a future that fits you academically, financially, and personally. We’ve used this system to help 7,500+ students get accepted into their dream universities across the US, Canada, Germany, UK, and Australia. Still confused about your starting point? Comment “ Start ” and I’ll send you a free roadmap we use with every student. No spam. Just clarity. #StudyAbroadPlanning #GlobalEducation #StudentSuccess #DVividConsultant #ClarityBeforeCountry

𝐈𝐌𝐆𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐌𝐒/𝐏𝐡𝐃) 𝐢𝐧 𝐔.𝐒., 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 — 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 One of the most common questions I get from IMGs is: “What major or program should I apply for when applying for master or a PhD degree?” I spent over 2 hours searching for programs in a few smaller states recently and created a preliminary list of programs (see the screenshot below). I realized it is not viable for me to create a list of programs that are suitable for medical graduates, given my time commitment. However, I am sharing the step-by-step method I used to search for programs, so you can follow it too. Step 1: Pick a State Prefer small states (like Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, etc.). Cost of living is lower. You can maintain a good lifestyle and save money for your USMLE journey or other expenses. Step 2: Look for Public Universities Why public universities? Public universities generally have more research funding and lower tuition costs, especially compared to private ones. Step 3: Search for Graduate Programs Example: Let's say you pick Iowa. Search for "public universities in Iowa" → You'll get a list. Pick one (e.g., Iowa State University). Then search "Iowa State University graduate programs." Browse their programs carefully. (Refer to my preliminary Excel sheet example attached here) Step 4: Prioritize Degree Programs Choose MS or PhD programs, not certificate programs. Certificate programs are shorter and usually don't provide visa sponsorship or research funding. Step 5: Understand Your Options (Beyond MPH) Many IMGs think that if they like statistics, MPH (Master of Public Health) is the only option. Wrong. Many universities offer MS or PhD programs in: Biostatistics Statistics Data Science I am not a big fan of MPH for IMGs because: Funding is very limited for international students. Most fully funded PhD programs in public health require you to already have a master's in public health. Step 6: What Majors Should You Look For? some examples: Physiology Pathology Genetics Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Medical Sciences Translational Sciences Biochemistry Immunology Nutrition Biomedical Sciences Step 7: Match Your Graduate Study to Your Long-Term Goals 🔸 Pathology residency/fellowship → MS/PhD in Pathology will help you tremendously. 🔸 Internal medicine/cardiology → MS/PhD in Physiology is ideal (especially if focused on cardiovascular disease). 🔸 Pediatrics → MS/PhD in Nutrition is a great choice. 🔸 Pediatrics/Genetics → MS/PhD in Genetics would align well. 🔸 Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning → Newer programs are now available and applicable to all specialties. #IMGGradJourney #IMGResearchPath #IMGtoResidency #GradSchoolForIMGs #MD/PhD #PakistaniDoctor #ResidencyMatch #PhysicianScientist #PSTP

A top secret I give prospective graduate students is to identify individuals who recently secured fully funded offers in their field of study (people share their stories so it’s easy to find them). Look up their profiles on LinkedIn or ask them directly about their “profile” at the time they received their offers. Then, aim to match or surpass their profile. From my experience, EVERYONE I know who matched or surpassed my profile (when I was admitted) is now pursuing fully funded studies in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, or Asia. ALL OF THEM! The thing is, if your profile is comparable to or stronger than that of someone who received a fully funded offer, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll secure one too. NB: This ONLY applies to things you have control over. You can’t go back to redo your bachelor’s program because you want to match someone’s First-Class CGPA. Find out if they had teaching, research (publications), volunteering, work, leadership experiences etc or some skill set, and try to get these experiences and skills to improve your CV/portfolio.

I’ve seen many applicants get their graduate school applications delayed or outright rejected because of this one issue The WES//Transcript Evaluation Process It is one mistake in the Graduate School Application Process That Could Cost You The worst part❓ Many never get their applications reviewed because their World Education Services evaluation didn’t arrive on time or contain errors. Here’s how to avoid this costly mistake. **************** 🔍 Why WES Matters ➤ Many graduate programs require a World Education Services (WES) evaluation to verify international degrees. ➤ Without it, your application is incomplete—even if you meet all other admission requirements. ******************** Common WES Issues That Delay or Derail Applications ❌ Starting Too Late → The WES process can take several weeks—start early. ❌ Documentation Errors → Mismatched names, incorrect dates of birth, or missing transcripts can cause major delays. ❌ University Delays → Some institutions take time to send official documents—factor this into your timeline. ❌ Not Choosing the Right WES Package → Some schools require course-by-course evaluations—make sure you submit the correct type. ********************* How to Avoid This Costly Mistake ✅ Start the WES Process Early ↳ Don’t wait until the last minute—get your credentials evaluated as soon as possible. ✅ Double-Check Your Documents ↳ Ensure your name, date of birth, and degree details match your official documents. ✅ Follow Up With Your University ↳ Some universities take time to send transcripts—stay proactive. ✅ Verify Your School’s Requirements ↳ Some schools only accept WES reports sent directly from WES—read the fine print! **************** 📌 A slight delay in your WES evaluation can result in missed deadlines, lost opportunities, and wasted time. 💬 Have you experienced WES delays or challenges? How did you handle them? ♻️ Repost to help future applicants avoid this mistake! #GradSchoolApplications #WES #HigherEducation #InternationalStudents #StudyAbroad