[Youth Capital Newspaper] Studying Abroad, How to Choose Right?

Studying abroad has gradually become a common trend for Vietnamese students due to the meaningful experiences it brings. However, choosing the right country and school that align with one's development goals and financial capabilities is not easy. Let's explore some issues surrounding studying abroad in the article below.

Recently, studying abroad has become a highly searched keyword on social media platforms and mainstream media channels. Especially since July 18th, when the Ministry of Education and Training officially announced the results of the 2023 High School Graduation Examination, many parents have started searching for and considering options for their children's future. In addition to domestic universities and colleges, a significant number of students are planning to apply to schools at the same level in foreign countries. Vocational education abroad has also been frequently mentioned recently, indicating that study abroad options are becoming more diverse and students and parents have spent a lot of time researching this path.

Studying vocational courses abroad has been a popular choice among many young people recently

Why has studying abroad become a common choice?

Currently, many people choose to study abroad because it provides an opportunity to expand their specialized knowledge and access advanced and high-quality learning environments. Additionally, it helps to enhance their expertise and equip them with the necessary skills for their development in research and work. When students face a new environment, learn about and adapt to different cultures, societies, and lifestyles, they develop time management skills, communication skills, independence, and problem-solving abilities.

Apart from in-depth knowledge and practical skills, studying abroad also brings meaningful and far-reaching benefits beyond academic scope. It allows students to explore and experience different countries and cultures. Meeting international friends and being exposed to diverse perspectives broaden students' horizons and awareness of the world. This fosters respect and empathy for others, as well as an opportunity to explore and enjoy new cultural experiences. Students have the chance to build international networks, meet and connect with colleagues and experts in their fields from all around the world. This not only creates opportunities for expanding career prospects but also benefits knowledge-sharing and personal development.

However, despite the many comprehensive development potentials, studying abroad has never been an easy task. In reality, to move to another country and pursue an academic or vocational program, students must meet many strict regulations of the host country. Choosing the right school and program also requires careful consideration based on various factors.

Criteria to consider when choosing a school and studying abroad program

Choosing the right school and study abroad program is an essential starting point as it greatly influences the degree, career, and life of each international student. Therefore, when considering studying abroad, young people should not rush their decisions and thoroughly research information on the quality of education, learning environment, investment costs, and post-graduation employment opportunities.

Quality of education

One of the crucial factors to consider when choosing a country and school is the quality of education there. A country's strengths and appropriate conditions in the chosen field or a school's reputation and influential teaching staff significantly impact the learning process of international students.

ICOGroup representative during a practical survey at an Australian school

The quality of education in a country can be assessed by its standing in specific fields. To evaluate the quality of education at schools, young people can refer to reputable rankings like QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, among others. Another approach is to seek feedback from students or alumni who have studied there, but not all parents or students have such extensive networks, which is why they often consult with reputable study abroad agencies.

Employment opportunities after graduation

This is perhaps the most critical criterion for many parents and students, especially those who want their children to pursue vocational education abroad. Depending on the country, students may be allowed to work part-time during their studies and accumulate necessary work experience for their future careers or be granted visas to extend their stay while looking for jobs.

Students can choose to return to Vietnam to work immediately after graduation, work abroad for a few years, or seek opportunities for settlement in the host country. This largely depends on the visa application process in the destination country, requiring careful consideration and planning from the outset.

Living and learning environment

Studying abroad does not mean students only focus on academic achievements but also embrace opportunities to adapt to a new life. The living and learning environment plays a significant role in the development of each student abroad. In addition to considering factors such as the city, students should also pay attention to other aspects like the local culture, the proportion of international residents, the year-round weather, and even the crime rate, as safety is a critical factor to consider, especially with increasing security instability worldwide.

Investment costs

The cost is perhaps the most challenging puzzle to solve and a decisive factor in whether a family can afford studying abroad. Tuition fees can vary significantly among different educational institutions. In some countries, due to their overall development, the government has applied tuition fee waivers under certain conditions. Even within the same country, universities may have different policies with varying tuition fees. Therefore, when choosing a school, students and their families should compare tuition fees and financial support offered by the school to international students, such as scholarships, grants, part-time jobs, teaching assistantships, or tuition reductions.

As such, with numerous criteria to consider, studying abroad is not a straightforward decision for many families, especially those who are busy and have little experience. To save time and choose the most suitable study abroad program, many families have turned to reputable study abroad agencies for support and guidance.

ICOGroup: A reliable choice for many parents and students

As one of the leading human resources corporations in Vietnam, ICOGroup has become the choice of many families in general and young people in particular who desire to change and shape their futures. ICOGroup offers various study abroad programs, including language programs, academic scholarships, master's degrees, and vocational education in developed countries such as Australia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Opening ceremony atmosphere at ICOGroup branches nationwide in July 2023.

ICOGroup continually seeks to understand the needs and aspirations of Vietnamese young people to bring cutting-edge study abroad programs with vast development opportunities. ICOGroup actively seeks out programs with scholarships, tuition waivers, internships with salaries, etc., to help young people cover their study expenses and create opportunities for savings.

In July 2023 alone, the entire ICOGroup system welcomed nearly 2,000 students participating in language training, study abroad, and labor export programs. This is a testament to the quality and efforts in delivering high-quality programs to customers.

With over 15 years of experience in the human resources industry, ICOGroup has partnerships with more than 300 schools and enterprises overseas. Currently, ICOGroup has more than 30 branches both in Vietnam and abroad, training over 21,000 foreign language students, nearly 18,000 international students, and supporting over 8,000 laborers with opportunities to work abroad. With these achievements, ICOGroup is a trusted "place to create the future" for many young people today.

If you have an interest in learning more about ICOGroup's study abroad programs, especially vocational education abroad, please contact the ICOGroup branches across the country for consultation.