Tag Archives: Study in Abroad

How to apply for study visa in New Zealand?

July 27, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

A student visa would be an essential document to possess for any international student who plans to extend their stay and study in New Zealand for more than 6 months. Here is a peek into a few essential things pertaining to the New Zealand Visa process.

Prerequisites for applying for visa

Before you apply for a study visa for studying in New Zealand, you must be accepted into a program with an approved educational provider, such as a school, university or polytechnic. (Exceptions apply in case of dependent children.)

Practical wisdom entails that you plan your study, factor in the financial support that you would need to drive your life in New Zealand, and gather all the documents you would need to submit with your application, before applying for a study visa.

Documents needed to apply for New Zealand Study Visa:

A passport that is valid for at least 3 months–from the intended date of departure from New Zealand
A duly filled New Zealand Visitor Visa Application Form (form number INZ 1017)
Two coloured, passport size photographs
Proof of funds needed to sustain in New Zealand, (ideally NZD1000 per month overall, or NZD400 per month), if the accommodation expenses are paid for
An onward ticket from New Zealand or proof of finance to purchase one
The sponsorship form is for temporary entry if a resident is supporting you
You will be considered an illegal immigrant and may be deported, if your visa expires while you’re still in New Zealand. It is highly advisable to hold a valid New Zealand visa at all times.

Other documents: IELTS/TOEFL score records, academic certificates (our counselors at Hurray Overseas Education consultancy can provide further details on the documents required).

Types of Student Visa (India context)

While New Zealand opens its arms for all Indian students to study in the country, as a policy, you will have to obtain a student visa first. The type of visa that you would need will depend on the type of study you want to pursue, and the duration that you plan to stay in New Zealand.

If you are aged 18 and aspiring to study in New Zealand for more than six months, here is an outline of the types of student visa available for you:

	Types of Student Visa	Description
1	Exchange Student Visa	Enroll for up to four years for an approved student exchange program
2	Fee-paying Student Visa	Enroll for up to four years and work part-time
3	Foreign Government Supported Student Visa	Enroll for up to four years on a foreign government loan or scholarship
4	Pathway Student Visa	Enroll for up to five years for 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa and work part-time

There is more to applying for study visas than these. Staying well-informed is the key, and this journey of awareness could be made simpler with the help of trusted and reliable guides.

Our overseas counseling team at Hurray—whose experience spans 10 years in this field– would be happy to go the whole hog and simplify the process of applying for study visa in New Zealand for you. Write to us at hurrayoverseas@gmail.com for a free one-on-one counseling session.

Study in Australia

How do international students rate their Australian study experience?

July 19, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

Australia is a land of sunshine and ample opportunities. And do we even need to mention the fabulous beaches? This is a country blessed with abundance, and is called the “Lucky Country” for good reasons. Stunning coastlines surround it, and tropical rainforests are found in the northern part. Australia has become synonymous with kangaroos and koalas, as well as the ever-popular “barbie”.

Given that Australia has such a great image, it is no surprise that international students looking to study abroad are flocking Down Under to pursue their dreams. We did a little digging around to find out what international students thought of their study in Australia experience. Here what we have put together from our learning!

Cost

When it comes to cost, there is a downside as well as an upside. The bad news upfront: Australia is expensive.

There’s no escaping the fact that the Aussie dollar is quite a strong currency, and consequently, this land of plenty can seem quite pricey, especially for those coming from developing countries. Items that are of low cost in developing countries, like academic textbooks, can burn a hole through your pocket in Australia.

The good news is that people usually earn salaries that are high enough to maintain the standard of living.

Off the bat, these facts mean a few basic things:

Don’t dilly-dally in completing your degree, and start working as soon as you can after you graduate.

* It will be more economical to get off-campus housing like an apartment, and share it with your mates, rather than getting dormitory housing.

Lifestyle

In Australia, the quality of life and the options for entertainment and leisure activities are, needless to say, off the charts! This is especially true if you are living on the more populated Eastern seaboard. Sydney, for example, has the world-famous Bondi beach as its prime attraction. On the other hand, head over to Melbourne and you can get a taste of the best coffee, enjoy strolling through iconic laneways, catch a game of cricket at the MCG, or even some tennis at the Australian Open. International students find the laidback Aussie lifestyle to be a great draw.

Social life

A lot of international students do struggle with communication in Australia, due to poor language skills. English is the primary language of communication, even though Australia is highly multicultural. However, we do have to say that the multicultural nature of Australian society can be a source of comfort to those students who may be feeling a twinge of homesickness. You likely won’t have to travel very far to find people from your native country. Even if you don’t find fellow travellers from your country, Australians are generally culturally open and friendly to foreigners. Australia also has a great sporting culture and this allows folks with an outdoorsy bent of mind to bond with their Australian buddies and make friends quickly.

University life

Unlike in more traditional Asian cultures, Australian professors and university staff are generally very informal. However, don’t mistake this for a lackadaisical attitude! Australian universities are at the leading edge of research, and regularly punch “above their weight” when it comes to the latest in science, technology, the arts, and the social sciences. Students who study in Australia often mention that Australians tend to work hard and play hard, and this is not merely a cliché, but a reality. Along the same lines, the students find that they have to shoulder a lot of responsibility in managing their academic endeavors, and the workload is high. There is a tremendous amount of autonomy that students have, and this forces them to take decisions like full-fledged adults.

There you have it! Whether you are looking to study abroad in general, or study in Australia in particular, this roundup of students’ views on the Australian study experience will help you in learning more about this fun-loving and friendly country. Our overseas education counsellors at Hurray —a trusted overseas education consultant and IELTS training institute in Bangalore–would love to address all your queries and support your entire overseas education journey!

Write to us at: hurrayoverseas@gmail.com, or call us at 8971357938 for a one-on-one session with our counsellors.

Study in Abroad

Three benefits of working part-time while studying abroad

July 15, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

Juggling study and part-time employment in a foreign country may look like an overwhelming proposition; nevertheless, it has its benefits that may far outweigh the shortcomings.

Let us first look at what things to consider before you set out on looking for a part-time job during your education abroad.

Whether your study-abroad course is a full-time course (this is mandatory for you to work alongside your abroad education)
Your chosen study-abroad country
Your previous work experience and skill set
The subject area you are looking to study.
Knowledge about any additional tuition fees that come with study in abroad programs or job placement programs.
Careful investigation of the circumstances under which work is allowed by a country for international students.
Information about work permits on a country’s embassy websites. (Please note: in most cases, work permits would be required along with a student visa.)

Let us now look at a few benefits of working part-time while doing Master’s in Abroad, or for that matter, even during your undergraduate overseas education.

Helps gain experience in relevant field

While the list of work available to international students may not be exhaustive, service roles in restaurants, supermarkets etc. While this could be true for earlier times, there are ample opportunities these days that could help you add real value to your work profile during your search for full-time jobs in future. For example, you could be a working as a research assistant in your arts/science/humanities department. Again, some countries or universities could also have tie-ups for co-op programs for a certain range of part-time jobs.

Fosters language improvement and culture connect

Well, communication is something that you would be doing all the time during your education abroad. This would not imply, though, that you gain exposure to communication in the professional realm. On the other hand, there would be ample opportunities to expand your knowledge of the native language of your study-abroad destination during your part-time work as an international student. Most importantly, you would gain familiarity with the use of that language in business situations. What’s more, driven by the need to write/speak efficiently, your writings and talks would come peppered with phrases and vocabulary that hold importance in industry and business arena. Now, won’t it be wonderful if you could add the language skills of a certain country to your CV/resume, after completion of your stay abroad?

Additionally, part-time work during your study in abroad could also prove to be your gateway to connecting with people of different cultures in a work environment.

A small but significant step to fund your living costs

Doing a Bachelor’s or Masters in abroad is invariably an expensive proposition. Hence, it stands to reason that the extra earnings (whatever that amount be) you get through your part-time work can help fund your travel needs or your visit to other social events in that country. However, do note that you would be required to have proof of your financial ability to get a Student Visa; it is also not advisable to pursue your study abroad with the intention of working to fund your course.

Beware the legalities!

Just as there are benefits of working part-time while studying abroad, there are also grey areas attached to it—to the extent that it has legal implications. There are many cases where international students (including India) had been even jailed for working beyond stipulated working hours.

Nevertheless, with the guidance of a reliable overseas counselor you would not have to carry that baggage of worries with you. At Hurray, we believe in guiding aspiring study-abroad students the family way. So, let us connect for any help you could be looking for overseas counseling. We guide students through the entire process of abroad education—including accommodation near the university of their choice.

Study in Abroad

Why and how to choose the best study abroad education consultant

July 11, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

Picture this: For quite some years during your school years, the thought of study in abroad had followed you. Now you are in your college years, with a fresh curriculum, and perhaps, a new circle of friends! But what is still constant is your desire to study overseas. However, with so many news about people being duped by study in abroad consultancies, you are wary, too! Moreover, you are also worried about being lost in a maze of doubts if you are all to yourself! Here comes the need for knowing the qualities of a trustworthy overseas education consultant

This post will run you through the whys and the hows of choosing the best study abroad education consultant:

The ‘why’ of choosing a good study abroad education consultancy is at the very root of your success/failure in getting the right information with regard your overseas education.

Past experiences and placements:

Take a tour of the consultancy’s website to know about their service portfolio, past experiences and placements. You, on your part, must be clear on the queries you would like to make. Additionally, get a briefing on the additional services that the consultancy offers, such as, coaching in IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, etc; visa assistance; post-landing assistance; guidance for the visa interview process, among others. Not to forget, the consultancy’s licences and accreditation in their area of service.

Awareness of reliable medium enlisting overseas consultants: Many platforms feature overseas consultancies with proven records of their work. British Council holds record of these agents. Again, the Association of Australian Representatives in India (AAERI) ensures the authenticity of overseas education counsellors who recruit Indian students as representatives of Australian education and training institutions.

Quality of student interaction: An authentic study abroad education consultant will also be genuinely interested in understanding a case—that range from delving deep into the student’s areas of interest (science/arts/humanities etc), suggesting him/her the university that would match their academic scores; recommending the language proficiency test that would suit his country /university of choice, and getting an idea about their career goals and financial position before offering them options. All these come into play in the quality of interaction that a reliable study abroad education consultant.

Support with student scholarships: If you have decided on an overseas education consultancy, do also take a stock if they go the extra mile in offering you scholarship support and assistance with your Statement of Purpose (SoP), besides guiding with you with the admission process.

How Hurray can help?

Haurray has carved a niche as a trustworthy and student-centered study abroad education consultant in Bangalore, with a proven track record of guiding students the family way with their overseas education goals. A thorough case study of the aspiring student is undertaken before offering him the options of universities and countries. Our services range from counseling to post-landing assistance to accommodation support near the university of a student’s choice. Additionally, we offer trainings in IELTS, PTE and OET to get you the score that matches your program/university.

Eager to know more about Hurray’s study abroad services? Come, pay us a visit at our branches in Bangalore–Koramangala or Indiranagar–and see it for yourself. You may also write to us at: hurrayoverseas@gmail.com. And rest assured we won’t let you down. Happy studying!

Study in Abroad

Top 5 Reasons to Choose Canada as Your Study Abroad Destination

July 9, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

Vibrant seasons, expansive wildlife, multicultural diversity, clean environment and an enviable quality of life—all these undoubtedly make Canada an attractive country.

Notably, Canada is also leading on the overseas education front. The Canadian education system—which stands for trust, excellence and recognition–has been a big draw for international students. What’s more, you could either choose to study at a vibrant campus in a large city or in a cosy campus in a welcoming community, if you plan to study abroad in Canada.

While there could be ample reasons to study in Canada, let’s explore five reasons why you should choose Canada as your study-abroad destination:

Quality first approach

Quality is the keyword in Canada’s education environment. The country is known to maintain very high standards in education and is ranked 4th in the world for scientific research. Notably, 26 of Canada’s universities are listed in the QS World University Rankings 2019 and 27 of them are in the THE World University Rankings 2019 list

Earn while you learn option

An international student in Canada is permitted to work for up to 20 hours every week during their semesters and full-time during the winter and summer breaks. For study abroad aspirants wishing to work on-campus or as an intern in any company, your study permit should be enough to help you find a part time job; hence, you would not require any additional work permit. However, it would be good to know from your overseas counsellors the legal implications of working beyond the permitted work hours.

Student-friendly country

Canada is also known to shelter world- class cities to live and work in–Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, to name a few. The QS rankings’ top 10 list for 2017: Top 10 Cities in the World to be a Student had listed two Canadian cities as the most student-friendly cities, and The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 has listed University of Toronto on number 22nd.

Stay Options/Immigration Opportunities

As an International student, you are allowed to stay and work in Canada for up to three years upon completion of your graduation under Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PWPP). You can also apply for permanent residency later on after gaining some international work experience.

Wide range of courses

Another good reason to choose Canada as your study-abroad destination is the wide and varied range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programmes available at various institutions–from major research institutions to small liberal arts schools and universities. Worth noting Canada has 100 universities, 200 colleges and renowned institutes, accredited language schools as well as specialised institutes.

These are just some reasons why you could choose Canada as your study-abroad destination. Our overseas counsellors at Hurray —a trusted overseas education consultant and IELTS training institute in Bangalore–would love to address all your queries and support your entire overseas education journey!

Write to us at: hurrayoverseas@gmail.com, or call us at 8971357938 for a one-on-one session with our counsellors.

Study in Ireland

Student Visa Process to Study MS in Ireland

June 22, 2019 Hurray Leave a comment

Are you looking to pursue your Master’s in Science (MS) in Ireland? Visa processing would then comprise a major part in turning this dream into action!

To begin with, the application for study visa for pursuing MS in Ireland should usually begin up to 3 months prior to your date of travel to Ireland.

However, if you plan to visit another state prior to your visiting Ireland, it would require you to have the relevant visa for that State in your passport before applying for an Irish Study visa for your MS study. Your Ireland study Visa would depend on the age and the type of program you plan to enroll with in that country.

Overview of Study Visas in Ireland

A quick run through of the types of study visas and the duration of study applicable to them:

S. No.	Periodicity of study	Visa type
1	Under three months	C Study visa
2	Beyond three months	D Study visa

Study in Ireland : Documents required for visa application for MS in Ireland

Score of an English language proficiency test (like IELTS, PTE, OET)
Passport-sized photograph
Proof of fee payment
A valid passport or other valid travel documentation
Letter of acceptance from an Irish institution (University, college, etc.). This letter should contain the below details:

Your name as an applicant and the course title/duration

2. Confirmation on the amount of fees payable for your course, and a confirmation that the amount has been paid.

Proof of funds showing living expenses for the period of your course

Details of medical insurance

Fingerprint or Biometric Proof

The Study Visa process for an MS course in Ireland would also require you to provide your biometric details. Therefore, you would need to provide your fingerprints to the Irish authorities as an Indian student.

How can Hurray counselors help with visa applications?

Once you bag the offer letter from your university, our Hurray overseas counsellors can help familiarise you with the entire Visa Processing, ensuring you are fully up-to-date on the latest visa requirements and conditions. They can also guide you on the right documents for your submission.

Please note: Do not provide fake information or documents in your application. Your application stands to get rejected if you do. In fact, in some cases, you would not even be able to appeal the visa decision and would be blocked from getting an Irish visa for a period of 5 years.

Wish to have to more information on study visa to study MS in Ireland? Our counselors at Hurray a trusted overseas education consultant and IELTS/PTE coaching center in Bangalore would be glad to provide you with all the required details over a FREE one-on-one counseling session.

Write to us at hurrayoverseas@gmail.com, or contact us at 8971357938 for more.

Happy Studying!