Study in US, United States of America

Study in US, United States of America

The US is the ultimate destination for higher education, with more than 50% of Indians studying outside India headed to one of the country’s 4000+ universities and colleges.

A majority of Indian students (56%) in the US are studying at the graduate level and a total of 58% are studying at Master’s colleges and/or doctorate-granting universities.

In the United States, university campuses are like melting pots, attracting students from different backgrounds and aspirations from across the country and the rest of the world.

US: Robust growth in Indian students in 2017

India is now the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US, comprising 17.3% of all international students.

According to the 2017 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange released on November 13,2017 by HE and the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the number of Indian students in the United States has, once again, risen to a record level – over 186,000.

This is the fourth year in a row to see double-digit growth, an increase of 21,000 learners over last year, and a growth of 12%, which is one of the highest rates of growth in the world. Further, the number of Indian students in the US has doubled over the last 10 years, meaning India is now the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US, comprising 17.3% of all international students.

The report confirms the value Indian students continue to place on a US education. Karl Adam, Deputy Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, remarked on some of the reasons why. “American universities provide unparalleled access to instructors, and provide a wide variety of internship and research opportunities,” he explained. “The American higher education system introduces international students to networks and contacts that provide benefits and advantages over a lifetime.”

A majority of Indian students (56%) in the US are studying at the graduate level and a total of 58% are studying at Master’s colleges and/or doctorate-granting universities. There was a 13.9% increase in undergraduate representation as well, though, continuing a trend that has been developing over the last few years.

In total, the number of international students in the United States increased by three per cent over the prior year, and the number of American students studying abroad increased by four percent from the prior year. For the second consecutive year, US colleges and universities hosted more than one million international students, reaching a record high of 1.08 million. This also marks the eleventh consecutive year of continued expansion of the total number ol international students in US higher education.

A majority of Indian students (56%) in the US are studying at the graduate level and a total of 58% are studying at Master’s colleges and/or doctorate-granting universities.

The top places of origin for international students studying in the United States were China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. The top host states were California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Each of these states saw increases in international students in 2016-17.

The US Department of State values the contributions Indian students make to academia in the United States and looks forward to welcoming even more students from India and elsewhere next year.

“We are always excited to see our two countries coming closer together in the best way possible,” Adam said. “We strongly support educational exchanges because of the shared benefits, not just in economic terms, but in our mutual understanding of each other,” he added.

— US Embassy Public Affairs Section

Inside the United States

From cultural nuances to food and travel – here’s a handy primer for students who wish to study in the US by Kavita Mehta, CEO and Co-founder, The Red Pen.

The United States is the ultimate destination for higher education, with more than 50% of Indians studying outside India headed to one of the country’s 4000+ universities and colleges. If you are considering a US university education, there will be new experiences to enjoy, friendships to forge, as well as cultural faux pas to avoid. Here are a few tips to help.make the most of studying in the US.

CULTURAL NUANCES

University campuses are like melting pots, attracting students from different backgrounds and aspirations from across the US and the rest of the world, while the ethos and personality of every university may be different, campuses and their surrounding communities strive to embrace diversity, respect cultures and socio-economic differences. Take this opportunity to interact with a wide cross-section of people – be it students, faculty, staff or coaches.

Generally speaking, Americans are polite and friendly. The American way of greeting everyone with a “How are you doing?” or “What’s up?” is a way of acknowledging people. So non-Americans may feel that they have many new friends as they walk across campus when, in reality, they are the recipient of a culturally expected gesture. Simply smile back and ask, “How do you do?” Also, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and include a “please” or “thank you” in any request.

Be discerning about what you hear and how you interpret it. In every culture, there are nuances and signals that become apparent over time. When unsure of a comment or phrase, make a note to ask a trusted friend later. Americans can also be quite direct and upfront with their opinions. While this can be jarring at first, just be aware that it is a cultural style and not necessarily personally directed.

Many Indian students are initially surprised by the informal interactions between faculty and students. On some campuses, students address professors by first name, stop by office hours for extra help or enjoy a meal with teaching assistants in the university cafeteria. This can be mistaken for release from accountability for academic performance. On the contrary, American university professors have high standards for students and expect them to communicate appropriately and take personal responsibility for their studies.

The concept of ‘physical space’ or personal boundaries is often confusing to Indian students. As they relate to physical space, Americans will keep a comfortable distance on public transit, pass on the left (not the right), and stand politely in line, waiting tfieir turn. When it comes to conversation, stay away from religion and politics and definitely do not ask anyone how much they weigh, the value of their house or their annual salaries. Finally, personal hygiene is paramount, make sure to wear clothing appropriate for the season, launder clothing regularly and use deodorant on a daily basis.

INDEPENDENCE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY

Living alone as a student in the US (or for that matter, any country), being away from home and a reliable support system, can be a time of tremendous adjustment, in India, there are layers of support—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, second cousins and so forth—to ensure children don’t go astray and stay on track, in the US, students are expected to be independent and manage tasks such as meeting their academic advisor, scheduling courses, paying fees, getting flu shots or turning in an assignment. At the same time, universities emphasise teamwork, where students need to collaborate on projects and assignments with classmates, helping build communication, negotiation and consensus building skills in the process. It is important for students to learn to plan their time and resources so they don’t miss opportunities, take unnecessary risks or spend money recklessly.

Be mindful and respectful of commitments, if you commit to meeting a classmate for a study session at 8pm, do not show up at 8:30pm, do not “forget” and avoid cancelling at the last minute. When it comes to deadlines for class assignments and submissions, it is your job to remember the dates and have your materials ready on time. And make sure to build in buffer time for unexpected hiccups such as snowstorms or computer glitches.

Since Americans pride themselves on being hands-on and resourceful, and because hiring labor can be expensive, they attempt tasks that in India we would simply outsource. This includes things like doing laundry, painting a room, assembling a desk, hanging pictures on the wall or fixing up a broken down car. While you might turn up your nose at such “menial” jobs, step back a moment and consider the value of developing skills that require you to use your hands as well as the satisfaction that comes from doing things for yourself.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING

Take the time to meet people from outside your ethnic group or major course of study. One first year student at the University of light Southern California initially questioned his decision to live in the freshman dormitory versus the more luxurious international student apartments. But once he settled in, he realised that by choosing the dormitory, he had the opportunity to interact with a wider cross-section of people and learn how to manage life (and differences) on a busy dorm floor with shared bathrooms and common study areas. It also enabled him to immerse himself in the traditional US undergraduate experience, which is something that you can only really do once in life. He also learned about American football, which is often an experience that goes beyond the game itself; depending on your campus, there can be extensive rituals related to game-day parties, dress codes and spirit building activities.

Many Indian students are wary about heading to small towns for college, fearing that they will be isolated or lack resources. On the contrary, small towns offer a terrific opportunity to imbibe campus life without the distractions or expense of big city living. Further, small towns in America have most of the same high quality amenities such as grocery stores, movie theatres, restaurants and malls as bigger metros; so don’t fret about not having access to essentials.

Once you decide on a university, research opportunities to become involved. There are hundreds of clubs, groups and teams to join. Embrace this golden chance to learn new things, build leadership skills, indulge a passion or engage in meaningful dialogue. Ensure that you include time for adequate sleep and exercise; life is a holistic experience, make sure to nurture all aspects of yourself.

MONEY MATTERS

The US economy operates primarily on plastic, with credit and debit cards used to purchase almost everything. Cash is rarely used, especially on campuses, where most transactions are completed using a student ID card that is linked to an account with the university, while in India parents usually open and manage bank accounts, in the US, students will need to setup their own accounts, which typically have minimum balances, cheque-writing privileges and an ATM card.

FOOD

American culinary options are delightfully influenced by the diversity of ethnicities and cultures of the country. You might find Peruvian, Greek, Ethiopian, Southern Barbeque and Korean food trucks or restaurants on the same block. Embrace this opportunity to try a range of delicacies and perhaps find a new favourite. Remember to be very specific when ordering vegetarian food; Americans consider eggs to be vegetarian and fish is not considered “meat”. And ice is always served in drinks so if you don’t want it, make sure to tell your server.

“Big, big, big” is an American mantra and that couldn’t be truer than when it comes to food. Americans expect large portions of everything from French fries (not “chips”) and dessert to soda (not “cold drinks”) and nachos. Pay attention and moderate your intake, lest you find yourself putting on the famous “freshman 15” pounds during your first year of college.

Finally, meal times are much earlier than in India; breakfast is eaten between 6am and 9am, lunch between 11 am and 1pm and dinner between 5pm and 7:30pm.

TRAVEL

When a student has friends and relatives abroad, it can be easy to think they will be supervised in the same way they have been at home. Students’ schedules are jam packed with academic and social events, especially on weekends. So while jetting off every weekend to a new city or destination may sound appealing, know that this is rarely a reality.

At a Glance
University campuses are like melting pots, attracting students from different backgrounds and aspirations from across the US and the rest of the There will be new experiences to friendships to forge, as well as cultural faux pas to avoid.

Since driving is synonymous with American culture, secure a driver’s license before departing from India. Having a license will come in handy when using a car sharing service such as Zipcar or when borrowing a friend’s ride. If you don’t want to drive, know that taxis are not ubiquitous and can be rather expensive. Other ride platforms such as Uber and Lyft, however, are widely available, especially in college towns. Learn to use public transit – it’s usually faster and cheaper than private transport. And, as a bonus, it’s often free for students.

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Email is the preferred form of digital communication in the US. Americans check email regularly, using it as the primary way to plan or events or share information. WhatsApp, while headquartered in the US, is not widely used or even known; text messaging is more prevalent. Americans typically avoid calling others before 8am or after 9pm. So, if you do need to speak with someone, text first to check if it is okay to call. And, get used to voicemail; as annoying as it is to leave a message, voicemail is still a tool widely used in the US.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Banks, technology giants, retailers and other companies are eager to target and hook new customers, especially college graduates (or soon-to-be graduates). Scoop up the marketing freebies – food, t-shirts, cups and other merchandise – regularly given away on campus.

During orientation, many banks will approach first year students with unbelievable credit card offers. While a credit card is definitely a must, be careful to read the fine print – cards targeting the student population often come with low spending limits, high interest rates and many other restrictions. Be a smart consumer and shop around for the best deal.

Finally, when making a purchase, especially a pricey one, don’t jump at the first offer or product you see; do some research and you’ll discover that there is often a cheaper or more valuable option.

CONCLUSION

Studying in the United States can be an incredible experience for the student who plans ahead, has an open mind and is willing to ask for help. Embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture for a few years to gain another perspective on life.

Structured future

Abhineet Gupta, who received his Master’s in Structural Engineering from – Stanford University, US, on what a course in his chosen discipline involves.

I completed my undergraduate (UG) studies in civil engineering at IIT- Kharagpur. A degree in civil engineering includes structural engineering, hydraulic engineering, waste water engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and construction management.

Students who complete a UG degree in the field can opt for an internship or a job before joining a Master’s programme in Structural Engineering, a specialisation area of civil engineering.

As an undergraduate, I became interested in courses related to structural engineering, given structural engineers’ ability to impact the environment. I thus went on to pursue my Master’s in structural engineering at Stanford University in the US. At the Master’s level, universities and faculty have considerable autonomy in the choice of courses. Different universities have different focus areas. Students often select universities based on this focus. However, for structural engineering, the core courses at all universities include at least one advanced course in steel or concrete design, as well as an advanced course in structural analysis.

The West Coast is more prone to earthquakes, so the courses here tend to focus more on earthquake-related engineering. The institutions usually offer programmes in performance-based structural engineering, which is the state-of- the-art methodology for structural design.

On completion of a Master’s degree, the person can work with structural engineering firms to design and analyse buildings and other structures. S/he can also work with risk assessment firms or join a software engineering firm.

Financial aid is competitive in the US, given the reduction in federal funding in the country. Students can seek financial aid through research assistantships (RA) or teaching assistantships (TA) where students are paid for a certain number of hours they work for. Fellowships, on the other hand, do not generally require the student to work, but instead, require a regular progress report of a student’s research project.

After completing my Master’s degree, I am now pursuing a PhD in structural Engineering at the same university.

HEAD START
As an undergraduate, I became interested in courses related to structural engineering, given structural engineers’ ability to impact the environment. I thus went on to pursue my Master’s in Structural Engineering at Stanford University in the US.

USA: The ultimate MBA destination

MBA schools in USA, employ a dynamic approach to education, adapting their curricula to meet emerging trends and equip students with progressive skills.

The US is today considered as the top educational destination globally. It offers some of the world’s most prestigious universities and an excellent education, with a huge variety of degree courses at all levels, it is especially popular for international students wanting to study Master’s degrees. Applicants are usually required to hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic qualification. However, some Master’s courses will accept applicants with alternative qualifications and experience. Here, Master’s degrees are studied at graduation schools, unlike in Europe where they are usually studied at universities along with Bachelor’s degrees.

Education institutions in the US can be divided into three different types: State Universities, Private Universities and Community Colleges. Within these types, each college or university has a number of schools, for example, a School of Arts or a School of Business. Admission requirements vary between universities and colleges. Examinations are usually given once in the middle of the term and once at the end. Sometimes, students have to write a research paper or complete a project assignment towards their final grade. The Grade point average (GPA) is a common measurement of grade in universities and colleges in the United States.

Applying for a graduate degree in the US involves applying to the graduate school directly. One has to check the particular school’s website for the application procedure or contact the school directly.

SPECIAL FOCUS: MBA

As per the QS TOPMBA.com Applicant Survey 2013, nearly 65% MBA aspirants mentioned USA as their top choice. MBA schools in USA, employ a dynamic approach to education, adapting their curricula to meet emerging trends and equip students with the progressive skills necessary to succeed.

There are a number of factors that make USA an attractive MBA destination. There are ample career and growth opportunities for international students once they complete their degree.

TYPES OF MBA DEGREES

• Two-year Full-time MBA: These are suitable for participants with one-to-two years of work experience. Credits required for completion vary from college to college.
• Accelerated MBA: It is a variation of the two-year programme with a higher course load and a more intensive class schedule.
• Part Time MBA: It is suited for working professionals. Classes are held only on weekends or on weekdays after working hours. They usually last three years or more.
• Online MBA: Participants can study in the comfort of their own home and apply it immediately in their everyday work. There are only virtual classroom sessions, featuring exhaustive online and offline study material, online assignments and examinations.
• Executive MBA (EMBA): Suitable for experienced working professionals (with minimum 5 years experience), who cannot afford to take a prolonged period of time away from their career, it is delivered in a part-time format, over a period of 12 to 24 months, allowing participants to study while they work.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• 16 years of undergraduate education
• Average GMAT score: 724-732
• Minimum TOEFL score: 87
• Work experience: 2-3 years (some colleges may accept without work experience too)
• Average GPA: 3.30.

POPULAR/COMMONLY APPLIED COURSES OR SPECIALISATIONS

• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Information Management
• International Management

TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS

• Stanford University GSB
• Harvard Business School
• University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School
• University of California Berkeley Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

BEST ONE-YEAR MBA PROGRAMMES

• Johnson School (Cornell University)
• Kellogg School (Northwestern University)
• Goizueta School (Emory University)
• Marshall School (University of Southern California)
• HULT International Business School

There are a number of factors that make USA an attractive MBA destination. There are ample career and growth opportunities for international students. MBA graduates get much higher salary packages in comparison to students belonging to other fields. The diversity of the classroom helps international students to learn about business management activities of various countries. Excellent internship opportunities with local companies are an added draw.

Friends across frontiers

Fulbright grantee Farida Begum, pursuing her PhD at University of Michigan is researching how Bengali women interacted with each other even after partition.

I grew up in New York City and went to Barnard College for my undergraduate degree, where I double majored in history and Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, before joining University of Michigan for my PhD in History.

I have always been interested in gender history, and the more I studied South Asian history, the more I became fascinated with the region’s women who shaped histories. I first became interested in women in Bengal during an undergraduate class, a third of which focused on gender issues in India. Bengal was a central region in many of these debates. For my research, I am focusing mostly on the 20th century, from 1905-1965.

To fund my dissertation research, I applied to the US government’s Fulbright programme through the university. Fulbright grants fund recipients research or teaching abroad for six to 12 months. The application was fairly straightforward, and asked for a research statement, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

The initial process included meeting with a Fulbright committee at the university where a diverse group of professors provided suggestions on how to improve my application before it was sent for the national competition.

Currently in India, I have been collecting and reading Bengali women’s memoirs and autobiographies, while conducting oral histories with other women who lived during the period of my study.

To fund my dissertation research, I applied to the US government’s Fulbright programme through the university. Fulbright grants fund recipients research or teaching abroad for six to 12 months.

So far, I have discovered many fascinating women who have fallen through the cracks of histories since they were not necessarily from a prominent family or part of nationalist movements in Indian history. The women who patiently share stories of their past with me have been my favourite aspect of this journey.

My initial project was to trace women’s social interactions through letters. However, once in the field, I realised not many women saved their personal letters. Moreover, this kind of written material was not easily available in established archives. The difficulties of finding archival material for a historian meant I had to turn to other methodologies.

Oral history gave me the chance to both meet women who lived through the time period of my study and ask questions about their everyday lives that would not usually be visible in many books and archives.

One thing that constantly reaffirms my interest is the number of women who mention that their friends were often girls from communities different than theirs. Recently, a Hindu woman in her 90s told me she had few female friends, because most of her school friends moved to East Bengal/Bangladesh in the 1940s making it hard to stay in touch. She insisted that she and her Muslim friends freely visited each other’s homes and shared meals, something not always common for everybody in Bengal during that period. Another woman whose memoirs (published in the 1990s) I recently discovered, mentions that even though her family lived in Bangladesh after partition, she continues to be in touch with a school friend—whose family moved to Calcutta— from their days at Eden College in Dhaka in the 1930s. I hope I can one day present their lives and experiences to a broader audience.

After completing my research in India, I will conduct research in Bangladesh to write my dissertation so I can obtain my PhD in History.

MEMORABLE MOMENT
The difficulties of finding archival material for a historian meant I had to turn to other methodologies. Oral history gave me the chance to meet women who lived through the time period of my study and ask questions about their everyday lives that would not usually be visible otherwise.

The Liberal Arts way

Andrew Martin, Dean, College of Literature, Science and the Arts, University of Michigan, on how Liberal Arts education is gaining importance globally.

The US universities have been doing the Liberal Arts education for several years and now the model is being picked up around the world and also in India.

A Liberal Arts degree offers students the tools to adapt to new conditions. Studying the Liberal Arts means studying all of the ways that humans try to understand the world.

For the first couple of years, students take classes across the fields getting the breadth of Liberal Arts education. Then they take a deep dive in their third year in a subject of their choice and specialise in that subject. The top three majors at our school are Psychology, Biology and Economics.

The classes across the different academic fields encourage critical and interdisciplinary thinking. Doing this means that students can develop the skills to excel at whatever career they put their minds to pursuing. They develop the kind of mental flexibility that enables them to adapt as their fields shift and evolve, or to successfully change tracks and embrace new careers.

Liberal Arts students aren’t just prepared for their first job, they’re prepared for their eighth, or even their eighteenth.

The Liberal Arts give students some core competencies: clear and compelling communication skills, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and the ability to look at an issue from multiple angles. It expands their horizons and makes them more receptive and explorer kinds.

The numbers show that the Liberal Arts give graduates the skills they need to become innovators and leaders. Not surprisingly, a third of all Fortune 500 CEOs hold Liberal Arts degrees, and 55 per cent of world leaders hold degrees in either the humanities or the social sciences.

Our goal is to help international students to fully explore their interests and passions, and to give them an even greater advantage to thrive after graduation in work and in life.

At the end of the day, it’s the student who has to decide what she or he wants to do in career. Flence, it is important to give them the skills to do that, wherever that journey takes them in the future.

Freedom of choice

Kunal Kaushik, pursuing civil engineering, with minor in Computer Science and German at Vanderbilt University, US, shares his reasons for choosing a country that best suits his purpose of pursuing higher education abroad.

The US was my destination of choice since it is a place which made me feel more at home because of its diversity, if l kept USA universities on priority, it is also because of the sense of independence that one finds on campus. I have the freedom of pursuing my own interests and not feel under pressure to follow popular options. Also, American education emphasises not just on academics, but on sports and extra-curricular activities as well, for an all-around development. In addition, USA was more financially feasible for me, due to the competitive yet generous scholarships that American universities offer students, unlike other countries. There are also more opportunities to work at various on- campus jobs, which are fairly easy to get.

The focus is more on activity-based education, and that is the reason why many students start internships in their interest areas, right after the freshman (first year in college) year. Most importantly, there is a variety in the jobs that are offered to students, mainly because of the variety of interests that students have in the US. So everyone gets a chance to pursue jobs in their field of interest, rather than working simply to earn.

Throughout my process of applying to the US universities, EducationUSA was of immense help, providing me important information regarding the application and US universities in general. Eventually, I was offered admission at Vanderbilt University with a full scholarship.

American education emphasises not just on academics, but on sports and extra-curricular activities as well, for an all-around development. There is a sense of independence that one finds here.

A taste of the world

Shveta Raina, alumnus, Harvard University, and Founder and CEO, Talerang, on interning away from home and why it’s worth it.

The internship ecosystem in India is still nascent. Interns are often not taken seriously or given real, structured projects. They come and go as per their convenience, often secure internships through connections and are rarely paid fairly for their work. An internship here is often more of a resume building exercise than real work experience.

Things look different abroad for interns. When you’re working abroad, you will be given a structured role and a project to complete with deliverables. I first went abroad to study when I was 17, to Brown University in the US. Despite the temptation of home food and family time during my summer break, I was vehement about wanting to intern abroad. I ended up one summer in Paris at Euro RSCG C&O, a PR and Communications firm. Another summer was spent at New York at Goldman Sachs, working on the trading floor. Later on, during my MBA at Harvard, I interned at a Social Venture Capital firm called Endeavour in NewYork.

Despite the challenges of securing and completing the internship abroad, I would encourage students to step outside their comfort zone and fight for an internship outside India! Here’s why it will be worth it:

CONSIDER IT A TEST-RUN:

You can do a ‘test run’ both for the company and for yourself. It will allow you to figure out if the job is the right fit for you. I had to go through over 14 gruelling interviews for the Goldman internship, slept barely 4 hours a night all summer. I realised at the end of the summer that perhaps financial trading wasn’t for me. on the contrary, my internship at Endeavour was incredible and helped me realise that I would like the social enterprise space a lot! Additionally, getting a full time job abroad is not easy, with visa issues and increasing competition, securing a job internationally is only becoming harder with time. An internship allows you to prove yourself at a company so that they are convinced about hiring you.

BUILD RESILIENCE:

As an intern, you will be at the bottom of the work hierarchy and have to do a variety of tasks, some enjoyable and others not. This humbles you and makes you tougher. Interning abroad also requires you to manage your living, food and stay along with long working hours. Since the environment is unfamiliar and the culture is new, it will be more challenging and gives you a true taste of the real world. This will train you to deal with a variety of situations, preparing you not just for your career but for life ahead. In a foreign country where not too many – people know you, you start building your reputation from the ground up. You won’t always have a family member or best friend to reach out to for help and will have to figure things out on your own. I recall when I was living in Paris at 18, I had to figure out the public transportation system and communicate with locals in broken French to get around. There was a day when I took the wrong bus and had to eventually walk home. It surprisingly made me stronger because I did eventually find my way and doing so in a foreign country gave me an added sense of confidence.

OPEN UP TO EXPOSURE:

Interning abroad allows you to interact with people from diverse countries and cultures. It forces you to adapt to a different environment and new ways of working. I recall my time at Goldman Sachs NewYork as one of extremely fast-paced learning. It felt different being at a head office, surrounded by the decision makers of a global firm. Keeping up with them was a huge challenge and for the first time I felt like I was truly being pushed outside my comfort zone! For most multinationals, strategy is often defined abroad and then implemented at their offices across the world, interning at their global headquarters gives you exposure to best practice systems, processes and innovations, if you happen to be in an international hub like NewYork, London or Paris, you will likely also be surrounded by global leaders who are shaping the future of their organisations at a very large scale.

My internships abroad taught me that a 6-8 week stint with a company should be about more than just sitting around, interestingly, research shows that skill and competency training along with internships and practical exposure is they key to preparing students for the work world. I’m hoping that over time we create a strong internship ecosystem in our country too, and all the reasons to intern abroad are valid back home.

INTERN’S LIFE
Interning abroad allows you to interact with people from diverse cultures. It forces you to adapt to a different environment and new ways of working. You are actually pushed out of your comfort zone and given immense exposure.

Mastering the computer

Students who wish to make a career in computer science can opt for a Master’s degree upon completion of a graduation in the field.

After completing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, one can opt for a Master’s degree to hone their skills and knowledge. A Master’s degree also gives you an edge in the job market. Students who wish to make a career in the same can opt for a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Missouri State University, US.

COURSE DETAILS

The programme for each candidate will be structured by the candidate’s committee or advisor in consultation with the student, and will include at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit from courses numbered 700-799 inclusive. Students will get three options to choose from – thesis or project or course, only.

Students who opt for the programme can complete the same by writing a thesis or by undertaking supervised research or by undertaking qualified elective courses.

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in computer science will have an edge over others. Those who complete their undergraduate programme in related fields like Computer Engineering, Math, Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering will also be given preference. Candidates with an undergraduate degree in other fields can also apply with the stipulation that the course is completed prior to registration into a graduate course.

A GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale) for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work and a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA is required along with a combined score of 305 on verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Students also require a minimum score of 550 on the paper version, 213 on the computer-based, or 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum score of 6.0 on IELTS.

The course opens many avenues for the students. After the completion of the course, students can pursue a career in web developing, database administration, software developing, mobile computer application, software quality assurance or computer systems analysis.

Fees: $17,679 for international students
Scholarships: Students can apply for a MOGO scholarship or apply for student exchange programme.

With thousands of accredited US, colleges and universities in the United Stair”, how do you find the one that is right for you? EducationUSA Advisers around the world offtt Information, orientation, and guidances*you search for higher education institutions in the United States that fit your needs.

Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study

1. Research Your Options
   • Define your priorities
   • Learn about U.S. degrees and shortlisting criteria
2. Finance Your Studies
   • Develop a budget
   • Search for scholarships and other financial aid
3. Complete Your Application
   • Follow the application timeline
   • Fulfill application requirements, including tests
4. Apply for Your Student Visa
   • Understand the visa application process
   • Prepare for your visa interview
5. Prepare for Your Departure
   • Gather information about pre-travel requirements
   • Know what to expect on campus

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