However, the mindset of these American Dreamers has now shifted. To Indians, the U.S. is now associated with school shootings, racism, protests, crimes, and other negative aspects. Today, parents think twice before sending their children to the U.S. for higher education or job opportunities, regardless of their financial means. The number of Indian dreamers from 24 years ago has significantly dwindled to just a few thousand individuals.

Indian parents now prefer to educate their children in India, and this decision is indeed beneficial. It not only provides economic flexibility for parents and students but also helps retain the immense talent that the country has lost to the United States. While some may argue about the lack of opportunities and intense competition in India, consider this: would you rather live in a country with prevalent racism and discrimination or reside in a truly diverse nation with a varied work culture and growing opportunities?

As of 19 March 2024, nine Indians have lost their lives in the U.S., with one severely injured in an attempted robbery. Most of these victims were students; some murdered and others allegedly succumbing to hypothermia. Last year, a 23-year-old student named Jaahnavi Kandula from Northwestern University was killed by U.S. police officer, Kevin Dave, in Washington, when his car hit her at 120 mph. In later released footage, it was revealed that Officer Dave found the incident amusing and even remarked, “Just write a check.” Interestingly, in February this year, it was determined that he would not be charged due to a “lack of evidence”.

Reports indicate that the U.S. remains the preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with a staggering 35% increase in their numbers in 2023. However, it is important to note that while the U.S. is not inherently unwelcoming to Indians, instances of racism and discrimination have been experienced by not only Indians but also individuals from various ethnic backgrounds such as Native Americans, Hispanics, Blacks, South East Asians, and more.

It is crucial to recognize that these issues are not exclusive to the U.S., as racism exists worldwide, including in India, towards foreign tourists and residents. The severity of these problems escalates when racism transforms into hate crimes, murder, or even genocide. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has not wholeheartedly and comprehensively addressed these concerns. In many cases, punishments are not adequately enforced, and local police departments often overlook such incidents. When contemplating studying or working in the United States, it is essential to acknowledge these challenges. There is a high crime rate, but it is also the top choice for Indian and international students and workers from diverse backgrounds. These obstacles pose significant hurdles for those already present in the country.

The post The American Dream? Is it worth it? appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Whether you are preparing for the SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, we’ve got you covered. ULKA PADWALKAR’s expert tips will guide you through the test preparation process, effective study techniques, time management strategies, and proven methods for tackling different question types.

Are you dreaming of studying at a prestigious university abroad? The secret to achieving your goal lies in conquering standardized tests. Admissions officers place utmost importance on these exams, as they provide an objective measure of your academic skills and potential. But how do you prepare for these tests and ensure that you excel?

Importance of Standardized Tests in International Admissions

Standardized tests play a crucial role in international admissions. They provide admissions officers with an objective assessment of a student’s academic abilities and potential. These tests help universities compare applicants from different educational backgrounds and countries, ensuring a fair and standardized evaluation process. Moreover, standardized test scores serve as a common benchmark for admissions committees to assess the readiness and suitability of international applicants.

Regardless of your high school grades or extracurricular achievements, standardized test scores are often considered the most significant factor in the admissions process. Therefore, it is vital to understand the importance of these tests and approach them with a strategic mindset.

Preparing for standardized tests requires a significant investment of time and effort. However, a strong performance can open doors to prestigious universities and scholarship opportunities.

Understanding Different Standardized Tests: SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS

Let’s delve into the specifics of each test:

1. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): Primarily used for undergraduate college admissions in the U.S., the SAT assesses mathematical and evidence-based reading and writing skills. It focuses on critical-thinking and problem-solving, reflecting a student’s readiness for higher education.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post The Secret to International Admissions: How to Conquer Standardized Tests appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Trending doesn’t mean “in fashion”. It’s all about the courses which you study now and secure your career journey with, as these courses have peak requirements in employment across the globe. Develop the required skills at every step of life, keep upgrading your knowledge, and by doing so you will never go out of trend.

As Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Ensure that you are taking that first step in the right direction with the right guidance.

Here are a few in-demand courses that offer students more job opportunities, and finally, a lucrative career.

Technology

Ever-emerging technologies have become a part of our daily life, and as the future approaches, many more people will be required to handle these technologies. The digital revolution continues to enrich humans as technology progresses each day. The niche fields which will help students develop their skills in this domain are Machine Learning, Web Design and Application Development, Cyber-crime and E-investigation, Software Engineering, Digital System Technology and Embedded Systems, Semi-conductors technology, Big Data, Data Communication, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Data Scientists, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Network Security, Forensic Science, Wireless Communication, Computer Animation, Computer Networking, Computer Games Development, Computer Graphics, Multimedia, Image Analysis, Applied Computing, Mobile Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Bio-informatics, Micro-processing, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Robotics, Biometric Technology, Automation Technology, Cryptocurrency, Aviation Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, Aerospace Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Oil and Petroleum Engineering, Textile Engineering, Ecotechnology, Biomedical Technology and Food Technology.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post The World is Your Classroom: Trending courses you can study abroad appeared first on The Teenager Today.

In my teenage years, pursuing an education abroad was one of the biggest fantasies for me. I always thought achieving that dream needed a lot of money, but over time I realized that it was a necessity and the whole journey needed to start with the right guidance.

In 2021, despite the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as per UNESCO, 91% of Indian students showed an interest in pursuing their studies abroad. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), despite many visa-related issues, 2,61,406 students went abroad to pursue an education.

Rick Steve said, “If we want a new generation of leaders and innovators who can be effective in an ever more globalized world, sending our students overseas is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.”

Stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the biggest challenges, but the whole experience of studying abroad is valuable and worthwhile.

Education abroad broadly offers two types of benefits — personal and academic.

Personal Growth: Studying abroad makes you!

1. New Country and Culture

Adaptability and getting immersed in a totally different environment can be scary at first, but it will help you grow your self-confidence and independence. It also gives you an opportunity to explore places or countries around your university, to learn about local food, history, traditional music, sports and customs. You may also get a chance to experience your own culture or tradition through the eyes of other people belonging to another culture. This in turn broadens your world view and perspective.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Education Abroad: Necessity or Fad? appeared first on The Teenager Today.

After the gruelling experience of the pandemic, the world is opening, albeit slowly. Education abroad has been an aim for lakhs of students in India. Not all can successfully study abroad, regardless we can try. It is important to note that studying abroad is expensive and when you invest so much money you should be sure about the course and career you want to pursue. You should try not to study abroad if you have no plans to work abroad. Consult a career counsellor to discuss your option and evaluate whether it would be advisable to study abroad.

DARRYL D’SOUZA explores a few options that rank amongst the high-paying, up and coming careers in countries abroad.

USA

The United States of America has been on the list of every student at least once.

Mass Media: Hollywood and Broadway dominate the entertainment industry in the world in terms of revenue. To add to it, the television industry and the OTT platform have only given a boost to this industry. A career in photography, cinematography and journalism could serve your purpose in working with any top broadcaster.

Renewable Energy: The whole world is moving towards renewable energy and the USA is trying its best to come up with cheap alternatives to petroleum and other non-renewable energy sources. This has caused a rise in careers in the field.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Think Hatke! (Careers Abroad) appeared first on The Teenager Today.

“I believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.”

— The Dalai Lama

Scholarship committees have a massive responsibility and that is to distribute the money in such a way that diversity is increased in the classroom, stronger ideals are rewarded and the best students are encouraged to join a University. In this context, those students have an edge who have dedicated their leisure time to empowering people other than their own selves. The question young people ask is: “What can I do?”, “I am still learning myself?” However, each of us has the capacity to help another no matter what our age and/or ability. We all have our unique skills which can be used to benefit other people. For some of you it might be a language skill, for others it could be time and compassion or knowledge of everyday technology, etc. It really depends on how you utilize the skills you have and help make a difference in somebody else’s life.

How to choose the volunteer experience

Ideally, you want to volunteer in a community that you would genuinely like to impact. However, sometimes that may or may not be possible owing to the circumstances you are in. The important thing is to be consistent and work with a community for a long period of time. Being flighty and working a few weeks here and a few weeks there is not really looked upon as being dependable. So be consistent and do some intensive work in a setting to gain the full benefits.

The post Scholarships and Community Service appeared first on The Teenager Today.

“Play to your personal strengths” is what I always tell students who come to me for an answer to the eternal question whether academics matters more or extra-curriculars. The question is objectively almost impossible to solve as every admission and scholarship committee is different and their objectives of giving the scholarship are different. If academics is your strength then make that your key card and vice versa. There are certain skills that we acquire predominantly through academics like the ability to research, critical thinking, interpreting data, etc. But extra-curriculars, on the other hand, give you an opportunity to develop your soft skills like leadership, team skills, communication, etc. So probably maintaining a balance and working towards an all-round personality is what will benefit you the most in life as far as your long-term career planning goals are concerned. However let’s take a closer look at how extra-curriculars, especially sports, activities can hone your personality further and make you that much more unique.

Life Skills and Sports

When I say that “sports can really help build your character” I don’t really mean playing a sport in your neighbourhood without any routine, or attempt towards skill development or for that matter watching a game of soccer in the middle of the night! Watching a game passionately on TV (however big) is not really a symbol of your excellence. The true benefits of any activity, including sport, accrue when you try and push your talent to the limit and involve yourself in it as professionally as possible. So if you are interested in cricket make a local club, have a team, look for opportunities to compete, play with discipline, benchmark your growth, etc. Giving it your all whilst balancing your academics will help you pick up those essential life skills.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Enhancing your chances of getting a scholarship: Sports appeared first on The Teenager Today.

To study abroad with a full scholarship is a dream come true for almost everybody who decides to get into the game of applications to study abroad. So what differentiates those who manage to get the scholarship from those who don’t get the funding? Even though there is no one formula as scholarship winners are as much same as they are different. But let’s take a closer look at what may be some of the factors that could potentially convince an admissions committee to award the scholarship to one candidate over another.

1. Consistent Academic Record

There is no getting away from it. A steady performance in academics demonstrates to the admissions committee that a candidate is dependable and hardworking. So if you are in school/college and reading this do make sure that you study hard and maintain good marks. Do apply for those Olympiads and work towards them as every attempt to reach the state or the national level will strengthen your academic foundation and take you further in your quest for success. However, if due to any reason your academics take a dip, address it in your application. For instance, if one year your academics dipped because you lost focus and did not study that hard, mention what you learned from that experience in your application. The admissions committee does not expect candidates to be perfect but they are curious to assess how the candidate has coped with the situation.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Enhancing your chances of getting a scholarship: Academics appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Rahul came to my office to discuss his rejection slips from several universities — puzzlement and disappointment written all over his face. All he kept saying was: “Where did I go wrong?”

There are several pieces to the puzzle that makes an application — the reference letter, the statement of purpose, standardized test scores, etc. Very often we look at our scores and feel complacent about the other aspects of an application. “After all, with scores like that a committee would be crazy to reject me!” Right? I’m afraid that’s wrong! The scores, the percentages are only one of the few concrete pieces that complete the puzzle. The subjective pieces like the reference letter and the statement of purpose provide vital data which make or break the application. Coming back to Rahul, his grades were great but the language of his statement of purpose (SOP) left much to be desired. There were careless mistakes and abbreviations strewn all over. So what could have been a great application sitting in the accepted pile reached the rejection pile instead.

Let’s take a closer look at what went wrong in Rahul’s SOP:

SMS Language vs Formal Language: When we send out a SMS or a WhatsApp message, most of us are used to using terms like ‘y’ to represent ‘why’ or ‘atm’ to represent ‘at the moment’ or ‘cu’ to represent ‘see you’. However, when we write a formal essay or a sample of writing it is unacceptable to use SMS like abbreviations. Some of you might roll your eyes at this but the admissions committee needs to know that you are familiar with English and can write an assignment in the same. Even though an IELTS or TOEFL is part of your application we are still light years away from SMS language being acceptable in the academic world.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Sidestep basic pitfalls in writing a Statement of Purpose appeared first on The Teenager Today.

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is probably the most challenging and exciting part of an application. It probably makes you, the applicant, most nervous before starting to write. Yet once it is well written it can bring out your personality and give your application a boost like nothing else can. The statement of purpose is an important component of your application. It is an opportunity for the admissions committee to know you personally as an individual rather than just as a number as indicated by your marksheets. You have complete control over this essay; how exciting is that! You can use the opportunity to talk about the aspects that have influenced your career path, your academic interests, etc. This is your opportunity to explain if there are any gaps or tangents in your background which cannot be understood from just numbers.

Learning from academics and achievements

There is no set rule whether this should be chronological or as per its importance. The aim of the SOP should be to highlight your unique achievements in academics. However please don’t leap from one year to the other and back again. If you are going to share the importance of high school then do so in completion before you move to college and then internship or job. However, if you think that something that happened in Class 12 defined you, then yes, start with that and then go back and share an experience in Class 9. The SOP is your personal work and it needs to stay true to what you feel is important. For instance, you could mention any specific assignments or projects that you have done in a related area, if you have read any books that can highlight your interest in the topic. Any special seminars you have attended would also find a special mention here. It is important that you highlight what specifically you learned from the book/project mentioned.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Statement of Purpose for International Universities appeared first on The Teenager Today.