Health Insurance for International Students in Abroad

Health insurance is not only a smart idea for international students to have but it can protect you from financial burden if an unexpected illness/injury should happen while studying in other country. Most students are young and healthy and will rarely have medical issues. But, it’s a smart idea to have a comprehensive medical plan in place to protect you.

Almost all Universities strongly encourage all students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage at all times. Easy, quick access to health care when and wherever needed is important for students to avoid disruption of studies. Furthermore, maintaining adequate health insurance coverage will prevent severe financial hardship should unforeseen major medical care be required due to accident or illness.

If you do not have health insurance, you may want to consider the optional policy the University has made available to enrolled students. It is a sickness and accident insurance underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company and administered by Student Assurance Services.

When evaluating your plan, you must verify the following:

ü  Lab tests and x-rays

ü  Prescription drugs

ü  Hospitalization (including room & board, physicians' fees and surgical expenses)

ü  Outpatient hospital services

ü  Mental Health care

ü  Emergency room care

ü  Intercollegiate sports injuries (for those participating, your insurance coverage must meet the required minimum coverage amount)

Having health insurance has many benefits. It protects you and your family from financial losses in the same way that home or car insurance does. Even if you are in good health, you never know when you might have an accident or get sick. A trip to the hospital can be much more costly than you might expect.

So, every student must have a health Insurance while studying in abroad.

GMAT Test Information

The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test, a standardized exam required by the majority of business schools to get the admission in Management programs because it provides a measure of an applicant's academic ability. The GMAT test does not include any questions that gauge your business knowledge.

Which countries use the GMAT Test?

The GMAT Test is used as a test of English and Mathematics at colleges and universities in the following countries:

USA

GERMANY

CANADA

Australia

New Zealand

The United Kingdom

And many other countries.

Where can I apply to take the GMAT exam?

You can apply to take the GMAT exam at any GMAT Administration Centre. For further details of your nearest centre, consult the GMAT official website:

https://accounts.gmac.com/Account/Register

How much does it cost to take GMAT?

The cost to take the GMAT exam is US $250 globally.

Where can I take GMAT?

There are many test centers around the world administer GMAT. Most test centers are run by the ETS Organization, or universities and language schools. Some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups by prior arrangement with GMAT. Contact your local examination center or visit http://www.mba.com/india/frequently-asked-questions/about-the-gmat-exam.aspx to find out where the nearest GMAT test center is located.

The GMAT consists of three main sections:

Section 1 – AWA: For the Analytical Writing Assessment, you will be asked to compose two 30-minute essays. The first essay will ask you to analyze a given argument; the second will ask you to analyze a given issue.

Section 2 – Quant: You have 75 minutes to answer 37 multiple-choice quantitative questions that come in two formats. Problem Solving questions (approximately 22 out of the 37 questions) are multiple choice math questions that ask you to solve for a specific value.. Data Sufficiency questions (approximately 15 of the 37 questions) ask you to decide whether or not you are given sufficient information to answer a mathematical question.

Section 3 – Verbal: You have 75 minutes to answer 41 multiple-choice verbal questions in three formats. Sentence Correction questions ask you to choose the most grammatically accurate sentence. Critical Reasoning questions demand that you assess the logic of short arguments. Reading Comprehension involves reading short passages and answering questions based on that particular passage. Each verbal question type comprises approximately one-third of the Verbal section.

Validity of GMAT: GMAT scores are valid for 5 years.

Scoring Pattern

ü  30-minute Analytical Writing Assessment (one writing task)

ü  30-minute Integrated Reasoning section (12 multiple-choice questions, most of which are multi-part)

ü  75-minute Quantitative section (37 multiple-choice questions)

ü  75-minute Verbal section (41 multiple-choice questions)

To know the format of GMAT test please follow this link

http://www.mba.com/india/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam.aspx   

http://sem.byjusclasses.com/gmatpreparation/preparation3 

http://landing.mba.com/

GRE Test detailed Information

GRE, The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a is the standardized test used to get admissions in various graduate schools or business graduate schools in various English speaking countries, especially the US and in some other parts of the world.

There are actually two GRE examinations.

ü  General Test: The General Test takes into account verbal reasoning, quantitative ability, and analytical writing skills. Almost all the universities accept the General test score and usually everyone opts for this test. It takes place round the year and you can choose your date according to your convenience.

ü  Subject Test: The Subject Test measures the achievement in a particular subject area or extensive background in that discipline. These tests are in the following areas: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature (English), Physics and Psychology. It is conducted on a fixed date for everyone, more on the terms of an entrance exam. Mostly none of the engineers go for this.

Which countries use the GRE Test?

The GRE Test is used as a test of English at colleges and universities in the following countries:

USA

GERMANY

CANADA

Australia

New Zealand

The United Kingdom

Where can I apply to take the GRE exam?

You can apply to take the GRE exam at any GREAdministration Centre. For further details of your nearest centre, consult the GRE official website:

https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register/centers_dates/

How much does it cost to take GRE?

Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country, United States, U.S Territories and Puerto Rico – USD$140 For other locations including India  is $175 which includes Evaluation Report and up to four official score reports.

Where can I take GRE?

There are many test centers around the world administer GRE. Most test centers are run by the ETS Organization, or universities and language schools. Some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups by prior arrangement with GRE. Contact your local examination center or visit https://www.ets.org to find out where the nearest GRE test center is located.

How long does it take?

The GRE consists of three main sections:

ü  Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts-30 Minutes/30 Questions

ü  Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis-40 Minutes/28 Questions-30 Minutes/30 Questions

ü  Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively-30 Minutes/25 Questions

ü  One Experimental Section (30 min)

Validity of GRE: GRE scores are valid for 5 years. One can request a rescore up to 3 months after your test date

Scoring Pattern

ü  The total (maximum) marks allotted in GRE is 340

ü  Verbal Reasoning on a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments;

ü  Quantitative Reasoning also on a 130–170 score scale with 1-point increment

ü  Analytical Writing score on a 0–6 score level, in half-point increments.

Official scores are mailed in 10–15 days after your test date and GRE scores are valid for 5 years. One can request a rescore up to 3 months after your test date.

To know the format of GRE test please follow this link

http://www.majortests.com/gre/

http://www.tcyonline.com/GRE-Preparation/

Detailed Information about IELTS test

What is IELTS, The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration.

It can conduct by 2 organizations 1. British Council. 2. IDP. There is no difference between them; you can attempt any of the two depending on the slots availability.

What is the IELTS Test for?

There are two types of IELTS Test:
1. General Training

The General Training IELTS Test is mainly used to test the English skills of people who want to further their careers by working in a country where English is spoken as a first language.   

2. Academic

The academic IELTS Test is mainly used to test the English of people who want to take further or higher education courses at colleges or universities in a country where English is spoken as a first language. Although this website covers aspects of the General Training IELTS Test, the focus of the site is to help people prepare for the Academic IELTS Test.

Which countries use the IELTS Test?

The IELTS Test is used as a test of English at colleges and universities in the following 

countries:
Australia
New Zealand
The United Kingdom
South Africa
Canada

Where can I apply to take the IELTS exam?

You can apply to take the IELTS exam at any IELTS Administration Centre. For further details of your nearest centre, consult the IELTS official website:

https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/Candidate-Registration1.aspx

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/book

How much does it cost to take IELTS?

Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country. Expect to pay around £115 GBP, €130 Euros or $200 USD.

Where can I take IELTS?

More than 800 test centers around the world administer IELTS. Most test centers are run by the British Council, IELTS Australia, or universities and language schools. Some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups by prior arrangement with IELTS. Contact your local examination center or visit www.iefts.org to find out where the nearest IELTS test center is located.

How long does it take?

The IELTS exam takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and consists of four Sub-tests in the skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

What is the IELTS test like?

You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and speaking sections.

The test has four sections:

1.    Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes

2.    Speaking - interview, 15 minutes

3.    Reading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes

4.    Writing - different for Academic or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes

This site also contains vocabulary tests, including practice tests for the academic wordlist, as well as grammar tests that are relevant to IELTS.

Level and scores

Multi-level. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.

When do I receive the results of my IELTS exam?

 You will usually receive your results within two weeks of the date of your test.

To Report the IELTS score to the Universities

You will receive only one copy of your Test Report Form (TRF), but IELTS will send a copy of your TRF to up to five (5) institutions or organizations free of charge through your IELTS organization.

To know the format of IELTS test please follow this link

http://www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare/free_ielts_practice_tests.aspx

Planning Higher Studies in Abroad

Many people have dreamt that they want to study their higher education in abroad to get more knowledge and to reach the international standards.

Study abroad programs have become a very popular option for U.S/UK/Canada/Australia/New Zeeland/Europe.

The key to a successful study abroad experience lies in the planning. Indeed, it is never too early to start; and some of the most successful reported study abroad experiences were by students who started planning during their first semester at abroad Universities. So, where do you begin? A good starting point is to ask you a series of questions.

The first questions you need to ask yourself will help you define what you expect or want the study abroad experience to be. Knowing what you expect and want out of a study program will help you pick the study abroad option or options that best suit your needs. As you move forward in the process, you might want to consider the following questions:

1. Why am I doing this to begin with?
2. What do I want to get out of this experience?
3. What is the best way of getting what I want?
4.  What do I hope to achieve?
5.  What do I want to study?
6.  What type of program am I looking for?
7.  When do I want to go?

After you have answered this series of questions, you will need to ask yourself the following question: In order for this endeavour be successful from both an academic and personal perspective, what needs to be in place?

This question can guide you in the development of a set of criteria by which to compare the study abroad options available to you.  As you develop this set, there are a variety of items you might want to include such as: cost, academic needs, size of city, size of university, living arrangements etc. The more complete your set is, the easier it will be for you to decide upon the study abroad option that best suits your needs. Questions that you may want to consider include, but are not limited to the following:      

 

Once you have given these questions some thought, you should start researching program options and meet with an adviser in Overseas Programs.

ü  Apply for a passport 

ü  Destination Country and University

ü  Research your destination's local customs, culture, and people

ü  Selecting Study Program

ü  Refresh your language skills

ü  Preparing required documents for Admission

ü  Start your Application process

ü  Search for Financial aid and scholarships

ü  Communicate with University people and students.

ü  Book your accommodation after getting offer letter from the University

ü  Arrange funds for the visa procedure

ü  Apply for the visa with passport

ü  Special needs

ü  Start Packing!

ü  Get Travel Insurance

ü  Buy a Plane Ticket to reach your destination

Why Study in Belgium

Belgiumis a small, highly developed and densely populated at the cross-roads of Western Europe. Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, as well as those of several other major international organizations such as N.A.T.O. The official currency of Belgium is Euro.

Here are many reasons to want to study in Belgium: world-renowned universities, excellent opportunities for international networking, famously multicultural and multilingual cities, a host of regional cuisines and specialties, beautiful countryside, overall high quality of life, and, of course, those fantastic Belgian waffles.

Most of the universities teaching applied sciences offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programs.

In addition to the above, there are diploma programs that are offered after the completion of the above.

The overall cost of education in Austria is low because of many provisions by the government of Austria.

One of the unique features that is rarely seen in other countries is that Belgium education is unrestricted in access even to stateless people.

Although most of the courses are taught in the English language, there are a few which are imparted in Deutsch/French.

With such facilities and incentives, it will be difficult for students to resist Belgium as a preferred destination for further studies.

Since the education system lays particular importance on research and practical aspects, there is overall encouragement to innovate and apply for patents more than anywhere else in the world.

The multitudes of questions that many students were regarded overall satisfaction among students, facilities for foreign students, etc. can be addressed to by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE).