July 2020

“Studying abroad can be a tough, challenging and excruciatingly expensive decision but imagine how even more complicated things can be when married, have two beautiful kids, a stable job and a house to call home? nn My story is all about living life with No Regrets. Hi, I am Don Bosco, currently pursuing Master in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand and former HOD Political Science at Holy Child School, Tagore Garden. nn When I decided to leave for New Zealand, all I knew was that I wanted a better future and standard of living for my family and have no regrets for not trying. I decided to go alone first, try to settle and figure out things. Initially, everything was terrifying. My wife and kids were staying alone back in Delhi on rented accommodation, and other family members were not very supportive of our decision to leave a permanent job and move abroad. Apart from this, being an Indian, we are in the habit of mingling around, be it in our neighbourhood or workspace, but here, things are different. People are welcoming but coming home to an empty apartment, and no one to talk to or share the day in and out experiences can be tormenting. n nn I had always heard from students and friends studying abroad about how difficult it is to manage studies and a part-time job, but now, I was living that kind of life. The best thing about working part-time was that the salary is credited in the bank account every week. Also, one of the tasks I had upon my shoulders was looking for the right kind of accommodation as I am a family man and wanted to bring my kids and wife overseas in some time. As a Bachelor, you can adjust with any accommodation but being with a family guy, you have to look into all kinds of aspects. nn Master in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Canterbury is a Level 09 course which allows an immigrant to stay back in New Zealand for three years post completion of the course. The course emphasis is on high-end research and consists of almost eight to nine sessions with the faculty per semester. It also includes Research proposals and dissertation. So at the moment, I am researching Indo-China relations and studying about Fiji-India relations and Human Rights. International relations do not possess a fixed extension but is continuously changing with context to the global political environment and current nation-state undertakings. The methodologies used for study can focus on data and methods that are valid today but may not be undercurrent later. So, we can say that the course is extremely dynamic in nature and study. We have also been appointed a Supervisor to help map our progress from time to time and provide with necessary suggestions, guidance and mentorship wherever needed. nn In India, we learn by cramping from books or by making notes, but here everything is very technologically advanced. I witnessed a significant leap in technological advancements from the time I was in college. No one carried heavy fat books to the classes but tablets or laptops to study from. On top of that, our course covered a skilled trip to ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs’, and later we even got a chance to meet Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Winston Peters. The trip gave us an insight onto how things work at ground level and were very encouraging. n nn There are plenty of job opportunities available in New Zealand and that too if you have a particular skill set with a professional degree. When my wife joined me after five months, she found a job within fifteen days in one of the leading Australian companies. With her working fulltime and me working part-time, we were able to manage our expenses easily. Our monthly expenditure is around 700 to 800 NZD for rent and 350 to 400 NZD for food and other essential utilities. As far as education and health facilities are considered, they are provided by the Government of NZ, which is an additional benefit of moving here. nn My advice to the people planning to move abroad would be to do thorough research, make the internet your best friend and invest smartly. It is the decision of a lifetime. Also, Stop running after money and start chasing your passion as later in life you may not get up with a chance to pursue them”. nn Mr Don Bosco was previously also awarded with a ‘Letter of Appreciation’ by Smriti Irani, former Minister of Education for commendable performance by his students in class XII boards. nnn

Medicine is one of the toughest courses to get admission in any part of the world. It demands dedication, hard work and a lot more practice to receive the license. For years, it has brought about revolutionary changes which has saved a billion lives and helped us to understand human anatomy better. It is one of the noblest professions where, after saving lives, doctors are treated next to gods. The field allows them to stay close to innovation and technology and at the same time is vast in the study. nn Medicine is one of the toughest courses to avail admission in the United Kingdom. They have close competitive entry, limited seats and expensive fee structures. The first round of admissions have already begun, we have received a lot of questions from Indian students and parents about the scope of studying medicine in the UK and the application procedure. As a result of this, we would love to answer them all for all the aspirants. nn Why study medicine in the United Kingdom? nn British medical education system is renowned for its teaching methodologies, experiences with experts and researchers in the field that helps aspiring doctors to develop to their fullest potential. It is also home to the world’s leading universities along with the research centres and facilities. Apart from this, one of the most significant benefits of studying under the UK Medical system is that anyone can start learning on turning 18, and there is no need of attaining any other specific degree to start. nn What career paths can one take post studying medicine in the United Kingdom? nn As suggested before the medicine is a vast field with plenty of options available like Anaesthetist, Cardiologist, Clinical Radiologist, General Physician doctor, Neurologist, Ophthalmologist, Pathologist and Surgeon. nn What are the requirements for Admissions for Medicine in the UK? n n UCAS: It is a universal application form through which everyone applies for undergraduate admissions in UK universities. Through UCAS, a student can generally apply for five universities, but when making an application for the medicine, one can only choose four. n n UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test): It is an online test designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. UKCAT is a part of the selection process for some UK Medical and Dental schools. The details on how to apply, deadline and what all universities accept the UKCAT scores are available at ,,https://www.ucat.ac.uk/. n n BMAT and IELTS: BMAT again is an entrance test and is accepted by a limited number of universities. (For further details related to the registration process, you can contact us). As far as IELTS is concerned, a minimum score of Band 7 is essential with no less than 7 in each segment. n n Note -A student can register for UKCAT and BMAT, but it can be a time-consuming preparation as the exam patterns are different. Also, since one can only apply for four universities, it is easier to select one standard test and then register for the same. Also, for BMAT you need to be registered by your nearest centre of examination or school and for UKCAT you can register for the exam yourself. n n Application deadline: The application deadline for UCAS medicine students are reserved and for those who wish to apply for Oxford or Cambridge should always keep in mind that they can apply for one university only, i.e., either Oxford or Cambridge. The final date to register for UKCAT and to apply for medicine in the UK is 15th October for the preceding year of the academic cycle. For example, the deadline for the admission cycle of September 2021 is 15th October 2020. n Seats for International students: Each year there is a seat allotment at various universities for International students. It is highly advisable to find out the number of seats available for International students and choose universities with a higher chance of admission. n Interview calls: Once scores are out and apt as per the university standards, the students are invited for a face to face interview in December and January. Time management is the key here as January is also the time for Pre Boards in India. So, a student should plan accordingly. Also, remember there are no fixed scores as they fluctuate every year as per the average performance. n n Getting admission to medicine in the UK can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Everything needs to be done and prepared as per the deadline. Also, we would highly recommend students to start taking mock tests for BMAT and UKCAT well in advance to see which one is more comfortable with and prepare accordingly. nn How is the Program Delivered? nn The Program delivery is into two sections per se, Pre-Clinical and Clinical study. The first and second-year compromise of being the in classroom /lab studies and understanding human anatomy and dissections. From the third year onwards, patient interaction begins, which is carried out under Clinical rotation of doctors or under professors supervision. Also, from the third year onwards students start working on their license exams and exploring different specialisations to suit their needs. nn List of universities that offer medicine in the UK: n n ,,University of Aberdeen n ,,Aston University n ,,University of Birmingham n ,,University of Bristol n ,,Cardiff University n ,,University of Dundee n ,,University of East Anglia n ,,University of Edinburgh n ,,University of Exeter n ,,University of Glasgow n ,,Hull York Medical School n ,,Keele University n ,,King’s College London n ,,University of Leicester n ,,University of Liverpool n ,,University of Manchester n ,,University of Newcastle n ,,University of Nottingham n ,,Plymouth University n ,,Queen Mary, University of London n ,,Queen’s University Belfast n ,,University of Sheffield n ,,University of Southampton n ,,University of St Andrews n ,,St George’s, University of London n ,,University of Warwick n n For more clarification/information or consultation, please write to us at moweabroad@gmail.com. Students or parents

It takes a lot of convincing, dedication and hard work to reach your goal. Every day you feel like giving up, but your goals and dreams keep you going. Today, we bring you the story of Jasleen Kaur, MSc Finance from University of Miami and class of 2020. It was Jasleen’s dream to study in the US, and she was confident enough not to let anything break it. nn “It took a lot of convincing and preparation to come to the USA. One reason for the same can be the fact that I am a single child, and my parents have always been overprotective about me. It was the first time I was travelling alone and that to miles away. Initially, it took much emotional strain to make this decision, but once it was final, I started by preparing for the GMAT exam as achieving the right scores meant getting through a good college. I did a lot of self-study and used various YouTube Channels like MagooshGRE. It was of great help and later, I got ‘Offer letters’ from four different universities, including the University of Miami. nn Since I was a city girl and transition from one city to another is comparatively easy, I selected to study MSc Finance at the University of Miami. The course was an amalgamation of compulsory and electives subjects. It gives you a chance of selecting the right combination and preparing for the necessary skills. I even scored a scholarship worth $20,000, and it gave my dream a big boost as studying abroad can be a tad bit expensive without a scholarship. n As far as living in Miami is concerned, it has the most beautiful beaches, trendy nightlife and exuberant daylight. The environment in and around the city is super friendly and safe. Living in the city costs around $1300 to $1500 per month. Also, it is always better to stay off-campus as it is comparatively cheaper. The first few months are typically tricky. I experienced cultural shock and missed home so much that I came back to India after the first four months for almost a month but again, going back was even more difficult. It emotionally drains you to leave your family and go miles away, but then I knew that I have to make my decision of studying in the US successful and my parents proud. n The University of Miami has a Cultural society that celebrates every festival with greater joy and enthusiasm. Slowly and steadily, I made way in and celebrated all Indian festivals, including my first Diwali away from home. These little steps made me realize how long I have come. It even gave me a sense of pride and memories to cherish for a lifetime. Now, I have a home away from home and friends like family. nn The best part about studying here is that everything is online. It’s just you and your laptop. There is no need for carrying heavy books or relying on them. The university also arranges a lot of practical sessions, group projects and guest lectures by people of the same industry. One important tip for people planning to take their appliances with them: ‘Don’t!’. These appliances are incompatible with the electricity plugin and do not work. So it’s ideal to buy appliances from the US (only if you plan to stay for a more extended period). n Since I’m in the class of 2020, I had a virtual graduation ceremony recently. Thanks to Corona but honestly speaking, this situation has a crippling effect on the USA’s economy and the job market. Also, with Trump’s ‘No outsider Policy’, the situation might get worse. Here my university tries to help its students by posting job openings on their webpages, but it too has reduced. It’s not like there are no jobs left; instead, the vacancies have reduced, and the chances of selection are grim. Nevertheless, we cannot lose hope. When one door closes, God automatically opens the next door for us. n I would recommend every person to at least try once for studying or working away from home. This experience has changed me as a person. From being the most pampered child at home, I become the most independent and confident person. Even my friends here rely on me for every kind of support. In the end, it will always be about pushing and venturing beyond your limits”.

Ever dreamed of sharing the same stage as Ivy League students or wondered about studying at USC and wearing its sweatshirt? If yes, then MOWE is here to give this flight a push to fulfil the desire of hundreds of students wanting to study in their dream university at the United States Of America. Given below are seven ways to ace the chances of selection and be ready to land: nn 1) Aptitude Test. n An Aptitude test plays a crucial role in securing admission at the desired University with the help of an upstanding scorecard. A student needs to prepare well in advance (at least three to four weeks prior) for the same. Preparation for any Aptitude test or competitive exam requires a lot of hard work, determination, dedication and patience. nn “A dream does not become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” ~ Colin Powell, former U.S. Defense Secretary nnn 2) The right number of applications. n Many students usually are in a dilemma of deciding the ideal amount of application one should consider making when it comes to the States. After discussing it with a lot of international students, MOWE would recommend aspirants to apply in six universities at the maximum that too based on one’s profile. The reason for the same is that costing of an application comes at a high price, and it is not at all sensible to go bonkers. nn 3) Categorising universities. n Ideally, there are three ways to categorise these universities based on the quality of the application the University will launch: n Dream University – List two dream universities. n Reach of the University – List two target universities based on the profile which includes Scores, SOP’s, LOR, Resume, details about Extra-Curricular activities, Social Work, and GMAT/SAT/ACT ranking. n Safe Section- This should include accessible or fall back universities, which are a guarantee. n n 4) Exploring the Universities. n What one should search for while looking for a university should be based on the following factors: n Quality of Education. n Professional Accreditation and other facilities of the course. n The pool of faculties teaching at the University. n Location of the Campus n Job market or work environment offered after the course. n The practical component of the course. n Ranking of the course> Ranking of the University. n n 5)Timely Application. n Usually, the application for the U.S. is open a year before the commencement of the academic cycle. For example, for the fall of 2021, aspirants must start processing his/her application by the fall of 2020 to ensure a timely offer. nn 6) Apply for scholarships. n A timely application is directly proportional to having ample time to applying for various scholarship programs and being considered for them. nn 7) Accepting an offer. n What most students take for granted is ‘Accepting an offer’.There is a timeline associated with accepting the offer and also, early acceptance suggests a higher chance of landing a good scholarship. Kindly note that this, however, does not guarantee a scholarship but increases a student’s chances of scoring the scholarship being slightly higher than that of the others. Also, for the States, one can accept multiple offers and get multiple I20 forms but has a window to apply for a visa for one University only. nn 8) Filling the visa on time. n If everything is ready and decided, try to apply for a visa on time as getting an appointment is a time-consuming process, and they have a long waiting list. Another reason why it is better to apply on time is the cost of airfare. Do not wait too long to book tickets or might end up spending a hefty amount (At times costing to one lakh rupees). nn Throughout this process, there might be anxiety about uncertainty and fear of failing but keep pushing to keep going. After all, we never know how close we are to succeeding if we quit then. n