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Every year lakhs of students compete for the highly competitive NEET examination. Our aspiring candidate too appeared for NEET but missed the opportunity to pursue Medicine in India by just a few marks. She then decided to follow her dream at a place where one would not have thought conventionally, for higher education. This story is about Dr Archita Gupta, who with her persistence and determination, have let no hurdles stop her from making her dream come true. n n “When my score came, I knew it would be highly competitive to get a seat for MBBS in India, and I was not at all ready to compromise on the field of Medicine. It was at that time that I practically considered studying at Southern Medical University (SMU), Guangzhou, China. My parents being doctors themselves were highly supportive of my decision. China is known for its high technological advancement in the field of medicine. Also, being an Asian country the medical standards were quite similar to the Indian standards of Medical education making me eligible to practice in India. The education there was way cheaper than any other developed nations and India. The country also offers additional scholarships at school, provincial and country-level based on one’s academic performance. It was a fair opportunity for all the students irrespective of their origin to compete for the scholarship and win them based on their hard work. I was awarded the ‘Outstanding International Student Scholarship’ for all my academic years. These felicitations encouraged me to work more diligently and broaden the horizon of my professional credibility. n n The session each year starts in September with the total duration, of course, being five years with an added year of internship. The first two years of study include ‘Para-Clinical subjects’, and last three years, ‘Clinical Subjects’ which are inclusive of in-class lectures and hospital orientations. In those three years, we cannot do direct dealing with patients which is the same as in India. It is only during the internship that we are allowed to be in charge of the patients. The medium of my education was in English. However, we did learn Mandarin as it is a crucial learning component for long term survival in the country. As far as the faculty at SMU was concerned, I was highly blessed. They provided much-needed support and assistance to get proficient with the language, acclimated with the culture and weather. They made sure our curriculum was not hectic during the first three months giving us plenty of time to adopt a new language. n n China is not an easy country, so if anyone decides to go there, they have to go with a hard shell. I came here with a promise to myself. Along with learning what I came here for, obviously, I wanted to enjoy my college years to the fullest and work judiciously to grow as a person. I will not deny that food in China can be a problem for many, but you will have to accommodate to make your life easier. One has to take an active initiative to adapt and adjust in a new environment. Within three months in this enchanting land, I fell in love with the country’s oldest continuous civilization, its unique culture, food and customs. Also, initially, when I landed in China, it was pretty shocking because of the language barrier. As a result, I felt a bit bound but at SMU there are ‘Volunteers’ that help the newbies settle in the country and also take them on city tours in the initial months. My experience with them was extremely cooperative and hospitable. We even have a Psychology department at SMU that regularly keeps a check on the mental state of students to understand their coping mechanism with curriculum, language, culture and various other latent factors, which could otherwise abate the efficiency of students. The university provides accommodation for all five years. Nevertheless, some students still did opt for outside accommodation. In my opinion, living on campus helps one to grow culturally, explore and engage with more ethnicities. n n For visas, unlike other countries, China does not require you to show your living cost. However, China issues only study visas and not work visas along with them. Also, the visas are bound to be renewed every year based on your academic performance and college attendance. During my first visit, I was issued a visa for 30 days. After completion of an admission procedure, I was allotted a Visa sanction for one year. For healthcare of international students, one has to get mandatory healthcare insurance with their visas. If one falls sick, they have to pay the price upfront for the medical facilities. Once they have the bills in their hand, they can file for an insurance claim, and the due amount is later reimbursed in their accounts. If it is a scheduled surgery, then you can get the money directly credited to the hospital account from insurance firms. n n Another thing that I liked about China was that during my stay, there was quite a bit of conflict between the two countries. However, I never came across any discrimination because of that towards me. There was zero hostility. The Chinese government makes sure that the crisis between two governments does not in any way affect its citizens and students, and I think it is of prime importance. In my opinion, despite the stigma it carries, China is a very open and welcoming country. Everyone is treated fairly irrespective of the caste, colour, region, religion and faith. However, yes, you are not allowed to practice and propagate religion publicly. In terms of global ethnicities, the University accommodates students from across the globe and from various walks of life. It gave me a chance to meet and share the roof with students from around the world and cherish diversity. The city is also home to many expats. nn Early in those days, Android Phones just entered

Find out how Kirandeep chiselled her way to becoming a national-level gymnast. We bet that many of you are not aware of ‘Rhythmic Gymnastics’ as a sport. So, today we bring for you a promising and motivating experience of a sportsperson who through her hard work, determination and focus made a name not only for herself but also for the sport. Without further ado, let us quickly read how Kirandeep has made way for the future gymnasts in India.n n“I started playing the sport at a very young age as my parents were gymnasts too, but I perused it only as a hobby. It was only in class 11th that I decided to change my school, and the sport became my identity. The sport brought me exposure in terms of travelling to different cities for competitions and meeting new people.nn The journey has not been comfortable, in any case. When I started, I found out that there are no professional coaches available in India for the sport, but I did not give up. I trained myself through YouTube videos for straight three years. I dreamt of participating in Commonwealth games, but I knew that without any professional training, my dream would remain a dream as I lacked confidence, technique and poise. So, in 2017 I came across a training program in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and I decided to pursue it. The camp was free of cost, but one had to bear the cost of accommodation and travel. It was only after this program that I came across the proper techniques required for Rhythmic Gymnastics. The course involved an intensive training program with practices and test schedules that barely gave one any time to breathe. I saw a drastic change in my performance and realised the lack of awareness around the sport in India. n nDuring the 2018 Commonwealth Games, I had a fair chance of selection and representing India at the International level but then came a blow from the organising committee. They put a cap on the number of participants to 500 inclusive of Physiotherapists, Doctors, Coaches and Helpers. Rhythmic gymnast being one of the least touched upon sports, had only one seat for the participant and that too without a Coach. The seat was allotted to our most deserving senior player. n nPost this experience, I took this as the mission to become a Certified Coach for Rhythmic Gymnastics. I decided to further continue the training with the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) – the governing body of competitive gymnastics around the world to become a certified International Rhythmic Gymnastics coach. This is again a week-long intensive session with 30 female participants across the globe. We had to appear for four exams inclusive of one theoretical subject. When I saw other candidates, I realised that India lacks way behind in professional coaching for the sport. I was the youngest there, least experienced in the groups and scared out of my wits. The most challenging part of the entire experience was when I had to coach Russian children who only knew how to speak in the Slavic language. However, I managed and got my certificate of Level 1. Now I can train adults and kids. I had to appear for Level 2 this year, but due to COVID-19, everything has been delayed. n nPresently, I am training toddlers, senior athletes and international players. I also do sessions with summer schools and try to spread awareness about the sport. I believe that Indians have a talent for the sport, but it all goes unnoticed as there is no one to identify and polish it.nI further look forward to changing this situation and spreading awareness to the best of my ability”. n nTeam MOWE on behalf of the citizens of India, request the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India to encourage Rhythmic Gymnastics as a sport in India and create a provision for proper training facilities. The talent for this beautiful sport should not go unrecognised. Also, anyone who is interested in training for Rhythmic Gymnastics can contact Kirandeep through mail or DM her on Instagram. (Mail: kirandeeprg@gmail.com; Instagram Handle: kirandeeppabla). n n

n Today we bring you another story from The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Also, called the land of the mystical culture of Maori Tribe. The experience is about Rohan Khanna, alumni of IP University who decided to try his luck in New Zealand. Let’s read what he has to offer you all from his experience. n nn “After my graduation in 2019, I knew I wanted to move abroad for my further education but did not know where. I applied at various universities in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand but later on decided to stick to New Zealand only. In New Zealand, I applied at the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Waikato University and Victoria University. I was interested in LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law, which is a Level 9 course in NZ and provided me with the advantage of 3 years of stay post completion of LLM. It was the primary factor why I decided to go to NZ and also, the fact that immigration policy is comparatively more straightforward. n n I got offers from various universities but chose the University of Auckland as it is one of the most prominent universities with law school right across the main campus and highly reputed. Also, it accommodates students from various ethnicities which made it an International university in real sense. The duration of the course is approximately ten months for international students and is highly intensive research. The best part was that it did not require work experience as entry criteria and offered flexibility to choose the research topics (at least 4) of their interest. I chose commercial law as my field of research due to my previous experience in Intellectual Property Law. Also, since the degree is research-oriented, my grades depend upon projects, research material, dissertation and submissions. In future, I wish to register myself with the Bar Council of New Zealand as a solicitor. For the same, one needs to get their degree approved by the bar council and then appear for the necessary exams. Although, I plan to apply for the exam after attaining the work experience as an Advisor. The basic salary offered to an NZ Advisor is 50-55000 NZ dollars per annum at the beginners level. n n The process for the visa is straightforward. I had to pay my entire tuition fee in one go at university. The only issue I faced was the waiting period. I applied somewhere in December, and my visa arrived in February. So the waiting period was around two months and quite tedious. I highly advise people to apply for an NZ visa for at least two months in advance. It usually does not take this much time, but you never know. New Zealand is a very welcoming country. The flight to NZ takes around 18 to 19 hours, which was very difficult for me to bear. The first phrase I learned upon reaching here was ‘KIA ORA’, meaning ‘Hello’ in the Maori language. One can experience a bit of cultural shock, but that does not last long, especially in a country like NZ, where the presence of Indian culture is in abundance, and people too are friendly. There are plenty of Indian restaurants in NZ and especially in Auckland. To name a few Paradise Restaurant, Shubh Restaurant (in Auckland suburbs). Near the campus area too, the restaurants are cheap, and there are also many places where you can get special student discounts and affordable lunch options like a platter in 5 NZD. In Sandringham, we have a South-East Asian market where you get a mix of Asian foods and grocery shops owned by Indians. Here you can find the Indian masalas as well. n n I am currently in India as I came for vacations before the lockdown was announced. Now, there are travel restrictions between the two countries due to the Pandemic outbreak, but I will be travelling soon once the limits are removed. I am too excited to go back and see what is next in store for me there”. n nn

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed in September each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. To create awareness on the same, MOWE in collaboration with Fortis Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences is organising a Webinar on ‘Mental Health of an International Student’, and would like to extend the invitation to all University students, Academicians and Parents. Over a while, our team has witnessed International students go through substantially higher levels of Mental pressure due to the new environment, different culture, language barriers along with homesickness and anxiety. The pressure passed onto them upon reaching a new country is high and even higher during the Pandemic outbreak. At such timespan, a student feels doomed, low on energy and trapped by a burden of their future. As a result, we at Team MOWE think that there is a dire need to create awareness about Mental Health and also, to be well versed with ‘Measures to cope up with Mental Health issues’. n n The event will be conducted by Nishtha Narula, Lead- Counselling Psychologist, Fortis Healthcare. Fortis Healthcare Hospitals are amongst India’s Top leading and most prestigious hospitals, especially for ‘Mental Health’. n n The details for the Webinar are as follows: n Date – 18th September 2020. n Time- 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM IST. n Topic- Mental Health of an International Student n Registration link: https://forms.gle/12p7KYypDUQqn53s5 nn Don’t miss the chance to have a one on one interaction with Dr Nishtha Narula through the Webinar. nn Make mental health a priority. n

There is a little or no idea about what happened with students during the pandemic outbreak and especially with those students, who travelled abroad for higher education just before the lockdown was announced. nn Today, we share the experience of a person who started with University precisely before the lockdown. Let us read her first-hand experience and see what surprises awaited during this new phase of her journey in the beautiful landscape of NEW ZEALAND. n n “Hi, guys. I am Sambhavi Mehtani, an LLB from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, IP University. I am currently pursuing LLM in International Law from the University of Auckland. I was previously working as a Legal Researcher at the High Court of Delhi’. n n When I decided to continue my education journey abroad, New Zealand was my top priority because of the quality of education offered. Also, I opted for LLM in International Law as I did not wish to restrict myself to one nation. The application process was pretty simple and catered mainly to the academic background. Post application, it approximately took a month to get an offer from the University. Trust me it was a nerve-wracking experience considering that I had only applied at the University of Auckland. I got my conditional visa shortly and post-completion of other formalities, the final visa was also provided by New Zealand authorities in a short period. My advice to those planning to study in New Zealand, make your Visa SOP up to the mark. Every little detail matters but those details should be well constructed in the SOP. The New Zealand Immigration Department is super diligent, so be sure to mention all the right details! n n As soon as I landed in February 2020, the lockdown process was initiated. My entire first semester was Online. I did not stand a chance to interact with other classmates or take that in international class experience. In fact, after a while, it all got mechanical. Things become a little worrisome, especially when you have a baggage of expectations. When I was travelling, I was utterly excited about the University, Country, meeting new people and visiting new places. However, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed my train of expectations from its track. n The curriculum is pretty different yet dynamic. The professors do pay extra attention to International students, and my personal experience with them all till date has been excellent. The professors used to call all international students up to check if we all are doing fine during the lockdown. As far as the course is concerned, LLM is essentially a research-based course and requires frequent library hours. Though the entire database of the library was made accessible online, studying online is very challenging for someone who has studied from books their entire life. It requires much practice to get used to the new mode of study, but it is not impossible. Also, to my luck, I was staying with my extended family, and that kept me sane. I could not even imagine living all alone in such scary times miles away from home. I sometimes get sad, wondering whether I would be able to meet my parents soon or not. nn Thankfully, the New Zealand government is prompt and diligent. Things are sort of back on track. I have started with one on one classes with social distancing measures in place. During the winter months, the temperature is freezing here and fluctuates somewhere between 7 to 4 degrees. It gets quite windy at times, so I would request others to pack clothes accordingly or buy them from here. nn Presently, I have started with my applications for part-time jobs as I wish to explore the country and learn more about the culture here. The country has great potential to offer and is extremely beautiful. After considering these factors, including investment, it is quite affordable to live here in comparison to many developed countries”. nn Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Mental Health of an International student is highly disrupted. To create awareness on the same, MOWE in collaboration with Fortis Mental Healthcare is organising a Webinar on ‘Mental Health of an International Student’, and would like to extend the invitation to all University students, Academicians and Parents. nn The details for the Webinar are as follows: n Date – 18th September 2020. n Time- 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM IST. n Topic- Mental Health of an International Student. nn Join us and see how the student’s like Sambhavi bravely dealt with the pandemic outbreak. nn

A student application gets accepted or rejected based on his’ Statement of Purpose’ (SOP). Often called the ‘Main key’ to land into a dream university, a good SOP makes a massive difference in your application. Often it is not about the content but the organisation of content. Everyone has their unique writing style, but when in doubt, these guidelines will work as a saviour. nn This essay consists of a gist of who you are, who you want to become, and how ready you are to pursue a particular course in an institution. It seeks to understand a candidate’s life, the motivation behind his chosen career path, their goals and aspirations. So basically, an SOP should be an amalgamation of the past incidents and present details that influenced one to choose a particular career path and define the growth till date. Below mentioned are six things that one should take a note about while writing a good SOP: nn Introduction n Always start with a personal introduction and try to paint the story of your life. It should be crisp and straight forward. It makes the SOP unique and keeps a reader interested. It should not necessarily include struggles from the past, but again if one believes that the struggle shaped his life or made him select this career, then it can be worth mentioning. n Try to keep the truth in front with proper justification. For example, if there has been a history of bad grades or health, explain the reason or causes of it. nn Accumulate points n It is always healthy to make a list of things one wishes to include in their essay. Try to keep a separate list where you can add points as and when you remember them. Also, before writing the essay, try to plan how you will shape it. This analysis will not only help you formalise paragraphs but will also give the SOP a meaning. n n Grammar n Ensure that statements are crisp and made of short sentences. Please note that an SOP should be grammatically error-free. Read it at least five times before submitting. Use software like Grammarly to ensure the sentences are grammatically correct and meaningful. You may also seek help from relatives, professors or friends for feedback about your essay. Remember, proofread, edit and re-edit are keys to a good essay. nn Length of the Essay n A standard SOP is 700 to 800 words long. One must adhere to the word limit before submitting it at a University. Briefly said, an SOP should be summed up in four to five paragraphs. nn Purpose of the essay n It is easier to get lost when writing an SOP, but one should not forget that they are writing it to avail admission at a particular University. Do your research about the course and University thoroughly. Read and reread the webpage as thoroughly as possible and also, try to align the course outcomes with your career goal to create a linear progression. It may also include the skills you will enhance the post-completion of the course. nn Honesty is the Best Policy n This phrase is very well applicable when writing an SOP as it will not only define the admission aspect for a University but also Visa approval. Most of the students do not have a lot of extra-curricular activities, part-time job/Internship experiences or social work to mention in their SOP. In such a case, one should always stick to writing about the reason they choose the subject and what inclined them towards applying for that University. They may also mention how the university curriculum is inclined towards their goals. nn Closing paragraph n Often students forget to write an ending to their essays, which is a common mistake. It makes the ending of an SOP abrupt. An SOP should end on a holistic note by expressing one’s desires regarding the course or career goals in mind. It can also have the glimpse of the professions or subjects you wish to choose in future and include how you would like to contribute back to the society post-completion of the course. n n There is nothing as good or bad SOP, but these 06 points stated above should always be kept in mind. However, SOP can be time-consuming. So, never lose patience. Be more receptive to feedback and learn to improvise them. Remember, proofread, edit and re-edit are keys to a good essay. nn We at the Ministry of World Education also offer services to students to prepare for University admission including Application processing, prepping various other documents like SOP, LOR, Resume or finalising the best University or course for a student. We guarantee that MOWE is a one-stop destination to all your queries. Try us, and you will not be disappointed. nn

Today’s story is about a ‘Powerhouse’. She often refers to the phrase which is now edged into our memory, “Running on a treadmill and not getting anywhere is not the lifestyle one should sign up for”. She is one of the most hard-working individuals we have come across and a person who truly believes in making her destiny. ‘Kriti Dhamija’, an MBA in marketing from Amity University, Dubai. Let us see what this experience has in store for us all. n n “I applied for universities abroad, but Dubai was never my top priority, Soon, I realized I wanted a successful career and not a safe jacket. Other countries like Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand have specific security attached to them due to visa flexibility. However, the job market in Dubai is highly challenging. I have never been satisfied with the consistency but have always aimed for growth. Hence, I made it my priority and landed up in Amity University, Dubai, with an additional scholarship offered by the University that made the education quite pocket friendly. n n Being a Delhi University student, I thought that the University would have a relaxing environment. However, they always kept us on toes from one project to another. Moreover, I wanted to make the best utilization of time to strive to think outside the box. The best part about Amity University, Dubai is they offer evening college too, which later allows you to look forward to part-time work opportunities. If one is considering Dubai, they should efficiently know how to deal with time management skills. Here, you are always running. My day practically starts at 7:00 AM rushing to work and later in the evening towards the classes till 10:00 PM. Your energy is drained by the end of the day. So one has to be quick, efficient and smart to be able to handle the education and culture in Dubai. In my opinion, it grooms you the best by giving you practical and theoretical experience at all times. Like any other country, attendance is compulsory and up to 75%. The curriculum of the University is pretty much similar to Amity University in India. However, it has that International curriculum attached to it. The course is more practical than theoretical, and apart from this, we do have various guest lectures to keep our spirits uplifted at all times. n n I was kind of disappointed after college got over. However, soon I started looking for a second job because I did not wish to waste the time that I used to dedicate to the University. I found a freelance Digital Marketing role with a company based in New York, apart from my regular job. Also, let me tell you, even for the primary job I held, I took the initiative on my own to hunt down the job in the relevant sector. I did not wait for my college to organize a career fair which they usually do. I intend to say that you create the opportunities for yourself and don’t wait for them to knock at your door. Create your destiny and utilize your time. Make proper utilization of time and Internet. My schedule includes working at least 16 to 17 hours continuously from Sunday to Thursdays (Fridays are Dubai’s Sunday). It merely gives me the thrill to strive to excel and learn new skills. This aspect is significant for me, and I cannot even sit idle for half an hour. I have to do something. The country has undoubtedly made me a workaholic person. People often complain that I overdose myself with work, but I enjoy it. Currently, I am employed at ‘StreamPort Media’ as an ‘Assistant Marketing Manager’ in Dubai. n n Dubai has many jobs to offer for different fields, but from the past few years, there has been an influx of skilled immigrants, which has increased the competition. However, it is highly advisable not to fluctuate between jobs. If you do have the talent, you do not have to worry about employment in Dubai. The best part of living here is that it’s safe, and there are no conditions attached to it. The rents are pretty high in Dubai, which makes it an expensive place to live. According to the Business Insider, Dubai is the 18th Ranked most expensive city around the world to rent a two-bedroom apartment. If you select to live in a posh area, you might exhaust your 60% to 70% of salary on accommodation. So, if you find a good neighbourhood with budget-friendly accommodation, grab it. On an average estimate, you need about AED 3,000 to live a good life in UAE. Food and daily use items are cheap and readily available here. You can visit Carrefour, Al Adil, Choithrams and Lulu to purchase the same. n nn If I talk about ethnicity, Dubai does not belong to anyone. It may be known as the city of sheikhs, but you will witness different ethnicity and background living in Dubai. Dubai gives you international exposure on a large scale. Unfortunately, the government does not offer citizenship even after you have lived here for 4 to 5 decades. Once you are out of a job, you will have to leave the country but try and absorb as much as you can. The place has a lot to offer if you want to learn how to live, earn and enjoy. Also, who says money can’t buy happiness? Habibi, come to Dubai”. n

n Deciding what to do next can be excruciating exercise. There are a lot of options available, and each one of them looks equally impressive. With a change in the global work environment, there is a huge gap in supply and demand of specific job sectors. Pursuing these courses might increase chances for employment. So here is a list of top trending courses in terms of the job market: n n Artificial Intelligence n Artificial Intelligence is a course where Mechanical Engineering interacts with Software Engineering and Programming to create technology that interacts with humans and enhances human ability. Famous examples of AI include disease mapping- saving millions of lives, manufacturing robots, advancing artificial limbs in humans and animals, Amazon Alexa. There is a huge demand for engineers in this particular area. AI can nowadays also be applied to neuroscience studies, physics and astronomical sciences. Top countries for such courses are: n n Germany n USA n China and Hong Kong n UK n Japan and South Korea n n 2. Bio-Chemical Engineering n Biochemical Engineering is the study of living organisms like cells, viruses, proteins or other organic material to see how they interact with things around their surroundings under optimal conditions. These studies further develop products or processes. For sustainable development, countries are heavily investing in biochemical engineering to develop solutions for problems such as the shortage of drinking water, plastic pollution, and global warming. Industries that depend heavily on biochemical engineering includes biotechnology, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, water purification and food. Top trending countries for the course are: n n USA n Germany n UK n Canada n n 3. Business Analytics n This course helps existing businesses analyse risks and enhance their operational efficiency. It covers Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive analysis. The course has emerged as one of the most lucrative careers in terms of salary and growth. The best part, one can consider the course even without a background in business. Top countries for the course are: n n USA n Netherlands n UK n Ireland n France n Germany n Singapore n n 4. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) n It is a ‘globally recognised professional designation’ offered by CFA institute that ‘measures and certifies the competence and integrity of a financial analyst’. Clearing rate of CFA is 40 Percent. CFA is cheap in terms of investment and return. One can apply for CFA exams in their final year or post-completion of Bachelor’s degree or post four years of professional experience. Moreover, there is no age limit for the exam. Studies have shown that more people in their middle ages prepare for this qualification. Top countries for the course are: n n China n USA n India n Canada n UK n Australia n Hong Kong n Singapore n n 5. Computer Science n One of the ‘never going out of the trend’ courses. It focuses majorly on ‘Software Engineering’, and with the world advancing more towards the technical side, the demand for ‘Software Technology Engineering’ is only going to increase. The course includes theory, design, development and application. Top destinations to study the course are: n n USA n UK n Canada n Australia n Cyprus n New Zealand n Germany n Hungary n n 6. Data Science n The course is a blend of Mathematics, Machine Learning, Algorithms and Processes. It aims to use raw data for analysing beneficial patterns for the growth of an organisation. The course requires strong interest and knowledge in the field of Statistics and Machine Learning. Top destinations to study the course are: n n Canada n Germany n UK n USA n n 7. Developmental Studies n It is an interdisciplinary course under Social Sciences stream. The course is offered at the Master’s Programme at various prestigious universities across the globe. The subjects cover various social issues based on demographics, anthropology, community studies, development communication, theory and diaspora. All these subjects equip one with the necessary tools and information to contribute towards the economic and social development of third world countries. Top countries to study the course are: n UK n USA n South Africa n Australia n Denmark n Netherlands n n 8. Digital Marketing n It refers to the use of digital platforms for adverse advertising and marketing of products and services. These channels may include eMails, Search Engines, Social Media Platforms, Mobile Applications and Websites. Aso, the demand for this course is only increasing with time. Top countries to study the course at: n UK n USA n Switzerland n Canada n n 9. Environmental Engineering n It is a branch of engineering that works towards protecting the environment and biodiversity from the adverse effects of human degradational activities. Top countries for the course are: n n USA n Switzerland n Denmark n Canada n China n Germany n Netherlands n n 10. Industrial Engineering n Industrial engineers apply sciences, analytical approach and advanced methodologies to complex systems for integration and operations. They try to optimise time, money and resources, for the same reason industrial engineers are often known as ‘Operations Managers’. Graduates from these courses can also end up in the roles of ‘Project Managers’. The top countries to pursue the course are: n n Switzerland n USA n Denmark n UK n UAE n Australia n n 11. Information System Management n MIS includes learning about ‘Programming, Network Engineering, and Computer Database Administration’. The subject includes a theoretical and highly practical component which follows the former. It is a data-driven report that helps businesses make the appropriate decisions. Top countries to study the program are: n n USA n Germany n Canada n n 12. Machine Learning n It is one of the fields which have been there since quite some time but only gained the popularity it deserves recently. It highly depends on AI- Artificial Intelligence. The jobs of Engineers in this area include programming codes for AI that produce similar results on interaction with the real world. In other words, it

We all know about the big Canadian dream in the eyes of many Indians but what we do forget is the struggle behind fulfilling that dream. The story we bring you forth this week is of one such young lad, Harman Singh Manocha,(Btech in IT from GTBIT, IP University) whose efforts are real and relatable. nn Harman is a highly motivated, smart and intelligent student who never dreamt of moving to Canada. Still, his father was highly motivated to send him abroad for further studies. It was not until the third year when Harman finally decided to own his father’s dream. n n “Shortly after the third year, I started shortlisting various universities in Canada, and my friends who were already living abroad helped and advised me frequently on the same. My first advice to all the students planning to study overseas, please work on your grades, because when I kicked in to grade up, the stakes were high as I already lost marks in the first two years of Btech. n nn I wrote IELTS in the fourth year of Engineering. You won’t believe this. I forgot the test date and had a mini heart attack when I got to know the exam time via an email reminder on the exam day itself. However, still, thankfully, I managed to reach the examination centre on time. Later, I cleared the exam with a pretty decent score and in my final year started applying at institutions in Canada. I had shortlisted a few universities and colleges including Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Concordia University of Edmonton, Lambton College, Georgian College and University of the Fraser Valley for four courses which were: n n Cyber Security n Cloud Computing for Big Data Analytics n Information Systems Security (MEng) n Data Analysis n nn Out of all these, I finally chose to pursue a Post-baccalaureate in Data Analysis at the University of Fraser Valley, British Columbia. The course structure is divided into four parts which are Data Extraction, Data Loading, Data Crunching, and Analysis. (Majorly focuses on Data reporting and Statistical reasoning). The course is highly practical with immediate implications in real scenarios, and interestingly, the course is in high demand and worth 1045 Billion Canadian Dollars. nn I landed up in Canada on the 15th June 2019 and soon became a patient of smallpox, and by 17th evening the sickness was significant. My luck didn’t shine bright on arrival as I hadn’t availed the health insurance while leaving for Canada and ended up spending $100 CAD per visit to the doctor. I would highly recommend the students planning to move to Canada to get travel health insurance before leaving the country, especially for the ones not taking a direct flight to Canada. Also, this did not end here. On arrival, I already had an Airbnb accommodation booked wherein I fell victim to ill-treatment for being sick. The host’s behaviour wasn’t comforting, so I planned to leave in the middle of the night and a day before my length of stay at Airbnb. Imagine being in a foreign land where you do not know people and get ill-treated. It is a horrible feeling. Later, luckily, I found accommodation quickly befriending a student of the same university and sheltered myself to experience the less stressed upcoming Canadian mornings. nn nn I hardly have attended the walk-in classes at the university for about six months. Since last December I’ve been taking online classes earlier due to heavy snowfall and later due to COVID-19 outbreak. I miss walking to the university, and I am pleased finding friends like family here in Canada. Also, now, I’m fully equipped to deal with whatever comes my way. I am even trying to ace my scores, to challenge my brain with what’s new and adapt to the lovely weather of Canada. I miss home a lot, ‘Meri Delhi’ n immensely. No place in the world can ever have food like in Delhi. nn My one advice to you all would be try and be self-reliant financially. Canada has a lot to offer in terms of job opportunities. Yes, the pandemic has affected the job market a bit, but it’s not too bad. Also, one important tip for all my Sikh friends planning to study or work in Canada, please carry spare Baaj, Beard and Hair accessories if you use any, to groom yourselves as you won’t find time to get this stuff here initially”. nn

“Hi, I’m Sunena Kharbanda, working as a ‘Technology Associate’ at Goldman Sachs and an Ex-student of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). I initiated my journey for Hong Kong quite accidentally while I was preparing for JEE Mains. HKUST was introduced to me by someone in my coaching and whimsy; I decided to apply for a BEng in Computer Science which is for four years duration. The application process was pretty simple, and my marks of class 10th, 11th and 12th were considered. My parents and especially my father were not very convinced initially to send me abroad for further studies and till the last day he had a ‘why’ on his face, but I always gave back a smile and said I’m just a five-hour flight away from you. My deep desire to study abroad and to make a better living for myself got me to Hong Kong. n While planning my education abroad, tuition fee again was another challenge as I belonged to a middle-class family. But by God’s grace, I scored a scholarship of 50,000 HKD with my admission offer letter and also received a ‘Huawei Maitree Scholarship’ for 10,000 USD per year (Its renewal every year is based on specific GPA requirements). The most significant credit for this goes to my mother, who has been a regular newspaper reader, information provider and also, my constant source of inspiration. She has motivated me throughout my journey to do better in life and become an even better human being. nn Survival in Hong Kong for an Indian Student is not too difficult, especially if you’re planning to study in HKUST. There are three reasons for the same. First, the medium of instruction is primarily in English, secondly to my amusement, food has never been a problem. You have ample of Indian food joints available in and around and thirdly, before the commencement of your program the university provides you at least 15 days to adapt to a new environment and also, allots international students with a mentor’s group who take you around the city tour and guide you the basic things like how to open a bank account, etc. These 15 days are known as ‘Orientation period’, and they act as a catalyst for students to settle and adapt to the new changes. Also, Hong Kong is a small yet well-connected country. So, travelling is not a problem. They have road signs in English, but one is most likely to face an issue with finding the right kind of accommodation as the country is densely populated. n I was too scared like any other student to travel alone, manage everything from, food, studies and finances all by myself. It was a colossal task initially as in an Indian family you are highly dependent on your parents for menial tasks. Also, my entire family had their doubts about sending a girl all alone to a foreign land, but I made sure I made them proud. I believe it’s equally difficult for a male or a female to make a career anywhere in the world. It purely depends on one’s hard work and dedication. I believe behind every girl’s success; some parents trust her instead of society, relatives and friends! My parents have never differentiated between their son and daughter, and I believe if all parents start doing that we will see a lot more girls in the STEM industry making their dreams come true, outperforming males in any industry. n It’s been almost eight years in this country, and I am amazed at the potential it has to offer. If you’re from a Commerce background and are interested in the finance industry, Hong Kong is the place for you. It has Asia’s headquarters for many financial companies, and it holds even a better potential to grow in the future. The average salaries are enough for you to manage all your expenses and still save an ample amount to cover any of your travelling expenses. I didn’t know when Hong Kong became a home. I miss my parents and sometimes also feel pressured to return to India and settle. As a woman, I believe it takes double the convincing for Indian parents, but it is all worth it. I dare all the women to dream big and work hard to turn your dreams into reality. Be fiercely bold, powerful, a bread maker as well as a winner”. nn n Team MOWE, on the 75th Anniversary year of United Nations, takes a pledge to promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment on the lines of Sustainable Development Goal Number Five: To promote Gender Equality and empower all women and girls. n