Is Studying Abroad Still Worth It For Indians?

Absolutely! With study loans becoming increasingly accessible and career prospects abroad turning highly attractive, the time is better than ever for Indians to pursue higher education abroad in 2025. The experience can be valuable for students, offering not just academic and professional development but also scope for personal growth. 

However, like with any other decision, it is crucial to carefully consider all options before choosing to study abroad. These include the financial aspects involved and specific challenges to address when studying abroad. Additionally, a student’s individual academic and career aspirations are key factors to consider before studying abroad, enabling them to make an informed decision.      

To help you make a better choice and answer the key question - “Is studying abroad worth it”, we list below some of the key advantages of foreign education for Indian students in the next section.

Some of the top advantages for international students pursuing higher education overseas include global exposure, advanced career opportunities, and competitive salary packages. Some of the other top benefits are listed as follows:

Global Perspective & Cultural Intelligence 

Studying abroad helps Indian students interact with people from diverse cultures. This cultural exposure and immersion are beneficial for their overall growth as individuals, allowing them to learn new things every day, develop sensitivity towards different traditions and beliefs, and become adaptable to various environments. It enables students to gain a global perspective on the world around them. 

World-Class Education & Research Facilities

Some of the top universities abroad are equipped with world-class infrastructure, including cutting-edge laboratories and research facilities. Many of these universities rank highly on global ranking systems, such as the QS World University Rankings. Additionally, these institutions hire highly experienced faculty members renowned globally who impart the best knowledge and skills to international students.    

Better Career & Networking Opportunities

Indian students abroad gain immensely from networking events held on campus and other opportunities of interacting with peers, faculty, mentors, and industry leaders. These interactions and networking opportunities further pave the way for lucrative career roles in diverse industries and sectors worldwide.

In addition to the numerous benefits of studying abroad, the experience is not without its challenges. Adapting to new education systems, financial constraints, and homesickness are some specific challenges shared by Indian students in studying abroad:

• Academic Adaptation & Learning Curve

This is the most common challenge cited by Indian students overseas. Foreign teaching styles are generally different and may take some time for Indian students to adjust to. They may also find it tough to adapt to the grading system typically followed at international universities.

• Financial & Living Costs

Studying abroad can be costly, with a wide range of expenses involved, including tuition fees, accommodation costs, food, and transportation. International students may find it challenging to finance their living expenses in another country, especially without financial aid such as scholarships and grants. 

• Safety, Homesickness & Mental Wellness

This is yet another common challenge faced by many Indian students who choose to study abroad. They tend to feel lonely or unsafe in a new country, lacking emotional support from their family or friends. Homesickness while studying abroad can hit students hard and leave them feeling isolated from everyone around them. 

Focusing on cultural adaptability, budgeting your journey well in advance, and strong networking are some helpful ways to overcome the problems faced by Indian students abroad. Here’s what you can do to overcome these challenges and successfully become an international student in 2025:

• Budget your finances well: It’s essential to plan a detailed budget before you embark on your study-abroad journey. Estimate all the various expenses to be incurred and track your spending during your stay abroad to avoid overspending. Staying organised with your finances can be very helpful.

• Adapt to the new culture: Cultural immersion is yet another helpful exercise that enables you to embrace cultural differences in the new country and adapt to the people, their norms, habits, routines, and traditions. Keeping an open mind and being flexible is helpful in this case.

Network well: To avoid homesickness and emotional isolation, make sure to connect with other students, join clubs, and participate in social events to build your network. At the same time, stay in touch with your family and friends back home to help alleviate feelings of homesickness.

While there may be multiple challenges along the way, studying abroad remains a worthwhile and valuable experience for Indian students. It can provide global exposure and contribute to academic, professional, and personal growth. To help you enjoy a seamless journey overseas and ensure a smooth transition to the new country, IDP Education consultants can help.

From choosing the best country and university abroad to helping you apply for admissions and visa applications, our experts take care of it all. We also help identify top scholarship options to ease the financial burden and offer a host of Student Essentials Services (SES) to make your stay in the new country extremely comfortable.

1. Is studying abroad worth it for Indian students?

This is a personal decision, and some factors that can help you make an informed choice include an assessment of your academic and career goals, personal preferences, the cost of living abroad, and other practical constraints.

2. Does studying abroad help Indians get better job offers?

Yes, studying abroad can significantly boost your prospects of landing a job with a high pay package, making you stand out from the competition in the international job market.

3. Is the ROI of studying abroad still high for Indians?

Absolutely! Several Indian students pursuing in-demand degrees from international universities, such as those in healthcare, STEM fields, and business management, may have a higher earning potential, which offsets the high cost of studying these programs.

4. Are Indian employers still valuing foreign education?

Of course! Many employers in India are generally known to value and recognise degrees earned from leading international universities.

5. Can Indian students get scholarships to study abroad?

Yes, surely. Indian students aspiring to study abroad can apply for a host of scholarship options offered by many leading universities overseas.

6. What are the job prospects after studying abroad?

The job prospects for international students are generally higher and more rewarding, as a foreign degree helps you stand out from the competition, providing you with an edge over your peers.

7. What countries offer easy work permits for Indians?

Indian students can easily apply for a work permit after completing studies in the USA, the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

8. Do Indian colleges now compete with foreign universities?

Yes, Indian universities are now increasingly competing with their foreign counterparts, as an increasing number of Indian students are going abroad for higher education every year.