The Role of Education Consultants in Studying Abroad

Abroad education consultants, commonly called “Study Abroad experts”, are specialised individuals who have a thorough knowledge of all the steps involved in the study-abroad process. Study Abroad experts can make your life a lot easier by providing a bit of just advice and thus providing you with ample amount of time to focus on other areas of getting shifted to a foreign country. 

Studying abroad is a transformative experience that can enrich your life in countless ways. From academic growth to cultural immersion, the benefits are immense. However, navigating the complex process of applying to international universities, creating an SOP, managing the entire list of documents and preparing for the visa interviews can be daunting. This is where education consultants come in. Let us read forth to understand the role of abroad study abroad consultants in detail. But first, let us learn why you need to hire abroad education consultants in the first place.

Also Read: Consequences of Choosing the Wrong University Abroad

Why Choose Study Abroad Consultants over Self-application?

They are experts in their field! This is the first and foremost reason why you should choose education consultants. Even though you can apply to the universities and carry out the entire procedure yourself, however, as a student who has just started to navigate through the best possibilities to study abroad, finalising a country, researching through numerous universities and finding your desired course can be a lot. However, a counsellor would do these things for you tirelessly and bring you the best matches for your profile. Here is how choosing to go with abroad education counsellors can be more advantageous over self-application:

• Expertise and Guidance: Study abroad consultants have in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in the field of international education, understanding the nuances of different countries, universities, and programs. They know the current criteria of all the concerned countries and universities and know the best option suitable for you, if you were to do all that research yourself, it may take a lot of time. Adding to that, they can tailor their guidance and give you personalised advice as per your specific goals, academic background, and career aspirations.
• Streamlined Application Process: Study abroad experts can help you navigate the complex application process, saving you time and effort. Along with that, the study abroad counsellors know that for which courses the university applications will open at a certain time of the year. For example, some universities accept only bachelor’s applications in the spring intake and master’s applications in the fall intake; while some also accept MBA applications towards October/November. 
• Deadline management: They ensure that all deadlines are met, reducing the risk of missing opportunities.
• Network with Universities: Consultants often have connections with universities, admissions officers, and other professionals in the field. So, they can guide you and give a clear picture of the ground level. 
• Scholarship and funding opportunities: They can help you identify and apply for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options without missing the application deadlines. Study abroad experts know that which of the biggest scholarships and grants are released at which time of the year, so they can align you with the same and get you the maximum benefits.
• Cultural and Academic Preparation: Consultants can provide valuable information about the cultural differences and expectations in your chosen country. They can offer guidance on course selection, curriculum, and academic standards.
• Support through the Visa Application Process: Consultants can help you gather the necessary documents for your visa application and help you prepare for the different types of interview questions being asked in a typical visa interview. 
• Post-Arrival Support: They help you find suitable accommodations, preferably with students of the same country of origin. 

Role and Responsibilities of Study Abroad Consultants

Here are the key roles of abroad education consultants:

1. Profile evaluation, university selection and application assistance
2. Standardised Test Preparation
3. Visa application guidance (Documentation Assistance, Requirement of Funds Assistance and more)
4. Scholarship and financial aid advice
5. Pre-departure preparation
6. Cultural adaptation support/Networking Opportunities
7. Accommodation Assistance

Let us understand each of these roles in detail below.

Profile Evaluation, University Selection and Application Assistance

Education consultants help students identify suitable universities based on their academic background, career goals, and personal preferences. They: 

• Assesses the academic record, test scores, and career aspirations case by case for each student.
• Recommend a mix of reach (the universities to which she is eligible to apply), target (these are some difficult options, some of the best universities within the desired budget), and safety schools (universities which either have a large application window; for students can get back to these if they miss out on an option or they have higher acceptance rate; students will have at least 2-3 offers by the end if they have received none from their target and reach universities).
• Helps her understand the admission requirements for each university.
• Guides her through the application process, including essay writing and document submission.
• Helps evaluate the approximate cost of studying for the entire period of study

Standardised Test Preparation

Several study abroad consultancies provide coaching for the preparation of standardised exams such as IELTS, PTE, SAT, ACT, GMAT and GRE. If your course requires you to take any of these tests then, you can ask your counsellor about the same. Your counsellors will get you in touch with the in-house trusted exam experts who:

• Helps you prepare and achieve the desired scores for the reach, target and safe universities. 
• Understands the huge amount of money involved in each of these standardised tests and given the limited number of attempts available, they let you know your readiness for the test by measuring your daily progress.

Visa Application Guidance

After the above two steps, your counsellors will now prepare you for your visa application process and interview preparation. For example, if a student accepted to a UK university, needs help with his visa application. Then, his consultant:

• Explains the Tier 4 student visa requirements
• Helps evaluate the total funds required for the visa application process. This includes - health insurance surcharge, cost of studying and living in the country for 9-10 months (or as per the duration of the course) and tuition fees. 
• Helps gather necessary documents (acceptance letter, financial proof, etc.) and may even provide a checklist of documents to carry. 
• Guides through the online application process
• Prepares the student for the visa interview by providing a certain set of questions or areas from where the questions are asked. 

Application to Scholarship and other Financial Aids

Consultants inform students about various funding opportunities and assist with applications within the application window. Some scholarships are available only once, towards the end of the year, then, in that case, you will have to apply for such great scholarships as soon as you start thinking of studying abroad. This means if you wish to start studying in the Spring/Fall 2025 intake, you will have to start applying for scholarships in the months of October/November. For example, if an Indian student with a strong academic record but limited financial means, wants to study in Canada. His consultant:

• Researches scholarships specific to Indian students or their field of study
• Helps him apply for university-specific financial aid
• Advises on part-time work opportunities allowed under his student visa

Pre-departure Preparation:

Some study abroad consultants help students prepare for their journey and initial settling-in period. For example, a student heading to Australia may receive pre-departure support from her consultant in the following ways:

• a checklist of items to pack
• Advise on opening a bank account and getting a local phone number
• Sharing of information about safe and suitable student housing options
• Brief on Australian culture and academic expectations

However, this is completely subjective and may depend from counsellor to counsellor and their expertise.

Accommodation Assistance

Many students think that the role of the counsellor finishes as soon as you get an offer from the university and your visa is accepted. But this is not the case. You may need further help from your counsellor if you are visiting the country for the first time. In that case, your counsellor will:

• Look for safe accommodation that is also within close proximity to your college.
• Suggest a few options where you will have the chance to stay with the students of your own country or where there will be a friendly locality with many go-to basic necessities stores nearby.

Cultural Adaptation Support

In some cases, study abroad counsellors also provide post-departure support such as in case of adapting to the new culture. To adapt to a new culture easily, your study abroad counsellor may recommend you:

• To join cultural exchange groups or international student associations
• Resources for learning the local language
• Advise on how to balance maintaining your cultural identity while also embracing new cultures and experiences

How to Choose the Right Study Abroad Consultant?

With many new study abroad consultancies emerging in the market, it can be difficult to choose the best one for you. And given that there is a huge cost associated with it, making a mistake is not even an option. Consider the following factors to making an informed decision:

• Experience: Look for a consultant with a proven track record of helping students successfully study abroad.
• Credentials: Ensure that the consultant has the necessary licenses, qualifications and certifications.
• Specialisation: If you have specific interests or requirements, choose a consultant who specialises in that area.
• Reputation: Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or other students who have used the consultant's services.
• Cost: Compare the fees of different consultants and make sure that the cost is reasonable and transparent.

This was all about the role of the education counsellors in studying abroad. If you wish to study abroad then, get in touch with Shiksha’s Counselling services for free. 

If you have any doubts or queries, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.