Vaibhav on Why European Universities were his Exclusive Choice: Shiksha Success Stories
Talk to ExpertStudyabroad.shiksha.com got in touch with one of the students – Vaibhav Maudgill who got admission to IESEG School of Management’s Master of Science in International Business course.
Question: Why did you choose to study abroad?
Vaibhav Maudgill: I chose to go abroad to study as the universities there give admission purely on the basis of merit. I wanted to be in a classroom where other students have the same caliber as me. To work there, I know I will have to learn French sooner or later but I have already started on that front.
I finished my B.Tech in electronics and Instrumentation in the year 2009. After that, I was at an IT company and ultimately joined Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) after I cleared an all India entrance exam. I was posted at Bokaro Steel City. I have worked in the public sector here in India so there is enough financial stability. However, I’m looking for a change in my career as I don’t want to be stuck in a technical profile my whole life; I want to progress to a managerial position. Going abroad to study is a major decision which has to be handled carefully as I never wanted to go abroad, get a degree and join the same job at the same profile.
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Q: Was Europe your only choice as study destination or did you consider other countries as well?
VM: I applied to seven different universities within Europe. I got accepted at all of them. Before I started my research I wasn’t sure about the country. I had a hunch that maybe I’ll apply to UK or US universities as English is the main language of communication here. I was never keen on learning a new language just for the purpose of studying my master's course. After my discussion with Shiksha study abroad counselor, I realized that studying at a country which is part of the European Union will be a lot more beneficial. I can work at any of the 28 member countries after I’m finished with my course.
My initial three choices of countries were Spain, Germany, and France. I chose France as the French government supports international students by subsidizing the cost of living through CAF. I applied to three courses, MBA from Grenoble Graduate School of Business, MBA and MIB from IESEG School of Management.
I got scholarships for all the three courses but I chose MIB as the course has been taught since the last 50 years, while the MBA course is fairly recent.
Q: Which exams did you give for admission to the universities of your choice?
VM: I gave only IELTS. I wasn’t very confident about scoring high on IELTS as on a day-to-day basis I was dealing with plant laborers on the job. I felt my English is rusty so I studied for IELTS for 15 days and ultimately managed to score an overall band of 8.5. I didn’t join any coaching center or bought any IELTS book. I only visited a few online websites to understand the format and took a few sample tests.
Q: How did you come across Shiksha study abroad counseling services? What are your honest opinions about the help provided to you by the team?
VM: Since I wasn’t sure of which college to shortlist I decided to take help on the matter. I googled ‘top education consultants in Delhi NCR’ and came across Shiksha. I then called the counseling helpline had a word with the counselor. There are a lot of consultants mushrooming everywhere so it was important for me to put my faith in the brand. Since Shiksha was only looking for my honest review in return for all the services, I decided to select their services.
The counselor was really patient with me as I was very keen on finalizing the university as soon as possible. She convinced me that in order to choose the best university option for me and my career, I had to slow down. Other consultants would have given me a list of universities of their choice because they depend on the commission they make out of it. However, my Shiksha counselor took her time in matching my profile with all the universities. So here transparency in dealing was the key as I knew the reason why she was recommending a particular university.
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Q: Did you have any apprehensions when you signed up for Shiksha study abroad counseling Service?
VM: Just because Shiksha offers only online services doesn’t mean I didn’t trust them. Nowadays online services are doing a lot better than those which require face-to-face interaction. The online method was very convenient for me personally since my experience of interaction with the counselor on phone or e-mails was good. I got prompt replies and precise information which is what I wanted.
Q: Did you receive any scholarship? How did you apply for it?
VM: There was an interview with the university, based on which I received a waiver of 25% on my tuition fee. Apart from that, I am eligible for CAF, which means I will be living in a subsidized accommodation provided by the French government. I wasn’t sure if I will be getting the scholarship or not but once the Shiksha counselors confirmed that I’m eligible it was a great surprise.
Q: Tell us about the Student Visa process.
VM: I first went to Campus France to get my documents verified. They asked me a few questions like why am I going to France and where will I be staying. After my documents were verified I received a No Objection Certificate which I had to present at the VFS office. At VFS, they checked my transcripts, proof of funds and a one-way ticket to France. I would like to mention that documents that provide proof of funds are the most important to get a student visa. Even if you have taken a loan the officers need to believe that you will be able to pay it back.
In order to apply for CAF, that is the waiver of the accommodation rent, you need to provide a birth certificate with your full name on it. Your date of birth on tenth class mark sheet or passport will not be considered, so if you don’t have a birth certificate with your name on it please get one made.
Q: Do you have any advice for prospective international students?
VM: You need to be sure of which course you wish to pursue abroad. Applying to universities just for the sake of traveling and living abroad is not going to help you. Keep in mind the return on investment and choose the course accordingly.
Vaibhav is now going to begin his college session in France. Studyabroad.Shiksha.com wishes him a prosperous career.
Read more Shiksha Success Stories:
- How Priyanka scored a scholarship to study in US
- P. Gopinath's journey to making to the course of his choice at Sweden
- Sourabh shares his experience of successfully applying to universities at US and Canada
- Shubhansh's journey from quitting his job to getting into NJIT
- Why Aishvarya chose a Canadian university over American colleges
- How Ankit made it to Lakehead University's most popular course
- How Medha made the decision between pursuing MBA and MS
Q: Why do Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni - France?
Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni in France for various reasons. The school offers a unique blend of international exposure, high-quality education, and a strong focus on practical skills that are highly valued in the fashion industry. Additionally, the school's strong industry connections and its reputation for producing successful alumni, such as Rahul Mishra, Dhruv Kapoor, and Anvita Sharma, make it an attractive choice for students seeking to launch their careers in fashion.
Q: Why Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School - France?
Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School in France because:
- Academic excellence: ESSEC Business School is a top-ranked institution in France and is known for its high-quality education. The school has been ranked among the top schools in France and is recognised globally for its academic programs.
- International exposure: The school has a strong international network and welcomes over 200 graduate exchange students each year from top business schools and universities around the world.
- Career opportunities: ESSEC Business School has a strong connection with top companies, such as L'Oréal, Danone, and Procter & Gamble.
Q: Is getting part-time jobs easy while studying at Istituto Marangoni - France?
Getting part-time jobs while studying at Istituto Marangoni in France is possible, but it can be challenging due to the busy schedule of students. The school recommends seeking a job after completing studies, although students may have opportunities to work on projects developed by the school's teams, such as working as a dresser during Fashion Week. Additionally, international students in France can find part-time jobs both on and off-campus, with wages varying depending on the job, such as translators earning EUR 21 - 27 per hour.
Q: What do student reviews say about Istituto Marangoni - France?
Student reviews about Istituto Marangoni France highlight the institute's prestigious reputation, multicultural environment, and the quality of education it offers in the fields of design, style, and fashion. The institute is praised for its global network, where students from around the sector come together to share their ardor for fashion. The college composed of expert style consultants, designers, and stylists, is identified for imparting students with first-hand know-how and enjoyment in the enterprise.
Q: How expensive is it to live at ESSEC Business School - France?
According to the ESSEC Business School's official website, the estimated cost of living in France for a student is between €7,000 and €11,000 per year, with an average of €8,000. This includes housing (which includes utilities, charges, and insurance), meals, local transport, telephone, health insurance for the year, and miscellaneous expenses (excluding leisure). The cost of accommodation varies depending on whether you choose to live on or off-campus, with one-bedroom apartments in Paris starting at €800 per month.
Q: Why to choose Paris School of Business for MIM in France rather than Kedge Business School?
Both Paris School of Business and Kedge Business School offer MIM programmes across a diverse range of specialisations. The average first-year tuition fee for pursuing the MIM programme at the Paris School of Business ranges between INR 9 Lacs and INR 19 Lakh, depending on the specialisation a student chooses. Whereas, the average annual tuition fee for pursuing MIM programmes at Kedge Business School ranges between INR 13 Lacs and INR 24 Lakh. This aspect is one of the reasons to choose the Paris School of Business for MIM programmes.
Q: Is Paris School of Business, France a better option than IIM Lucknow, India for doing MBA?
Comparing the Paris School of Business (PSB) in France and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow in India for an MBA depends on various factors. IIM Lucknow holds a strong academic standing nationally and globally, being a top-tier institute in India. On the other hand, while PSB is esteemed in France, its overall reputation might not match that of IIM Lucknow. Opting for PSB offers exposure to an international setting and a different educational approach, beneficial for those eyeing an international career or intrigued by the European business landscape. Meanwhile, IIM Lucknow also facilitates global opportunities through partnerships, exchange programs, and internships.
Q: Is getting part-time jobs easy while studying at ESSEC Business School - France?
It is possible to get part-time jobs while studying at ESSEC Business School in France. ESSEC has an active job board with more than 40,000 offers and 5,000 profiles. You can visit the job board to find part-time job opportunities suitable for students. ESSEC Business School also has job postings on LinkedIn. You may browse through those postings to find part-time jobs that match your skills and interests. You can always reach out to ESSEC Business School's Career Services for guidance on finding part-time jobs.
Sagar Sharma completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun with first class in 2015. He has been employed in the education sector for the past five years. Having w... Read Full Bio
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