East Meets West: Study Abroad in Japan

Ah, Japan ... home of Hello Kitty, Pokémon and ... heroes? Yes, everyone's favorite teleporter, Hiro Nakamura, is from the "land of the rising sun."

Study abroad programs in Japan are perfect for the student who wants options. And if you get homesick, your cure is a click of the remote away-turn on the TV and you're likely to see Brad Pitt hocking jeans, George Clooney endorsing Toyotas or Cameron Diaz telling you why you should study at Aeon Language School.

The Japanese eat up American culture, which you will see all around you. And if you study abroad in Japan, you can take a few bites of theirs. Throw on that kimono and brush up on your chopstick skills!

Evolved Education

When you study abroad in Japan, you will quickly realize that there are many other international students in the "daigaku," or universities-there are more than 100,000 foreign students studying in Japan these days, and for good reason:

• Japan has a near-perfect literacy rate and places great emphasis on its educated workforce
• Cooperation, discipline and creativity are essential educational ingredients
• You'll find the most cutting-edge facilities and technologies imaginable - do you know that they have video chat on their cell phones and technology vending machines?

It's no secret that Japan is way into technology, as the country has given the world VHS tapes, CDs, CD-ROMs and more. Japan boasts the second-largest economy in the world, thanks in great part to this tech savvy. It's no understatement to say students interested in a focus on technology will find paradise in Japan.

• Study a variety of technology fields at the prestigious Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Spend literally days exploring Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Technology
• Browse the Tokyo's Akihabara Electric Town for stores that sell gadgets the likes of which you have never seen

While technology is the center of many study abroad programs in Japan, the country's culture is also a fascinating study field. Japanese culture has influenced the cultures of so many other countries, including bits of our own. Also, in addition to anime, which is a famous Japanese art style, the arts are very much alive in Japan, and study of the arts is taken very seriously:

• Pay a visit to Mashiko, a pottery town with more than 400 studios and kilns that produce Kutani and Shigaraki styles
• Learning the language will allow you to read haiku, as well as works by famous Japanese writers like Murasaki Shikibu, Yoshida Kenko and Haruki Murakami
• Kado is "the way of flowers," Shodo is "the way of calligraphy" and Kendo is "the way of the sword"

Sword-making is an art in Japan, and many students studying abroad there try their hand at ikebana, or the art of flower arrangement (Scarlett Johanssen in Lost in Translation, anybody?).

Cutting-Edge Culture

There have been many films depicting Tokyo as a staggering neon forest, crammed with countless people and cars-and it's true-you'll find that frenetic energy is very much a reality in the capital city. Entertainment is king in Japan, and there is no better example of this than Tokyo, with the endless miles of options it offers students:

• Make the Kabuki-cho disco scene, indulge in karaoke (a Japanese obsession) or play around at one of the many "gemu-sentas," or game centers
• Roam the Harajuku neighborhood, made famous by Gwen Stefani, with its vendors, street cafes and boutiques

But it's not all bright lights and pop culture in Japan, not by far. Even in Tokyo you'll find some interesting historical sites, such as the Sensoji Temple, built in the year 628 in honor of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and happiness. The Sensoji is the oldest temple in the country, but it is just one of many other amazing must-sees:

• Covered in gold leaf, Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, was built in the 1390s
• Experience the awesome Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano and Japan's highest mountain-climb it, hike it or paraglide off of it!
• If you're seeking all the Japanese clichés alive and well (from pebble gardens to geishas), visit the former imperial capital of Kyoto

And we haven't even gotten to the food! You'll be expected to slurp your Udon noodle soups in Japan, and if you order pizza delivery, don't be surprised if it takes up to two hours! As for toppings, you can choose from ingredients including corn, sesame seeds and mayonnaise! You've got to try the fish dishes-after all, the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is the world's largest.

Whether it is nature or culture you want, a study abroad program in Japan brims with both: mountains and volcanoes, temples and parks, islands and beaches, and architecture and museums. Experience this fascinating land and earn a top-notch education.

Germany, the right study abroad

Possessing a storybook landscape of rolling hills, placid lakes generously speckling its regions, and a coastline studded with stunning beaches, Germany is a land of outstanding beauty and splendor. Visit Germany's wine country and feast your eyes and your taste buds on the region's numerous small visitor-friendly vineyards. Indulge in any of Germany's over 300 spas and health resorts and pamper yourself in a relaxing holistic approach to stress reduction. Savor an authentic German lunch of sausage (Wurst), potato salad and Germany's world-famous apple strudel while unwinding in a modest Gasthof or café. Experience Germany's diverse cultural and social scenes in one of the many theatre and opera houses, all-night discos, and Berlin's numerous nightclub venues. Lastly, to achieve the ultimate Germanic experience remember to greet the Germans with Guten Tag, or Auf Wiedersehen before departing, in this magnificent country filled with beauty and excitement!

To truly experience all that Germany has to offer, you will need to spend more than a semester or two there. This modern country's rich and sometimes contentious history makes it a fascinating place with which to become familiar. One aspect of the old Germany that remains today is its cultural diversity and traditions. Students will not want to miss the famous Oktoberfest, which has been copied but never duplicated by other countries.

Enrolling in a full-degree program in Germany affords you the opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes, artistic traditions and world-renowned education system. Education in Germany emphasizes both practice and theory, and you will be able to choose from many fine institutions of higher education. The country is known for leading programs in the sciences, music, art, engineering and philosophy.

Germany has been home to so many influential people in music, philosophy and literature. Students can study the musical genius of Bach and Wagner, the philosophies of Kant and Nietzsche or the works of writers such as Kafka and Goethe. To follow in their footsteps, get your entire higher education in Germany. This directory will help you locate the full-degree program that suits your need.

Study Abroad @ UK MBA

UK produces about 10,000 MBAs each year, the second largest contributor to the world MBA pool after the US which heads the list at 90,000. In a survey conducted by the Association of MBAs, an international body involved in assessing and maintaining the quality of MBA education worldwide, 82% of the respondents mentioned that they took the programme to add a business qualification to their profile, while 79% did it to improve career prospects. Interestingly, 70% mentioned ‘intellectual stimulation’ as the reason and 67% voted for increased pay packages.

MBA Program Structure

An MBA programme in the UK is quite different from the structure you may be familiar with in India. While admission rules remain the same – a basic undergraduate degree in any field – UK programmes require a minimum of three years of work experience prior to being accepted to study the programme. A typical UK programme has duration of 12 months, but a few extend to even 21 months including interning at a real workplace. Studying for an MBA degree in the UK is very popular across the world, and especially in India. Working professionals find it very convenient to take a year out to study, and return with a prestigious UK MBA qualification.

The UK offers over 150 MBA programmes, and the course structure is more or less the same across institutions. The 12-month programme also includes a three-month long work-based project or consultancy. The course of study is international in nature, preparing a student to take up a management assignment anywhere in the world. Apart from general study courses, students can choose electives offered as part of the overall MBA programme that would sharpen their skills in specific areas of a business operation. MBA programmes offer full-time and part-time options for study, but both are equally demanding and require the same amount of effort and commitment.

MBA Studies: Where?

Where you choose to study is as important as what you will be studying, i.e., the course content. Your study programme should be able to add value to your existing experience. For example, if you are in a professional marketing and sales set-up, it would help to choose electives that correspond to the field. Additionally, there are options to take up extra courses in Mathematics and English if you feel challenged in these subjects, especially for the former in case you have studied a non-Science programme at the undergraduate level.

There are certain rules to keep in mind when you decide on a particular institution to pursue your MBA programme. For instance, it’s standing in the education community. MBA school rankings are put together by various media publications practically every month. Results of these studies would be variable since different standards are applied for evaluation. An accredited MBA programme has a higher level of acceptability in industry and employment circles. For example, theAssociation of MBAs offers accreditation services, so it would be wise to go through their list of institutions to select the right one. Accreditation is a benchmark of quality education, and the service offered by the Association is an independent validation of the course programmes offered by various schools of management studies.

It makes good sense to contact the institution directly and enquire about their programmes. For instance, the placement potential of each course programme based on how many students were recruited, and by which company. There are new programmes being introduced each year tailored to the changing equations of the world business environment. Such focused programmes may have a higher employability factor than the popular groups. Again, find out what kind of companies are associated with the school for the internship part of the programme when students are required to enter a real work environment. Enquire about their faculty, as well as the visiting faculty members and their profiles.

Top UK Institutions for MBA Studies

London Business School: http://www.london.edu
Manchester Business School: http://www.mbs.ac.uk
Nottingham University Business School: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/business
Ashridge Business School: http://www.ashridge.org.uk
Warwick Business School: http://www.wbs.ac.uk
Imperial College Business School: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/business
Birmingham Business School: http://www.business.bham.ac.uk
Business School - University of Strathclyde: http://www.strath.ac.uk/business
University of Leeds - Business School: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/lubs
Durham Business School: http://www.dur.ac.uk/dbs
University of Aberdeen Business School: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/business

New Zealand

n New Zealand, every student enjoys a supportive learning environment. With relatively small class sizes, students receive more personalised attention from their teachers than they do in other parts of the world.

Students are treated as individuals – you’re encouraged to learn from others but also to think for yourself. You’ll learn how to harness your unique strengths and original ideas and channel them into an exciting career.

For international students, this personalised treatment extends beyond the classroom. New Zealand was the first country to adopt a code of practice that sets out standards for the care of international students, in and out of the classroom.

All institutions that host international students have staff dedicated to ensuring their time in New Zealand is happy and successful. 

New Zealand has never been closer to the rest of the world. Online communications and advances in international transport mean local institutions and industries can easily participate in world markets.

Our passion for experiencing other cultures and countries has earned New Zealanders the reputation of being the world’s greatest travellers.

New Zealand is a compact country and highly responsive to the changing needs of global communities and international business. We are keen observers of emerging trends and are inclined to adopt new technologies early and successfully. In the 1980s, for example, we were the first country in the world to trial electronic payment systems (EFTPOS).

When Wellington local Peter Jackson directed the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy he chose to shoot and produce the films entirely in New Zealand. Our global connectedness made it possible to open a branch of Hollywood in the South Pacific

Expenses on Study Abroad @ Australia

During this crunch time it is advisable to go to college, earn a degree and eventually join the work force.
But the primary issue many people face is that the price of higher education is increasing. Average tuition fee towards a bachelor's degree in a publicly-funded American university would be in the range of US $35-40,000 per year. If one were to opt for a British university, the cost range would be around $28,000 per annum. This does not include additional expenses such as room and board (if you were to study overseas), school fee and uniforms, books, transport, communication, and the like.

You have options, of course. Scholarships are one of them. The downside to this is that you will have to maintain a grade average to avail of the program. At the same time, whilst a scholarship will cover tuition fees and possibly the cost of books, it will seldom cover living expenses like lodging and food. Student loans are another possibility, but these have to be paid back a few months after you stop training or studying. That means you will have to give up a hefty chunk of your initial salary, leaving so much less for you.

If you want high-calibre education from a premiere educational institution in a country that has a standard of living comparable to yours but has none of its exceedingly high tuition fees, studying in Australia may be for you.

Living in Australia

You probably think that whilst the cost of tuition in Australia is lower than that of US or Europe, this will be offset by the money spent on living expenses, including relocation and travel expenses, which may be higher than if you were to stay and study in a local university. In other words, it can be argued that any 'savings' generated by the lower tuition fees will just be paying towards the costs involved in moving to and living in Australia. Not necessarily.

First, consider the fact that your dollars or Euros will have a higher buying power than in your home town. If you decide to stay in your country, you will still have to spend money for lodging, food, transport, and other living expenses when you are at university. In all likelihood, the amount of money you will spend on food and lodging in a European or American university may be more than enough for your living expenses in Australia.

For example, the estimated cost of living in Sydney (Australia's prime city) is around A$14,000 and this includes lodging, food, transport, clothes, and other basic expenses. This amount is equivalent to 8,000 Euros or US $12,000. The question is whether you will be able to find a university in the United States where your expenses come to only around one thousand dollars every month.

More importantly, there is nothing stopping you from considering other options in Australia - like studying in a 'less expensive' location than Sydney. Living expenses along Australia's Gold Coast are estimated at only A$11,420 per annum - or US$9,200 (EU 6,500).

Canada; choosing the right college

Selecting a college in Canada, no doubt, is a big decision when you’ve a long list of equally well-known colleges. At the same time, the decision is extremely personal as well as very stressful. However, in choosing the suitable college, it’s very important to understand that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ college. There are many colleges and universities that may match your choices. It’s always advisable to spare some time to find the right college that suits you evaluating on various criteria.

There are hundreds of colleges to choose from in Canada. Finding the right one is very important in your education and career in long-term. The institution that you select must provide you with the opportunity to learn and enjoy your years in school and ultimately land you an excellent job or career perspective. Another aspect you need to consider is the budget. The college you choose must be affordable for you.

There are many different factors that you need to consider when choosing a right college in Canada. The first thing you need to consider is the type of college you want to be in. Do you want to join a diploma course or a four-year degree college? Diploma courses are great for students who want a job early and for those with financial considerations.

Learn about the academic strength of the colleges you are interested in. What are the eligibility requirements, kind ofGRE/GAMT, TOEFL/ IELTS scores the particular institution is seeking for, etc?

Depending on your area of choice here is the list of some of the best courses offered in the schools and colleges in Canada:

Business Studies: Canadian business schools offer world class management studies with wide range of business management programmes: Diploma in Accounting (DAP), Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com), Master of Management (MM), Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Education, PhD, Urban Land Economics Diploma Program, Certificate Programme in Real Property Assessment, and many more.

The top Business Schools in Canada are considered equivalent of the Ivy League business schools. Here is the list of top Canadian B-schools. However, the order should not be considered rankings assigned to these business schools. These are:

1. Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario
2. Sauder School of Business, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada
3. Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Canada
4. McGill Faculty of Management, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5. Queen's School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
6. University of New Brunswick MBA, Saint John
7. Faculty of Business, University of Victoria, British Colombia
8. Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Bus Admin, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
9. University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business, Alberta
10. Michael G DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Ontorio

It is always advisable to apply early to your most preferred colleges. Better if you apply for the top five colleges in your top 10 list. If you apply this way, you have the opportunity to choose the best offers in case you get offer letters from more than one institution. Early action will give you an edge over thousands of other students as well, because early applications have a much greater chances of getting accepted.

Another aspect of selecting the right college in Canada is your area of study. For instance, if you are interested in the field where salary is not very promising such as activism or NGO, going to very expensive college that is known for six- figure salary packages for its students cannot be called wise decision.

Education in the USA

US is a favourite destination for students worldwide because of its world class education. A total of 582,984 international students are enrolled in various colleges and universities in the US (Source: Institute of International Education's (IIE) 2007 report on international education exchange). Around 80,000 Indian students went to the US in 2006-2007. Compared to this, only 21,000 Indian students went to the UK, the other preferred study destination. In 2008, the figure for US bound Indian students is expected to touch the 90,000 mark. Additionally, If you are considering USA as an option for higher education, your chances of scoring well professionally are very bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39,000 jobs were added to the business and professional services industry from March through April, 2008.

Popular Courses

Some popular areas of interest to students are:

• IT
• Engineering
• Computer science
• Business management