Want to Study at a Foreign University? Take Tips from My Experience!

– by Aania Datta

March 31, 2017: During my growing up years, people would often ask me what I wanted to become, and I would promptly reply, that I wanted to be the doorkeeper of all the treasures in the world, just like the character in my magical fairy tales.

Seldom did I know that with the passage of time, my developing interest in the matters of business, trade and fiscal policies of my country would propel me to take up B. Com as my graduation subject in college. Hi, I am Aania Datta, aged 22, exploring opportunities to do my majors in Economics abroad.

Breaking the Barriers

Believe it or not, not a single person from my family has travelled abroad to pursue studies. We are a joint family of 15 members, staying happily in one of those huge bungalows of CR Park, Delhi. I have always been a rebel since childhood.

My keenness to watch the annual budget session in the parliament and the English news channels always irked my cousins because watching these programmes meant zero time for cartoons and Mahabharata episodes.

My selection of commerce after my class 10th annoyed many in the family as all of them felt that I was superb in English and so should take up humanities. My family profoundly believed that arts and humanities were always a source of professional salvation as they opened up a plethora of professional avenues for a girl. With very good grades in mathematics and after a lot of heated discussions with my parents, I finally took up commerce.

As time passed, my interest in the matters of economy grew and then in a logical progression of career; I went on to secure the first name on the St Stephens admission list for Economics (Hons). My entire family was baffled with this news and with this, I broke my very first barrier of being the first woman in the Datta household to take up economics as a graduation subject and that too in one of the most reputed colleges of the country.

Over a period of time, my diligence and hard work paid off and I scored well in all my exams. My teachers and mentors all encouraged me to pursue further studies abroad. The idea of studying abroad was revolutionary, and it meant a lot of groundwork and finding out the best study abroad consultants in Delhi.

Exploring the Possibilities with Mobile Marketplace

Finding a good consultant was a task, and after a fortnight of meeting consultants recommended by known people, I was on the brink of giving up. Something or the other was lacking. I remember it was my birthday eve, and I was on a long distance call with a cousin of mine who was studying in Australia.

She suggested me to explore mobile marketplace of services such as UrbanClap to scout around for the reputed study abroad consultants in Delhi. This kindled a fresh hope in me, and I immediately downloaded the marketplace app and placed in my requirement.

Within a single day, I got the quotes from a few of the best names in the industry and after having a thorough conversation with shortlisted consultants, I finally zeroed in on one based out of Chanakyapuri. Both my parents and I were greatly impressed by the fact that they had a concrete plan of action for not only short listing the best universities for me but also supporting me with the Student Visa, estimating the total expense of pursuing the course, accommodation in the student hubs, and part time jobs for expense support. All that they spoke and presented calmed down my delirious folks.

Taking off

Breaking free from all inhibitions and preconceived notions, I embarked on the journey of closely working with the deemed consultant to finalize between London School of Economics and Stanford University. It took us three months to figure out everything and finally, the day arrived when I was just standing there with my parents in the Delhi International Airport, teary eyed but excited to take on the new world of challenges. Thanks to UrbanClap for connecting me to one of the most capable study abroad consultants in Delhi.

Today, a lot of my cousins are motivated to take up courses abroad and I am happy to share that I have become a source of pride for my parents because I am funding my education through a student work-earn program.