FINANCING GLOBAL EDUCATION: HOW FAR CAN YOU GO?

Published : 10 years ago, on 30/09/2014

How far can you go in letting your child reach his educational aspirations? Are you up for financing your child to study abroad?

Regardless of social status and financial capability, each one of us is entitled to dreaming big. For most people, it starts with studying abroad and getting an international diploma. In this generation where personal ambitions are greatly influenced by social media, goals are somewhat formed with how they see the success and achievements of others.

How prepared are you in financing a would-be global learner?

Assessing what you have

You know in yourself if you can support your child to study outside of the country. Letting him/her go is a difficult thing to grasp alone (we’re talking of high school and incoming college students in this article). But if you add to that the amount you are expected to give out so you can contribute in the realization of his/her dream, that’s the major thing.

Although there are scholarships offered by universities and non-profit organizations, as parents, it is still your responsibility to give financial support, in any way, to your child. But if you have all that is needed to send your child abroad to study because money is not an issue, then by all means, let them have that global education.

An article published in bbc.com talked about the “education fever” or “education obsession” in Asia particularly in South Korea and China. Parents from the middle class and even those in the labor force strive hard to give their children such education that cost them their house, medical insurance, and other expenses. They acquire themselves huge debts just so they can send their children to top universities in their country or overseas.

Financing global education – is it worth it?

For wealthy parents, sending their children out of the country to study US or in UK is like a normal thing and something the society had already expected. But for thriving ones who had to give up a lot of things to finance an international education, it’s a significant sacrifice.

Is it worth every penny? The answer actually depends on the kind of children you have and the directions in life that they want to take. Is studying abroad something that they’ve been really wanting? Or is it your own dream that you’re passing on to them to fulfill?

Sending your child abroad either for college in UK or for a few weeks of study program in US will require every penny you can give. But whether it is for a university degree or a summer course to finish, there is still that “international” tag that comes along with both learning experiences no matter how long or how short the duration is.

It is also important to note that the fees in some schools are higher for international students. This is another thing to consider before selling all your properties to fund your child’s international schooling.

Benefits of study abroad experience 

In an extensive survey done by The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) back in 2002, more than half of the respondents have told that they pursued a post-graduate degree and that studying abroad had encouraged them to further their academic study. Furthermore, a study abroad experience gives your child greater chances of employment specifically in a company that operates internationally for their global learning also inculcated them of cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication skills.

Aside from the mentioned benefits, your child’s people skills will be fully developed once they started studying abroad. This does not only mean interacting with the locals of the country where he will be studying but that includes other foreign students who will contribute to his interpersonal growth.

Being away from his/her comfort zone while he/she is in university or in a 3-week study program in UK, he/she will learn to stand on his/her own feet and savor the independence in this meaningful journey. There is a substantial fulfillment in store for your child. And relatively, you would realize the positive impact this study abroad experience would give to him/her.

When you look at it as a colossal expense, you might doubt of its essence. But if you see it as a bridge towards your child’s brighter future, it might seem priceless.

Study Programs in UK and US

If in case you and your child want to know if studying and living abroad is something that you can sustain and something he can commit to, why not try those 3-week study programs in the US, in UK, and other exciting locations? Paradigm Global Education and Management Co. Ltd. (PGEM) offers various study programs focusing on leadership, culture and language learning, and more.

These study programs will give your child the opportunity to explore, learn, have fun, and experience life in the host university. By joining such, you can determine if studying abroad is really for your child. To know more about this and PGEM’s other services, visit their official website.