r/Indians_StudyAbroad

my_qualifications : Being a 22-year-old Mech Graduate trying to land an off-campus job in 2026 is absolutely awesome. My mental health is immaculate. By immaculate, I mean I’ve been unemployed for four months since graduating in June, and it feels like a lifetime.

Here is how being a "sincere student" played out for me:

Back in 11th grade (peak Covid online-class-bunking era), I tanked my entrances. My govt-employee parents insisted on a Govt Engg College over a private one. I listened, picked Mech, and worked my ass off to become the batch topper.
Zero campus placement tie-ups. The only job I managed to land was located in the middle of a literal forest at a notoriously toxic company (so skipped it). Then, I cleared the assessments and interviews for both Tata and Adani... only for both to freeze hiring right before sending offer letters. Absolute comedy.

Meanwhile, look at the duality of life: my cousin. Same age, grew up together. He went to a Tier-3 private "Jugadu" college (the throw-money-get-a-degree model) for electronics. He couldnt get Cognizant and Capgemini, then finally cleared Infosys for a 3.x LPA mass-recruiter offer. His reaction to a piece of paper I would currently treat like pure gold : "Who even works for 10k a month training? Shitty company." It took him three tries to get it, by the way.

Instead of joining, he used his inflated GPA to go to a study abroad consultancy.

So in Feb 2026: my bro goes to Mumbai, gets his US Visa rejected in a 30-second interview. Cried, instantly became a US hater. Understandable tbh.
Then August 2026: Pivots to Ireland along with every other Indian rn for an MIS degree at UCD.

So He's in Dublin. His dad says he applied to 30 part-time jobs with zero response; his protective mother swears he has 3 offers but is just "waiting for his IRP." Classic family lore.

Look, I want the absolute privilege of having a job offer in hand just to know what it feels like to reject it. Give me some motivation, reality checks, or actual off-campus pivot strategies. How do I navigate this market before I lose the last shred of my sanity? May God bless me just once in this wonderful life…🥲😭

I’m planning to apply for a Master’s in CS/CSE in Canada and would like to know my chances.

my_qualifications:

B.Tech CSE – IIIT Kottayam, India

CGPA: 8.07/10

~2 years of work experience as a Software/Data Engineer

Skills: Python, SQL, PySpark, Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, ETL

Microsoft certifications in Fabric/Azure and agentic Ai

IELTS: Planning to take it; expecting 6.5–7.0

I’m mainly considering:

University of Waterloo

UBC

McGill

University of Alberta

McMaster

Could you suggest my chances (ambitious/target/safe) and whether my work experience helps significantly?

Also, is IELTS 6.5–7.0 sufficient, and are GRE scores required?

I recently completed my master's degree in engineering management and I am planning to return to India. I have offers from 2 MNCs offering a decent pay. A few of my friends and colleagues are saying that I didn't even try for 1 year to secure a job, which in a way I agree but I don't want to get stuck in that vicious cycle of odd jobs here in the UK

I just want some opinions from people who have faced similar issue and how they thought about it

my_qualifications:
BE instrumentation engineering
MSc Engineering management
3.6 years of experience in oil and gas EPC firm

you will probably already see their paid reviews and comments under this post and the real ones will be down voted by their team. they have no professionalism. please ignore their ads and don't waste your money.

my_qualifications: i had taken their all in one plan and it was a complete waste of money they didn't do anything at all.

people who have had negative experiences please fill this thread so atleast others come to know about it

edit: just to clarify i didn't take them for the essays, but rather to connect with school specific students, reviews, cv analysis, scholarship research and visa work

Hi my_qualifications I'm pursuing bcom from manipal online and doing ACCA alongside and I have a few questions about studying abroad. Can an online bcom student get selected in good bschools for masters(not only mba). I know its not possible in USA but is it possible in europe?

If yes then how can I build a strong enough resume to get into a decent business school? Plz guide me through it

i've seen a lot of people on here talking about how they feel homesick or werent ready to move abroad so early. also many of them say they weren't "qualified" enough to apply abroad for undergrad. those of you who went abroad for undergrad, how'd you do it after 12th? how'd you settle in? what about scholarships, entrances, exams and essays?

my_qualifications: 12th student

TL;DR: Low TOEFL writing section score (4/6). Other scores are fine (R5.5/6, L6/6, S5/6, O5/6). Can't review as had used free slots to send score. Should retake the test or is the score fine for germany and italy?

Hello everyone,

my_qualifications:

8.56 CGPA

Electronics and Communication Engineering

Tier 1.5 University

I will be applying for masters in programs related to my degree and not CS to Germany, Polimi and Polito. I recently gave TOEFL and my scores are:

Reading: 5.5

Listening: 6.0

Writing: 4.0

Speaking: 5.0

Overall: 5.0 (100 of 120)

As you can see the writing section's score is low, and I am unable to request for review as I had selected institutions to send score to in the 4 free slots. I strongly believe that my score will improve if I am able to review.

I could not find any sectional score requirement for Germany or Italy. But to be safe, I want to ask if I should retake the test, or my scores are fine?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Im 21 y/o,

My_qualifications : I hold a B Sc Hons Agriculture degree (graduated in May 2026) and It is only recently that I finalised to transition into food technology R&D.

I really wanna move to the Netherlands, especially WUR for Sep 2027 Intake.

Id really love to hear your experiences and suggestions.

The few ways I know to get a scholarship is,

# WUR excellence scholarships - based on invites only

# NL scholarship (covers only 5 to 10% of the Total cost) - application accepted only after beginning of course work.

# cold email professors - I'm not sure about the effectiveness of the path, Id appreciate it if you could share your experience and achievements regarding this; Also the major challenge is I hold a B Sc. Hons Agriculture (8.2 / 10 GPA), and I haven't published anything.

My second priority is the USA. But, the restrictions scare me. As I'll be taking an education loan, uncertainties in the USA for Indian international students fear me, regarding repaying of education loan.

Id be really grateful for your responses.

Thanks.

Hi all, I'd like some perspective on something that's been eating at me.

Most of my friends have very clean career paths. They worked three years at one company, then left for a Master's, and now they have a tidy story: Company → Master's → Job.

Mine doesn't look like that and the comparison is getting to me.

Here's what happened. I worked at a large company for about three years. I applied for my Master's, but because of timing and circumstances, I couldn't get my visa that year, so I left the job. I then joined a startup in a slightly different role. I applied for my Master's again, but this time I had a medical injury that derailed things, and I ended up moving to a medium-sized German-based company in India. It's smaller than my first employer, but still a solid place.

So on paper, I have three companies in 5 years, across related but different industries, with different roles. None of it was random. Each move had a reason. But a resume doesn't show the reasons, just the jumps.

I still want to do a Master's. My worry is that when I come out and start job hunting, recruiters will see a scattered path instead of a clean, linear one.

My question is...Has anyone been in a similar spot, with a zigzag career and then a Master's? Do recruiters actually care about this, or is it mostly in my head?

Any honest perspective would help.

Thanks!

my_qualifications

I'm from India.

I did enough research myself I've been waiting for that one conclusion since 1.5yrs..and I've categorised into two parts things which we can control and cannot: like studies,lifestyle etc and things cannot control is goverment sudden rules and regulations I'm worried about the government most of the time. also looking for partial/fully funded if I get that more than happy if not max 20lakhs capital is available

example: Germany AfD party is completely against immigration and she openly stated that she'll start REMIGRATION

my_qualifications: did diploma (3yrs after 10th) cgpa: 9.53 then btech (3yrs) May 2027 graduation in field of data science, cgpa: 8.9 experience: 6 months of internship experience

Got few research papers and a patent and crazy projects in the domain of AI

im loosing myself and I gotta take a decision by end of 2026..WHICH COUNTRY BROOO???

seniors,elders bro please give me a slap of reality

NOTE: mention when you arrived in that country and college you graduated from/currently studying in

my_qualifications:

MSc Biotechnology (8.65)

Experience: Cancer Biology research during dissertation

No publications

I want to do a PhD in cancer biology/ molecular biology field in abroad. I'm thinking of European countries like Nederlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark and other countries like Australia, UK & US

Everywhere I have read that cold emailing will help to connect with professors/PIs.

Any advice regarding these are welcome and please share your experiences.

A bit about my situation: I come from a financially stable background. I genuinely love research — especially cancer biology.

But right now I’m honestly confused about how realistic my goal is, and what steps I should take next.

My main questions:

1. With my academic profile, is a fully funded direct PhD abroad actually achievable?

2. How should I approach building a strong research profile?

3. Should I focus on the GRE, or are there better pathways for Europe/UK?

4. Are there specific countries or programs that are more accessible for students like me with financial constraints?

5. What would you do in my situation?

I’m trying my best, but the lack of guidance around me makes everything feel overwhelming. Any advice, suggestions, or even personal experiences would mean a lot to me.

Thank you to anyone who takes time to respond.

[my_qualifications = 12th pass]

if someone is going to belgium in 2027 like me can we get in touch? it would be nice to go together. I am joining university of ghent.

my_qualifications- B.tech in IT with cgpa 8.43, 3 internships during college along with other co curriculars achievements
, work ex - 2+ years as developer, DET-135

Very hard to figure out the colleges i should apply for , recommend 7-8 uni i should apply , few target and few safe.

I’m planning to apply for MPP/MPA-type programmes at universities across the US, France, the Netherlands, Canada and Singapore, including:
● USA: UC Berkeley, UChicago Harris, USC, Georgetown
● France: Sciences Po
● Netherlands: Erasmus University Rotterdam
● Canada: Munk School (University of Toronto)
● Singapore: NUS

I wanted to know whether an MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificate from my university is generally accepted instead of IELTS at these universities.
More importantly, does submitting an IELTS score have any impact on the application or scholarship chances, even if the university allows an MOI waiver?

My_qualifications: I’m an Indian applicant with a B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) from Symbiosis Pune, where my entire degree was taught in English. I have around 1–2 years of professional experience in public policy and political consulting in India and am applying primarily to public policy programmes.

I’m asking because I initially planned to apply to only around five universities in the US and had budgeted for the application/testing costs accordingly. I’m now expanding my application pool to other countries, so I’m considering saving the IELTS cost by using an MOI wherever possible.
However, if having an IELTS score can make a difference for scholarships or admissions, I’d rather take the test.
Would really appreciate insights from anyone who has applied to these universities, especially international applicants from India. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Looking for some practical advice/reality checks on a career pivot.

My_Qualifications:

- B.Tech ECE, 2024 graduate (Tier 2)

- 2+ years as a Software Engineer at a service-based company

- Java, Spring Boot, AWS, backend/microservices, GenAI pipelines

- Current CTC: ~6 LPA

I’ve realized I’m more interested in the systems/physical side of computing — Physical AI, AI hardware/accelerators, embedded systems, computer architecture, etc. I want to leverage my ECE background rather than stay purely in application-layer development.

I’m considering:

Mainly low-cost European universities → AI/ML vs Embedded/Hardware/Systems.

3.Job Switch - PBC's

Given my 2+ years experience, ~6 LPA CTC, and limited savings, what would you realistically choose?

Would love to hear from anyone who has made a similar transition.

Which path offers the best ROI, manageable risk, and long-term career growth?

Blunt feedback is welcome. Thanks!

[supprimé]

my_qualifications: Currently in the 3rd year of a BTech degree at a Tier-3 college in India.

The Dilemma:
My college offers a 3+1 credit transfer program to the University of Central Missouri (UCM). This means I would complete my final year in the US and graduate with a US degree.

Most of my friends who are eligible for this program have already applied, and I am facing a lot of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). However, given the current volatile US tech job market, strict visa landscapes, and the entry-level hiring crunch, I am heavily second-guessing whether this move is smart or too risky.

I am trying to choose between three specific paths:

1. Take the 3+1 Transfer to UCM Now: Graduate from the US early, get my foot in the door, and try to secure a job via STEM OPT (knowing the H-1B lottery is a gamble).
2. Complete BTech in India + Work: Finish my 4th year here, gain 2–3 years of solid software engineering experience in India, and then target a global MNC internal transfer (L-1 visa) or direct hiring.
3. Complete BTech + GATE / Masters: Focus completely on GATE next year to target top Indian institutes (IITs/NITs) or prepare for a highly specialized US STEM Master’s degree down the line once I have work experience.

My Questions for the Community:

• Education Loan ROI: Since I will need to take out a substantial education loan to fund the tuition and cost of living for my final year at UCM, is it realistically possible to pay it back via OPT jobs right now? What are the current interest rates and repayment struggles that 3+1 students are facing?
• Is a final-year transfer to a state school like UCM worth the financial risk in today's entry-level market, or do companies heavily penalize "fresher" international grads without prior home country experience?
• How does the industry view candidates who work in India first for 2-3 years versus those who jump straight into a US program via a 3+1 setup?
• For anyone who has done a 3+1 transfer recently, what has your job placement reality looked like?