France is considered as one of the ideal places to study abroad due to its rich culture, prestigious educational institutions, and a thriving lifestyle. Apart from these, some of the benefits of studying in France are listed below:

• France has the fifth largest economy in the world with its service sector predominately contributing to over 70% of GDP
• It is home to some famous Nobel laureates - like Marie Curie and Alfred Kastler and hence provides outstanding research and development opportunities.
• French institutions offer a huge number of scholarships to international students.
• A student can also learn french which is the official language of more than 30 countries across 5 continents.
• An international student can work part-time up to 20 hours a week and therefore can experience the work culture in France. Excelling in French will also give them an edge and thereby students can blend in better with the work culture and the people
• France is the first non-English speaking  country welcoming internationals with more than 6,000 programs fully in English
• Excellence in higher education offered by the various French universities and Grandes Ecoles is highly recognized around the globe.
• France has the world's fifth-largest economy and some of the powerful companies are headquartered in France including Airbus, Total, Orange, Sanofi, LVMH, L’Oréal, and Danone.
• France encourages young talent especially in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation so that they can apply the essential skills and knowledge learned at the french institutions.
• France is also an appealing study destination to international students who want to build their long term skill set especially in arts and crafts such as jewelry, fashion, crystal glassmaking, and architecture.
• The cost of living is affordable but greatly varies amongst various regions. For example, if a student is staying in Paris, the cost of living may be slightly higher than the other regions of France  Overall, one would need roughly 650 to 850 euros per month to cover the living expenses in France. However, living expenses may vary to an extent depending on the city you are in for your studies.
• International students often visit places relevant to the courses of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centres or historical sites, scientific companies.
• France has a shortage of skilled professionals in certain sectors, which include engineering, information technology, health care, and teaching. Therefore, students can land up with endless career opportunities in the above-said sectors.

Moving to a completely new country can be quite stressful at times, however, France is known to be one of the safest metropolitan located in the heart of western Europe with a fairly low crime rate. The universities and business schools in France have also laid down certain guidelines to ensure the health and safety of international students.Besides,France is diverse and one of the most visited countries in the world. It is home to some of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites like the Château de Versailles and the gardens of Versailles. Eiffel Tower is also one of the most visited places in France. Besides, France is also a popular study destination because of its prestigious higher education system which is globally recognized. It is also one of the powerful global leaders in research and innovation. Management , engineering, and design courses are some of the popular programs amongst international students, and each year more than two lakh students visit France for their higher studies. Additionally, France has the fifth largest economy in the world with its service sector predominately contributing to over 70% of GDP towards the country’s economy. Apart from it, tourism, agriculture, technology, and transport are also a few of the key contributors to its economy. France is also listed as one of the most visited countries in the world.

France mostly enjoys a temperate climate but there you can find significant changes in the weather with the seasons. Winters, especially between October and December are cold with temperatures dropping to negative in the mountains. However, the weather is pleasant in the spring from March to May. It may be really hot during the summer, from June to September, especially in the South, but the temperature rarely rises above 35 degrees Celsius.

Apart from studies, international students can indulge themselves in the endless opportunities that France has to offer in art, culture, food, mesmerizing city skylines, etc. Additionally, career opportunities post studies in France are also promising basically in the IT, banking, tourism, design sectors. Space Research and Development is also another emerging sector in France.

Studying in English or French

France is considered one of the ideal study abroad destinations among international students, known for its rich culture, quality higher education, and thriving student life. French is the official language of France and a very widely recognized language which is spoken in more than 30 countries. Besides, France is home to some of the top-notch globally renowned universities such as the University of Paris, University of Bordeaux, the University of Strasbourg to name a few as well as some of the famous business schools such as SKEMA, INSEAD, HEC Paris etc. Since there are so many international students attending colleges and universities from different multicultural backgrounds in France, international students can easily find courses offered in both languages. Overall, the country offers more than 1400 higher education programs that are taught in English, and therefore learning French is not mandatory. However, if you intend to stay back and work in some of the reputed companies in France, then it is recommended that you should learn the language as it will help you to blend in with the French culture. Furthermore, France encourages young talent especially in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation which makes it even more crucial to learn the official language as the young entrepreneurs need to build a rapport with the native people.

France is also an emerging destination in terms of job opportunities. The universities and business schools in France not only ensure the health and safety of the students but also help them in getting paid or unpaid internships and make sure that the students get all-round development throughout their term. Additionally, universities and institutions have dedicated career centers that assist international students in getting internships as well as jobs. So, international students can work part-time up to 20 hours per week while studying in the institutions and thereby can experience the french work culture.

Several industries including energy, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, technology, and transport are the major contributors to its economy. The famous utility company Electricite de France (EDF), is well known across the globe. France is also expanding its avenues in the field of renewable energy. Another crucial economic pillar of France is technology. It is listed among the most technologically advanced countries in the world, and its ideal research and innovative environment have led to the growth of some of the largest technology companies across continents. France is indeed recognized as one of the leading global business centers and thereby home to some of the famous multinational companies including Airbus, Total, Orange, Sanofi, LVMH, L’Oréal, and Danone, Renault to name a few. French-based companies like Publicis are one of the well-known names in the advertising industry.

Moreover, students can also learn French as it is not only the official language of France but also one of the most widely spoken languages in the world after English  and Spanish . Learning French will not only give them an edge but also they are expected to blend better in the French culture. France also encourages young talent especially in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. Besides, to land up with suitable job opportunities, the student must build their profile and prepare their CV that meets the French expectations. France has a shortage of skilled professionals in certain fields like engineering, information technology, health care, and teaching. International students from the EU may stay and look for jobs as long as they like, post completion of their studies. However, the same is not true for the non-EU students as they can only stay in the country if they have a work contract from an employer who is willing to pay at least one and a half times the minimum wage. As soon as the non-EU students have a job, he/she can apply for a work visa, and therefore the student visa will be changed to the work visa. Overall during their stay in the country, they can experience the rich history of France in various aspects of culture, including philosophy, cuisine, music, art, film, fashion, literature, and sport.

Student Visa Management Process in France

If an international student is an EU national, or national from the EEA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they do not require a French student visa to enter the country. However if the students belong to any other part of the world - mostly non-EU nationals - they need to apply for a French student visa. Student visa application process can take place either through the French consulate or Campus France. The student visa application usually starts as soon as the students receive an unconditional offer letter from a French university or institution of their choice. A student needs to book an appointment with Campus France at least 90 days before going to France to submit the following documents.

• An unconditional offer letter for an accredited program at a French institution.
• Proof of sufficient funds for meeting the living expenses of the country. The student can show a bank statement or a notice of funding from a loan, scholarship, or grant.
• Proof of medical insurance
• Proof of accommodation: you need to provide proof of accommodation even if you are staying with your family or relatives or student housing arranged by the university.
• Proof of language proficiency: If you are going for a program taught in English, then IELTS, TOEFL test scores need to be submitted along with other documents
• Passport size photograph

Once the visa application is filed, it usually takes 15 days to 1 month to receive the student visa for France.

BWhat makes Finland a leading study destination?

Finland is respected globally for its higher education system, valued by academicians around the world. The education system not only provides high quality education but what sets it apart from the rest is that it is accessible to all. While providing the flexibility to students to choose subjects that they are truly interested in, the system also focuses on individual development. The Finnish higher education system ensures that learning just happens for the sake of learning but to add value to an individual and, through them, to the society.

International Students

Finland has been gaining popularity as a study destination for International students over the last few years. According to latest reports, the number of international students studying in Finnish universities is slightly over 30,000. Over the last couple of years, students from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Non-EU countries such as India, China, Brazil and Russia have also been heading to Finland to pursue their higher education. The tuition fees for international students is similar to that in other European countries.

Universities in Finland

Finland is known for its innovations around the world – particularly in software and technology. Nokia phones, operating systems such as Linux and even mega-popular games such as Angry Birds have all originated out of Finland. Science and technology programs have been some of the strongest programs that the country’s universities offer, and these programs continue to attract international students every year. The Finnish higher education space provides high-quality education across streams. The education sector in Finland is known for its quality research and constant additions to its knowledge bank. Along with the regular universities there is also the University of Applied Sciences or the polytechnics. These institutes are of high quality and equip students with the skills to immediately adapt to the workforce in Finland.

Students who wish to study in Finland also get the benefit of working part-time. During academic sessions, a student can work part-time for a maximum duration of 25 hours per week. During semester breaks, there is no restriction on the number of hours of part-time work. Often, this helps an international student to manage his/her living expenses.

A high-quality education system combined with a rich culture and opportunities to build a fruitful career make studying in Finland an attractive option.

Universities in Finland are considered among the most reputable in the world. The tuition fees per academic year is similar to other European Universities. Finland offers high quality programs across disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The fees for international students pursuing these programs can range from anywhere between €8,000 - €10,000.

International students from Non-EU regions looking to study in Finland often try and avail the scholarships that are available. Most universities have some scholarships that are available to international students at both the undergraduate and the postgraduate level. There are other financial aids that are offered by host nations of international students. It is advisable that students do explore and apply for these options as there is a lot of competition for these scholarships.

International students coming from various countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China and other Non-EU countries have increased in the last few years. Students see the value of the higher education system in Finland and that is a primary reason that a high cost for some programs such as medicine does not prove to be a deterrent.

For international students who belong to the EU, higher education is mostly free in Finnish universities. But if the student belongs to a Non-EU region, they will need to pay the fee charged by the universities. These can often be managed by the many scholarships that are offered by the same universities. The cost of education in a Finnish university is nothing compared to the high quality of education, innovative teaching style, and facilities offered by the Finnish universities.

The teaching style and curriculum ensures that students can hone their skills of collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to learn new things. The emphasis is particularly placed on the aspect of the student being able to adapt to work life right after they finish their education. Finnish universities try to imbibe skills in students that help them solve real life problems. Finnish universities have evolved on the principle that education is a process and not something transactional, this philosophy has helped them develop such high-quality institutions that universities across the globe look at them for inspiration and innovation.

The education system in Finland does not restrict a student’s journey to one particular discipline, the areas of study within a program would more often than not include real life scenarios, aspects etc that we deal with in our daily lives both at a micro and macro level. This helps students to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Finnish higher education system encourages students to innovate and solve real-life problems. Not only is Finland known for its innovation but it is also ranked among the happiest, it has people from different countries and cultures and it is one of the safest places in the world with a high quality of living.

International students studying in the UK often work part-time or take up internships and volunteer work, this helps them to build their professional profile and also network. This eventually proves to be valuable when looking for a job once the education is complete. Finland is an attractive proposition for students looking to pursue their higher education in Europe.

One of the main concerns of International Students looking to study in Finland is regarding the medium of teaching. Universities in Finland along with University of Applied Sciences or in other words polytechnics offer programs in all fields in both the undergraduate and postgraduate level in English. International students have over more than 450+ programs to choose from, which includes doctoral level programs as well.

The 30,000+ international students who are studying in Finland not only are spread across various disciplines but also hail from different countries such as the United States, China, India, United Kingdom etc. Almost all these students are pursuing programs that are taught in English and are extremely comfortable with the mode of teaching and the structure.

The cost of living in Finland is like other European countries. The cost of accommodation varies based on the city as well. Helsinki and Tampere are slightly more expensive cities to live in compared to cities like Oulu, Pori, Lappeenranta, and Jyvaskyla. The cost of accommodation in Helsinki would start at about €650 per month and can go up to €1,500 depending on the type of accommodation and the location, accommodation around the city centre is usually expensive. Other areas such as Oulu and Pori, students can find accommodation that can range anywhere between €400 - € 1,100. There are also single room accommodations available for students that are much cheaper, since there is a lot of demand for such accommodations, the availability can always be challenging.

Eating out regularly can prove to be expensive, so students mostly buy groceries and cook. A basic meal at an affordable restaurant for one person can range from €8 - €14. Combo meals or meals inexpensive restaurants can go up to €60. Buying groceries from a store or supermarket can range anywhere between €175 - €225 per month.

Other costs that the students will incur would be internet, mobile, student supplies etc., these are usually very reasonably priced, and students can budget approximately €100 - €125 per month for these expenses.

The average monthly expenses for a student can range from €800 - €1,400. Living in Finland will cost an international student almost the same as living in most European countries.