Global Ed: Can It Be Affordable?

We live in an increasingly globalized world today – more than we did even a decade ago. The ease of travel and access to information has fuelled global aspirations in today’s youth, who are looking to Global Ed as a means to live enriching educational experiences. Unsurprisingly, student mobility has seen a steep rise, as learners look beyond geographical borders for higher quality education and seek a more culturally vibrant learning environment.

However, the unfortunate truth is that while millions of students are able to realize their dreams, there are the other millions who don’t. While the reasons are many, the primary one is economical. Aspiring students tend to give in to the preconceived notion that Global Education is unaffordable – that it is the prerogative of the affluent alone.

Is there truth in that notion? Is Global Ed unafforbale for the common man? The answer is not a simple one. If you are looking to go to a university in the United States, then yes, it could require a large sum. Tuition fees have risen drastically over the years, and student loan debts have reached an excess of a whopping 1.5 trillion dollars.

But, here’s the good news. There are a host of other countries which offer high quality education with minimal tuition fees – you just need to know which ones these are and how you can fit in. In many countries universities are publicly funded, which means that students need to pay minimal admission or semester fees. That said, financial aid is another great avenue for students today as they have access to several scholarships and other monetary grants that can help them in financing their study abroad. Moreover, students can also work part-time in many countries to cover their day to day expenses.

There are two main factors that make Global Education out of bounds financially – the fee and cost of living. Based on these two parameters, here’s a look at some of the best countries in the world where Global Ed is an affordable option.

Germany is known for its public-funded universities, where there’s no tuition fee for students of any nationality, except for a nominal university fee (of about 150-250 Euros). The country is known for its high quality of education and even offers various courses for international students who don’t speak or write German. What’s more is that twenty-nine of its universities are named among the top 500 universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2020.

Apart from its affordable education, living costs for international students are also reasonable. Cities like Berlin and Munich, where the majority of these universities are located,  fall among the top 30 most affordable student cities for study in the world by QS Best Student Cities 2019.

Malaysia is another country that is a viable option for Global Ed. Students don’t have to break their banks to live and study in its cities. Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, was ranked the second most affordable student cities for the second year running by the QS Best student cities 2019.

Also, while the living costs are reasonable, the quality of education offered in Malaysian Universities is also of a high standard. Moreover, International universities such as the University of Nottingham (UK), Monash University (Australia), University of Southampton (UK) and a host of other top universities have their branches in Malaysia. This offers students the chance to gain a degree accredited by these top universities at a much lower cost.

If there is one place that offers the perfect setting for students who have a taste for adventure and love for beautiful landscapes, it is New Zealand. This small country has only eight universities, but offers a high quality of education, which is accompanied by a great quality of life. While the costs of living and education can be relatively high, there’s an immense opportunity for international students to work part-time – 20 hours a week at a minimum wage of NZ$17.70/hour during the academic year, and 40 hours a week during the summer break.

Also, the New Zealand Excellence Awards offer great scholarship opportunities for Indian students who are looking to fund their study in the country. Students can also cut their living expenses drastically through the student card, which costs just NZ$20, and gives big discounts on items ranging from food and clothing to transport and adventure sports.

The three countries mentioned above are just a few examples of places where Global Ed is an affordable option. An education abroad does not have to be for the rich alone. If you plan your journey, you too can achieve your Global Ed dream.