Recommandation Letters | Study Abroad | Career Consultancies

where the word 'recommendation' is understood negatively, U.S and other countries' universities seek and value the recommendation of several people in order to determine applicant's admission chances.
Recommendation letters are normally required to be submitted by almost all applicants at the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral level. Recommendations play a key role within the decision-making process. An applicant might complete his application carefully, could have done his Statement of Purpose/Essays well, but if the recommenders do not provide a good insight on the applicant, it is most likely that he or she would be rejected for admission into good universities throughout the world. Hence, a strong and appropriate recommendation by the right people makes or breaks an applicant!

Who should recommend?

Depending upon the level of study, recommendations could be made by,
For admission at the Bachelor's level - Lecturers, who has taught the student in key subjects or specializations and has a good insight on the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant.

Principal or head of the Institution - who may or may not have taught the student directly. Since classes 11thand 12thare taught in smaller colleges mainly, some heads do teach the wards and/or knows the student (the applicant) well. Their recommendation will be useful.

For admission at the Master's level - Professors/Teachers could provide their insights into the academic performance, co and extra-curricular activities of the applicant.

Guides, who have supervised the student in their project work, within the college or an institution could also provide an effective recommendation since that reflects on the practical skills of the applicant in a perceived work-place.

It is important not to seek a recommendation from the head of institution in such cases since the head may not be aware of applicant who is one among several hundred/thousand students of his college/university.

In case of applicants who have work experience, it is best to seek at least one or two academic recommendations from the college/university and one from either the immediate supervisor or the overall 'boss' in the work place. However, if there is a huge gap between college and the present application, most appropriate recommenders could be the supervisors and the applicant's peer , who will have the opportunity of observing the applicant as a team member within the organization.

For admission at the Doctoral level and beyond - Strong academic recommendations coupled with work-place supervisors form the key recommenders. More than for any level, doctoral applicants are heavily dependent on recommendations for admission.

What constitutes a 'good' recommendation?

Any recommendation must logically cover the following five points, in order to make them effective and 'good'.

How the applicant is known to the recommender and in what capacity. For example, 'as a student of his 4thsemester electronics class' etc.

Observation of academic and non-academic skills of the applicant with a critical acclaim - to show that the recommendation is unbiased.

Ranking the applicant comparatively, within his class or college, amongst his fellow-students.

Indicating strengths and weaknesses of the applicant in any area - academic or non-academic - and how that could be overcome by the student.

Finally, recommending the applicant for admission into the chosen program, with or without aid. This is crucial, since some universities are known to make decisions on financial aid, based on strong recommendations (of course, after considering several other factors!)

It would be best to provide the recommendation on the letter-head of the person concerned or at least of the college/organization of the recommender.

lease ask your recommender to include his/her contact details (email, phone and mailing address) within the recommendation itself. Some universities might verify if the recos. are 'truly' made.

Ensure that the recommendations are placed in envelopes, sealed properly and signed by the recommender across the flap. Also, it would be appropriate to indicate the name of the Department and the University for whom the reco. has been prepared.

In addition to recommendations, a winning application essay/SOP plays an equally crucial role in admission.

Study in Ireland

Irish universities offer program right from the Certificate level to the Doctoral level, and in almost all fields of study. Engineering and Technology are two areas which are quite popular among international students. One surprising fact is that Ireland is touted to be the largest exporter of IT software, worldwide!

There are seven universities, 14 technical institutes and 24 recognised independent institutions in Ireland. There is a close association between universities and industries in Ireland, which translates into internships and employment for students after completion of their education.

The Irish education system costs of primary education upto class 8 and secondary education costs for classes 9 to 12. After a 'Senior Cycle' period of one to two years, students take up further education in universities, Institutes of Technology or colleges.

Bachelor's degrees are of three to four years duration. A subsequent Graduate diploma is of one-year duration. Further, a master's level degree is from one to two years duration.

Doctoral programs usually take between 3-5 years or original research.

Career Consultancy's gamut of services provides total assistance and guidance about the education system, studying at all levels in your country of choice and plan your total process, right from pre-application to visa, in a professional and result-oriented manner. For more information about our services, click here.

Study in Australia

Australian Education System

The biggest achievement of the Australian economy is its educational system. The education system here offers over 12,000 courses that are internationally recognized and of world-class standards. Ranked third in the number of international students studying in English speaking countries.

Studying in this country ensures a consistent level of qualifications and excellent lifestyle opportunities, which is why almost 20,000 foreign candidates travel here. Australia also possesses a dynamic multicultural society that allows students to mingle with others from different backgrounds.

Education opportunities For Foreign Students In Australia

Australia's educational system focuses on research and innovation and is a leader in the field of training and academics. The country offers plenty of study options for international students. Some of them are:

TAFEs (Technical and Further Education) offer Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degrees, which concentrate on high professional qualifications and research-oriented learning. Students can opt for a 3 year or a 4 year Degree, Honors, Professional courses or a combined Degree from a recognized University, as per their choice.

Foundation courses are provided for international students who wish to take an Australian Bachelor's Degree in medical and paramedical courses, without having completed any other formal education.
There are so many universities that provide post-graduate degrees and doctoral degrees in their specified fields. Admission for post-graduation is based on a previous undergraduate training. This is usually based on a Bachelor's Degree, Honors Degree, research-based Graduate Diploma or equal research experience. A Doctoral Degree is the highest level of education offered by Australian universities.
These candidates must possess a minimum Master's Degree in the chosen field of study.

Australian educational institutions offer summer programs for international students to widen their areas of study/research and also, to experiment in other interesting fields of study.

Academic Scenario in Australia

Australia has made it compulsory for students to receive 11 years of primary education owing to which this country has a 99% literacy rate. After this, individuals take up vocational courses, job training or higher education. Most universities conduct classes on a trimester or a four-semester calendar basis.

Australia is known as one of the best places to live, work and study. If you want to be a part of this educational system and lifestyle, then it is time to experience it!

Quality Education and assurance

TEQSA is the national, independent regulator of Australia’s higher education sector. TEQSA’s primary aim is to ensure that students receive a high-quality education at an Australian higher education provider.

Code of Ethics

The code of ethics primarily aims to safeguard the interests of international students. The code provides ethical practice guidelines for universities on promotion and marketing, agents and partners, and provides information on admission of students, arrival and orientation, student support, fee-charging and refunds, university infrastructure and returning home support.
Education Services for Overseas Students ESOS

All students on a student visa are covered by the consumer and financial protections of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.

Study in Denmark

ABOUT DANISH EDUCATION

Making the choice to study in Denmark is easy. There are plenty of opportunities for international students and researchers. The Danish higher education institutions are internationally oriented and offer a large selection of programs and individual courses in English. About education in Denmark, higher education and courses offered in English, Denmark's economy, job opportunities and green card scheme (Newly started) and studying business in Denmark's second oldest Aarhus Business School. Denmark has several universities; the largest and oldest are the University of Copenhagen (founded 1479) and the University of Aarhus (founded 1928).

An academic tradition combining excellence with an innovative culture for both teaching and research; a typical class consisting of lectures as well as discussions in small groups, internationally oriented wide variety of programmes (in English), an open-minded population with global outlook, institutions of higher education collaborating with business life and research institutions -- all this and much more creates an enriching learning environment. And that makes studies in Denmark a truly world-class experience.
The results of a recent survey on international students in Denmark showed that students enjoy their stay in Denmark because they feel it is a safe place to live.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students have many pleasant surprises in store for them in Denmark. A lot of institutions have a buddy system in practice wherein they send a buddy to meet you on arrival. They will help you get settled, meet other students and deal with practical matters in your first weeks in Denmark.
Institutions also organize special orientation programmes and short-term courses in Danish language and culture during the same.
These programs and the courses provide international students with another opportunity to familiarize them with their host country and meet other international and European Students.
Career Consultancy

Select Right Universities

U.S.A has the largest number of universities in the world. There are more than 3900 universities and colleges that offer post-secondary education, right from Bachelors got the Post-doctoral level.

When an international student is looking to apply for a few universities, how does he approach the enormously difficult process of applying to only a few universities? There are several aspects which need to be considered carefully before choosing the right universities to apply. Some, of importance, is,

Are they suitable for him or a miss-match?

Are they cheaper or costlier?

Do they offer financial aid or not?

Do they have the fields of specialization that the applicant is interested in?

Do they have suitable and reputed faculty? Do they have the right infrastructure?

What about employment prospects?

What chances are there for further education?

What sort of accreditation does the university have?

Do they offer flexibility in transferring to other courses or programs within or outside their university?

Do they have proper support staff to help international students?

What is the geography of the university like?

When a student faces with this onerous task, more often than most, a lot of mistakes could happen - in choices, in the selection and in the whole process!

Especially, when most of the websites and posted catalogues look quite attractive and do reflect the true colours of the institution, it is important to be careful. There are universities that have multiple campuses in hundreds of acres and there are universities as small as a two-room flat! The information on them may be presented equally 'bright', which may lure an unsuspecting student into the trap of joining and not being able to come out later!

This is where professional expertise plays a major role. Companies like Career Consultancy with its years of experience cull the information from several resources, reconfirm and then make decisions for bright aspirants like you - so that you can never go wrong. A wrong step directly or through fly-by-night-operators could waste precious time and money for you, which is everything in today's fast-paced world.

Our mandate is to empower you with all the information and make you focused on the good of what you intend to do - for your own future. Our career centre, student advisers, the research team, managerial staff and the top management will make sure that you choose the right course, program and process, through our gamut of services.

Applying Student Visa for Germany

Applying for a Student Visa

To be considered for a Student Visa, the applicant must first complete an application form for a 'longer stay visa in duplicate. The current application fee for a Student Visa is Euro 25 (currently approx. Rs 1400). The fee is subject to change without notice. An application will not be accepted unless it is made in the prescribed form and with the correct fee 2 passport size photos are needed for the application. The fee is a visa service charge and is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the visa application.

Visa Assessment

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
Evidence of Enrollment

Bona Fides

Whether the applicant's German language skills are adequate for the purpose of the proposed course.
The relevance of the proposed course for the applicant's current academic and employment circumstances Applicant’s intentions to comply with visa conditions and leave Germany at the end of the authorized period of stay
Applicant’s migration history and ties with Germany
Adequate Financial Resources
This involves an assessment of the applicant's or his/her sponsor's ability to finance all expenses pertaining to the applicant's education in Germany including the cost of living and a German medical insurance.

Health certificate

It is essential that the applicant meets the German health requirements. This involves the proof of a recent medical check-up and a chest x-ray. The medical certificate should clearly identify the person examined.

Further processing

Once the visa application form and documentation as listed above are completed, they will be sent by the visa section to the competent German authority ('Auslanderbehorde') for final approval. Obtaining this final approval may take up to three/four weeks. Only after completion of this procedure can the Student Visa be issued.

For queries relating to student visa application, please contact the visa sections of the diplomatic representations of the Federal Republic of Germany in India. The addresses are:
German Embassy: PO Box 613, New Delhi-110021
Consulate General: PO Box 6801, Chennai-600105
Consulate General: PO Box 16711, Calcutta-70027
Consulate General: Hoechst House, 10th floor, Nariman Point, 193 Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai-400021 Pre - Departure Information

Pre-departure orientation sessions are organized for students on their way to the foreign destinations following receipt of their student visas. These Sessions give students a taste of what life is like in the foreign, both academically and culturally.

If you have been admitted to a program of study in a foreign college, you should bring with you any syllabi, catalogues, bulletins, course descriptions or other relevant materials issued by the secondary school or university you have attended most recently."

"When travelling abroad, it is important to carry all important documents on your person. Do not put them in a suitcase. Do not loan or give them to anyone unless that person can show you some form of identification that he/she is authorized to receive them."

"Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to have funds transferred from your bank at home to a bank in the foreign - even with a Demand Draft".

"Host Family Programs pair a foreign family with a foreign student for the purpose of friendship and culture sharing. They provide for student visits to a family home for meals, esp. During occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

"For festive occasions, bring a traditional dress and accessories from your country. You may also want to bring any musical instruments you play, pictures of your home, recordings of traditional music and examples of arts and crafts of your country."

Carry some books on Indian Culture and religion. Be prepared to answer questions, often in depth, say on your religion.

Indians tend to stick together when in foreign shores. While this is helpful in getting used to a new place, you tend to lose out on learning about new cultures and countries. Try to make friends from other countries too.

International Airways usually allows students to carry an extra piece of luggage, over and above the mandatory 2 suitcases and a handbag.

Keep your identification on your entire luggage, inside and outside. Missing luggage isn't as rare as you expect it to be. For this reason, it also helps if you keep all important papers and cash in your handbag only, not in the suitcases.

Don't carry Euro100 bills. People do not usually have change for a 100 in cabs and most shops. It is preferable to carry Euro10, Euro20 notes instead. Also, do not carry more than Euro200 in cash if you can help it. Use a credit card, ATM card or traveler's cheque. Less chance of loss or robbery this way. Even an international demand draft usually takes about 2 - 4 weeks to get cash. Carry enough money with you to last you for the first month or so.

Get an International Driving Permit if possible. It is needed to get a driver's license in foreign. A driver's license is an important identification card in abroad, right after your passport. Since you do not want to carry your passport everywhere, it makes sense to get a license. You will need one for cashing a cheque, even issuing one, for renting a car or a house, in fact for most transactions. If you do not know driving, you can even ask the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a non-driving license to you, used only as an ID card.

Learn to ride a bicycle in case you do not already know it. Students on most campuses ride bicycles - they're cheaper and healthier than cars. An old bike costs about Euro50 - 60, while a new one will set you back by Euro90 or more.

Keep a day's change of clothes in your handbag. This way, if the airline screws up real bad and loses your entire luggage, you will not have to buy clothes immediately