KUCHING: The common issues a student would face when choosing their next stepping stone in their education are destination, course and finance. With the assistance of AUG Student Services, which is a one-top student service centre, making that next choice for your further studies will be simple. AUG Student Services has been providing this counseling service to students for more than 19 years. From their humble beginnings, they have since grown to nine branches throughout Malaysia.
AUG will give guidance right from the first consultation until you arrive at the destination of your dreams whether it is about the choices of institution that suit you, assessment of your academic credentials and advice, flight bookings, accommodation arrangements, assistance with student visa application, assistance with AEAS / IELTS / PTE examination registration and so on. All these services are given free.
For those who want to study in Australia, their professional Migration Agent registered under the Migration Agents Registration Authority can advise you on Australian Migration Policies while their property partners offer advice on Australian property market and offerings.
Choosing where to study is important. It is not simply a choice of which country to go to. To study in the city centre or further away from the city such as in the suburbs or countryside is another consideration to make. Also, the size of the campus also plays a role in making the decision, whether it is part of a larger campus or a smaller one.
The country you choose to study will determine the experiences you will get including your future opportunities. Do you want to choose a place that provides a perfect student environment? Or perhaps for the quality of education received? Do you prefer a place with similar cultures to your own, or prefer a culturally different environment? Or perhaps choose to do a mixture of both? An example would be to do a twinning programme, as you do a year or two locally, and then transfer overseas with a recognised partner of the institution. The options can be many, so you need to consider what you want as a priority and pick out your path starting from what is most important to you.
A common fault students make is to join a great university in an amazing country but then the course they take is not what they actually want. Hence, they end up regretting their choice. That is why thorough research is important.
The first thing to make sure is that the course is accredited in your home or destination country as that indicates the quality of the programme. Another aspect to consider is your own capabilities as a student. Some courses are generally more theoretical or practical, and can weigh both ways or equally. Finding that perfect mix to accommodate your own strength will optimise your capability as a student. Looking out for benefits such as work placement schemes and industry contacts that will develop your experience and skills can further offer you a head start when you graduate.
When all the decision above has been decided, it will all boil down to the finance. Can you afford the fees and the living costs which also takes into account the money exchange rate? Then there is the one-off visa fee. Studying in the city would usually cost more than studying in places away from the city. And course fees vary from country to country and there is the matter of whether laboratory work is included in the course. Certain countries allow students to work part-time. For example, Australia allows students to work for 40 hours every fortnight, while the U.K. allows students 20 hours per week. All these factors should be considered when doing the budgeting so that you can make an informed decision.
For any immediate queries or for any information, log on to AUG’s website (www.augstudy.com.my), their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/augmalaysia) or via email at [email protected].
This coming Borneo International Education Fair will feature exhibitors from universities, colleges, business schools, institutes, training schools, education consultants and agents, and the State Education Department in addition to service providers, and scholarship and education fund providers.
Other events and services include sideline talks by educationists, psychometrics tests, free medical checkup by Sarawak Nursing Professional Association, a blood donation drive organised by the Sarawak General Hospital blood bank and a photo booth by Peekture Purfect.
For more information about the event, contact BPIEF Secretariat at 082-330213, email to [email protected] or visit www.bpief.com to keep updated with other exhibitors. Check out their Facebook page, or Twitter account via @theBPIEF.