Higher education planning is a crucial decision making phase for every student. Before applying for an education loan, the student has to do their research on choosing the right country if they wish to study abroad, a good university, and course that they are going to pursue. This is an extremely complex decision as you have to consider a lot of important parameters and then select the study destination to boost your academic and professional career. You also have to decide whether you wish to study in India or study abroad. A part of this research includes getting in touch with different people who have gone through a similar phase earlier and today, are themselves studying or are continuing their study abroad.

Here we are with our next INFOPEDIA chapter capturing Bharti’s academic experience who studied in Illinois Institute of Technology in the USA. She did her MS in Food Science and is currently working as a Quality Assurance Supervisor in a well-known firm in Texas. Our conversation with Bharti highlights her journey as a Master’s student in the US, the research mechanism she used to select her course, institute and country, things to keep in mind prior to go to a new country and her advice for all the students who aspire to study abroad.

How Bharti settled in the US during her initial days in the foreign country

Prior to reaching the US, Bharti reached out to as many friends and peers as possible to check if she could seek help in this new country during the initial days. Connecting with friends helped her figure out about a new friend in the US (her friend’s cousin) who assisted her to figure out an apartment near her college area. He checked this place and booked it for Bharti even before she landed in this foreign country. He also came to the airport to pick her up. Thus, she encourages students to speak to as many people as possible and seek their help so that the start of the journey in a new country is smooth and hassle-free. It is good to know people around you especially when you are in place far away from home. Socializing and connecting with friends always help you in such cases.

Bharti’s Academic Career & Why a Second Master’s Degree in Food Science

In the year 2013, Bharti completed her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and decided to pursue Master of Science in the same subject in India. Post completing her Master’s degree, she entered into the bio-fertilizer industry to pursue her professional career in this field. During this job, she learnt various aspects about plants, how bio-fertilizers interact with the plants, how production can be enhanced, so on and so forth. While she focused on understanding the sector in detail, she wondered about various facts such as – do these fertilizers impact human body, if yes, are they harmful, the rationale behind using certain chemicals in our food, rules & regulations of allowing these chemicals to be used, etc. These questions arising in her mind made her decide that she would learn more about food to analyse these aspects better. Thus, a course in Food Science was the answer to Bharti’s curiosity.

She started her research on the courses available in India, but unfortunately she realized that there were limited options for her. Hence, she broadened her research horizon and figured out multiple courses in the US institutes. Her urge to learn more helped her get a degree in Food Science from one of the top universities in the US and thus, achieve a bright career for herself in this sector.

Research Mechanism to Figure out the Course, College & Country

When Bharti decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Food Science, she researched on the various courses available in this domain, colleges that offered this subject, country specific details, career prospects of an international degree, course costs and many more. Once she gathered this information, she reached out to a consultant to take this to the next level. The consultancy helped her understand about the admission processes and sorted her paperwork.

 

About the course

Master of Science in Food Safety & Technology program prepares a student to be food safety experts in the private sector and at federal and state health agencies. A student will be able to gain a working knowledge of food microbiology, food packaging, food chemistry, food analysis, human nutrition, and food regulations. Graduates are prepared to enter the food safety industry or continue their studies in the pursuit of a Ph.D. in a food-related discipline. Some of the career opportunities one can explore are – Quality Assurance/Control, Product Development, Food Safety Regulator Compliance, Food Safety Auditing, etc. Some of core courses for this degree are Food Microbiology, Food Analysis, Fundamentals of Food Science, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Planning/Implementation to name a few.

As a part of this course, Bharti got an opportunity to do an internship during her summer break. Her college helped her and other students figure out about the companies who were open to take interns. There were proper interview processes and Bharti was selected by one of the companies. She worked extremely hard and gained maximum industry knowledge. The firm recognized her hard work and gave her the opportunity to continue working throughout the rest of her course period. Even before she could complete her course, the organization extend a full-time job offer to Bharti. She was extremely happy and accepted the offer.

Difference between Indian and US academic structure as per Bharti’s experience

Bharti has a Master’s degree from an Indian institute as well as from an American institute. According to her, the course offered by the US institute is more defined and flexible. It gives her an option to choose what’s best for her. For instance, she could choose between a research course and an internship. At that moment, she thought that an internship would help her gain industry experience. Hence, she opted for this route. Such flexibilities are not available in an Indian course structure. Also, according to Bharti, the curriculum of an Indian institution is designed in a way that it ends up sharing too much information which at times is difficult to grasp and remember. The mode and methods of teaching in the US institute is more interactive in nature which helps you understand and recall better. The examination structure too differs a lot. The tests in the US institute demanded short and to the point responses via interesting test formats such as quiz, short Q&A, etc. Whereas, in her institute in India, she was expected to write long format responses within the stipulated timeline. Though both the academic structures share in-depth knowledge about the subject but the way it is delivered in the US institute is more impactful and easier to remember.

Impact of pandemic on Bharti’s life

Post Bharti completed her academic program, she joined the food industry. As a part of this sector, she had to work harder during this phase to ensure that everyone could stock up enough food at home to traverse this crisis. At times she felt that to deliver all her duties within the stipulated deadline she had to work for 24 hours a day and it was extremely tiring. The work load was humungous but Bharti ensured that she completed everything on time so that other people could comfortably get the necessary supplies during this crisis phase.

Piece of advice for all students who aspire to be where Bharti is today

Choose your course wisely. Don’t take any hasty decision, as you are most likely to complete your education by taking a study loan. Bharti chose this field because it interests her. Her keen interest helped her face all the challenges that came her way and she won them one by one. Also, it is very important to socialize and connect with people. Step out of your cocoon and interact with people. This will help you build strong rapport with people around you who will stand with you when you need them the most. Also, plan your finances well before applying for your study loan. To take a student loan and study in India is easier than taking a student loan and studying abroad, since the academic and living expenses would most likely be much more abroad. Grab every opportunity to learn as much as possible. Along with the academic course, Bharti also worked as a Teaching Assistant and fulfilled her responsibilities efficiently. Multi-tasking is crucial as it will help you gain a holistic growth. You have to perform at all levels, be it as a student, or as a professional. There should not be a moment where you feel that you have done okay today and will do better tomorrow. You have to give in your best each day to set higher standards for yourself during this journey.

Also, remember to connect with the institute’s student community as you can get a lot of information and help from them. Bharti reached out to them prior to reaching her study abroad destination. She received valuable information from this team in terms of her course, suggestions on how new students can go through the entire process and other relevant facts. Student Assistants are extremely helpful. Hence, be in touch with them before you reach your destination.

Bharti’s education funding route

As mentioned earlier, studying abroad is an expensive affair. When Bharti planned for her higher education, she realized that she would require an education loan to fulfil her academic aspirations. To make her dream a reality, she researched about various ways in which she would be able to finance her own education. One of the important factors she identified was that to study in the US she needed a pre-approved education loan. Based on this crucial parameter, she researched about various financing companies who could help her with this kind of an arrangement. She reached out to a couple of friends who had been through a similar journey. Basis her desktop research and friends’ recommendations, she finalized to go ahead with Avanse Financial Services as her education financing partner.

Team Avanse will bring more such experience sharing articles exclusively for you. Stay tuned for more. You can reach out to us for any query or assistance. All the best!