Kaizad Mistry, a Counsellor, has been screening students and guiding them on how to make a proper choice

For most students, going abroad after graduation is a done thing. While some can afford the fees, there are loads of others who require loans and scholarships to get that ‘dream education’. While Indian universities are fast gaining the reputation of being one of the best in the world, nothing beats the advantage of studying in a foreign land and gaining global experience. The journey begins once the decision to go abroad is made. The main thing to remember, however, is to find an agent or an advisor who will guide you in the right direction without charging you an exorbitant amount.

One such person is Kaizad Mistry. He is the all India Admissions Counsellor of the London School of Commerce and the London School of Technology and Management and has been sending Indian students abroad nearly a decade. His job, basically, is to screen students,

Interview themm personally and guide them about opting for the right course. The London School of Commerce has offices in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai but interviews are held all over the country.

“I always knew I wanted to be in this profession. The main thing students have to remember while going abroad is to choose the right agent. Almost 80 per cent of students come to me through references. I would advise students to go through a university’s website thoroughly. They should also talk to existing students. By doing that, they will get to know the first-hand experience of a student who is currently studying there.”

Every year, at least 500 Indian students seek admission to the London School of Commerce and the London School of Technology and Management. These colleges have a total student capacity of 2700 students, one of the largest in UK. Both colleges are affiliated to four universities - The University of Wales International at Cardiff, Liverpool John Moores, University of East London and University of Sunderland.

Mistry continues, “A student has to remember to choose a course that will be accepted globally. There’s no point in spending lakhs of rupees on something that will be valid only in certain countries. The degree has to be recognised by the country’s High Commission as well. Also students should not get carried away by promises made by agents about guaranteeing those jobs. Most students make those mistakes. One of the reasons our colleges are so popular is because we insist on 100 per cent attendance and that’s why our passing percentage is as high as 97 per cent, which is very high.”

The MBA course in the UK can be completed in one year, whereas the same course takes

two years in India. The cost of the course comes up to £ 14,500.

“What is really a matter of interest is that out of the 500 Indian students that join our colleges every year, not even one is a Parsi,” he rues. “Hopefully, that will change soon.”